Photographer Treads Lightly..

Embarking on a mission w Mr K, I stepped aboard the light rail and rode into the city. Listening to the swish of the rails, and the chatter of passengers we watched the scenery blur by. We had some shoes to get. Today. Having each killed our only pairs of sneakers, that we had been traipsing in for over 9 years, we were both on the road to purchase.

We navigated swiftly through throngs of consumers, some meandering without a care in the world, others rushing for the Easter bargain, or their favourite brand. I liked that we had a list, not to be deviated from but to be adhered to. We made the purpose of the mission clear before starting out, so when bright blinking lights caught my eye and drew me to their doors, it was easier to stop in my well worn tracks and look where I was going, and ask myself if I really needed to browse in the beauty shop, the chocolate store and the trashy $2 shop. No, but they have 50% off... maybe I might need something if I just take a look...? Our last stop was the Kathmandu clearance store and I found the shoes that had been in my imagination but I didn't think actually existed. Simple's Eco Sneaks. We were done.

From shoe boxes made from recycled cardboard, to using carpet and old tyres, I was surprised and impressed by the way various materials had been used creatively after their first life. I did have to go through a few boxes to find a pair with great coverage of rubber on the sole of both shoes though. The first pair I tried had been worn down a bit low to the metal wirey stuff that is inside tyres and so it compromised the grip of the shoe and made it slippery. Not good in rain. Fair enough though, that happens with tyres. I didn't want to invest in shoes that were less than the standard they could be before I bought them. So we rifled like little squirrels inspecting their acorns and found the pair for me.

As I get ready for a brisk autumn morning walk, I pull my shoes' hemp heel up over my foot and tie up my laces made of recycled PET. I place my soles to the ground and bounce a little. Hmm. I feel... light.

So much of our consumption is based around our self image, how we want to look, how we want to feel. As my retread shoe soles were given a new lease on life, I feel I have invested in my future. It's a small step but it's one in the right direction. I paid less than $100 for my new shoes and in today's fashion for sneaks that's pretty cheap. And I feel pretty good.

The Simple website has a more in depth description of the materials and how they are utilised - with pictures! http://www.simpleshoes.com/ecoSneaks/index.aspx

Comments

[Jasmin O'Leary]

Cool pics!