babble: Ethical Shoes

FAQ | Forum Home

»	babble » walking the talk » labour and consumption » Ethical Shoes

Email this thread to someone!

Author

Topic: Ethical Shoes

captain_easychord
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1296

posted 01 September 2001 05:08 AM

How can one find good, sturdy shoes that aren't leather and weren't made under sweatshop labour?

I need new shoes, and am having a terrible time sticking to principles on this one...

From: The West Beyond the West | Registered: Sep 2001 | IP: Logged

Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560

posted 01 September 2001 08:35 AM

I just typed in "vegan shoes sweatshop" into google, and here's a company I came up with:

Pangea Vegan Products: Shoes

The way I discovered they were sweatshop-free is by reading this interview with the owner.

Lots of name brands, too. I didn't know Doc Martens were sweatshop-free... I usually take shoe manufacturers' labour claims with a grain of salt anyhow, though.

[ September 01, 2001: Message edited by: Michelle ]

From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

Trisha
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 387

posted 01 September 2001 10:52 AM

The prices look competative online, but what about Canadian hidden costs, duty, Canadian taxes, etc.? Has anyone looked into this? A lot of buying from the U.S. ends up costing double.

From: Thunder Bay, Ontario | Registered: Apr 2001 | IP: Logged

Dawna Matrix
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 156

posted 01 September 2001 05:37 PM

You can get Docs here. No hidden cost but GST and PST. They are incredibly expensive, but they last forever.

From: the stage on cloud 9 | Registered: Apr 2001 | IP: Logged

DrConway
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 490

posted 01 September 2001 05:44 PM

I've had two pairs of Doc Martens last me... oh, a good 7 years between them

AND they're made in England, not some "Asian Tiger".

From: You shall not side with the great against the powerless. | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

Dawna Matrix
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 156

posted 01 September 2001 06:03 PM

I had a pair of docs last me about 6 years - the other pair I lost while hitch-hiking. Fell off my pack, or something. (Waaaah. They were suede).

From: the stage on cloud 9 | Registered: Apr 2001 | IP: Logged

ergotist
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1176

posted 04 September 2001 01:51 AM

... i bought a pair of Doc's in england about two year ago ... they are crumbling. i'm not the type who gives them a regular shine though ... or ... any looking after at all so mebbe it's my fault. they are stained with paint and cracked through in several places. they did heavy duty in my veg garden back home --- the soles took a beating on my spade.

also ... i heard that the uppers are made somewhere in Asia and shipped to england to stick onto the famous airwalk soles. i dunno know for sure that it's true but many locals said so when they saw them shiny new on my feets ...

if you do find good ethical shoes one can buy here in canada i'd love to hear about it.

i think fleuvogs are pretty good ... i had a pair six years and treated them with appalling disdain ... they held up very well under the strain. but they were leather ... perhaps they fashion some that aren't?

From: RaT World | Registered: Aug 2001 | IP: Logged

'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 04 September 2001 03:45 AM

Don't know if Fluevog makes non-leather shoes, but they should. They must have some demand for them, especially here in Vancouver. (I wear their leather kind, and lavish care on them, because I'm both vain and cheap).

The Style Guy column in the latest *AHEM*COUGH*gq*COUGH*AHEM dealt with this very issue -- leather that is, not sweated labour. They recommended Doc Martens' Veggie Docs, although they described them as "a little clunky." No pictures though.

[ September 04, 2001: Message edited by: 'lance ]

From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001 | IP: Logged

All times are Pacific Time

Hop To: