Madera sustainable surf shoes by Vans
Vans Madera shoes are part of their eco-friendly footwear range. Most of the shoes in the lineup are made from sustainable resources and the use of petroleum based glues and inks is avoided. Pity about the rest of their ranges because the surf shoes aren’t suited to skating or BMX. Maybe one day.
The Madera is classic Vans style. They are similar to the original slip-ons even down to the ones with the checkerboard print. They are made using hemp and canvas textiles, have a bamboo charcoal lining, hemp infused gum rubber outer sole and natural cotton jute wrap. Of course they use water based glues and inks too.
For the best pricing check out the Vans Madera shoes.
Vans Cojo eco-friendly shoes
The Vans range of eco-friendly shoes in the surf lineup covers slip-ons and lace-ups in low, half cab and full styles. All of them feature natural based raw materials such as hemp and bamboo and use water based glues and inks.
The Cojo comes in three colours and one of them features the checkerboard pattern that is synonymous with Vans. Materials include chrome-free suede and hemp, bamboo charcoal lining, hemp infused gum rubber outer soles and they are also natural crepe wrapped. Plus, all water based glues and inks.
Click to checkout the full range of Vans shoes.
Half Crepe and Half Crepe Lace Up shoes by Vans
More fine footwear from the folks at Vans Surf. Vans as a company has been through ups and downs and deserves your support. They offer great products and put so much back into sports like surfing, skateboarding and BMX just to name a few. Think of events such as the Vans Triple Crown and Vans Warped Tours.
The Vans Half Crepe shoes come in slip on and lace up varieties. Not a low shoe and not a boot, they are the ‘half’ shoes. made from natural hemp, corduroy and suede with bamboo charcoal linings and a natural crepe outsole. Water based glues hold them together and the inks are also water based.
To purchase Vans shoes, have a look at the range here.
Sea Captain shoes by Vans Surf
As written elsewhere, I think Vans shoes are the best. I’ve tried other major brands and keep going back to Vans. Perhaps because I never wear them out like the others. Tough as nails and big on style.
If you prefer a lace-up then the Vans Sea Captain is a better choice over the slip-on Low Crepe Vans model. Very similar low cut show made from similar materials. A quick rundown includes organic canvas, hemp and nubuck uppers, bamboo charcoal lined midsole insert, water based inks and glues. Finally, the Vans traditional waffle sole.
Click for the Vans Sea Captain range of colours and best pricing.
Vans Low Crepe shoe
I have been a long time supporter of Vans shoes since my early teens as a young BMX rider wishing I had a pair. Eventually I bought a pair and still have them. Just can’t get rid of them.
So fast forward many years and I was pleased to see them making footwear from sustainable raw materials. The Low Crepe model is a slip-on made from natural hemp and textiles, a bamboo lining, hemp infused gum rubber sole (waffle design of course) and all held together with water based glues. They come in a few colours all using water based inks.
These are part of their surf range so check out the Vans range.
Reef Loom Belt
Reef make more than just cool clothing and footwear, they have some great accessories. These types of products often get produced for very little cost and are view more as marketing tools and extra sales items. Fortunately some companies take their responsibilities seriously and look at the construction of these with as uch importance as their regular lines. The Loom belt from Reef is an example.The main part of the belt is made from 100% woven burlap and held together with 100% hemp webbing. Not much else to say about this one as belts are a pretty basic product that perform a very important task. It’s difficult to be active when your jeans are around your ankles, unless you’re talking about…Further details about the Loom belt at the Reef website.
US Hemp Co Surfboards
US Hemp Co use a Biofoam blank from Homeblown Blanks that contains about 50% of the cake mix ingredients sourced from agricultural products. As we all know, just using agricultural products doesn’t necessarily make something environmentally friendly, however, indications are that Biofoam results in 36% less global warming emissions, a 61% reduction in non-renewable energy use and finally a 23% reduction in the total energy demand.
Green Wave technology 100% hemp is then used to skin the blank. Hemp is the world’s longest and strongest natural fiber. The resin (working on a bio resin) doesn’t soak in as easily and results in a slighlty heavier board. Of course with the stength of hemp this in turn leads to a much stronger board. Always a trade off between strength and weight in most things.
Add to the above a known resistance to the sun, saltwater mildew and bacteria and you should have a longer lasting surfboard.
More information at the US Hemp Co website.
Planet Earth Green Label
Planet Earth Green Label is a collection of apparel including jeans, t-shirts, wovens/knits, shorts hats and other accessories. Products are made from materials such as organic cottons, hemp and in the case of their trunks, there’s even some old recycled plastic (PET) bottles. So next time you down a bottle of your favourite drink think about recycling the container as you might just end up wearing it later.Check out the entire range of clothing at the Planet Earth Green Label website.
Simple Shoes
Simple Shoes, based in Santa Barbara, California, offers a few ranges of eco friendly footwear and other accessories. Their packaging is also eco friendly in that they ship some products in 100% biodegradeable bags. As they say on the website, dig it, bury it, buh-bye.Some of the raw materials in use are PET bottles, organic cotton, bamboo, recycled car tyres, crepe, jute, water based cememts and cork. For example, their ecoSNEAKS range ar made from recycled PET plastic bottles, organic cotton, recycled car tyres and water-based cements. There is also the green toe range with lots of hemp, natural crepe rubber and bamboo linings.
For the best pricing click the Simple Shoes link.
