Today is a very special day here at Planetshoes.com. While we do strive to have special days every day, today is extra great because… it is our fashion and comfort buyer Teresa’s birthday! In honor of her birthday, we here at Planetshoes.com would like to dedicate this post to her. Happy birthday, Teresa!

Happy Birthday by planetj featuring clothing

As our fashion buyer, it would only make sense that Teresa has great style, and she really does (she’s absolutely rocking a leopard-print belt today without looking the least bit tacky, props!).  I sneakily asked her for her fall favorites so I can recommend them to you, a gift in honor of her great taste on her day! You can trust that these fashionable shoes are the very best in women’s shoes online.

Her first pick for fall is the Naya Artemis. This gorgeous pair of eco shoes embodies everything that Naya shoes are all about. Eco friendly materials, beautiful design and at the peak of women’s fashion, the Naya Artemis is sure to become your feel-good boot for fall. Take eco-chic to new heights atop this Naya boot’s sustainable bamboo heel and recycled cork platform.  Set in a chrome free leather and suede upper, this women’s eco-friendly boot has serious attitude with it’s open toe, contrast stitching and bow detailing. Reveal your inner goddess in these divine Naya Artemis boots.

Her second pick is on top of one of the hottest trends this fall and also falls into the category of eco-friendly shoes! The Pikolinos Brujas 8000 is certainly a shoe in fashion this season.  Set in an all-natural leather upper, this women’s shoe features beautiful oxford detailing, with cute cut-outs and detailed stitching. A contrasting back strap adds a funky detail to this Pikolinos shoe, which laces delicately up the front. Deliciously on trend, the Pikolinos Brujas 8000 is a shoe that will inspire envy in all those who admire it. And even better, this eco shoe uses water soluble glues, just another reason that Pikolinos has been awarded certification for its commitment to the earth. These women’s oxford shoes feel comfortable, as well as being shoes you can feel good about!

With someone like this birthday girl around, it’s easy to find fashionable shoes. Check out our selection of shoes on Planetshoes.com and we’re sure you’ll find something to love, if the two Teresa picked aren’t trendy enough!

Let me set the scene. It was like any other day at Planetshoes.com. I was sitting in my favorite chair in the lunchroom eating my usual lunch, on a day when our whole merchandising department happened to be lunching all at once. Between us we have an impressive array of lunchboxes, we are Planetshoes.com, afterall, we strive to be green! Yesterday, Christine, our eco/active buyer, caused quite a stir in the lunchroom by taking out a new bag, and easily took the prize for best lunchbox. She had just replaced her old lunchbox (featuring a cartoon monkey) with the Keen OTL Bag. We all couldn’t help but coo over how cool this Keen bag really is!

This roll-top lunch sack is easy to pack, clean and reuse. The water resistant fabric of this Keen bag wipes clean, while a webbing handle makes it easy to carry for hands of all sizes. The Keen OTL Bag shuts securely with a hook and loop closure so your lunch stays secure and temperate in the TPU liner. Not just for kids, everyone can appreciate the eco-friendly design of this funky lunch bag. And the bright colors ensure that your lunch won’t get lost in the company fridge!

Funny enough, the Keen OTL Bag isn’t the only Keen bag we’ve been buzzing about around here lately. Keen’s Harvest bags collection has us smitten! This bright, innovative line is made of reclaimed and then repurposed fabrics, saved from becoming trash and reimagined as cute and eco-friendly bags.  Each bag is unique, you won’t find the same colors or patterns from one bag to the next. We love the individual spirit and eco-conscious quality of these Keen bags!

One buyer just got the Keen Cornell II for her daughter for back to school. With substance to match its style, this fully featured Keen messenger bag includes a 15” laptop sleeve, internal organization system and external zip pocket to keep essentials close at hand. This Keen bag has everything you need for back to school or even for your commute, with a message that is sure to spark some conversation over saving our earth!

Last but not least, I recently got the Keen OTL Deluxe.  Yes! When they say deluxe, do they ever mean deluxe! This Keen cooler bag is awesome! It’s decked out with features, an internal divider keeps water bottle, wine bottle or thermos upright, while the top, bottom compartment and side pockets zip closed to contain the nosh. Not just that, the water resistant rubberized fabric wipes clean, and shoulder length handles offer an easy carry and a stylish look, if I may say so myself. This Keen tote has been just what I need for movies in the park this summer, and a beloved companion at the beach.

Check out this line of Keen bags, they’ve got a bag to meet every need and an eco-friendly message you’re sure to love.

We’ve written about greening leather tanning practices in the past on the blog. The good news is that this treatment is getting better press across the green world and the best news is that a bunch of our favorite footwear brands are being recognized for making the responsible choice of using greener leather.

There was a recent article on Treehugger.com, referencing an article in Footwear News, about the three ways that tanneries are greening up their processes, and the companies that are supporting these more sustainable and responsible factories.

First off, leather tanneries are some of the worst water polluters in the world. There are so many chemicals used, and there is so much water used, that they not only flush bad chemicals into water sources, but also USE a massive amount of water, which is also wasteful. Simona Tanning, which provides leathers for some of our favorite brands, including Keen, Clarks, Camper, MBT Shoes, Sperry Top-Sider and Timberland is reducing their water usage and their discharge by 40% using reverse osmosis technology.

Second, Treehugger highlighted companies that are incorporating solar power into their energy production. The leather tanning company, PrimeAsia Leather Corp, who supplies New Balance, Clarks, Reebok, The North Face and Merrell cites that it’s highest bill and highest energy consumption comes from heating the water in large boilers for their process and by installing a sizable solar panel installation, they expect their up front solar investment will not only pay for itself in less than 18 months, it will also significantly reduce their carbon footprint!

Finally, and this is what every manufacturing company should do, the ISA Tan Tec leather tannery, who supplies Keen, New Balance, The North Face, Reef, Timberland, Merrell and Chaco is focusing on looking at every step of their process and optimizing and improving their practices. They have invested in a hydraulic cooling system, which uses water at specific temperatures to cool a space. As the water warms from ambient temperature, it is moved from the hydraulic cooling system into the boilers for the tanning process. The pre-warmed water needs less energy to heat, and the hydraulic cooling system has reduced the need for electric powered fans. This smart improvement has reduced energy consumption by 35% and water usage by 50%!

Pikolinos was recently featured in a fabulous feature article on TreeHugger.com for their good works. Pikolinos is one of our favorite eco friendly shoe brands because of their smart, sustainable decisions and their use of eco friendly materials like vegetable-tanned leathers, water based inks, dissolvent free glues and biodegradable soles, but we also love them for their social consciousness.

This year, Pikolinos shoes launched a new line of footwear that are decorated by designs from Masai women in Kenya. This nomadic tribe has had trouble surviving with the changing modern world. Pikolinos approached the women because of the burgeoning success in selling their jewelry and asked them to apply their talents to embellishing Pikolinos shoes. Although the carbon footprint of the shoes is boosted by the production of the shoes in Spain, the shipping to Africa, and then the shipping back – all before distribution – the shoes are unique and beautiful and the impact on this small African community is huge.

Pikolinos has found yet another way to support communities and the world through their company and policies. We love supporting brands like Pikolinos footwear!

I really like Patagonia. I have for years – but recently I’ve really gotten into their shoes. I choose Patagonia footwear because I not only like how they look and feel, but also what their company stands for. They are working double time to become more sustainable and responsible with natural resources. One of the things I really like is how open they are about the footprint of their existing products. When a company has done analysis like they have and then actually share the information, I admit it, I want to be loyal to them because I can trust they are doing the right thing.

I was on their website the other day and I found this amazing informational resource, their Footprint Chronicles. They take items that they manufacture and sell and they identify the environmental impact of the production and the shipping on the earth. They give you the good news and the bad news and where they are on their journey towards becoming more eco friendly. They have thus far mostly focused on Patagonia apparel, which – hey – also awesome, but we don’t sell it so I’ll just focus on Patagonia shoes!

The only shoe they feature in their Footprint Chronicles is the Men’s Patagonia Honeydew. This is a really funky and good looking men’s leather slip on shoe. It has all the features you want in a great shoe, from the molded EVA footbed and midsole that is supportive and also removable to make the way for custom orthotics. The pigskin leather is durable and great looking, the contrast stitching elevates the styling and the vegetable based laces that offer a snug, custom fit are eco friendly and sustainable. This is a great shoe for all seasons and because it’s from Patagonia you know it will feel great, look great and last a long time.

So I’m exploring the Footprint Chronicles and I’m really blown away by some of the data!

1. Parts of the shoe are made from 70% natural latex, the construction of the shoe has reduced the need for environmentally unfriendly glues and adhesives and the leather used in the shoe is produced by a tannery that uses US standards of water treatment to reduce the harmful impact leather tanning can have on the earth.

2. Patagonia totally owns the fact that footwear packaging is wasteful, they the process of extracting natural latex might be harmful to the environment and that any solvents used can be dangerous to workers.

3. They tell us how much energy was used to create the shoe (21 kWh), the distance the shoe travels (19,515 miles including material travel), how many pounds of CO2 emissions were generated (49 lbs) and that the shoes generate approximately 7 oz of waste material.

So not all of this is good news. But what I love is that Patagonia is owning it’s impact – which is the first step in truly reducing it. This is a company who is going in the right direction, the right way and for the right reasons.

Love it! (and Patagonia shoes).

Push boundaries and challenge the norm with one of these Earth sandals!

Designed by outdoor industry pioneer, Martin Keen, the Earth Aquatix’s hybrid design is actually two shoes in one – a performance sandal and a slide. Unique toe protection fends off bumps and scrapes.

Hydrophobic design easily lets water flow through. Ultra-lightweight, one-piece construction includes dual adjustable straps.

4-pod siped outsole provides a stable platform and includes BioStep™ biodegradable outsole technology.

Product Features
Kalso® Negative Heel Technology®
The most defining feature of Earth footwear is Kalso® Negative Heel Technology® a unique inclined sole that positions the toes 3.7° higher than the heels. The slight angle shifts weight subtly back over the heels, and can help strengthen and tone the body while also burning calories.
Anatomic Arch Support
To complement Kalso® Negative Heel Technology®, all Earth footwear features reinforced support through the arch. The arch support maximizes the effectiveness of the heel design in promoting a natural walking motion.
BioFoam® Cushioning
Inside all Earth footwear, a form-fitting footbed provides exceptional comfort with Biofoam™ cushioning. The proprietary material molds to the shape of the foot, displacing and absorbing shock with each step, and is environmentally-considerate, using 70% recycled content.
Burn more calories with every step™
The more lean body mass you build, the more calories you burn. With Earth® footwear, the slight incline of our Kalso® Negative Heel Technology® lets you feel as if you’re walking on an inclined treadmill, and can contribute to fat-burning effects at a rate of up to 4x that of conventional footwear.

Simple Shoes have been well known for years as one of the most eco friendly brands out there. They use organic cottons, hemp blends, recycled car tires for outsoles and foot form inserts made from post consumer recycled paper. Simple Shoes has really thought through their approach to making shoes and the best part is that they haven’t sacrificed comfort or style along the way. Their California casual styling is as cute and comfortable as ever and we’re here to show you some of their great eco friendly and vegan options for spring and summer!

The Simple Satire Silk is so cute in person. The pictures on the PlanetShoes.com website are awesome but you can see and feel the texture of the silk upper and really enjoy the sheen and look this shoe achieves.

The shoe uses a certified organic cotton lining and footbed and the bottom of the shoe is made from recycled car tires.

As usual, all of their packaging materials, including shoe box, any stuffing and foot form inserts are made from recycled post consumer paper. Those are the features – now just take a moment to enjoy the look of this adorable sneaker.

The Simple Flippee will make you happy this summer. Made with eco friendly recycled PET, this is a totally vegan flip flop and uses absolutely no animal products in materials or construction.

This shoe also uses water-based glues and has a biodegradable outsole made from recycled and natural rubbers that contain a special Eco-Pure additive that ensures rubber turns into dirt!

The other thing I love about this shoe is the textured footbed that helps your feet naturally grip the sandal bottom – very comfy!

On the men’s side, we are loving the Simple Toemorrow. Another vegan option, this has a great textured and rugged look while maintaining the simple and comfortable shape of a cool sneaker.

The upper of this men’s sneaker is hemp and this shoe also has a bamboo fabric lining. The Toemorrow is sealed and made water resistant by the Simple Shoes rubbahyde material that is certified organic cotton with a coating of all natural latex.

Featuring a crepe rubber sole and cotton laces, these cool men’s sneakers are super eco friendly and great looking as well!

Don’t forget that Simple Shoes has options for kids as well! Get your little ones started young in their eco-conscious ways with some great Simple eco friendly sneakers like the Simple Satire Heathered Kids.

Soft and adorable, these sneakers feature certified organic cotton and hemp blend upper with certified organic cotton laces.

The ped bed is super comfy and made with polyurethane foam and recycled rubber for durability. The shoe bottom is made from recycled car tires and this shoe is also Vegan!

Every year, one billion tires are discarded, left to sit in landfills for thousands of years. It’s a troubling problem. The founders of Greenbees, however, didn’t let this statistic get them down. Instead, drawing inspiration from their fond childhood memories of afternoons spent on tire swings, they found another use for these tires –as the soles of stylish shoes!

And thus, Greenbees eco-friendly shoes were born. They aren’t just good for the earth – they’re fashionable, and you can find them in pages of all the biggest magazines. Using soft leathers, delicate detailing and recycled tire soles, Greenbees boots and shoes have become a favorite of stars and fashion editors everywhere.

We love that Greenbees has worked to end this eco-problem by giving new life to a childhood memory and creating some beautiful shoes!

Fit for a goddess the Greenbees Emilia sandal is a hot look for this season. Look great and feel great about wearing these Greenbees sandals.

Set in a leather upper with a leather covered footbed, the sole is, of course, made of recycled tires!

The buckle detailing and the embossed logo add touches of sophistication to this summer classic.

Sleek and rugged all at once, this is the perfect boot to pair with a sundress for a carefree yet undeniably stylish look. We talked about transitional spring footwear right here on the blog and the Emma short boot is a perfect example of this!

You can pair these with skinny jeans and bundle up, fit them under a bootleg jean for a totally different look, or pair them with any summer favorite for yet another stylish statement. This is truly a versatile boot!

The Greenbees Emma boot is set in a leather upper with fine contrast-stitching and embossed logos that give it a one-of-a-kind look.

The recycled tire sole gives these boots some edge and eco-sense.

Americana is on fire right now and this Greenbees boot is the perfect way to stay on top of the trends while being eco-friendly!

Set in a soft leather upper, you’ll feel like these boots have already been broken in. Also, despite being on trend right now, these boots are truly classic. They are also made with incredible care and detail and the moment you touch them, you’ll know you make a very smart investment.

Perfect for over leggings or skinny jeans, or paired with a great skirt or dress, these are fun and versatile.

Contrast stitching detail really makes the Greenbees Thencha boot so cool, capturing the Western feel of this silhouette.

Pull on the Greenbees Thencha and you’ll pull on eco-style, thanks to their recycled tire soles!

Chaco is world famous for their innovative shoe designs that are geared for all things outdoors. But Chaco is also well known for their environmental and global outlook as a business. That attitude leads them to find ways to contribute to their community, encourage their employees and make a positive impact in this world.

Starting with their own small community of employees, Chaco rewards those who choose to bike to work, volunteer their time and talents and continue their educational pursuits. Expanding their vision, Chaco footwear has contributed to environmental causes in their home territory in the Rocky Mountains and even won awards for their work! Taking it another step further this year, Chaco purchased 400-megawatt hours of wind powered certificates that matched all of their yearly electrical consumption. That is 572,000 pounds of carbon dioxide reduced! Excellent! With such a global outlook reflected in a local way, you can feel good about supporting a company like Chaco while enjoying their wonderful shoes.

This has been called a flip-flop on steroids, and I can’t disagree. The Chaco Hipthong has the look of a hopped up flip ready to take on anything you throw at it. With the traditional toe peg and straps leading back to the center of the foot, the Hipthong then adds adjustable straps at the mid-foot point allowing you to get a perfect custom fit.

The nylon straps are incredibly durable and hold their shape, design and color beautifully through sun and exposure to water. Available in brown, blues, green, pattern and plain, the Hipthong is as versatile as you! The polyurethane BioCentric footbed features a subtle raised texture to keep your footing in any condition. The EcoTread rubber sole is made of recycled rubber, showing Chaco’s ongoing commitment to the environment and our world.

I love the Chaco Switch. It is the perfect cross over shoe between sport and casual. I could wear these all day every day this summer and pretty much never regret the choice. The BioCentric footbed of this sandal is leather lined with this really cool debossed artwork.

Long lines run the vertical length of the shoe with vines of wildflowers, providing traction for your foot but looking just artistic and pretty. The two straps that make up the thong are made of different materials, one being a nylon strap providing a complimentary color that gives the shoe a bit of design pop.

The nubuck leather strap actually floats along this nylon strap. It slides along adjusting to just the right spot to make your fit perfect! How cool is that?! Then, being Chaco, we get another bonus- the rubber sole of this sandal is made of 25% recycled rubber. One less bit of trash going into our landfills- excellent.

It’s called the Chaco Paradox because, well, it’s a paradox. It is a sandal. It is a shoe. It is a shoe-sandal? Whatever, it’s cool. The upper part of this shoe is made entirely of woven nylon webbing that creates an open breathable design with an amazing look. There is a microfiber suede liner for absolute comfort where your foot comes in contact with the strapping.

There is a tension lock buckle so that you can adjust the top strapping for the best custom fit. The BioCentric footbed is removable for fast drying after a day spent on the water. The Getagrip outsole is ready to take on trails, river rocks and slippery conditions- and it is made of recycled rubber! These sharp looking shoes are one of a kind and just the sporty shoe you have been looking for to complete your summer wardrobe!

Timbuk2 Bags are based on a simple premise. They want their bags to last you forever. By aspiring to be as tough and durable as possible, Timbuk2 bags are green in the sense that you never need to buy another one! Developed by and for bike messengers, these bags are tough, weatherproof, practical and well designed – and they look great as well.

I’m going to take this into the first person for a moment to relay a real life tale. One of my closest friends lives in New York City and she used to be a daily commuter from Queens into Manhattan.

She carried her Timbuk2 bag every single day, through rain and snow and sleet and shine. I’ve seen this bag in person, and let me tell you, I would never have guessed in a thousand years that the bag had been through literally years of New York City commuting abuse.

So let me share with you some of our favorite Timbuk2 bags. They are awesome and if you need a real bag that won’t let you down, this is the one to go with!

Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Medium – This is the bag upon which Timbuk2 was built and they have upgraded a ton of features that make it even more awesome than before. Waterproof and with a durable ballistic nylon exterior, this bag has laptop carrying capability and a cool new Napoleon pocket for keys and cash – while keeping your bag closed.

They even upgraded the way their Velcro closures work to avoid sweater pilling. They really do think of everything. The Timbuk2 messenger has comfort features too – with special strap technology to ensure a comfortable fit. Seriously, this bag will never let you down.

The Timbuk2 Commute 2.0 is another great messenger bag from Timbuk2, this time with air travel in mind. This bag is TSA compliant and unzips quickly to allow for easy laptop access in long security lines.

In fact, it’s designed so effectively, you don’t even have to remove the latop, just unzip the bag, lay it out flat and you’re ready to roll. Also loaded up with great pockets, easy access to simple things like keys and cash and waterproof as well, this bag is perfect for the business mogul on the go.

They also built in a durable luggage pass through for your wheelie companion. Another great bag from Timbuk2!

The Timbuk2 Click is the baby of the family. A small messenger bag with a sleeker look and updated styling, this is a great every day bag that can see you out on the town as well.

The exterior is again, super durable and wear resistant, the shoulder strap is entirely adjustable and there’s a convenient key tether and cell phone pocket for easy access. This little baby can hold a lot more than it appears.