The New Earth Shoes

Comfort Shoes, Walking Shoes - By Tina Foster on Friday, June 18, 2010 - 09:10

When I was growing up, my mom had a lot of friends who were hippies. They lived in tee-pees and log cabins. They drove beat up VW Bugs or bicycles. They grew their own food and made whatever they could. They wore loose, flowing, wildly colored clothes, and strange footwear. I was fine with all of it, but the shoes were suspect. They were ugly and weird. And Earth was one of the brands that was favored by them all, so naturally they became my enemy.

Fast forward a decade (or two) and my search for comfortable, environmentally friendly, cute shoes brings me back to my roots: Earth. Oh, how things change, yet remain the same. First it was their mary janes, then a pair of sandals…soon I was eyeing the whole line: sneakers, boots, casuals. They all share the same basic features: a 3.7° incline that positions the toes 3.7º higher than the heels (this strengthens and tones by engaging muscles throughout the body), anatomic arch support that promotes a natural walking motion, and “BioFoam” cushioning - a form-fitting footbed that displaces and absorbs shock with each step. And although they’re still different, they’re not ugly anymore.

Earth’s environmental friendliness in extensive and growing every year: they are using water-based adhesives to reduce harmful run-off during production, recycled content footbeds, recycled cardboard shanks, environmentally-friendly materials in the uppers, an entirely biodegradable sole, new manufacturing/operations to reduce travel and carbon emissions, all of the company vehicles are hybrids, packaging has been upgraded to one-piece constructions that are glue-less and use soy-based inks and recycled paper, and many carbon footprint reducing activities in the office and manufacturing. And they have a vegan line – the friendliest of all.

Earth’s entire line is well built and has many options for work or play, whether you’re on your feet all day or just want to look good. They have you covered. Now pass the granola.

You can find the largest selection of Earth Shoes (current and discontinued styles) at Shoes.com (click the link to go there now).