PlanetShoes.com is pleased to announce the creation of a Made in the USA specialty shop featuring a great range of shoes and accessories all made in the United States. Planet Inc. has long been known for its commitment to environmentally friendly and sustainable business practices, and the Made in the USA shop is designed to showcase products that are produced in the US and therefore employ Americans, sustain the American economy and reduce the environmental impact of shipping goods worldwide.

“We believe in supporting businesses that keep their production in the USA. While we understand this isn’t feasible for all of the brands we carry, we are excited to promote these particular footwear, sock, bag and accessory manufacturers in a special way. By offering a specialty shop, we help customers find these brands and support their businesses in a meaningful way,” explained Phil Meynard, President of Planet, Inc.

The Made in the USA shop features brands like Red Wing, New Balance, Smartwool, Wigwam and Teko Socks and bag manufacturers Timbuk2 and WeBe Bags. The products available in the online shop include athletic shoes, performance and comfort socks, backpacks, messenger and handbags, wallets and accessories for men, women and children.

“We plan to continue to find brands and companies that operate in the USA and make their goods in the USA as well. It’s well known that the shipping industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, which is why we implemented our Carbon Free Plus Shipping program where we donate proceeds donated by consumers to CarbonFund.org,” explained Meynard. “Finding companies that make their goods in the USA, and specifically companies like Teko Socks, WeBe Bags and New Balance shoes that also take their environmental impact seriously which means we’re supporting businesses that also think sustainability is important - which is important to us.”

PlanetShoes.com is currently featuring almost 300 products in the Made in the USA Shop found on the web at http://www.planetshoes.com/shops.asp.

About Planet Inc.

Planet, Inc. is an innovative lifestyle shoe retailer dedicated to selling the most comfortable and stylish shoes possible at value prices. Our flagship site found on the web at PlanetShoes.com specializes in active, comfortable, healthy, earth friendly shoes and products with a flare of fashion. Our product lines are ever expanding to bring our customer new fun footwear to choose from. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or an eco-friendly fashionista, we strive to offer the selection you want.

We look at affordability and value in pricing our products. Customer service and unique products are our calling card. Contact us directly at 1-888-818-SHOE (7463).

Are you one of those people, like me, who thought that the quality of your sock doesn’t make that big of a difference in your daily existence? Do you imagine a sock is just like any other disposable item – spend as little money as possible on the most convenient option and then forget about them until they disintegrate?

Yeah, I used to think that way too! And then I met Teko socks.

First off, Teko socks actually fit your feet and perform the way they should. Teko socks were developed by folks who needed outdoor socks but didn’t want to destroy the outdoors while making them. With the standards of the toughest hiker in mind, this company has set about producing premiere quality, domestically USA produced, eco-friendly socks.

These socks are designed for people who are out there hiking, walking and experiencing life and who want comfortable, dry, supported feet while they do it. They are designed for people with an active lifestyle every day who don’t want to stop to adjust their annoying toe seam or deal with an inconvenient and painful blister. They are designed for kids running all over the place or on their walk to and from school. Teko socks are designed to perform for everyone, and make a minimal impact while getting the job done!

There is no tube of material in sight here. Each sock is knit to hug your foot, to stay in place and to offer you support and cushion no matter what you’re up to. Teko is using eco-friendly technology to create a better performance sock – replacing traditionally used nylon fibers with eco-poly which is recycled polyester that offers better moisture transfer and control. They do still need to use some nylon, but the use is minimized when the alternative eco-friendly materials are employed.

These materials, when mixed with the natural fibers Teko uses in their socks makes for the great fit and “fiber rebound” that is necessary in a long lasting, high quality sock. And that brings us to the next awesome thing about Teko socks – they use natural fibers whenever possible! Teko buys organic Merino wool from Argentina, they use recycled polyester and they use organic cotton in their socks which means all sustainable socks, all the time!

Using non toxic dyes that have minimal effect on the environment, Teko socks also manufactures a product that is not designed to fall apart after tough use. Teko knows that the most eco-friendly products are the one’s built to really last, so if you invest in Teko socks, you know they will last you a long, long time.

And finally, the piece de resistance to this eco-friendly apparel fan, Teko socks is actually wind powered! Are you kidding me? How cool is that? They manufacture domestically as well to reduce their shipping needs in the United States, which is their target market.

Seriously, this company’s eco-strategy is well thought out and implemented and even if their socks didn’t totally rock, I would want to support them. But the great news is, the socks are terrific! So consider elevating the importance of socks in your world this summer, fall and winter.