So I know that I have largely been ignoring these types of shoes, but to be honest, I’m just not really into looking for nice dress shoes.  But the reality is, vegans have office jobs too, and can’t be expected to survive on Vans and Nikes alone.  Sorry girls, I don’t have any dress shoes for you right now.  But I don’t feel bad, with brands like Olsen Haus, and uhhh, others, ladies got choices.

NOHARM is a brand I can really get behind.  They don’t seem to compromise on anything.  They are vegan, enviro-friendly, fair trade, and are handmade in Italy!  They make a variety of slick non-leather shoes and boots.  Check them out here at Amazon.

Some more info from their website:

• “NOHARM is proud to introduce an exciting range of high fashion, cruelty-free, vegan footwear for the discerning and ethically responsible consumer. All ingredients and components used to manufacture NOHARM footwear are meticulously researched to ensure the finished product conforms to Vegan Society standards.”

• “NOHARM is strongly opposed to child-labour and worker exploitation. All NOHARM Footwear is exquisitely hand-crafted in Italy.”

I am a huge basketball fan.  I used to play all the time, and I love the NBA and March Madness.  (On a side note, I am also a New Jersey Nets fan.  I know, what’s wrong with me right?  On Monday my friend is taking me to meet the team because he is a season ticket holder.  I initially refused just because I thought it’d be the most depressing thing ever, but hey when am I ever going to meet some NBA players in person?).

Anyway, basketball sneakers have this strange allure about them.  Ever since Jordan and Spike Lee teamed up, it became such a cult phenomenon where people actually think their sneaks made them jump higher and play better (remember Dee Brown and the Pumps?  I had to buy the LA Gear ones because the Reeboks were too expensive).  Well, they never cease to fascinate me to this day.  Every time I go to a sneaker store, I am amazed by the crazy design and technology pumped into this bunch.  One thing I can never figure out is what they are made of.  Nowadays synthetic materials seem to be everywhere, but I sense that most leather looking shoes are actually leather.  And none are ever marketed as vegan.

But check it out, this Reebok Men’s Deep Range II shoe is definitely not made of leather.  (vegan?  Not sure, but let’s go with a no).  Still, there has to be something to it.  Peta gave it an award!

I’m not a huge fan of these, but they get the job done and are affordable.  I would personally prefer shelling out a  few more bucks for the likes of a Kobe Zoom or Lebron Max, but hey, us ethical consumers can’t be too picky here.

Other notable mentions from said Peta article: Nike Hyperize, ASICS GEL-Crossover, and Adidas TS Lightspeed T-Mac.  These all deserve a post of their own!

Hey everyone, just thought I’d share this helpful Yelp link of places you can get vegan shoes in New York (especially downtown).   Of course, there is the famous Moo Shoes, and if you want something on the higher end, there is Stella McCartney.  I wasn’t expecting this but apparently Top Shop offers vegan stuff too.  In any case, it just goes to show at least there are some options for us out there!

Of course, there are numerous sneaker shops out there which sell vegetarian/vegan shoes but don’t advertise as such.  I am no expert shopper in this area, but I would recommend Classic Kicks, Dave’s Quality Meats, Supreme, and Alife Rivington Club.  Hope this is helpful!

Onitsuka Tiger is releasing this canvas (vegan?) model, the Layup 72, this spring, after almost after 40 years in hiatus!  I guess they finally got the hint that people really really like their Chucks.  Unlike the Chuck Taylor though, this one has some unique features: vulcanized sole, white eyelaces, and branding on the tongue, outside ankle, and heel pad.

Three colorways, – orange, yellow, red – are available now in Europe (if anyone has a link put it up!).  I guess us Americans will have to wait a few months!

More wet weather kicks.  This pair is a low canvas sneaker, but with Gore Tex – basically the gold standard of waterproof breathable fabrics.  This is a really interesting concept, and I’ve never actually thought of this idea before but it makes total sense.  Instead of walking around in non-breathable, sweaty rubber boots, why not just rock a pair of plain looking low sneaks but they’re waterproof!  Brilliant.  Unfortunately, I don’t know where you can get the black or grey.  But Red is on sale at Sneakersnstuff.  Check it out, and props to Renato in Finland for the scoop!

Also, there are non-Gore Tex models available in canvas.  They are an even more stripped down version of the Chuck Taylor.  I like how the sole is even slimmer and cleaner.

Available here.

Available here.

Other models available here

Chuck Taylor Sweatshirt Hi is a spinoff of the classic.  Instead of your canvas, you got heavy heather grey cotton.   It also sports a felt black Converse logo.  And the inside is fuzzy like a sweatshirt!  Looks comfy and warm!

Available at Sneakersnstuff.

Vans will release a few classics in this new material – chambray – this spring.  (if you’re wondering, chambray is a lightweight fabric made of cotton.  It’s made with a dyed lengthwise strands and white or unbleached fillings.  This is what creates a faded look.  I learned something today!)

The Sk8-Hi will have grey chambray with black canvas toe, heel, and midfoot., with white contrast stitching.  The  Old Skool will also be available in this color.  Meanwhile, the ocean blue colorway will be available on the Era and Old Skool models.

These should be available sometime in March.

Other colorways available at Zappos:

SK8-Hi Core Classic, Era, Old Skool

Sup Yall.  So first, sorry I haven’t posted in a while, been busy.  Second, a disclaimer – this post is on a pair of shoes which are vegetarian, not vegan.  While I’ve heard from vegans that Converse are, I was notified from the company itself that they do not guarantee animal free shoes.  But, I have decided to post these, and other shoes, which are “vegetarian.”  Ugh I hate using that word but I guess it is accurate.  I know this is site is called vegan kicks, but hey, there just aren’t enough vegan shoes (I like) out there.

So here we have the Converse First String Specialty Ox in low.  You can get it in light blue or grey.  These aren’t your average Chucks though.  These have a thicker midsole with additional rubber around, a comfort system inner, and a chambray upper.  A vintage rubber license plate appears on the heel of the midsole.

Available at Darkside Initiative.

See original post at Nicekicks.

I just chanced upon this article on Alternet.  It addresses some issues of outsourcing labor to China, which doesn’t exactly have stringent labor and environmental regulations.  It also raises the question – how can you even know if these shoes are actually vegan?

See full article here.

Here Tri State Area, the big weather news is the first blizzard of the season.  Right now there’s a few inches out there and it’s coming down hard.  Supposed to keep going all through the night.  And it seems like everything is shutting down – schools, courts, errthang.  Me, I gotta be at a meeting in a few minutes.   And when you live in New York, that means you don’t have the luxury of a car to shelter yourself in.  You have to walk at least a little while to get to a train or bus.  Most New Yorkers are well prepared for this.  I see girls with either Uggs or rubber boots everywhere.  I’m an idiot.  I have to deal with this shit in my low top Nike Blazers.  But if you ladies are looking for an interesting pair of vegan winter boots, I think you should take a look at the Keep Tatum, pictured above.

They’re made of DWR (durable water resistant) canvas, which means they probably aren’t as good as a pair of rubber boots to keep you dry.  But, they will probably breathe easier, and I think canvas always looks better.

Available in red or purple at Keep.  See Amazon for black.