Are There Any Nontoxic Shoes?

February 21, 2012, by Debra Lynn Dadd

Question from Jen

Has anyone noticed that so many shoes today smell really toxic? For example, Merrell makes really comfy shoes but they smell so toxic and awful my eyes start to sting. Other shoes that are made of leather don't smell good when you first get them but one senses they will outgas and are not as toxic. It's hard to find comfortable shoes and sandals that are made of high quality healthy leathers and glues. Does anyone agree?

What do you wear? I wear SIMPLE sneakers often in the winter, and I'm wearing an old pair of TEVA hiking sandals, and also leather thongs from Aerosoles that are nice quality and don't smell bad at all. But I ordered a few pairs of comfortable sandals online, a pair of Merrell and a pair of Anne Klein. The Anne Klein smells bad but I'll keep it as I think it will offgas over time. The Merrell was just unbearable even tho the design was great. Sometimes when I walk into shoe stores the smell of all those vinyl shoes overwhelms me.

Debra's Answer

(for updated information see the Shoes category under Debra’s List)

I live in Florida, where it is warm most of the year, and practically every day I wear leather sandals made by Mephisto. I've never had a problem with them. I've been wearing them almost every day for six years and have gone through several pairs in that time. They are among the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn and give great support. I can walk in them all day in complete comfort and my feet never hurt.

I also have two pairs of shoes made by Camper. I've been wanting to write about them and put them on Debra's List, but their website doesn't have all the info. I found them in their shop in San Francisco. If I am remembering correctly, the leather is naturally processed and they are made on an organic farm. I can't call the store at the moment to verify because they are not open at this hour. But these are the #1 most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. They are made from very soft leather that conforms to your foot. I walked all over San Francisco in these shoes, jumping on and off cable cars, and they were great!

There is another company called CYDWOQ that looks interesting to me. I wanted to visit their factory when I was in Southern California, but I didn't have time. The founder loves to walk, but found his shoes impeded rather than helped his walking. So he decided to create his own line of shoes. "He studied the rounded contours of the human foot and the circular motion of a person walking and experimented endlessly with designs and materials before coming up with a line that emulated nature’s sublime achievements." These shoes are comfortable, have exquisite design, and actually get better with age as the leather molds to the shape of the owner's foot. "Only the finest, vegetable-tanned leathers and custom-made components are used in CYDWOQ products. Designs employ the fewest number of leather pieces possible to minimize stitching, and to improve comfort, quality, and durability." The styles are beautifully unusual and the shoes are not inexpensive.

Planet Shoes seems to carry many of the natural/green brands (but not all--they have Camper, but not Mephisto or CYDWOQ), but read the descriptions carefully as better materials are not always the selling point on this site. And remember, recycled plastic may be better for the environment, but it's still plastic and can offgas.