Simple Shoes: Eco-Friendly Footwear

One of the more serious consequences of today’s consumerist society is that the more you consume, the more waste is generated. In 1991, an American company based in Santa Barbara, California who believed in environmental responsibility decided to manufacture shoes and accessories made out of nothing but natural and sustainable materials. This was the birth of Simple Shoes.

Sustainable is not the same as recycled though; it simply means using materials that have minimal long-term effects on the environment to reduce the negative consequences normally left in the manufacturing of commodities. Simple Shoes and bags are made up of over twenty different kinds of natural materials (hemp, organic cotton, bamboo, etc.) and sustainable materials (PET bottles, recycled car tires, water-based glue). And it’s quickly becoming an international phenomenon. Simple Shoes stores are everywhere North America, Europe, and Japan, and now they’ve arrived in the Philippines.

The only serious downside to Simple Shoes is the not-so-simple price tag. Not surprisingly, a pair costs approximately Php 2,300+ whereas the bags range from Php 2,000 to Php 3,400. Fans of the brand, however, swear by the comfort of Simple Shoes - particularly the soles, which are soft and give appropriate cushioning and support. I suppose organic and sustainable materials is a lot more difficult to process but if they really are serious about promoting economic-friendly and environmentally-conscious consumerism, then they ought to come up with a way to make their products more affordable to the masses. Otherwise, Simple Shoes would be pretty much another brand using environmental friendliness as a marketing strategy for guilt-free shopping.

Simple Shoes can be found at Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-La Mall, and Alabang. Visit the Simple website to check out more shoe and bag styles for women, men, and children.