Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: fd3 on 07 September, 2019, 04:22:38 pm

Title: Ethical cycle shoes
Post by: fd3 on 07 September, 2019, 04:22:38 pm
Thinking primarily “non sweatshop” with a follow up on veggie/vegan and low carbon if possible
Title: Re: Ethical cycle shoes
Post by: hubner on 07 September, 2019, 04:29:48 pm
I think Sidi shoes are made in Romania using synthetic materials, ie "plastic" which I guess are ultimately derived from crude oil.
Title: Re: Ethical cycle shoes
Post by: bludger on 07 September, 2019, 04:38:03 pm
Luck shoes are ostensibly made in Spain - I don't know how much of it is true. I like mine though. Also mine are leather. https://luck-bike.es/en/mountain-bike-shoes/matrix-1132.html#/color-matrix_negro

Got them from PX for £45.

PX bought up this Italian artisan chap's stock the other month. https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/SHLVVR01/luigino-verducci-vr01-handmade-road-shoes

I do like the gold ones... But I think they're three bolt only.

I think your best bet is just getting a second hand pair.
Title: Re: Ethical cycle shoes
Post by: fd3 on 08 September, 2019, 12:25:13 am
That PX link made me laugh - how much??? The luck shoes, "real" leather?  I would have thought that would be heavy and melts in the rain - synthetic options would be cheaper, lighter and more resistant.  I just had a thought that E85 is probably more than £85 these days...
Title: Re: Ethical cycle shoes
Post by: bludger on 08 September, 2019, 02:03:48 am
The luck ones have been great since I got them... A year ago? Done my 400, 600km audaxes on them, cross racing and a bunch more. I don't know what the spec of the leather is.

Yeah I know the Italian ones are dear but if you want the handcrafted gubbins made by blind artisan monks instead of eastern factory workers then that seems to be the cost.
Title: Re: Ethical cycle shoes
Post by: sojournermike on 14 September, 2019, 04:03:36 pm
 It not a typical price.

You could look up Arturo Cycle Shoe by William Lennon in Stone Middleton, Derbyshire (where my Dad was born)

Not designed for cliess though
Title: Re: Ethical cycle shoes
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 September, 2019, 11:46:50 am
I think your best bet is just getting a second hand pair.
This is probably the most "ethical" in almost all cases.
Title: Re: Ethical cycle shoes
Post by: Kim on 15 September, 2019, 11:57:46 am
I think your best bet is just getting a second hand pair.
This is probably the most "ethical" in almost all cases.

Loosely related:  I find that cycling shoes last much longer than walking shoes, as I don't destroy them from the inside by walking in them, and the wear is concentrated on a replaceable insole and cleat.

In the 12 years or so since re-discovering cycling, I've only worn out one pair of civvy docs, and have one pair of MTB shoes that are starting to get tatty.  Previously I'd kill a pair of docs in a couple of years.
Title: Re: Ethical cycle shoes
Post by: T42 on 15 September, 2019, 01:42:59 pm
Dunno about the ethics, but Carnac shoes had thick cardboard inlays under the footbeds towards the end.  I very much doubt it was about saving the planet, though, more like saving themselves from bankruptcy.

Didn't work.