I will continue to boycott Nike, token environmental shoe or not, until they clean up their human rights record in Asia.

Oh, and when they stop charging $120.00 for a pair of shoes that costs them $4.33 to make using cheap overseas sweatshop labor.

Indeed Jello, lest we not forget the segment in the documentary "The Corporation" that catalogs Nike's sweatshop abuses.

If anyone hasn't seen it, it is a must see.

If it uses so much less, why it cost so much?

Scott,

I'm sure that Nike based the price on a logical assumption: They will only sell 1 pair of these shoes for every 20-50 of one of their normal shoe lines, so they can't reach nearly the same economy of scale. I'm even willing to bet they're making little or no profit on this line, but are treating the Considered line as a marketing or public relations expense. That's just how it is in high-volume manufacturing.

Good to see that Nike's dipping their toes into lower impact production - would love to see them utilize some of their design resources on the shoes (that Mowabb II is a hodgepodge of the uglies).

No thanks, I'll stick with my union-made Red Wing shoes (and my union-made Greybear jeans, and my union-made Carhart jacket, and my union-made Lifewear t-shirts).

IIRC, Nike did create a shoe technology which allows a better range of motion for moving. Which is to say it mimics the motion of the bare foot. Which is also to say that it doesn't restrict your moving foot like most shoes do. The military is of course interested.

For the rest of us there is Make.com and Lifehacker

Why is it that we worry about buying organic produce from Chile, but not buying sneakers from China? If it is good to buy locally-grown produce, certainly buying locally-grown shoes and clothes would be good as well?

I can't, however, claim to be boycotting Nike for their labor abuses, any more than I am boycotting the diamond industry for their environmental abuses.

For what it´s worth I think Nike are probably doing better on their human rights and environmental records than all the no name (sellers brand) manufacturing being done in Asia. At least they're being monitored more than most.
I don´t think production cost and selling price have had much to do with each other since Marx & Engels...
Not to say that Americans might want to keep track of their trade deficit a bit better.

I don't have any Nike shoes - too expensive. But one guy said it right: *Nike are probably doing better on their human rights and environmental records than all the no name (sellers brand) manufacturing being done in Asia. At least they're being monitored more than most.' From what I know, Nike pays better and has better working conditions than virtually all no name Chinese manufacturers. Why? Because they are Nike and everyone knows them so criticism is focused on them. Every move they make is scrutinized and criticized a thousand times over. They have to try to be better than their competitors. And when I say competitors I mean other Asian-based competitors and not US-based competitors. Of course, practically all manufacturing done in China and Southeast Asia falls far below every US standard, so Americans see a Chinese Nike plant and gasp - even if they have the highest salaries and best working conditions in the country. Unfortunately, that is why they are competitive. That is why manufacturing has moved from the US to China. And that is why wages in many parts of China and southeast Asia are increasing and work conditions improving. In any case, it is not as if Chinese Nike manufacturing is displacing decent work in the US - most of the 'Made in the USA' shirts and caps and towels, etc. are made in illegal hidden sweatshops within the US manned by illegal immigrants paid wages, that while much higher than what Chinese earn, are a joke in high-priced America. At least things are cheap in China.

And another thing that was said right: 'Americans might want to keep track of their trade deficit a bit better.' America would be better off if instead of worrying about making high salaries so that they can maintain high consumption of resources (especially low priced foreign products) habits, it would focus on adopting low resource consumption habits (=spend less) - buying smaller more efficient homes, smaller more efficient cars, smaller healthier diets, buying a few dress clothes rather than a steady stream, buying one set of sneakers rather than many and so on. Coincidentally, or not so coincidentally, this is also what would be best for the environment.

There is a New Balance Factory / World Haadquarters down the street form me. I can get a pair of Shoes made in USA for $20 at their outlet store.

That is buying locally

I have some friends that have gone to work for nike in portland and I have heard from them that they plan to increase the Considered line considerable. I am sure most of you know the name William McDonough. When i saw him lecture at Cranbrook last year he commented on how nike is one making strides towards sustainability. I haven t bought nikes since i was in highschool but decided to buy a pair of the considered bb lows and have extremely happy with them. The fact that they don t have any foam and from what i can tell no adhesives makes me happy. Another one of my friends works for a comparable sneaker and shoe company and talked about the conditions of the workers and the impact of the adhesives and whatnot and was absolutely disgusted, but for the most part a lot of my friends are going to these corporations as designers to try to impact the processes and material use towards sustainability. Either way I am completely happy with my nike considered and plan on replacing them with another pair if and when the wear out.

how many people stop and help the homeless they walk past on their way to work or lunch?
as much as everyone can have a go at nike corporations, why not thank them for employing a population of third world families?

how many people stop and help the homeless they walk past on their way to work or lunch?
as much as everyone can have a go at nike corporations, why not thank them for employing a population of third world families?

You guys should checkout the shoes that came out from Nike with Ipod applications. Nike and Apple coming together is a perfect combination and if this can motivate a healthier lifestyle than more power to them.

Why does nike cost so much?
How much does nike spend on advertisement a year?
Thanks-

Why does nike cost so much?
How much does nike spend on advertisement a year?

ndeed Jello, lest we not forget the segment in the documentary "The Corporation" that catalogs Nike's sweatshop abuses.

If anyone hasn't seen it, it is a must see.

prada shoes Gucci shoes adidas shoes

Sverrir, you've said it all. Nike is probably doing better on their human rights and labor workers, than others. I mean, Nike is known everywhere. Every step they make is monitored. Who knows what other brands use sweatshops! In my opinion the Considered line is very thoughtful. For all of you talking about how expensive Nikes are, you can sure get a good deal by looking for specials around places. Like me, I found a pair of Nike Considered Humara shoes, for 25 dollars. You can right away tell the shoe is eco-friendly, once you see the cork made insole.=]

Peace!