shoes
-
Upcycling win: A vintage shoe that also makes phone calls
This project doesn't make much sense on a practical level, but we're into it anyway.
-
Biodegradable slippers are the new creepy toe shoes (we hope)
I’m pretty sure this is the ultimate eco-product: a biodegradable shoe modeled after the Amazonian practice of painting resin onto one’s feet to protect them. Should you invest in these lovelies? Let us examine the advantages and disadvantages. Advantages: You can dispose of them in a compost bin. (Pre-shredding required.) You can get rid of […]
-
Are these eco-friendly sandals worth $18,000?
Chipkos, a company that produces eco-friendly footwear, has partnered with artist David Palmer to produce the world's most expensive pair of flip-flops. They cost $18,000, but hey, at least they're really ugly!
-
Hoofin’ it: Ask Umbra on faux-leather Birkenstocks
Send your question to Umbra! Q. Dear Umbra, I love Birkenstocks, but what’s the deal with Birko-Flor? A leather alternative, sure. But they’re vinyl, and I believe vinyl is a four-letter word in Grist world. Would I be better off just sticking to traditional leather-upper Birks? JenniferBrooklyn, N.Y. Heart and sole. Photo: pi?A. Dearest Jennifer, […]
-
Biodegradable shoes go from footwear to fertilizer
Photo: OAT ShoesAre your shoes on their last legs? If they were OAT shoes (which they aren’t, because you can’t buy them in the States yet), you’d be able to just shuck ’em off and bury them in the yard. Kicks from this new line biodegrade completely, a neat trick that just netted them an […]
-
Ask Umbra on shoe polish, socially responsible investing, and Facebook
Send your question to Umbra! Q. Dear Umbra, I prefer to buy shoes that will last me a long time rather than buy lots of cheap ones that consume many resources. Is there an environmentally friendly shoe polish that I can use to keep my feet looking spiffy for the long haul? LaineWashington, D.C. A. […]
-
Umbra on leather vs. pleather shoes
Hi Umbra, As a devoted vegetarian, I try to make it a point to avoid leather footwear. However, after too many hours of deep thought on the subject, I am now conflicted about the environmental ramifications of my choice to buy processed petroleum shoes, i.e., pleather. Leather is, after all, a natural material; pleather is […]