The Toe Zone Shoe Blog on Fantastic Toe

As shoe consumers, many of us are trying to make greener, more socially responsible purchases. Here are some footwear companies to consider - where the shoes are not only planet-friendly, they’re actually cute enough to wear!

Toms Shoes. Available in myriad colors and patterns, Toms’ comfortable canvas shoes are perfect for bopping around in this summer. What’s more noteworthy, however, is that the company has a so-called “One for One” policy: For each pair of Toms shoes you purchase, they give away one pair to a child in need. In 2008, they plan to give away an impressive 200,000 pairs of shoes to kids around the world. Shoes are under $100.

Simpleshoes.com. I love this site! Self-billed as “A Nice Little Shoe Company”, they understand that nice is boring unless you add a dash of humor and irreverence. The sales pitch on their funky eco-sneaks - made from sustainable materials like bamboo, jute, and recycled car tires - is “Get them before they get all trendy and lame”. One of their bags is named the “combover.” Some of their shoes are adorned with pics by Joe Curren (who is, apparently, a famous surfer/photographer). They even sell do-it-yourself kits so you can make your own shoes and bags. Shoes are under $100.

Terra Plana. Named Drapers Ethical Footwear Retailer of 2008, Terra Plana comprises several brands, among them Vivo Barefoot and Worn Again (made from recycled materials). Vivo Barefoot is definitely the eco-brand with the buzz; after being featured in New York magazine, the line is completely sold out in the USA (don’t fret; more shoes are coming in July). While this company takes itself a little more seriously than Simple Shoes (its ethical policy begins “Sustainable shoes are like the stars…”), their shoes nonetheless look great. Shoes are $100 and up.

Of course, these are just three choices of many; there is no shortage of environmentally-friendly shoe companies. For more options, check out Sprig.com, which offers a great round-up of stylish and funky eco-friendly shoes…Vegetarian Shoes and Bags, “where fashion and compassion meet”…The adorably-named MooShoes…and Flattire (where “sturdy” appears to be the operative theme).

I suspect that shoe shopping is not the traditional way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Nonetheless, today’s topic is the comfortable and stylish San Miguel Shoes, made in the central Mexican town of San Miguel de Allende, a town whose rugged cobblestone streets have gotten the better of many a tourist’s shoes.

Billed as “the original combat, cocktail sandal”, San Miguel Shoes combine a rugged sole inspired by military boots with colorful elastic straps that add enough style for a cocktail party. A winning combination, as I saw first hand on a recent trip! Not only are they stylish – my travel companion was wearing the Delhi model pictured here, and literally everyone who saw them complimented them – but they are also low-heeled, wide-toed, and stretchy. They’re the perfect travel shoes!

What’s more, the founder of the business still makes the shoes himself, in their factory in San Miguel de Allende; his wife tends to customers at their shop on Mesones Street. You can buy the shoes there – it’d be a great stop on any shoe lover’s tour of Mexico – or in select boutiques and on the web.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!