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Conscientious running shoes

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  • 09-11-2012 6:18pm
    #1
    agreenyblue
    Registered Users Posts: 47 ✭


    Posted in hope of assistance, not looking to get into ethical niggles.

    Looking for a pair of running shoes, preferably manufactured in Europe, preferably not one of the big brands (unless someone knows of one with a clean record). I can buy a pair of New Balance made in the U.S. here http://www.planetshoes.com/storeitems.aspx?gender=men&shop=made%20in%20. They manufacture in England also, but I can´t find where I can buy them online. In any case I would like to do better.

    Informed suggestions appreciated.


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    #2
    dev123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 420 ✭✭dev123


    agreenyblue wrote: »
    Posted in hope of assistance, not looking to get into ethical niggles.

    Looking for a pair of running shoes, preferably manufactured in Europe, preferably not one of the big brands (unless someone knows of one with a clean record). I can buy a pair of New Balance made in the U.S. here http://www.planetshoes.com/storeitems.aspx?gender=men&shop=made%20in%20. They manufacture in England also, but I can´t find where I can buy them online. In any case I would like to do better.

    Informed suggestions appreciated.
    If its environmental concerns that you have the Brooks Green Silence are made from recycled materials.


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    #3
    dev123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 420 ✭✭dev123


    agreenyblue wrote: »
    Posted in hope of assistance, not looking to get into ethical niggles.

    Looking for a pair of running shoes, preferably manufactured in Europe, preferably not one of the big brands (unless someone knows of one with a clean record). I can buy a pair of New Balance made in the U.S. here http://www.planetshoes.com/storeitems.aspx?gender=men&shop=made%20in%20. They manufacture in England also, but I can´t find where I can buy them online. In any case I would like to do better.

    Informed suggestions appreciated.
    If its environmental concerns that you have the Brooks Green Silence are made from recycled materials.


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    #4
    sconhome
    Registered Users Posts: 5,468 ✭✭✭sconhome


    agreenyblue wrote: »
    Posted in hope of assistance, not looking to get into ethical niggles.

    Looking for a pair of running shoes, preferably manufactured in Europe, preferably not one of the big brands (unless someone knows of one with a clean record). I can buy a pair of New Balance made in the U.S. here http://www.planetshoes.com/storeitems.aspx?gender=men&shop=made%20in%20. They manufacture in England also, but I can´t find where I can buy them online. In any case I would like to do better.

    Informed suggestions appreciated.

    Some of the New Balance shoes are manufactured in UK, I think they are mostly the hiking or walking shoes that are made there, and at that just one or two styles. Almost every pair of main stream running shoe is made in China or Vietnam these days.

    Like that NB have one or two styles made in the States, just to fly that particular flag 'Made in USA' but again quiet limitied.
    dev123 wrote: »
    If its environmental concerns that you have the Brooks Green Silence are made from recycled materials.

    You are right about Green Silence being fully recyclable, but this product is now discontinued and size options are disappearing very fast from availability as they are being snapped up by avid fans.

    The problem OP, is that the shoe made in the particular area may not be the right shoe to suit you. It potentiall hinges on which is most important to you, the right shoe or the right ideals behind the shoe.


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    #5
    ASIMON0V
    Registered Users Posts: 205 ✭✭ASIMON0V


    agreenyblue wrote: »
    Posted in hope of assistance, not looking to get into ethical niggles.

    Looking for a pair of running shoes, preferably manufactured in Europe, preferably not one of the big brands (unless someone knows of one with a clean record). I can buy a pair of New Balance made in the U.S. here http://www.planetshoes.com/storeitems.aspx?gender=men&shop=made%20in%20. They manufacture in England also, but I can´t find where I can buy them online. In any case I would like to do better.

    Informed suggestions appreciated.

    I've done a bit of looking around on this, and there is no real obvious choice.

    The big brands are actually pretty good these days as they understand the need from a CSR point of view to control supply chain worker welfare. For example reebok invest heavily in HIV / AIDS programmes in Lesotho and this type of activity is pretty common.

    A bigger area of concern for me would be the low end polyester "technical" tshirts, socks etc, gloves - there is no onus here to have controls of welfare - it's just about cutting cost.

    It's been a year or so since I did a product search so maybe things have changed, would be interested to hear if anyone has sourced anything.

    From an environmental point of view, brooks are very good in general.


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    #6
    rom
    Registered Users Posts: 5,141 ✭✭✭rom


    agreenyblue wrote: »
    Posted in hope of assistance, not looking to get into ethical niggles.

    Looking for a pair of running shoes, preferably manufactured in Europe, preferably not one of the big brands (unless someone knows of one with a clean record). I can buy a pair of New Balance made in the U.S. here http://www.planetshoes.com/storeitems.aspx?gender=men&shop=made%20in%20. They manufacture in England also, but I can´t find where I can buy them online. In any case I would like to do better.

    Informed suggestions appreciated.
    What did you use to make this post ?


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    #7
    agreenyblue
    Registered Users Posts: 47 ✭agreenyblue


    My concerns are not specific to recycling, but thanks.

    "The right shoe or the right ideals behind the shoe". Yeah, on the back of the recommendations on here I had a trip to Ballymount pencilled in before I looked into the current market and didn't like what I read. I won't buy the shoes. Second-hand is a half-measure I have employed with other items, not so clever with running shoes.


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    #8
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    better off to get a shoe that suits your feet. If you're worried about ethical concerns you can always donate some money online to a charity promoting ethical work practices...


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    #9
    sconhome
    Registered Users Posts: 5,468 ✭✭✭sconhome


    agreenyblue wrote: »
    My concerns are not specific to recycling, but thanks.

    "The right shoe or the right ideals behind the shoe". Yeah, on the back of the recommendations on here I had a trip to Ballymount pencilled in before I looked into the current market and didn't like what I read. I won't buy the shoes. Second-hand is a half-measure I have employed with other items, not so clever with running shoes.

    Probably the best thing is to get in touch with each company and ask them which shoes they make that suit your criteria.

    I just thinking of iNOV-8 who are a small (but growing) UK running shoe company, their products are made in China too.

    You obviously have a very specific product or parameters of defining a product in mind which I can't help you with. Direct route is probably the easiest and most efficient way for you.

    Be interested to see how you fare out. Good luck with the search.


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    #10
    agreenyblue
    Registered Users Posts: 47 ✭agreenyblue


    Long time getting back about this, only got sorted well after Christmas and wanted to give myself and the shoes a chance to break each other in.

    Www.lunge.com I got the vivo (neutral shoe). They are every bit as ugly as they look in the picture. Comfortable and hard wearing. Not exactly what I wanted but they do the job. Wide-fitting shoe.

    A couple of minimalist options, there are more of these around if you trawl the net:

    http://www.sole-runner.ch/

    http://www.softstarshoes.com/adult-shoes/runamoc.html

    And/or make your own:

    http://www.algeos.com/acatalog/Footwear_Materials.html


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