Your
feet carry the weight of your skin, bones, muscles and whatever else
you normally lug around on a daily basis. When walking is a physical
requirement for work, it can become an overwhelming task for your feet.
Sometimes it results in lower backaches and even numbness in your toes.
If you’re a person always on the go, losing your mobility isn’t an
option. So what are the alternatives…how can you reward your feet
instead of torturing them?
While you may not be able to walk
barefoot all of the time to combat this issue, it’s a pleasant idea to
be free of footwear. However, shoes are necessary to protect your feet,
and a certain type can even provide you with a healthier and greener
step. Suffering through the pain and numbness is only a choice once you
discover an alternative.
The
VivoBarefoot Collection from Terra Plana can give your feet a
much-needed break, and this shoe line has a low impact on the
environment too. The collection is designed to simulate walking
barefoot, which can be more beneficial to your body. For example, the
shoe design allows for natural movement of the foot and body, which
enables muscles to flex and strengthen over time. Since the soles are
thinner, there is more opportunity for sensory stimulation of your
feet’s nerve endings.
Spring is beginning to set in, so you
can get back to nature and enjoy those outdoor activities once more
with these innovative shoes. The Leonidas sandal for men is crafted
especially for going off road on those challenging hikes into the
mountains. The Odette for women is a classic ballerina shoe that you
can wear to work with summer skirts or practice yoga in. If you’re a
clean freak or a sports addict, you will appreciate the VivoBarefoot
line, because its lightweight, shock absorbing shoes contain natural
odor absorbing active carbon and antibacterial properties.
Retail
director for N & S America, Sabra Ellingson, explains why Vivo
shoes are more unique than other ethical shoe brands: “There is not a
single ethical shoe brand out there that utilizes the same barefoot
technology the Vivos encompass. The Vivo shoes removed the heel
counter, arch support, toe lift and stripped it down to a 3 mm thick
sole that is completely flexible and puncture resistant.” These
improvements to traditional footwear have enabled natural movement,
because the artificial supports are no longer there to deaden nerve
endings and disrupt proper body posture.
So these shoes treat
the body well, but how do they score with the Earth? The soles are made
of 100 percent recycled rubber; the bottom layer of the insole is made
of 70 percent recycled polyurethane and 3-5 percent natural cork and
environmentally friendly aegis anti-microbials; and the upper is made
of 100 percent recycled PET fabric. Plus, since the shoes are
manufactured in Guangzhou, China, recycled bottles, natural cork and
other materials are locally sourced to decrease fuel usage. On the Eco
Matrix scale, VivoBarefoot scores a 23 out of 25, and this scoring
system assesses the following aspects of the shoe: efficiency, sole
(minimal toxins/durability/lightness), upper (eco-friendly materials/
simplicity), comfort and looks.
Since
this collection is made from recycled materials, it can eventually be
recycled or reused at the end of its lifespan. With proper care and
maintenance, these shoes can last two years or more, and you can even
routinely replace the insoles for more wear. However, when you need to
completely replace the shoes, they can always be donated for reuse or
sent back to the company. Ellingson says, “Sometimes we take the shoes
and remove any components we may need for later customer service
issues…I also work closely with a local shoe repair, and I frequently
provide him with used shoes where he takes the soles apart and uses for
future shoe repairs.” In addition, the company donates single samples
to the National Odd Shoe Charity, which benefits amputee persons.
Currently,
the VivoBarefoot Collection can be purchased online or at the Terra
Plana store located at 260 Elizabeth St , New York, phone: (212) 274-9000. But keep an eye out for pop-up shops
in your area as well as a full-scale store along the West Coast in
2010. With so many health and environmental benefits, these shoes are
definitely worth investing in, and you can start this summer out on a
lighter step.
