Eco Friendly Chacos for Summer--Kids too!

When I heard that Chaco had come out with kids' sandals and shoes I got very excited.  For the past six years, my black Chaco sandals have been my Summertime staple.  They look great with everything--dresses and jeans and I have worn them almost daily every Summer.  You'd think with all that wear, they'd be pretty ratty by now, but they look almost new.

The great thing about Chacos, is that when they finally do wear out, you can send them in for new tread.  How eco friendly!  The ReChaco program will preserve the life of your favorite sandals by replacing the tread.  Speaking of the tread, it's rugged, but not too rugged to dress up.  You could go hiking in them or dancing in them which makes them awesome for travel.

Another wonderful thing about Chacos is that they are fully adjustable.  And finally, they have unparalleled arch support.   This can be difficult to find in a sandal and it can be draining on your feet if you walk a lot.  This extra comfort and support makes them ideal for extended wear.

The kid version is a mini version of the adult Chaco, only a little more fun.  Look at these fabulous Robot sandals with the red soles and reflector pull loops.  My son went bananas over the robots and runs like lightening in these.   He can go wading in the rocky bay waters and these protect his feet  without slipping off.

They have the 25% recycled content EcoTread outsole and a footbed designed to promote proper body alignment.  You can wash them in the machine and they won't mark up your floors.  They're virtually indestructible and look adorable.  Chacos run a bit big in general, by about a half size in my experience, so keep this in mind when ordering.

Chaco has also started producing shoes.  I love these Devotee Vibram Gunnison shoes which have the wonderful arch support and versatility of the sandals but will take you through more seasons and more situations.  You could wear them to the office, traveling (they would be great going through security since they will slip right off), and anywhere you want to be cute and comfortable and a little more dressed up than you are in sandals.

There is no way to adjust the back straps, so sizing can be a little tricky on these.  I recommend trying them on in person if you can or ordering from an online retailer like Zappos which has a free, easy and immediate exchange program so you can quickly get the right size.  I normally take an 8.5-9 and with Chaco I take an 8.  With this particular shoe, I needed a 7.5, so keep in mind they run big.  They are worth the effort, they're very well made, comfortable and foot-flattering. 

I'm so excited Chaco has decided to offer more options, I can't wait to see what they come out with next.  Check out their selection (including vegan sandal options) HERE.

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Simple Shoes Summer Find: Take On Elastic

All shoe companies should take a page out of the Simple Shoes book.  By using eco friendly materials like organic cotton, recycled wool, hemp, and recycled car tires and employing eco friendly manufacturing practices, Simple Shoes proves that shoes can be made in a more sustainable manner.   I wish there were more options like this on the market.

Look at these adorable organic cotton canvas shoes.  The Take On Elastic is a light weight slip on that is as comfortable as it is cute.  These would be perfect for travel as that second pair of comfy shoes.  Wear them to the beach, Farmers' Market, working in the garden, riding your bike or on the plane.  I think they'd look nice with a dress or with jeans or cropped pants. 

Normally I like shoes with a chunky sole as I prefer as much shock absorption as I can get.  But these have a cushy and biodegradable EVA "ped bed" which really does the job.  The soles are made from recycled tires and natural rubber.  The uppers are a blend of organic cotton and recycled PET.  Pictured here in "Goat," I love the splash of cool colors (available in warmer colors) and the versatile cocoa gray.  These are perfect for Summer, find them HERE. 

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Simple Shoes Eco Friendly LAYabout Slippers

Slipper weather is here! Time to slip on something warm to keep those tootsies toasty. I have just discovered the cutest slippers ever and they're eco friendly to boot. Simple Shoes LAYabout slippers are so cool you'll want to wear them everywhere.

They're charcoal gray with burgundy accents and buttons made of coconut (they come in other colors too). Organic fleece cotton lining and the over the ankle bootie style makes them warm and comfy. The picture is cute, but they're even better looking in person and are flattering on the foot. Sustainable, adorable, and comfortable is the ultimate slipper trifecta--these slippers and a hot cup of tea and you're all set.

Simple Shoes are an environmentally responsible company down to their eco friendly boxes. Using recycled materials like paper and soda bottles, water based (not petroleum based) glues, and natural latex footbeds, they take great care to make sure their shoes are made with sustainable materials. They're my new favorite shoe company, I wish I'd known about them sooner! You can check them out HERE.

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