Loomstate-Vans Shoes Have Arrived
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04.18.06
We first found out about the Loomstate-Vans collaboration to make some super-TreeHugger shoes awhile back, but hadn't heard anything since, and have been wondering where they went. Turns out the softly-hyped line is alive and kicking and available for sale; don't look too close, but Graham Hill, TreeHugger's fearless leader, was sporting a pair during an interview for Current TV at SXSW a couple weeks back. They've got five different incarnations of the shoe -- two high-top, three slip-on -- all with Loomstate's signature branding and organic cotton. We're glad that you can now be outfitted head-to-toe with Loomstate's groovin' gear. So, which shoe are you? They're available at Revolve Clothing, via ::Product Dose.
Nice - but, still, not No Sweat. If they are made in sweatshops, they aren't environmentally sound, because people aren't separate from the environment, they're part of it. Mistreat people and you're mistreating the Earth.
I went to the Revolve site to have a look and they only have a few sizes of each style.
Yea, my No Sweat high-tops are great, and they look way better than those pictured at the top of the article.
As someone who owns both No Sweats and Vans, the No Sweats have worse arch support, and we have can only assume the fabric for the shoes was not organic, nor where the dyes. No Sweat is the natural alternative to Converse Chuck Taylors, but they don't make the Vans style slip ons. Vans are made in China, no question about that, but they're moving in the right direction if they are going to use organic cotton.
i like these shoes. i like worn again's too. and, i am actually in a position where i can afford them. but does it occur to any of these companies that women wear tennis shoes as well? i have yet to find an eco tennis shoe in women's sizes, or, at the very least, men's sizes small enough to fit women. is there some eco gender discrimination goin on here? :)
heres a report about working conditions and all that in the vans factorys if someone is interested:
http://www.vfc.com/PDF/GCRall.pdf
I called Revolve Clothing, who is supposed to be carrying the Loomstate Vans. They said there should be more sizes in by early June. Also, is the front part of these shoes made of suede, or is it all cotton? I doubt many treehugger style-fans would be so keen on them if suede were part of the design. At least not me.
Good to hear only assume the fabric for the shoes was not organic, nor where the dyes. No Sweat is the natural alternative to Converse Chuck Taylors, but they don't make the Vans style slip ons.
vans are the bomb i also luv the song (got my vans on but they look like sneakers) thats crazy but who wouldn't like vans they are the shit iight holla
At the core of Vans Slip-On shoes are the athletes that help develop footwear that not only defines their individual style but technologically pushes the parameters of their sports.