Confession: Up until a week ago, I still sometimes wore plastic flip flops. Granted, they were flip flops I purchased back in 2005. And I wore them until they had holes in the heels.
But still, why would I continue to wear plastic ones after discovering the natural rubber flip flops from Feelgoodz two years ago? It had to do with the straps.
The natural rubber straps were fine for short walks, but if I wore the flip flops for an extended length of time, the straps would irritate the top of my foot a little bit. So I would revert to the plastic ones for a while. Many other people love the original Feelgoodz and have not had this problem, but now, I’m psyched to have discovered that Feelgoodz is offering two alternative models with soft hemp straps instead of rubber, and they feel really great. Just in time to save my heels, Feelgoodz sent me a couple of pairs of flip flops to review.
Soft Strapz flip flops
The Soft Strapz model comes with a thick natural rubber sole (which is thicker, yet lighter than my original Feelgoodz flip flops because less rubber is used per shoe, so the consistency is different) and soft hemp fabric straps. They are super comfortable, and I can wear them for long periods of time without any irritation.
Cinnaflopz flip flops
The Cinnaflopz model has hemp straps and a hemp upper glued with natural rubber glue to a natural rubber sole. They also contain a layer of real cinnamon between the rubber and hemp layers. Believe me, they smell great. But they are not for people who are allergic to cinnamon or don’t like the smell. The rubber sole on the Cinnaflopz is very thin, but Feelgoodz will be coming out with two new colors and a thicker sole in 2013.
Feelgoodz flip flops are made in Vietnam. Here is a video explaining how the Cinnaflopz are made. Feelgoodz also offers flip flops for kids and flip flops with a leather upper. (Personally, I avoid leather when possible, but your preferences may be different from mine.)
Compost or Recycle?
When Feelgoodz flip flops wear out, they can be buried in the backyard or cut up and composted. Don’t toss them in the trash! But what about the plastic flip flops you already have? Wear them for as long as you can, but when you are done with them, you can send them to Feelgoodz’s Unflop Program, which will “upcycle” them through the Flip Flop Recycling Company.
Give-Away: 1 Pair of Cinnaflopz in Women’s size 7-9
Unfortunately, just as I did when I reviewed the original flip flops back in 2010, I once again requested a size too small. The Soft Strapz flip flops fit me just right, but sadly, the Cinnaflopz leave my heel on the floor. So I am giving away this pair to one lucky person with feet smaller than mine. (Don’t worry. I only tried them on once in the house and that’s the only time they touched my feet.)
07/18/2012 Update: The drawing is over. The winner is AlmostAlltheTruth. Congratulations!
To enter the give-away, please leave a comment with your favorite way to reduce plastic while buying clothes or shoes. It could be a particular brand that uses all natural–or mostly natural–fibers. Or it could be through buying secondhand or upcycling. I’d love to hear all of your ideas. And if there is a particular product you think I should review on this blog, let me know. I will choose a winner at random.
If products reflected their "true" cost maybe people would buy less. Overconsumption is killing us in many ways.
I'm going to have to disagree with the post about this not being price competitive. No, they do not compare to the $3 pair you can get at Walmart or a dollar store. But the cheap flip-flops are exactly that- cheap. They don't last and you're lucky to get a full summer out of them. They do, however, compare to other high quality flip flops. My husband had a pair of Rainbow flip flops that cost between $30-50. We've been together for 9 years, and he had those flip flops for several years before I met him. It was only this year that he finally allowed me to get him a new pair (the sole had finally worn down a hole in the heel). That means that those things lasted for over a decade. And we live in Florida, so those babies were worn 8-9 months of the year. Needless to say, I ordered myself a pair when I got his replacements :)
This is all to say, quality is worthwhile. I can't vouch for the feelgoodz as I have never tried them, but I think its unwise to disregard something just because it doesn't compete with cheap discount products. If everyone spent a little more to buy better quality, they could purchase less often, eliminate waste, and save money in the long run.
I love seeing this, but it is worthless! If you cant make the price competitive you can't begin to fight the problem.
I hate plastic. I remember wearing the shiny, 100% poly blouses, slacks, and dresses in the 70's and 80's. I got rid of all of that wear years ago and never looked back. You can now buy silk sweaters that are woven as snugly as wool, or buy wool - it comes in many weaves from coarse to snugly-soft, and they WEAR. Cotton in the summer or light-weight silks. That's my wardrobe !
I have a great pair of flip flops I got at a natural store here years ago. They are made from recycled plastic and hemp. I'm pretty sure the brand is "simple". They are the most comfortable shoes I've ever bought!
I'm a knitter but many yarns contain acrylic and travel long distances to arrive at my doorstep, so I've started unraveling sweaters from the thrift store to use the yarn for making all kinds of things, from socks to sweaters.
My church's Thrift Shop, which is a great source of clothes, shoes, kitchen stuff and sometimes small furniture for those who need it.
I save the tops of shaving cream, aerosol cans, and some larger jars (like peanut butter jars), and use them to hold paint for kids' art projects. They keep the colors separated, and make it easier to return the paint back to the bottle if there is some left over. Plus, I don't think they can be recycled at a city plant because they don't have the symbol on it.
I purchase just about everthing to wear from second hand sources: Goodwill, and a Goodwill "discount" shop that sells clothes by the pound super cheap...ex. blue linen long sleeve shirt was 49 cents. I rely on GW, Craig's list, garage sales, friends' trading/giving away old clothes etc. Recently bought a Kenmore washer that was 5 years old for 100 dollars from a person who advertised on Craig's list.. Washes great; spins very well. The best current spot for me to "shop" has been at the mini landfill that services our community. They put in a concrete slab, added a carport type cover, and users can drop off whatever we don't want, couches, appliances etc.. I've found a nearly new, white double enamel sink that will go in our community garden for washing veggies. This was a great find. No yellowing or stains either. Also recently found 2 bird feeders, old yes, but with glass not plastic tubes that the seeds go in. I keep a neighbor's granddaughter on Wednesdays so she and I repainted the top of one of the feeders and it now looks so good, nearly new. BTW I don't actively go out looking for stuff,, but as I drive around getting to appointments, running errounds, or to dump off household trash and receycling, I will run over to the county's free spot and check it out. I found a great foldup handmade pine table recently. My curb pickings recently include a cute new stainless steel bucket, and several plant pots of all sizes, including the chain hangers, some clay most plastic and old but still useable. Once you have this consciousness instilled in you, it just seems like you'll begin to find more stuff if you want to.
Thrift stores. And I wear my shoes until they literally fall apart.
I usually buy stuff online when there is a good deal. I rarely ever go to the store to buy clothes.
Would
I reduce plastic consumption in shopping by wearing clothes until they are no longer wearable.
I'm an average size, so I have trouble finding decent clothes secondhand because they're all gone. But I buy most of my kids' clothes secondhand, and they get hand-me-downs from cousins. I've been trying to buy more organic cotton, but everything seems to come in a plastic wrapper anyway. I've been wearing out the same old clothes for years, so my mom gets frustrated and buys me new ones. I don't know where she buys them or how much plastic they're wrapped in, but the ethical dilemma is off my shoulders while I keep searching for elusive plastic-free women's clothing that doesn't consist of t-shirts and hoodies.
When Shopping I mostly opt for cotton -- it lasts a lot longer and it significantly cuts down my choices. That means I also purchase less too!
My friends and I do bi-annual clothing swaps. Most of us have kids, too, so we bring outgrown kid's clothes, and discards from our own wardrobes- it is so fun to shop from someone else's closet! I also like to alter clothing- when its got a stain, cover it with a homemade patch from an outgrown favorite T, or dye it! A skirt too big for my growing 7 year old gets darts sewn in that can be taken out as she gets bigger. And everything eventually becomes a rag or scrap fabric for quilts.
I try to purchase secondhand, but the best thing is to not buy unnecessary clothing at all.
Linda, they do make the hemp strapz ones without cinnamon. But only the straps are hemp, not the upper part of the sole. Are you allergic to rubber?
Like others have mentioned before me, reducing my consumption is the main way I avoid plastic in clothing and shoes. We bring our own canvas/cloth bags, too. I don't own a ton of clothes and shoes. I'm not quite as minimalistic as Bea from ZeroWaste, but I like the concept and have been letting things wear out for a few years now. I did the backward hanger trick (where you turn all your hangers backward -- the awkward way -- and as you use/wash/return the clothes, turn them the comfortable way...at the end of a period of time of your choosing, you give away all the clothes you didn't wear, as evidenced by the hanger position) and chose my birthday of one year to my birthday of the next year in order to capture every season. That was 3-4 years ago and I was already to the point of wearing nearly every item I owned. I gave away those few remaining items and have been VERY selective in purchases.
A neighbor and I swap shoes. We happen to wear the same size and have similar shaped feet and treat our shoes gently...works well for us and gives shoes another life when we're bored and it "doubles" our shoe wardrobe for those one-off situations when you need something unusual for an event.
When I go to thrift stores, I have a hard time finding clothing to wear. I can get some of my daughter's clothes second-hand, but our sizes seem to be the least well-stocked (or most popular???). We do find those "costume" or unusual items we need at thrift stores and I alter them to suit our needs. Turned a purple football jersey (50 cents) into several camping mess kit bags last summer that we continue to use. She needed a white blouse for two events last year and two events this year. She was a girls size small/medium at the time, but we found a short-sleeve ladies white blouse (50 cents) that I took in and fixed the rip. She even got creative and has worn it dozens of other times in various ways.
Leaving the hangers and shoe boxes at the store is something we do, as well. I specifically request they be reused, but I have witnessed employees throwing them away. Now, I ask what will happen if I leave this with you? before deciding.
Like most of the commentors, I shop at thrift shops. But I'm trying to follow Bea Jo'hnson's (Zero Waste Home) wardrobe approach and only have a limited number of items (Bea's tally: 9 tops, 5 sweaters, 5 bottoms, 3 dresses, 6 shoes, 3 bags, 5 jackets, plus accessories). If I take everything else "out of circulation" and wear only these selected items for a year, I'll be able to "shop" from my own closet for years!!! Think of all the money I'll save! She's trying an amazing fashion $$$ saver this summer - wearing a men's shirt for two months: I'm inspired. https://twitter.com/#!/zerowastehome
Here's a cool idea for what to do with those old flip flops - make them into slippers: http://www.craftynest.com/2009/02/old-flip-flops-bath-towel-slippers/
I save plastic as much as I can. With my shoes, since I don't really have a lot of cash, I just wear them until they fall to pieces. Sometimes I luck out and find some shoes at the thrift store, but other than that I try to splurge a bit and buy a higher quality shoe that will last me 5x as long as the cheaper shoes. Same with clothes, I usually buy them at thrift stores, or accept (generously and happily!) hand-me-downs from friends and family.
They have a few different styles!
My favorite plastic free was is always bring my 100% cotton handmade grocery bags to the market. I have it one step further by using cotton clothing from yard sales or thrift stores. Mine are unique and using jeans that are 100% cotton are extra durable
I love your idea of giving away your Cinnamon flipflops; thanks for inspiring all of us to write. I have bought two wonderful coats at summer fairs. Two summers ago, when I was living in Humboldt County, I bought an all-wool full-length coat (with hood!) from a North Country Fair vendor from Oregon, at a very decent price, You can find Circle Creations on the web here: http://circlecreations.net/index.php?main_page=page&id=6 and see when they will be in your area.
Just last week, I bought a hemp and cotton-lined jacket (with hood!) from a small clothing company - also selling at a festival. They were discontinuing that line, so it was discounted. That company is Satori Movement, www.satorimovement.com. The hemp is lined with cotton, so it isn't itchy at all.
I like buying directly from vendors at fairs, as the prices are generally lower than at stores. I chose wool and hemp because they are fairly waterproof materials, and warm. I've seen a lot of hemp/cotton blends, but very few that are strictly hemp on the outside.
When visiting the Satori Movement website, I noticed that they are skateboarding fanatics, and they will accept skateboard wheels through the mail, which they are actively recycling into new wheels, using mostly post-consumer materials. So that's way cool, isn't it?
So far I've avoided by new shoes! Don't know if that counts. :) I'm getting quite desperate though since it's starting to add up to years. Thanks for this review. I'm looking for possibilities. I've been looking at Planet Shoes but not sure they all fit the bill.
these flip flops sound great! we reduce plastic in clothing through buying second hand and I buy Hanna Anderson for my son…very few item but he wears them all the time!!! and they last an entire school year, the investment is worth it!!! plus some of the shirts are organic:) thanks for the giveaway
I go barefoot pretty much all the time. I only have a few pairs of shoes (for hiking, work, and the snow). I leave my flip flops in the car for those times in the summer when I need to go into a store.
I get 99% of my clothes from thrift stores or as hand-me-downs. I feel that the most green option is to not have to buy new at all if one can help it. And I always bring my own reusable bag (some made from old t-shirts)
Too small for me, but I wanted to say that I love the idea of biodegradable footwear, and smelling of cinnamon = omgoodness yes please :)
I really don't buy a lot of clothes, maybe a couple of tops & socks once every second year? so I guess my tips would be to not purchase more than you actually will wear to start with .. Personally I love wrap-around skirts which adjust to any form of weight fluctuate, and are so easy to make at home out of what you already have, or 2nd hand items purchased for the material (even cotton bed sheets/duvet covers!) ..
And it's fascinating to hear about people having to refuse hangers at shops as here in New Zealand I doubt they would let you keep them even if you asked ..
I also tried the Feelgoodz last year and had problems wearing them for lengths of time. I buy mostly secondhand clothing, and upcycle old threads, and for shoes I buy my people Simple shoes. Have you reviewed them? I like them. Our biggest way to control is just to consume less.
I only wear flip flops. I love my feelgoodz. i have not had the problem that you have had, Thank God! I have been making an effort to buy natural rubber flop.
I have been gradually changing to glass containers at home but still have more work to do. I would love for my daughter to be able to try a natural pair!
I recently bought a pair of vegan Toms and I am definitely a convert. Will buy another pair over other brands!
My husband got a pair of Cinnaflopz. He likes them but can't wear them to long because he needs more support.
Over the last few years I've been shopping more and more at thrift stores for my clothes and my daughters. Not much luck with shoes, but I just love the great recycled clothes we've picked up!
I just saw these for the first time at at whole foods today!
I love that this company will take our old plastic flip flops!! My favorite way to reduce plastic, and my negative impact on our planet is to buy second-hand clothes; and I just love clothes swap parties. The money I save by buying used and getting free clothes from friends goes toward the occasional new clothing item. I LOVE Patagonia clothing and gear. Their Common Threads Initiative and recycled content in the clothing helps me feel better about buying new when I need to. And it blows me away that they actually discourage you from buying new stuff, even though they are a business. What a great example!
Nancy, Whole Foods is carrying the Cinnaflopz now? Awesome.
Just bought a pair from Whole Foods and I must say they are the most comfortable flip flops ever!!!