Simple Satire ecoSNEAKS Review: Environmentally Friendly Travel Shoes
I stumbled upon Simple’s Satire ecoSNEAKS two years ago during my search for an environmentally-friendly alternative to my beloved Vans Prison Issue tennis shoes.
I wanted shoes that were more durable than the Vans, but as attractive. I was even willing to sacrifice the awesome velcro of my Prison Issues, but only for the right eco-friendly shoe.
Then I saw it: the Simple Satire shoe, a member of Zappo’s ecoSNEAKs line.
Features of Simple’s Satire ecoSNEAKS
- Certified organic cotton uppers with recycled PET laces
- Vegan shoe! No animal byproducts or even regular animal products
- Certified organic cotton linings
- The “pedbed” (the cushiony and supportive stuff at the bottom of the shoe) is made of super soft and squishy polyurethane and recycled car tire
- Partially recycled shoe – the bottom of this shoe is made from a recycled car tire
- The foot form inserts are made of post consumer recycled paper
- Even the boxes are environmentally friendly – made of post-consumer recycled paper, soy based printing ink, natural latex and starch based glue
I quickly ordered the black hemp version (they also come in leather, silk, and suede) and eagerly awaited their arrival.
I wasn’t disappointed when I opened the box: the shoes were cute and looked durable. I slipped them on and promptly wore them as I walked the monuments in Washington, DC. The 5+ mile walk was quite the initial test, but I wasn’t as excited as I wanted to be. I wanted to love them. I wanted them to be my go-everywhere, perfect travel shoe.
But I found them less comfortable than I hoped; specifically, the sole didn’t have enough cushion. It almost felt like I was wearing flip flops — the ball of my foot had virtually no support. And my arches were completely unsupported. I hope Simple has improved the “pedbed” in newer editions of the shoes.
The Pros and Cons of Simple’s ecoSNEAKS
In summary, the pros:
- Very eco-friendly — where else can you get a shoe made with recycled tires
- Cute
- Can dress them up or down
- Comfortable except for the sole
- Durable
The cons:
- Lacking arch support
- Not enough padding in pedbed
- Since they’re made with old tires, they’re a bit heavy for travel
Would I recommend the Simple Women’s Satire?
Yes, I would — for everyday wear. If you’re walking more than a couple miles, I’d stick with traditional tennis shoes.
I also wouldn’t recommend them as being your sole (no pun intended) travel shoe, since they’re a bit heavy and not as comfortable as other travel shoes I’ve tried. For that, I’d recommend a more supportive hiking boot.
Buy your own ecoSNEAKS on Amazon.
Check out Best Travel Shoes: Travel Sandals, Walking Shoes, and Hiking Boots plus Zappos Review for more travel recommendations.
originally posted at Go Green Travel Green
Simple Satire ecoSNEAKS Review: Environmentally Friendly Travel Shoes
