Dress shoes for men (comfy)

[Siv]

I've not bought leather shoes since turning veg about 5 years ago. The leather shoes I have are now getting to the end of their repairable life and I have to go out there and get some new ones.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a place to buy veg shoes that are suitable for work (i.e. black and shiny) but are comfortable (like rockports for example)? I have seen a pair of Earth Shoes (http://www.planetshoes.com/itemmatrix.asp?groupcode=1899&Item=Earth-Oak-Vegan&Brand=Earth&gender=men&cc=footwear) but they don't seem professional enough.

[hoodedclawjen]

have you tried mooshoes?: http://www.mooshoes.com/products.cgi?rm=list&name=&category_id=4283&manufacturer_id=&view_all=1

edit: those oak shoes seem fine to me. with a suit, you'll probably only see the toes, and there ins't anything innapropriate about them. the style is a bit 'middle aged man' but thats alright- they're unfussy, solid, classic 3 eyelet laced... if the green bit on the heel made them a bit too sporty, you could always paint it out with black paint.

[sleepydvdr]

One thing about the Earthshoes: they take some getting used to. The toe area is raised above the heel; this is supposed to improve your posture and reduce backaches. When I first got mine, it really felt weird walking in them. Then when I took them off and walked around barefoot, I would almost trip for the first 30 minutes or so (having gone all day with my toes way up in the air, without the shoes, my toes dived right into the floor). Now that I'm used to them, it's not so bad.

Also, to note, they are heavily padded and cause no foot pain (they are comfortable in this respect). And mine have tons of toe room (I can't stand to have my toes squished together by pointy ended shoes).

[m4rk0]

If money is not going to be an issue I highly recommend NOHARM (http://www.noharm.co.uk/). They're available on amazon.com as well.

[xrodolfox]

I second. The women who run it are awesome vegans as well.
www.mooshoes.com

[xrodolfox]

These are the dress shoes that I have, and they've lasted me 12 years. All I've had to do is occasionally resole them from use.

I can't find the exact pair any more. They were the "Casino" shoes. Now, however, they sell a very similar shoe (that I'll probably purchase when I'm into some money next), the David from Novacas:



Available at:
www.mooshoes.com
http://www.mooshoes.com/invoice_variant.cgi?rm=edit&product_id=279354

I've

[Siv]

Well my pair of Earth Oak Vegan Black arrived today and they are on my feet. They are a little snug around the top but I have a funny shaped foot so this is not unusual for me.

It's quite funny that I don't find the negative heel to be a problem. Probably because I am used to walking in bike shoes which have the same sensation since the clip part is on the toe and elevates it. They look decent enough for every day office wear but I don't think they would do it for a suit or an evening event. I'll just have to make sure my existing leather pair are around for those types of events until I can get a good animal free alternative.

Thanks for all the input!

[Fromper]

I usually get black shoes at Payless Shoes. I just wish they had brown non-leather business shoes, so I could get rid of my leather ones.

My problem is that I have wide feet, so I have a very hard time finding shoes that fit right. Most are too narrow, or if I go for larger shoes to get the right width, they're too long and I walk right out of them. So I'm very reluctant to mail order shoes. 95% of the shoes I try on in stores are unwearable for me, so what are the odds of getting wearable shoes without trying them?

But the ones that Payless always carries are nice, black, and extra wide, so they work well for me.

--Fromper
:juggle:

[Fromper]

I usually get black shoes at Payless Shoes. I just wish they had brown non-leather business shoes, so I could get rid of my leather ones.

My problem is that I have wide feet, so I have a very hard time finding shoes that fit right. Most are too narrow, or if I go for larger shoes to get the right width, they're too long and I walk right out of them. So I'm very reluctant to mail order shoes. 95% of the shoes I try on in stores are unwearable for me, so what are the odds of getting wearable shoes without trying them?

But the ones that Payless always carries are nice, black, and extra wide, so they work well for me. Here's a link:

http://www.payless.com/store/product/detail.jsp?skuId=025947075&productId=9387&subCatId=cat10295&catId=cat10089&lotId=025947&category=&catdisplayName=Mens+

--Fromper
:juggle:

[Siv]

I usually get black shoes at Payless Shoes.

Fromper, how do you know the Payless ones are vegan? Is there a label or something? I have often looked for non lether shoes to find that the outside may be canvas but the trim or the sole or some such part is leather or some other animal product.

Cheers,

Siv

[Fromper]

The ones I linked to are labeled "All Man Made Materials" inside the tongue of the shoes.

--Fromper
:juggle:

[WonderRandy]

yeah, most shoes will have a tag (usually on the inside of the tongue) that will say what materials it's made of.

[Siv]

The ones I linked to are labeled "All Man Made Materials" inside the tongue of the shoes.

--Fromper
:juggle:

That's great to know! Thank you :)

[Turd Ferguson]

My problem is that I have wide feet, so I have a very hard time finding shoes that fit right. Most are too narrow, or if I go for larger shoes to get the right width, they're too long and I walk right out of them. So I'm very reluctant to mail order shoes. 95% of the shoes I try on in stores are unwearable for me, so what are the odds of getting wearable shoes without trying them?
--Fromper
:juggle:

This has been my biggest challenge in buying non-leather casual shoes. My feet are 2E in width and no vegan shoes (other than running shoes) are available in wide sizes. Even my Earth Shoes "Brions" were supposed to be roomy (per VeganChic.com) and now they're squeezing my feet on the sides and my feet hurt when I wear them. I've been looking for shoes similar to Brions for casual wear and am at a dead end.

I want to do everything I can to avoid buying any sort of leather product (and have for 2 years), but if these companies aren't going to bother offering wide widths for a vegan shoe, then leather it is. The foot pain isn't worth it.

[Fromper]

As I said above, the black shoes in the Payless link are wide and non-leather. Maybe not quite as casual as you're looking for, but at least they're wide, vegan, and not running shoes.

I just wish they made the same thing in brown.

--Fromper
:juggle:

[Dark Lord]

Anyone know any really good destibutors in the UK? I have seen many US sites, though have yet to find any in the UK. I have a pair of vegan shoes by keen which are lasting for now, though as a practical individual i need something more hard wearing thats more like a walking shoe, aswell as a good supply of casual and formal for a lifetime.
for now I am mainly surviving off highstreet canvas shoes, though am becoming increasingly awair of the ethical issues surrounding their manufacter.

I would be extremely pleased if someone could provide me with a solution to this.
thanks



Quote: Originally Posted by Fromper
My problem is that I have wide feet, so I have a very hard time finding shoes that fit right. Most are too narrow, or if I go for larger shoes to get the right width, they're too long and I walk right out of them. So I'm very reluctant to mail order shoes. 95% of the shoes I try on in stores are unwearable for me, so what are the odds of getting wearable shoes without trying them?
--Fromper

have you tried keen vegan shoes? they do a ventura canvas and a collorado. The venturas are abit more practical/built up. I have always been impressed with keens quality.


Be wise, always, forever...

[hoodedclawjen]

I usually get black shoes at Payless Shoes. I just wish they had brown non-leather business shoes, so I could get rid of my leather ones.

My problem is that I have wide feet, so I have a very hard time finding shoes that fit right. Most are too narrow, or if I go for larger shoes to get the right width, they're too long and I walk right out of them. So I'm very reluctant to mail order shoes. 95% of the shoes I try on in stores are unwearable for me, so what are the odds of getting wearable shoes without trying them?

But the ones that Payless always carries are nice, black, and extra wide, so they work well for me. Here's a link:

http://www.payless.com/store/product/detail.jsp?skuId=025947075&productId=9387&subCatId=cat10295&catId=cat10089&lotId=025947&category=&catdisplayName=Mens+

--Fromper
:juggle:

might sound silly, but have you tried putting brown polish over the black? or even talking to a shoe repair due about something like shoe paint?


Anyone know any really good destibutors in the UK? I have seen many US sites, though have yet to find any in the UK. I have a pair of vegan shoes by keen which are lasting for now, though as a practical individual i need something more hard wearing thats more like a walking shoe, aswell as a good supply of casual and formal for a lifetime.
for now I am mainly surviving off highstreet canvas shoes, though am becoming increasingly awair of the ethical issues surrounding their manufacter.

I would be extremely pleased if someone could provide me with a solution to this.
thanks.

these no good? http://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/

[Turd Ferguson]

As I said above, the black shoes in the Payless link are wide and non-leather. Maybe not quite as casual as you're looking for, but at least they're wide, vegan, and not running shoes.

I just wish they made the same thing in brown.

--Fromper
:juggle:

I'm glad you pointed this out. I just found these tonight which might replace my Earth Shoes. I wish they came in brown, but I can always use a more comfortable pair of black shoes, too:

http://www.payless.com/store/product/detail.jsp?productId=9109&catId=cat10089&selectedSegment=Adult&clr=Black&subCatId=cat10013&color=Black&width=023448085,8.5,Wide&size=023448085,8.5,Wide

[Dark Lord]

Im a fan of breaking away from other peoples prejudices of what I should be wearing. If suits are the order, go for the doctor who look and go in converses.

Thouhg I'm told converse are bad when it comes to human rights, anyone able to confim that?

[das_nut]

I've not bought leather shoes since turning veg about 5 years ago. The leather shoes I have are now getting to the end of their repairable life and I have to go out there and get some new ones.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a place to buy veg shoes that are suitable for work (i.e. black and shiny) but are comfortable (like rockports for example)? I have seen a pair of Earth Shoes (http://www.planetshoes.com/itemmatrix.asp?groupcode=1899&Item=Earth-Oak-Vegan&Brand=Earth&gender=men&cc=footwear) but they don't seem professional enough.

Check the Fast & Furless's website:

Link (http://www.fastandfurless.com/).

Last time I was there, they had very professional looking vegan shoes.

Their wallets, unfortunately, aren't as professional looking. Although I do enjoy having "Hempmania" on my wallet. It makes traffic stops so much more interesting. :p

[MrFalafel]

Im a fan of breaking away from other peoples prejudices of what I should be wearing. If suits are the order, go for the doctor who look and go in converses.

Thouhg I'm told converse are bad when it comes to human rights, anyone able to confim that?

One of Converse's suppliers has been highlighted for some pretty bad practices:
http://www.chinalaborwatch.org/2008615.htm

Instead, you can get ethically made vegan Converse-type shoes here:
http://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/casual_-_sports_-_skate/black_spot_sneaker_version_2_black/13180_p.html

No Sweat used to make great 'high tops' but seem to be phasing them out:
http://www.nosweatapparel.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=5035&Category_Code=NSS&Product_Count=2