Outfit of the day, new shoes, rambling about shoes and ethics

[jesse_dylan]

...when I left the house for like an hour...

Same Flint and Tinder indigo, straight, stretchy jeans
American Giant t-shirt
American Giant sweatshirt
matching socks!! (pact Organic, fair trade from India)

New Shoes!

Wool Runners


Wool Loungers

I'd been agonizing for months. It's hard to find shoes made in the USA, much less decent ones, much less ethical ones, much less...

I have quite a few shoes from the San Antonio Shoemakers, and I love them. They are leather, which is sad. Leather makes fantastic shoes. I justify it by saying that leather is a byproduct of the meat industry. If not for cows being treated like objects, bred, killed and eaten, we would not have leather. That would be a happy day, and we'd be pushed to find alternatives. Until then, it is happening, and we have the leather. (Still kind of sucks to think I am wearing the skin of a mistreated, anxious, terrified, unhappy being.)

But, SAS didn't really have any barefoot slip-ons that I wanted. (I do have a pair of their slip-ons, but I don't think they are intended to be worn barefoot... I guess I could e-mail and ask.) They also didn't seem to have any black shoes that I wanted. They have black versions of the shoes I own and love love love, but they just look a little grandfatherly in black for some reason.

I read about Allbirds long ago. They are made from Merino wool. I ruled them out for that fact. I looked into it more and more. Wool is great on so many levels, sustainable and environmental (except for the fact that sheep being bred in such great numbers, like other "livestock," contribute more to global warming than almost anything else, so is it really sustainable?). I also don't think they're made in the USA.

However, what finally sold me was an interview with the person who founded the company. He's not even passionate about shoes and is not sure exactly how he got into shoes, except to say that he had an idea to make wool shoes and completely change shoemaking. He's passionate about ethics and sustainability. They are a certified B-corp, which means they're held to pretty high standards when it comes to manufacturing, environmental impact, and fair labor practice. In addition, they source their Merino wool from New Zealand, again, under strict standards. They claim their sheep are treated well and are really happy. I don't know if that's true, but it's at least a big improvement. I suppose the sheep are still eaten, but at least they're happy, and not mistreated, until then? :/

Whatever the case, it puts it a step above leather, because I really doubt the leather I wear was worn by happy cows. And being a B-corp is somewhat comforting when it comes to the lives/work of their manufacturers.

I don't know if ethical shoes actually exist. Like many things in life, you choose your compromise. At least Allbirds and I have the same goal, that consumers will think deeply and seriously about what they buy.

So, I bought some greenish-colored slip-ons that can be worn with or without socks, and they're supposed to be supportive and comfy. I wouldn't wear them hiking, or even walking, but they're great for riding bike, driving somewhere (and not walking), and they're fantastic for the summer. They also won't get smelly like synthetic shoes do when worn barefoot.

And, I bought some black "runners." I don't know if they're business casual, but maybe they're close enough. My workplace is not super fussy, especially in the summer. I wanted them for bike/driving trips where I know I'll also be walking, including shopping and going to work (because I do walk at work, and I walk even more on my lunch break, enough that I used to go through junky running shoes at a rate of like 4 pairs per year--so I decided to buy more expensive, ethical, longer-lasting shoes instead!). They can also be worn without socks, which is nice. I wear socks at work, and I have to wear socks most of the year. I like being barefoot, or at least barefoot in my shoes, in the hot months.

I've got 30 days to wear the hell out of them, and if I don't like them, I can send them back for free. I'm pretty sure I'll love them. That was not my main concern, though; finding something I didn't feel as guilty buying was. I'm not sure about the sizing either. We'll see! They can also me washed in a washing machine and left to air dry. That's pretty sweet.

The runner-up was by Native shoes. They make synthetic, vegan shoes, that can be worn barefoot. They make them, supposedly environmentally, in China, and are proud to make them in China. That's nice, but it doesn't tell me if the people making them get a living wage or have a decent time. So, I went for Allbirds. I don't know which is a more ethical choice. Shoes are really damn hard to buy.

And if you think all my rambling, stress, anxiety and wasted time on shoes is bad, you should hear about all my stress and wasted time trying to find a new TV. Believe me, there is NOTHING ethical about TVs. And if ethical compromise is rough, let me tell you about all the compromises trying to find an affordable 4k, HDR TV with no input lag for both modern, and HDMI-capable retro, video games! It is enough to make me stick with my tiny postage stamp TV. (If I'd just gotten a big TV to begin with, I would not be looking for one now and could just bide my time as technology progressed.)

Comments

[rocket_to_neptune]

I have to look into them. I usually buy one pair of NB a year, mostly for money reasons. I try to be super careful when I buy shoes. I'll take a look. Thanks!

I agree--the meat industry is full of waste, unfortunately. :/

[jesse_dylan]

I tried to stick with one pair, but I do a lot of outdoor walking, and it seems like it would just eat them up. :( Probably would have been okay otherwise! The SAS shoes do seem to take a lot more abuse from me.