Where the Rubber Leaves the Road: Flat Tire Footwear
by Warren McLaren, Sydney 
on 06.22.07
Sometime ago we pondered whether Crocs with their simple construction and lightweight might be the Birkys of a new century. Lots of folk were horrified at the notion. A commentor recently let a note saying they had found an alternative, Flat Tire Footwear. While Crocs don’t make any overt claims about being green, these guys do. Their line of shoes, sandals and so on employ crumb rubber salvaged from discarded car and truck tyres. Flat Tire reckon the US generated some 290 million scrap tyres during 2003 and turning them into rubber crumb, such as they use in their footwear, can help reduce this volume by 75 to 90%. As best we can make out the sole itself is not made from the recycled rubber but that it is inserted into the midsole to provide shock absorption. This process is claimed as an industry first, and is said to make the shoes more comfy. We’re not sure how ecologically or socially benign the rest of their production is, but, hey its great that they are doing this much. The longest journey begins with the first step. ::Flat Tire Footwear.
See also some of these companies for footwear with recycled rubber:
Jade
Worn Again
Vibram (soles only)
Simple
Mohop
Splaff
Nike Considered
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Chaco sandals are the Birkenstocks of the new millenium. They are easily repaired and resoled--leading to a longer life. In addition, the parent company is very green in their outlook on all aspects of the business.
It would be a bonus if Chaco sandals could be resoled with Vibram Eco-step soles, but there is always the future.
Last winter, I purchased a pair of heavy walking shoes made in Brazil from deep e branded site, with rubber tire soles imprinted "Sole of the Rainforest" Not only are they comfortable, they were the safest shoes for winter walking this old nana ever imagined. No slipping and sliding on ice or snow, in parking lots, on sidewalks, or trailis in and around Albuquerque by the river or in the hills.
Moreover, at the end of the season, the shoes appear without wear, as neat and clean as just out of the box. Believe me, I am not a woman who worries about cleaning shoes.
In addition, people young and old stopped me to comment about how good they look and how much they want a pair. Several styles available. The uppers are all eco friendly materials too, recycled leather and non poluting liners. I feel so smug and snug when I wear them. Everyone should switch over, not just for the environment but for the utility and comfort. JCP.
I guess they got the idea from all the people in South America in the mountains, they all wear tire sandals, they aren't as fashionable or colorful, but they sell them for almost nothing at all the markets. Of course they are from recycled tires they have to use everything they can...
A company called Ecosandals has been doing this in Kenya for over 10 years.
http://www.ecosandals.com
Thanks for alerting people to ecosandals, George. Had assumed we'd covered them years ago, but an archive search suggests not. How odd! Anyhow, for all their great work they aren't exactly the same. Ecosandals have soles of reused car tyres, while Flat Tire have midsoles of ground-up recycled rubber crumb. Both make footwear and use the same source material, but do so in very different ways.
This is the coolest product innovation I have seen in a long time. Does anybody know where to buy these?
Flat tire is the best shoe around. I have had them at my shoe store for move a year. Every one loves them. My store is called Footprints its in Delafield Wisconsin. Find us online at footprintsshoes.net