Brand to love: Earth Shoes

Brand to Love: Earth Shoes

I’ve been living in Shockoe Slip in Richmond for about three years now, which is just about as long as I decided to leave my last 9-to-5 job. A lot of transformation has occurred in my life. What has stayed the same is that I stay on the move and always need to look chic. The cobblestone streets of Shockoe Slip have led me to shed just about every pair of stilettos I used to own. I also transition between formal and causal environments throughout the day more than I used to. My shoes need to get me where I’m going without making thinking or cringe too much. From espadrilles to rain boots, I’ve been on a mission this year to create a shoe collection that is just as good for me physically as it is for me stylistically. My latest infatuation is with Earth Shoes.

Here in Richmond, Saxon Shoes in Short Pump Town Center carries the brand’s newest collection. I stepped in for an afternoon to give them all a try. I knew after slipping on the first pair that these shoes were different. They are designed with the principles of yoga in mind. The founder, Anne Kalsø was a Danish yoga instructor during the 1960’s. After years of research and development, Anne developed the original “wellness shoe” inspired by a “wellness from the ground-up” philosophy. In my words? Earth Shoes feel like sturdy clouds hugging your feet when you slip them on.

What shoes did I go home with?

The Sparta Bootie in leopard print and the Karen Bootie in Olive. The leopard booties are fierce. I was intimidated by the pattern, but I think I’ll find more uses for them than I can imagine now. I’ve already taken both for a day-long spin and felt totally comfortable getting my 10,000+ steps in both pairs. The soles have a Powerpath® footbed design, which absorbs energy and stabilizes your foot.

A Few Fun Facts

I was also excited to learn that the brand is environmentally friendly. The shoes are made with water-based adhesives and most of its leathers are
tanned using a vegetable tanning process. I wrote an article about vegetable tanning here if you want to learn the difference. The alternative leather process not only good for the environment, it’s also better for your shoes in the long run.

Even down to its boxes, the brand thinks big. Earth Shoe boxes are always made without glue or staples and are completely recyclable. Since 2015, the brand has partnered with trees.org to plant more than 277,000 trees.