36
votes
Simple, ethical, decent shoe recommendations
After several years, my current pair of shoes has finally fallen apart. I don't need to look cool, or any other bells and whistles. I am looking for a simple pair of men's shoes. I want something that preferably doesn't use sweat shops.
Any suggestions?
I recently tried allbirds, because their marketing really spoke to me due to be sustainably focused. I had to return them because they were too narrow.
I saw Lems mentioned in a thread here the other day and decided to buy a pair. They get here on Thursday and I'm hopeful.
I've been wearing a pair of Lems Zen Primal 2 for a few days now, and I'm pretty satisfied. Unless I buy shoe in wide sizing, normal shoes are just too tight on my feet. These fit perfectly, and it's pretty cool that you can wear them without socks. The zero-drop sole is nice too, but I won't be using these to run anyway (knees suck, yo).
As far as ethical, it looks like they use sustainable practices but they do manufacture them in China. From their website:
Thanks for pointing out the China affiliation. I am not necessarily opposed to buying Chinese products, as long as the conditions are ethical. I will have to do a bit more research into the company.
You're welcome! I'm the same way, but I do like how I didn't have to search for it too hard, right there in the FAQ. I wish I'd have done more research myself, I'm ashamed to say it didn't even cross my mind. It's not a deal-breaker for me, but I'd have liked to look more into it. If the "family-owned company" had a bad track record or was in the news or whatever, but that's on me for not looking.
Good to hear about them working well with no socks, I love being able to throw shoes on quickly. I don't run either but do go to they gym a few days a week.
Off topic, but switching to zero drop for running at 30yo completely resolved my lifelong shin splints and knee problems. Of course experience varies.
Haven't tried Lems, but they are on my list. I need wide, too. Xero and Altras (wide) work for me, but sustainability is a plus.
I can confirm my Allbirds are pretty nice, so if they fit imo they're worth it. I haven't done a ton of research on them as a brand, but their Mizzles are my go-to shoe when it's wet out.
I have worn out and replaced my black allbirds tree breezers, and recently added the cream tree breezer points to my collection. Very comfortable and versatile shoes, with replaceable insoles and they're machine washable.
The sizing can be a bit weird, but they offer free returns and exchanges which means you can order 2-3 sizes and return what doesn't fit.
I’ve bought their muzzles before, and they’re waterproof from the outside but that also means they get hella sweaty on the inside, and I ended up just going back to their regular wool runner. Other than that, I love them! Super comfy, machine washable, I’m happy with them!
I've honestly found mine super breathable, to the extent that I wear them without socks sometimes. But my previous everyday shoes were even less breathable (well, except for some holes 👀) so that may be a factor lol
I have a pair of allbirds as my sneaker shoes (I mainly wear leather boots) and I really like them. In fact it’s my second pair and the first pair held up well for years. If they fit you OP they are probably a good option.
PUt my vote for allbirds also. I've had three pairs previously and just recently bought a non allbird pair of shoes and now my feet are hot and heavy. I'm so used to the Tree Runners.
I do wish they offered wide shoes but i've never had a problem after a week or so of wear the tree runners ususally stretch to fit comfortably.
i own four pairs of allbirds! really like them. i have wide feet too so usually shoes are too narrow. with allbirds i go up a size and then lace them with a heel lock. I wear these most days, they are fine in the rain: https://www.allbirds.com/products/mens-wool-runner-up-mizzles-natural-black
warning though, allbirds will spam you if you buy anything from them, even if you don't sign up for marketing. they also tend to "accidentally resubscribe" you from time to time. annoying marketing.
This is the exact kind of thing I'm looking for. Thank you for the recommendation.
Despite their "techbro/hipster" reputation, Allbirds are... great! I like that they're made entirely from renewable materials: wool, cotton, and plant-based plastics.
If you wanna go the whole foot health way the vivobarefoot seems to be the go to brand. They also seem good on the ethics front. I got a pair of refurbished shoes from their revivo site and I'm happy with them. It does take a while to get used to the minimal sole.
https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/
I'll second this. I can't, either from conscience or knowledge, recommend anything that isn't minimalist. The Vivobarefoot pairs I had had very thin soles, which to me is a plus. They lasted me a couple of years before the soles disintegrated; I don't know whether it was getting wet or the Florida heat that did them in.
I am actually on the fence about moving to barefoot/minimalist shoes. I have flat feet and get pretty made shin splints if I run with the wrong shoes for the distance - any tips on transitioning?
Hmm. My recommendation would ultimately be to leave shoes behind altogether, but I bet that's off the table. So instead... train! I had to work up to going barefoot for any significant distance myself, and I'd imagine it's the same for minimalist shoes too. When I started, I'd be aching (a bit) after just walking around the block. Then it was a few blocks, then it was a couple of miles... So basically, just work your way up gradually, and perhaps focus on your gait, especially starting out. You want a forefoot strike, not a heel strike, and when not running you shouldn't be hitting the ground hard. (Barefoot running requires a completely different gait than shod running, too, but I must confess I'm behind on cardio.)
My feet are pretty flat, and I found the first few weeks/months the tricky transition period to no rise running shoes.
In addition to the great reply from Durpady, running off road was a great way to transition. Heel striking sucks on pavement, but it's more forgiving on sand/dirt. At first I couldn't run even a few km without reverting to my old ways, but after a while it becomes second nature. Just be careful and take it easy for a while! Good luck
I always got shin splints until I transitioned to barefoot/minimalist 10 years ago at age 30. No shin splints since. Of course, ymmv.
My understanding of shin splints is that they're essentially caused by stress / repeat impact, whereas toe-lift stresses and impacts overall are greatly reduced by barefoot stride / forefoot strike.
It's been a long time (at least 5 years) since I looked carefully into the available science on any of this, so current research is almost certainly worth while before transitioning.
I would recommend anyone who is transitioning start with minimalist shoes like vivobarefoot (love em) or xero (love em) and do a program like couch-to-5k to retrain your gait. Also, learn to run in place and then lean forward to move forward.
I'm not entirely sure about the ethics aspect, but I've been rocking a pair of
Ecco Chander (or something very similar, I can't find the exact model)(see edit) for close to 10 years now. They are by far my most comfortable pair of summer shoes and they're still in good working condition. I've only replaced the worn out laces with stretchy silicone inserts to make them slip-on and re-dyed them once (probably unnecessary). The surface finish around the toes is not in a great condition, but I'm pretty clumsy and it could likely be better with proper care.These shoes are perfect for my feet. I've been urged to buy new ones on the account of their age, but I really don't feel the need. I did buy a new pair once and they were just worse.
That said, a lot of things can change in 10 years and going across continents, so take this with a grain of salt.
edit: I made the brilliant decision of "checking the box", and they were in fact a pair of Ecco Andersen 533024's. Sorry about that!
I can second quality of Ecco as a brand, I've had some comfy, nice looking shoes from them and they've easily outlasted every other shoe I've had.
That being said, they don't rate very well ethically, I don't think they take any care to be sustainable or treat their manufacturing workers right. https://directory.goodonyou.eco/brand/ecco
I had a quick look at their website and they at least claim to have some commitments towards environmental sustainability, but something about the contents and the roadmap seems to trigger my Corporate BS receptors. It's also telling that they don't really mention anything about the workers' treatment. Maybe part of it is just being a legacy company, but it is what it is.
I have always wondered how people make shoes last so long. Is there anything special you do? I know I walk more than some people, but I have very rarely had shoes last more than 6-9 months. I was so impressed with my last pair that lasted almost 10 months that I just bought the same model of shoe. If the upper doesn’t wear out for me, I just wear through the tread. Based on how thin the shoes you linked look, I would estimate about 2-3 months with my usage.
Not consciously, no. If I had to say, there's a combination of factors that reduce the overall use. I don't go out too much, and when I do I usually don't travel long distances — all the necessary stores and services are typically within a 15-minute walk radius, including a bus stop for longer trips. At my past jobs I'd switch to indoor shoes for the day. We also have cold winters here, so I rotate through 2-3 pairs of footwear throughout the year.
That said, I don't remember the last time I had to replace footwear because I've physically worn through it. Other than the ones I grew out of, most of my shoes, boots, and sneakers are still in working condition. In fact, it makes me curious what you put your shoes through to only get so little?
I wonder if this is a US thing. I mow through 2-3 pair of shoes per year. I usually get higher end vans ($100) and hoka 11's ($160). I'm not a light fella, but if i get a year out of them I'm marking the occasion in my diary.
I truly wish I knew what I did differently. It would save me a ton of headache and money.
I know one part is that my feet aren’t very conducive to footwear. My heels wear a hole through the inside back lining of every single shoe I have ever used, sometimes within a few days. My feed are narrow at the heel and wide at the toes, so very few styles even fit. I also have very high arches, so I have to use custom footbeds. My current footbeds are excellent, but they introduce wear spots on the inside of the shoes. I had a few pairs where the sole separated from the upper where the insole wore through the fabric. I also rotate my feet as I walk, which causes the outer edge of shoes to wear out faster, although I am getting better about that.
With all these factors, only decently expensive shoes work for me. My current pair are what I consider “cheap”, and they are around $130. It’s really annoying to buy shoes for my feet.
I've been wearing Merrell mostly for the last decade and just recently switched to trying Hoka for better foot support since I am on ladders quite a lot for my work. Both are looking to only last me about 1 year of use before they start to break apart or get worn through and that usually includes swapping out new insoles half way through when they start to develop holes. I would say I use them more than 90% of the time and only have other shoes/boots/sandals for different occasions and those will usually last multiple years.
Before I wore Merrell I tried quite a few other brands in my teens and early 20s and they would only last 6 months, sometimes less because stitching would come apart before the shoes were actually worn through. So there are a lot of low quality options out there even when they cost the same (~$100/pair). Merrell were my go to because DSW would send me $20 or $30 off coupons and I would regularly get them for 50-60 before the recent price increases. So good value and durability.
I’ve been wearing a pair of Red Wing Iron Rangers almost daily for 6 years now. They are made in the USA.
I love my Iron Rangers but I feel the need to introduce some caveats. In my experience having them about 5 years, they have are still a bit uncomfortable when walking in them a while. I have some heavier walking days (>15k steps lets say) and my feet are always killing me by the end if I am wearing my Red Wings. This could probably be fixed or mitigated if I bought an insert. The other caveat is that they are very poorly insulated in my experience. Wearing them in the winter, even if I am minimizing my time outside and have heavy socks on, almost guarantees having cold toes.
That being said, they are a great shoe and fit the bill based on the criteria OP is asking about.
Find a cordwainer to make you some shoes. They'll be made from leather, however. I'm not sure if that's up your alley, but the outsoles are repairable because they are stitched on.
What is the difference between a cordwainer and a cobbler, and how would I find either?
A cordwainer makes shoes and a cobbler fixes shoes.
With the invention and mass production of rubber, cobblers largely went out the wayside because rubber outsoles greatly prolonged the life of shoes. Cobblers would have to become cordwainers to stay relevant. So the term often gets confused these days.
Edited for accuracy and grammar.
To find a cordwainer, I'd simply google search "custom shoes near me" or "cordwainer near me", or even "cobbler near me". There's a chance that, if you live close to a big city that you'll find one. Hopefully you're in the UK because "the UK is where the best shoes are made", I've read. But japanese cordwainers also strive for perfection in their craft.
Know that custom made shoes or boots cost a pretty penny up front, but they will last a life time with proper wear and care. I also recommend buying multiples and rotating them out if you can afford that.
Message me if you have any questions! I'm quite knowledgeable about leather.
I have a pair of Veja sneakers that I use as my day to day shoe. My understanding is that they are pretty good on the ethics front, but I am never sure how far to trust these ratings anyway. They are comfortable and have held up well to near daily use for about a year now. They look pretty good too, and will work with shorts, jeans, or even more dressed up looks.
I bought my last pair from Will's Vegan Store a few months back. They are attractive but subdued and seem to be of high quality. They emphasize ethics and sustainability and are made in the EU in Portugal and Italy. Given that, they're not especially expensive either.
I had to return a pair that was slightly too snug, and they were very accommodating. The process was a bit slow and I had to email them about it, but they got it straightened out quickly and I got my new pair. They've held up really well. Given your criteria, I'd recommend taking a look at them.
I ordered the Milan trainers in black.
Vans skate halfcab full black. Mine lasted a really long time before showing any wear, and I honestly think you could pull them off at a funeral
I’m pretty happy with my Lems. I’ve worn down the soles pretty well after a year, but they still look good and feel comfortable enough.
Astral is a pretty good brand on most fronts, look pretty good and fit my paddle feet.
For dress, there’s allen edmonds.
After years of just buying shoes that were good enough, I finally broke down and joined the HOKA family. Like walking on a cloud. They appear to be part of the Deckers group, which looks like it's ranked fairly well for responsibility.
I've been wearing Flamingos Life sneakers for the last couple of years. They are produced in Spain, from vegan materials, they spend a lot of effort on getting their entire operation certified as ethical - and the shoes last me a long time. Around 2 years of almost daily wear.
Ethletic is another brand, pretty much same deal but cooler shoes and German instead of Spanish. But they can be hard to get outside Germany.
I honestly just wish I could find high quality men's shoes for a half-decent price. All of the brands I like have gone down the gutter in terms of quality, with some of them even going so far as to replace the sole material with such low-density filler they literally collapse under my weight.
I know they must exist, but they seem to be hard to find any quality men's shoes at retail at all, which is important to me because I want to make sure that I'm also getting a pair with a good fit.
I recently picked up a pair of shoes from a brand called Ambitious, which claims to be 100% made in Portugal, from mostly Portugese/Italian sourced materials. Haven't had them for long, but they're comfortable and the quality seems nice.
I recently got a pair of Saucony Triumph 19s. They're sooo comfortable! I don't know about their ethics, but they're damn comfy shoes
Ok so a few recomendations:
Buy vintage shoes that were made in the USA. This is a big one if you have non-standard width feet.
Buy New Balance Made in USA or UK Collection or any other US made brand. You will pay more but you will avoid the sweat shops.
If these are every day wear shoes, I try to buy goodyear welted shoes for wear and tear as well as being able to be repairable.
I have narrow feet, so the recommendation might not work for others, but I am very happy with my Birkenstock shoes. I have a pair that are like sandals, but with a closed toe and heel... and a pair of light boots that are based on a birk sole.
The covered sandal pair have been with me 5-6 years now. I've had the rubber bottom replaced twice ($30?) and they will probably need new corks in the next couple of years. Infinitely rebuildable so long as the leather is good.
They make a wide width, but their regular fits my double to triple narrow foot, so I wouldn't hold out hope.
I've worn (3) Timberland Earthkeepers for a little over 10 years now. First pair were Adventure Trainers (i think?), next were Graydon's, and I just bought 6" Originals. Hoping to get another 5 years out of these shoes.
The Earthkeeper line is all about sustainability. Maybe its corporate marketing from Timberland, but the shoes are very well made and worked for me as ever day shoes.