I personally dislike the flimsy, plastic sandals you can buy at most department stores. They aren't even that comfortable- just cheap and badly made, and usually not recyclable. I don't even know why I use to buy them. I still have some of mine because I can’t bare to throw out a pair of “good” sandals.
If you’re looking for good shoes, you should always carefully consider your own needs, specifically if you have any particular feet issues. It’s possible that the likes of The Good Feet Store could be a big help, if so, and that is the kind of thing you’ll always need to consider.
I have been contemplating purchasing a new pair that would be eco-friendly, last many more years, actually be comfortable, and not feel like I am walking on cement. I figured I would wait until my current collection died.
I was recently contacted by Planetshoes.com about doing a review for a pair of shoes. At first, I thought “I don't really need any shoes.” I went for a walk and came back with sore knees and back from my sandals. That is when I decided to find a pair of sandals on their site.
I was torn because I am still three quarters through my waste-free year, Project Green Foot, and technically taking the sandals does go against the the “rules”! I felt that my sore knees and back outweighed breaking a Project Green Foot “rule”.
I naturally gravitated to their Patagonia collection. They go beyond making eco-friendly products for their customers, they seem to really care about their environmental impact. They try and use recycled materials whenever possible, while trying to reduce their carbon footprint in the process.
They accept all Patagonia clothing and shoes back through their Common Threads Initiative program to first be repaired, and if that is not possible, they recycle the materials into new and exciting clothing and shoes. How great is that?
I finally decided on the Patagonia Reflip sandals. The main reason for choosing this particular sandal was the fact they were vegan. The next best thing was that the toe post/foot thong was made from recycled-nylon and the footbed and outsole were made of a high-density PLUSfoam™. What is PLUSfoam, you ask?
According to PLUSfoam.com, (their) “compounds are 100% recyclable. EVA and PU foams are not. These other foams can only be reused by grinding used material and processing it into a virgin batch of new product. When these other compounds are reclaimed, only 30%-50% of the manufacturing scrap and/or post-consumer waste can be recycled into new product. The rest is trash that must be transported and/or disposed of at a considerable cost to the environment. PLUS compounds are 100% recyclable.”
Therefore, my sandal can be recycled into another product and a percentage of my current sandal is already made from recycled foam. This pretty much won we over.
The sandals are super comfortable- seriously. Just like slippers, and I am not just saying that. They are a million times better than any of the cheap sandals I use to wear! My feet are loving them.
The draw back of the sandals was the smell and packaging. For an eco-friendly company like Patagonia, I was disappointed with how large the box was for one pair of sandals and the fact they came wrapped in a plastic bag. I would suggest using a box about 4 times smaller and skipping the plastic bag. That would be perfect!
The smell. Once I opened the box I felt like I was being slapped in the face with some horrible odor. It had that new car smell. You know the one I am talking about? I immediately decided to put them outside to off-gas for a week. After this time, I couldn't really smell whatever that was and was able to wear them headache-free.
Aside from the packaging, which can easily be improved, and the smell which was rectified, I truly enjoy these sandals. And I didn't get any blisters from the my foot rubbing on the thong part of the sandals. This is a major bonus.
Would you like to get your hands on a pair of sandals? PlanetShoes.com is giving away a pair of Patagonia Reflip sandals (men or women) to one of my lucky readers.
How to enter:
I am not going to make you jump through too many hoops to enter; I am going to keep it as simple as possible. Leave me a comment telling me what 120 divided by 2 plus 5 is.
Seriously- I am not kidding. Canada has some weird rules and you have to answer a skill testing question to win- it can’t just be by pure luck apparently. Seeing as I am a rule follower, if you don't answer the question even if you are from the United States, and I select your number you will not win. I will move on to another.
Besides that, write whatever you like; say Hi; tell me what other shoes you love; tell me that I am great….I will leave the rest of the comment writing up to you.
If you would like to follow me, or PlanetShoes.com on twitter or like me, or PlanetShoes.com on facebook, please feel free. I will leave that at your discretion. It will greatly be appreciated and will most definitely put a smile on our faces. If you decide to however, leave a separate comment letting me know for each action.
Oh and tweeting about the giveaway, won’t gain you anymore entries, but it sure will make this green girl jump up and down with joy!
No purchase is necessary to enter, must be 18 years or older to participate and this giveaway is open to U.S and Canadian residents except Quebec. They have some funky rules that I don’t want to get involved with. The winner will randomly be selected using random.org and the skill testing question will be verified before the winer is announced. Entries will be accepted until midnight EST on May 25, 2012 and the winner will be announced the following day.
So let the commenting begin!
The contest is now closed! Thank you to everyone that took the time to enter. I appreciate it. Drum roll please- the winer is Wendy #14! Congratulations!
65 Hope to try these thanks love watching your process
Sounds Awesome! Oh and I do believe the anwser is 65!
I already like you on FB!
I also liked Planetshoes.com on FB! I’venever heard of them before but they look super comfy so I’ll be checking them out somemore!
I am Canadian and I would LOVE to win some sandals from Patagonia!!!!! Answer is 65!!!
Thanks for the opportunity. I’ll share it too. And as you know I follow you on facebook and twitter already…
Love Patagonia products. The answer is 65. Thanks.
These are some GREAT shoes! I”d love them…65 is my answer
Thanks for the giveaway and new place to shop and hopefully new shoes. O too have been outting around in the same cheap some kond of foam and plastic flio flips forever and with all yhis extra baby weight im gaining i would really enjoy a decent pair of sandals to show off and hopefully even brag about!:)
*i also need s new phone… sorry about sll the typos!
65, and thanks for the shot at this 🙂
I need a new pair of flipflops!! Not “65” pairs; just one pair will do! Thanks!
A big old 65!!! I love those shoes. Keeping my fingers & toes crossed
65. My favorite sandals are Keens. I have a fleece from Patagonia that is years and years old. I remember buying it on Newbury St while visiting in Boston and being sooo impressed when they told me that it was made from soda bottles. That was a new thing back then. It is great that there are so many different ways to reuse, renew and recycle these days. Don’t forget to re-think, too. I love reading your comments on facebook.
65! I like Sanuk and Keens too.
I agree. I love good comfortable shoes. The answer is 65.
65! Would love to try some eco-friendly shoes!
65, I need Vegan sandals!
65. My Roxy sandals are on their last life so I could use some new one’s!
65 – I could use something unplastic for the feet
65 :)……I live in flip flops 9 months out of the year. these look so comfy. love that they are eco friendly.
65! I’m sick of $5 flip flops, but wear them all the time–a true, 500% upgrade would be amazing. Thanks for the review!
65. I love Patagonia for their eco-consciousness, just can’t afford their prices. I would love to try these shoes. Thanks!
Answer is 65, These looks great! I am always on the lookout for comfy, eco friendly sandals. We have warm weather all year so my sandals take a beating. Thanks for the giveaway!
65 is the answer.
65!!! Thanks for the chance!!
65!
Great giveaway!
The answer is 65 🙂
Just found your blog, can’t wait to read more. It’s nice to “meet” you 😉
Already following you on twitter (@tabithapye)
I like your Facebook Page (Tabitha Pye)
65!!
missyingling@yahoo.com
65
65. Canada does have weird rules. Those shoes look so comfortable. Have a great weekend.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
65 🙂 thanks for the giveaway and have a great day
like u on fb Julie A Scott Laws
like Planet Shoes on fb Julie A Scott Laws
65 🙂 and I am in the US
I love planet shoes! So glad for the giveaway, i could really use some new ones.
melanie
melanieinoh2003@yahoo.com
Following from the hop. I love shoes. http://mommaof3-littlebits.blogspot.com/
just wondering if the winner has been announced yet thanks
congrats Carol Sue 🙂
Wow! I won!! I can hardly believe it! I was just saying TODAY that I needed a pair of flipflops as I have none!… and I had to wear my daughter’s (too big for me) so I could get a free smoothie today at Tropical Smoothie; today was flip flop friday! Thanks so much! I can’t wait to get them!