Patagonia Wintertide Boot

Patagonia's new Wintertide Boot is as good looking as it is warm.  Not only that, but the sole means business, these are boots you can walk in comfortably for a long time, perfect for winter travel and adventure.  They are lace-up boots, so you can customize the fit, but they are easy to get on and off.  You can lace them in such a way that you slip your foot in and out without having to fool with the laces.  They come in different colors, but I love the silvery gray furry fleece contrasted with jet black, which look fabulous with skinny jeans.

They're waterproof, and a recycled foot bed wicks away moisture to keep feet dry.  There is plenty of cushion in the recycled EVA Patagonia Air insole, and I think there's something to this, because for the warmth and comfort, there's not a ton of bulk.  Anyone looking for a lower profile winter boot would probably be very pleased with these.  The outer sole is recycled content too, this is Patagonia, they'll be as eco friendly as possible. 

Sizing for me ran short.  I'm a true 8.5, and normally get 9's in athletic footwear.  With these, I actually needed 10's, so you might want to go up a size to start.   These are awesome boots (and would make a killer holiday gift), find them HERE. 

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Patagonia Reflip Chip Flip Flops

I'm the pickiest person in the world when it comes to flip flops and only started wearing them when I discovered Reefs.  They're the only ones that were comfortable to me--until now.  Patagonia's Reflip Chips are at least as comfortable and even better, they are made from soft recycled materials and are totally recyclable through Patagonia's Common Threads recycle program.  The fabric that fits between your toes (what can make flip flops so uncomfortable) is sewn perfectly and is soft and thin and barely noticeable. Perfect for travel, they are super light weight and comfy enough to support some extended walking. 

They're vegan too.  And did I mention they're cute?  They come in three colors, all bright and cheery and perfect for summer.  Find them HERE.

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Patagonia Drifter Eco Friendly Shoe

Need a reliable shoe for your spring and summer adventures?  The new Patagonia Drifter shoe is perfect for summer hiking and travel.  It's classified as a shoe, not a hiking boot, but I think the killer traction makes it appropriate for the trails--it's definitely more of a boot.  Because it doesn't have a ton of ankle support, I wouldn't go backpacking with these, or hike difficult or rocky trails, but for moderate hiking, I think they're perfect.  They're a decent weight at 14 oz, and the mesh will help keep your feet cool in warmer weather.  Very little break-in time with these, comfort level is great, and they are good looking and super durable.   

They come in different colors, but I love the "cardamon," the red contrast is so cute, and gives it an school hiking boot vibe.  Recycled rubber Ecostep outsoles boast some beefy tread and feel very stable.  I also love the black contrast to the tan nubuck and the way the black comes up high--it makes your foot look smaller.  Speaking of smaller, I recommend you order up one half size.   My true size is 8.5 and I need a 9 in this shoe.  Patagonia is an environmentally responsible company that backs up their product. 

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El Naturalista Yggdrasil Boots

Need something to make your spirits bright this holiday season?  How about a pair of eco friendly,  super comfy boots inspired by Nordic mythology?  El Naturalista is a brand that makes an art out of green footwear, making their shoes and boots as environmentally healthy as possible while infusing each pair with a beautiful backstory and great looks.

These Yggdrasils are derived from sacred Finnish legend unifying earth with universe and translates to Tree of Life.  The gods planted an ash tree with roots that went from the center of the universe and branches wrapping all around the earth. 

Reinforced stitching throughout, The "Frog Shock System" removable recycled insole combined with the cushy sole made from post industrial rubber waste is comfortable and gives you a little height.  There's a side zip as well as the cute buttons and they easily slip on and off.  The hide is naturally treated with river stones, not harsh chemicals,  Find them HERE.

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EL NATURALISTA BOOTS

Got some Christmas money burning a hole in your pocket?  Or perhaps you need some rockin cool boots for New Years?  You have to check out El Naturalista .  They are a Spanish shoe company that uses recycled and eco friendly materials and operates under a beautiful philosophy of respect for Mother Nature, world cultures, and life.  They are very artful in their methods and their designs are refreshing and colorful.  And most of all, from my experience, they are super comfortable.

These Iggradasil Boots were inspired from Nordic legend.  Each line by El Naturalista is taken from global mythologies, folklore and art.  The Iggradasil line harkens back to the Tree of Life.  Apparently in Finnish lore, the gods once planted a giant ash tree whose roots encompassed the world.  How they got these cool boots out of that story I can't tell you, but I love it.

The heel gives you height while adding extra cush, they are not boots you want to take off. They are utilitarian while still being sexy.  These are not clunky boots, and would be great with skirts and dresses and those who like a more feminine boot.  But they're not too feminine--they're really just right.

The outsole has an interesting texture and it's made from recycled industrial waste.  El Naturalista uses what they call a Frog Shock System to absorb impact and it works.  I like the contrast created by this flecked material and the body of the boot.

The leather is treated with river rocks and in an ecologically conscious manner.  If you look closely, you will see variations in the grain from this natural process.  These boots zip on the side and also have laces in the back so you can customize your fit.

If you need them for a New Year's party, you can find them on Zappos (currently on Sale I might add) and get them in plenty of time.  Have a look HERE.

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Veggie Dyed Kork-Ease Ankle Boots

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Need some snappy boots for holiday events?  Check out these fabulous MARLO booties from Kork-Ease.  These boots have wonderful crossover appeal ranging from dressy to casual, from a whisper of cowgirl to metropolitan sophistication.  Have you ever looked longingly at those fashionable cute ankle booties wishing you could wear them knowing full well you wouldn't last an hour in them?  Being the boot freak that I am, I've been lusting after this style for the last couple of years but wouldn't dare attempt most of them due to the heels.  I'm a firm believer that you can be feminine and sexy without killing yourself in high heels.  And for me, heels are just not practical at all, I need my footwear to function.

I've been curious about Kork-Ease for a long time, I love the fusion of modern with retro chic.  When I saw the MARLO Platform Ankle Boot,  I thought, finally, an accessible ankle boot with a heel! These fit the bill in a big way.  They are modern and fun, and most importantly, they are super comfortable.  The side zip makes them easy to get on and off, the platform makes them manageable to walk in and provides height, and I just love their elegant simplicity which makes them classic.  The Marlo works with dressier outfits to something more casual like jeans or leggings.  The colors are natural and derived from vegetable tanning which utilizes plant tannins like bark and wood.  Untreated eco friendly biodegradable Vachetta leather from Tuscany, Italy, develops a rich patina over time, giving each shoe its own unique look.  They've got a lot of character and I can see them getting even more beautiful with time.

They run true to size, I take an 8.5 and unlike most boots in my closet, I did not have to size up with these, they fit perfectly and offer some arch support.  If you are like me, you want as much cushion as you can get, so I put some gel insoles in and it made them feel just right. You can find these fabulous boots on the Kork-Ease website, Zappos, and Sundance.  The different sites offer various colors, so be sure to check out your options.

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The North Face Glue Free (and cute) Suzy Q-Zy Shoes

The North Face has made great strides in the realm of eco friendly footwear with their first-ever glue free Suzy Q-Zy shoes.  Glues can be a nasty part of shoe making, containing VOCs and unpleasant chemicals.  This is no good for the people creating the shoe, the environment, or for consumers who want to vote green with their green.

By using TPU connectors, the shoes consist of layers that snap right together.    Shoes in the Suzy Q-Zy collection are not only glue free but are constructed using recycled materials.  These cute little ballerina flats come in different style and color combinations and are perfect through Summer, leading into Fall.  They look great with cropped pants, skirts and dresses and are comfortable and true to size.  The colors are neutral and go with many different things and they are sporty and feminine at the same time.  Find them HERE.

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