This one was a no-brainer.  The CONS CTS Ox looks just like your Chuck Taylor All Star, but packs a few extra features.  The canvas and laces are “high abrasion” (whatever that means) and there is padding on the tongue and ankle.  It’s not crazy, but I rock a pair of CTS Mids and there is definitely a difference in comfort.  The regular All Stars have no support at all; definitely wouldn’t wear a pair of those skating.  These, though, are a great upgrade and a classic in my opinion.

CONS CTS Ox in black canvas available at Premier.

Click down for more pics.

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Etnies is a down company.  Just the name brings back a lot of great memories of my childhood, when all we used to do is skate.  All these years later, the company is still going strong, and just poking around their site, I’m impressed with some of the stuff they’re involved with, such as Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree (full disclosure: I like to hug trees).  But they’ve also given vegans some love, and unlike a lot of shoe companies, they actually promote their animal loving creds!  Surprise, how easy is it to make a “vegan” page with all your animal free products, and have a little icon next to each shoe, just to inform those who care?  It sure makes our lives easier.

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Es Holbrook Low Blue

This is coming a little late, but never hurts to spread the word.  Looks like the skate shoe companies are all releasing their Spring 2011 lines.  Fortunately for us, Es (and Emerica) put it out officially their vegan shoes in a nice neat format.  My faves are the First Blood Mid in Camo, and Holbrook Lo in shore blue.  Which ones are yours?  Click on thumbnails for high res pics.

Source: Es

First Blood Mid Camo

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Hey everyone!  Sorry I haven’t updated this joint in a minute, but I was actually down in D.C. to attend the Rally to Restore Sanity.  I can’t say that we actually participated.   It was more like we showed up really late, couldn’t see or hear anything, and promptly left.  But still, I’d like to think we represented just by being there, or something.

But onto the shoes!  I am so happy that Converse has a skate line.  There was a very real possibility of a long list of Chuck Taylors in different colors all up and down this site.  That would have admittedly been terrible.  But thankfully, we have the CTS and the Star Player (ok, the CTS looks exactly like a Chuck Taylor, whatever).  Well, at least the Star Player is offered in black waxed canvas.  Of course, all Converse come with the big asterisk – not guaranteed vegan.  Just need to mention it.

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Here is one for you skaters, tree-huggers (me), and European gypies (not me).  One of our readers, Karam, spread the word on this one, which is a collaboration between Etnies and Cliche.  Cliche is a French skateboard company that’s basically the best and biggest in Europe (correct me if I’m wrong).  But here, they got the input from one of its riders, Charles Collet.  His design is 100% vegan, and uses recycled canvas for its upper and environmentally friendly glues in the sole.  As a low profile shoe, it comes with a thin padded tongue and collar.  Also, it has padded insole and reinforce midsole for you real shoe nerds.

Original Sources: Suelas de Goma, Rad Collector.

Available at Zappos.

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The Converse Chuck Taylor – everyone has a pair.  So everyone knows that they can be kinda flimsy, and offer virtually no foot support.  How did people actually play basketball in them?  Well, Converse adapted the Chuck very well into a skateboard shoe with the CONS CTS Ox.

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I am glad to be spreading the word on some more vegan kicks from our good friends at Es.  I’ve always been a big fan of this company, and the fact they keep coming out with great canvas models really makes me hopeful.  So here they are… I know that some of these are out already – I posted something on the Edward a little while ago.  But as for the rest, me dun’ know.  My personal faves are the First Blood in navy, and the McCrank in black/red.  Good Lookin’ Ty!

Source: Es blog.

Edward

available at Zappos

First Blood

McCrank

Square One Ron English

Theory Black

Theory 1.5

So these Edwards from Es really caught my eye, but the issue is, are they vegan?  The upper look to me like canvas, or heather cotton on first glance (and zoomed in).  But all the descriptions I’ve read of this are that they are leather or suede.  Could this just be outdated information?  If anyone has an answer, please let us know.  But for now, I’m gonna go on a limb and post these.  Doth my eyes deceive me?  Other colorways are a different story, however.  Those are definitely not vegan, so steer clear.

Avail at Zappos

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This variation of the Chuck Taylor is part of the CONS skate line.   Simple black canvas with white stitching. I like the tapered ankle, and I would much prefer these over the regular Chuck Taylor Hi. Available at Huf.

Source: Nice Kicks

Emerica Francis Lo

Emerica Hsu Black White

available at Zappos

Emerica Jinx All Black

Available at Zappos

Emerica continues to keeping it nice with a slew of vegan models for this coming fall.  Unlike last time, I will actually post all of the pictures, but if you don’t believe me, go to the Emerica site and see for yourself.  I personally am feeling the Hsu shoe, this time offered in a more accessible black (as opposed to green), and the ultra clean Romero in white.  They even have tie-dye for you hair farmers!  Something for everyone!  Keep it up Emerica.

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