Vegan running sneakers?

[bluegrrrl79]

I know I can get vegan shoes at places like Sears/Payless/etc., but I'm wondering about vegan running sneakers? I'd rather buy them in a store then online. Today I went to Bob's but all their sneakers didn't say what they were made of, I think they all had leather though. Does Sears have specifically running sneakers or just random sneakers? Anyone know where I can look?

[brownieB26]

A lot of high-performance running shoes are madee with all synthetics nowadays. Nike, although they might not be the best company moral wise, makes a lot fo vegan running shoes. I would say go to a specialized running store such as Finish Line or Lady Footlocker because they will be more informed about what shoes are made of and such

[epski]

New Balance has many high-quality, animal-free shoes. Very popular with the runners.

[eggplant]

New Balance all the way! I'd recommend finding a pair that fits well in the store and then buying them online since you can find discount sites online.

[bluegrrrl79]

Oh really?? I was looking at New Balance ones today! But it didn't say anywhere on the shoe or box what they were made from, so I figured I'd come here first and get the info. So are all their shoes vegan? Just some?

[IamJen]

Ditto to New Balance - very popular at the Y. :)

[IamJen]

Not all are vegan - but you should be able to tell by looking at the label on the tongue of the shoe. The synthetics will say "man made materials".

If you have a New Balance Store near you, the staff generally knows which are non-leather. You could also probably call the 800 number.

I've been trying to find some more info. about NB and sweatshops. They used to have a problem, but I've heard they cleaned up their act a bit - anyone have info?

[bluegrrrl79]

Not all are vegan - but you should be able to tell by looking at the label on the tongue of the shoe. The synthetics will say "man made materials".

Hmmm....the thing is, none of the ones I looked at said what they were made of. On the inside it only said the size and that's it, weird huh?

[Max Power]

The Nike Vapor ID is really light and comfy: http://nikeid.nike.com/images/us/vapor_trainer/v1/v1_default.jpg

I also swear by the Shox: http://nikeid.nike.com/configurator.jsp?styleId=307807

They're made with "synthetic leather" but I don't know about the glue.

[SallyK]

I have a really cute pair of Saucony running shoes. This isn't the pair that I have, but it's an example. http://www.famousfootwear.com/product.asp?p=1003558%7E%7ESAUC&variant_id=92283
I have the same frustrations as you do about the labelling. One shoe salesperson told me that if they are leather, they have to be labeled as such. Another salesperson told me that if they are man-made, they have to be labeled that way. So how does that explain the ones that don't say what they are made of? Who knows.....grrr!

[veg*nfrog]

That's the trouble with New Balance, none of their shoes (at least that I've checked) have the materials listed. You can go to the NB website and send an email requesting a listing of all their currently avaliable nonleather shoes. I do this each time I'm in the market for running shoes. The list is always quite extensive. Print and take with you, voila!

[Dr. Schmeebis]

Running shoes are one type of shoe in which man-made tends to be more popular. If you go to a running shoe store, rather than a general one, they tend to be more knowledgable. I run in New Balance 765's, but I assume from the "grrrrrrrrl" in your username that you'd want women's running shoes. Not sure what the difference is, but I know people tend to buy sexed shoes. Still, though, I offer that model number as a reference to men's shoes buyers that are interested.

Edit:
Just to add more information: http://www.ethicalwares.com/s765.htm
Does it make me evil that I look at Vegan Shoestores for materials, then shop where I can afford it for price?

[eggplant]

At www.joesnewbalanceoutlet.com, where I buy my running shoes, they list the materials in the shoe descriptions. If there's leather, it says so. They have great deals there too!

[kirkjobsluder]

Animal glues have not been used in industrial applications for decades. I would be extremely suprised if there were animal glues.

[IamJen]

My 377's have it on the tongue label (right above "made in China" - eek!) Some of the pairs at my local shoestore had hanging tags too, but I'm not sure if it was every pair.



That's the trouble with New Balance, none of their shoes (at least that I've checked) have the materials listed. You can go to the NB website and send an email requesting a listing of all their currently avaliable nonleather shoes. I do this each time I'm in the market for running shoes. The list is always quite extensive. Print and take with you, voila!

[bluegrrrl79]

Thanks guys!! This board is always so helpful :D I'll look for the 377's and 765's, maybe even email the company. The Bob's store is having a sneaker sale so hopefully those are on sale too!

[SallyK]

How can you possible buy a pair of running shoes online? Oh my gosh, it takes me at least 3 months of Saturdays at the mall & athletic stores to find the best fitting non-leather shoe. I could never ever buy them online. I'd end up with blisters.

[eggplant]

How can you possible buy a pair of running shoes online? Oh my gosh, it takes me at least 3 months of Saturdays at the mall & athletic stores to find the best fitting non-leather shoe. I could never ever buy them online. I'd end up with blisters.

You can find the model and size that fits in the store and then order them online.

[SallyK]

Hmm..that's true. I guess I never thought of that :dunce: I guess when I find something I like, I want it right away instead of 2 weeks later!

[Earthsong]

I noticed that sometimes even if a shoe isn't actually labeled "man-made materials" or "leather" that it may have a code symbol, either on the shoe or on the box. Watch out for a little picture which looks like the outline of an animal hide. If it's there, at least part of the shoe has leather construction. Other symbols (a diamond, I think) indicate other, man-made materials.

Shalom,
Gail

[Dr. Schmeebis]

I buy the same model, or close to it. I don't usually buy online, but prefer to buy locally. However, the aforementioned tactic works. Also, I know that a pair of size 11.5 New Balance 765's fit me great, so I'd just order the same ones when they wear out.

[vegankittykat]

The Bob's store is having a sneaker sale so hopefully those are on sale too!

If I remember correctly, the Bob's near me has all the non-leather sneakers grouped together. If you shop there fairly often, you should sign up for their Best of Bob's card. I occasionaly get $10 (and sometimes $20) coupons in the mail from them.

[bluegrrrl79]

If I remember correctly, the Bob's near me has all the non-leather sneakers grouped together. If you shop there fairly often, you should sign up for their Best of Bob's card. I occasionaly get $10 (and sometimes $20) coupons in the mail from them.
Really? When I went they had them grouped by shoe type and brand. But I'm going today, and I'm going to bring a list of vegan sneakers with me, maybe they are all together :) How much is the Bob's card? I don't go there often, so I don't know if it would be worth it.

[vegankittykat]

Really? When I went they had them grouped by shoe type and brand. But I'm going today, and I'm going to bring a list of vegan sneakers with me, maybe they are all together :) How much is the Bob's card? I don't go there often, so I don't know if it would be worth it.

The card is free. You give it to them every time you shop there and I guess they keep track of how much you spend. I very rarely go there but still get an occasional coupon.