At Urban Sherp, we fully believe that every small step you take makes a difference. Living a ‘greener’ life style is all about making choices every day that help steer the planet in the right direction. As educated consumers we can use the power of the dollar to help change the way things are grown, manufactured and shipped and encourage businesses to make more people, animal and earth-friendly decisions. What better way to take a first ‘step’ in living a greener lifestyle than by choosing a more eco-friendly shoe. More and more manufacturers are exploring the use of alternative materials like recycled PET, sustainably harvested cork, water-based glues, hemp and chrome-free leathers to create an end product that is a little bit greener. Here are some of our favorites:

SEXY PUMPS:
BEYOND SKIN Hazel T-Strap Pump $284.95 $113.98	OLSENHAUS Faith Pump $200.95 $80.38	TERRA PLANA Rita Platform Pump $129.95

KITTEN HEELS:
TERRA PLANA Patch Pump $169.95 $67.98	COCLICO Chiba Heels $299.95 $119.88	OLSENHAUS Grace 2 Peep Toe $199.95

SWEET FLATS:
CRI DE COEUR Enchant Wrap Flat $85.00 $33.97	OLSENHAUS Love Wedge $74.38	NAYA Fauana Flats $135

ANKLE STRAP SANDALS:
OLSENHAUS Destiny Flat $189.95	COCLICO Timpani Sandal $314.95 $125.88	SIMPLE TanTan $135

BOOTIES:
CRI DE COEUR Linneah Bootie $264.98 $105.98	NAYA Ana Shootie $145	COCLICO Arlene Bootie $395

HEELED BOOTS:
COCLICO Awaso Tall Boot $532.95 $373.07	TERRA PLANA Tamal Mid-Calf Boot $319.95 $127.98	EL NATURALISTA Duna Boot $187.46

COOL KICKS:
SAUCONY ORIGINALS Jazz Low Pro Vegan Sneaker $28.30 – $64.95	SIMPLE Satire Hemp Sneaker $54.95	TERRA PLANA Odette Flat Shoe $100

Who: Naya – New York, NY

What: Ana Peep-Toe Shootie

Where: Amazon.com – $145 in inky blue or in tan at Piperlime

Why We Love It: Yes, we’ll admit we were at first skeptical about peep-toe booties, wondering when they’d be appropriate, but now we wonder how anyone could live without a pair of blue (or tan) suede ‘shooties’… Turns out they are incredibly versatile. Pair with jeans, leggings, trousers and go with or without stockings in just about any season (rain and snow are admittedly tough). The soft pleats of the 100% chrome free suede lend a sophisticated edge. Click to continue »

Who: TOMS Shoes - Santa Monica, CA

What: Calypso Canvas Wedge

Where: TOMS – $69. With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One.

Why We Love It: We soo wanted to embrace TOMS classic canvas shoes, but it was a style that we just couldn’t pull off (although they are super cute for kids!).  So we were so psyched to see their new summer collection with this timeless summer wedge. Love the stripes, the rounded toe, the shape and the TOMS One for One emblem on the back. Click to continue »

Who: Timberland – Stratham, NH

What: Men’s Earthkeepers 2.0 Venetian Loafer

Where: Amazon – $74.95 – $90

Why We Love It: We had to include a pair of classic Timberland’s for the fellas too. These are super comfy, durable, maintenance free and only get better with age. In addition, they are members of an elite group Timberland’s eco-conscious Earthkeeper’s 2.0 collection. The soles contain 42% recycled materials, mainly scrap tires, the leather is from a tannery receiving a silver rating for its industry-leading water, waste and energy management. The lining contains 50% organic cotton. Click to continue »

Who: Timberland – Stratham, NH

What: Earthkeepers Kennebunk Thong

Where: Amazon – $67.90

Why We Love It: This laid back thong takes us back to those magical days of summer spent on the coast of Vactionland (just south of Kennebunk). The thong is east coast staple that never goes out of style – like the pair mom used to have that we coveted, constantly slipping our sandy toes into them, willing them to fit to no avail. But now this timeless summer classic fits just right and it got a whole lot greener.

As with all Timberland shoes, these sandals are built to last, but as a member of Timberland’s Earthkeepers Collection, they are built with the earth in mind. Using more eco-friendly materials like recycled tires and organic cotton and considering the entire lifecycle of a product Timberland strives to create a more earth conscious shoe.  The latest in the Earthkeepers achievements is Earthkeepers 2.0 – shoes that are designed to be taken apart when you’re done with them so their parts can be recycled to make new footwear.

The leather for the Kennebunk Thong is sourced from a Leather Working Group (LWG) Silver-rated tannery awarded for its reduced energy use, reduced waste and quality water treatment. The ring is made of organic raffia and the outsole contains 42% recycled rubber from scrap tires.

Available in Dark Brown, Black or Tan.

Earth Week Goal #1 – Find new home for perfectly good, hard-to-part-with stuff that I love, but have never used. (Goal #2, only buy stuff that fits, that I love, that is quality and will get lots of use… )

Spring has arrived (just barely here in New England) and I am on a mission to get organized, so I am holding an Earth Day Sale!!

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Who: WHERE; UK

What: Cadi Multifunctional Boot

Where: Urban Outfitters – $198, or direct from WHERE on sale for  75 (approx $121.57 depending on exchange rate plus shipping & taxes)

Why We Love It: Very exciting news – one of our favorite European labels, WHERE, has just landed in the US and are now selling a selection of their shoes at none other than Urban Outfitters. So, now you can finally get your hands on WHERE’s cutting edge collection of ethical footwear without incurring exorbidant import fees. Click to continue »

Who: Terra Plana; London, UK

What: Doll in Multi-Quilt Patch Pump

Where: Amazon.com – $169.95 $67.98 in Patch Black

Why We Love It: We first discovered Terra Plana on a scouting trip to London and fell in love with their completely original style and unparalleled comfort. This 2″ kitten heel is designed to accommodate the natural shape of your foot unlike most shoes that try to cram your toes into a narrow little V.  These shoes are perfect for days when you need to be on your feet but don’t want to sacrifice style for comfort,  soooo that would be everyday… Click to continue »

Who: Olsen Haus;New York, NY

What: Black Paint Splatter Heels

Where: FunkyLaLa – on sale for $74; Also available in Army

Why: These shoes are just begging to be strapped on and taken out for a night on the town… Love the quirky angular toe, sexy and modern. Each shoe is completely unique with artistically hand-splattered paint so you are sure to be the only one in the room with these sassy heels. The subtle platform toe gives added lift to this 3.5″ heel.

Elizabeth Olsen, the designer behind Olsenhaus is committed to creating shoes that are 100% vegan, she herself has been a vegetarian for 19 years and a vegan for 2. She uses alternative, sustainable and renewable plant-based and man-made, non-animal materials such as: Click to continue »

Who: Coclico; New York, NY

What: Kelp Clam Bootie

Where: Coclico.com; $350

Why We Love ‘Em: We are completely, completely obsessed with the entire fall collection of Coclico leather shoes. The collection is edgy, classic, fashion forward and timeless all at one time, if that’s possible. Was quite a challenge to choose just one to feature this week, but since it is fall we went with the lovely Kelp Clam Bootie. Love the creamy neutral color, the delicate perforations, the shape of wooden kitten heel and the detail of the curved footbed. A complete original.

Now you may be wondering how can we feature a leather shoe? Well, this is definitely a controversial issue for US. On the one hand, yes, there is no question that leather products are not animal-friendly and unfortunately in most cases the leather tanning process is incredibly toxic and wasteful.  But Click to continue »