I've skimmed the pages and seen some responses about this but I'm still curious...
How many of y'all vegan skaters (or vegan skaters to be) would be willing to compromise in a pinch on buying a canvas or synthetic shoe that is 97-99% vegan materials but has one small tab or patch/panel that's made of animal skin? Examples include the aforementioned Kyle Walker Denim (and Canvas) models, as well as those State canvas/denim models (if the tongue tab isn't synthetic), etc.
Technically, that's still significantly better than buying a majority suede/leather shoe. And wouldn't buying those alongside the true 100% vegan models help push the brands to make more canvas/synth models? I'm not asking you to just buy the 99% vegan models just because, I'm more so asking if there's any exceptions or scenarios where you would compromise if you had to or wanted to since the shoes serve a function over just fashion.
But, I get it and I'm not criticizing your preference to skate no animal products, I'm trying to understand more since we want these brands to keep the minor panels and tabs in mind with the ingredient materials, not just high wear areas.
If the shoe has any animal skin on it, I won’t buy it. I’ve seen those Kyle Walkers in person and it looks like faux leather, and there wasn’t a animal hide symbol on the materials sticker. I’m not 100% though, obviously. I also don’t wear Vans shoes. My pick for current vegan skate shoes are...
Adidas vegan originals - superstar
eS - symbol, evant, accel plus everstitch
Osiris - trace, relic, low key, fit
Fallen - T Gun, Patriot
New balance 420 (mostly as a chill shoe)
Also a reminder. No one is perfect, and it’s not about that. Veganism is the idea that animals aren’t property and their lives are their own. We choose where our money goes and what it funds. If you have to take a medication, you have to take a medication. When it comes to food, clothes, cosmetics, etc, we can make an ethical choice and the world a better place for them.
I’m excited for another Etnies marana, Osiris reissues and anything eS does.
Also just realized adidas added black sambas! I skated my white ones and they were decent. Better to just hang out in...
https://www.adidas.com/us/samba-vegan-shoes/FX9042.html