Great Green Gear for Guys: Sneaks
Brooks Racer ST 5 features a biodegradable midsole ($90)
Our workouts should only take a toll on us, not workers, animals or ecosystems. We now know that the production of livestock products like leather and wool amounts to the single greatest cause of greenhouse gas emissions. So one of the most powerful things we can do to curb our toll on ecosystems, animals and each other is to stick to cruelty-free garments and accessories.
Brooks sneakers are perfect for runners and athletes, and feature a biodegradable running shoe midsole called BioMoGo. What’s better, all of Brooks running shoes—the super-fierce Racer ST 5 is a fine example—are suitable for vegans and made fairly in factories that are inspected by regular, unannounced, third-party inspections and audits.
Consider this: Traditional ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) midsoles can last up to 1,000 years in a landfill. BioMoGo’s microbial munch rate is 50 times faster, and biodegrades nutrients into reusable byproducts. Over the course of, say, 20 to 25 years or so, Brooks alone can reduce landfill waste by about 29.9 million pounds. Plus, they are serious about sports, and these shoes perform.
For less workout and more hangout, check out Simple’s organic cotton canvas CARport sneaks. These, too, feature a biodegradable foot bed, yet they up the ante with certified organic cotton uppers, soles made partially from upcycled car tires, and recycled PET elastic laces. The entire collection is not vegan, but they do offer many vegan options, and we strongly recommend slipping into those.
Simple Shoes CARport ($60)
Thanks to Time Out New York for the “made you look” photo on our home page. Want more? Brave gentleman Joshua Katcher susses out the best shoes, sneaks, accessories (yes, guys have those too), threads and scent—it’s one-stop shopping for your sustainable sweetie. Oh, and p.s. Look for our new Veganista column, launching October 1st!
