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Archive for October, 2009

No matter where your outdoor adventures take you, Patagonia shoes always fit.
For more than 35 years, the name Patagonia has been synonymous with outdoor adventure. From its humble beginnings in California forging tools for alpine climbers, Patagonia has grown over the years to offer a full range of outdoor apparel, technical gear, and footwear for winter sports enthusiasts, surfers, paddlers, trail runners, and fly fishers. Seeing a need for comfortable, high-quality footwear with a lighter environmental impact, Patagonia took the lessons learned from years of making outdoor clothing and applied them to their Performance and Casual shoes.

When you walk a mile in a pair of Patagonia shoes, you’re not just doing a good thing for your body; you’re doing a good thing for the planet.

Patagonia Shoes Environmental Mission Statement

Patagonia’s philosophy has always been based on the mission statement, “Make the best products, do no unnecessary harm.” This principle is visibly apparent in the Patagonia line of footwear. In order to minimize their impact on the environment, Patagonia employs clean manufacturing processes. A large percentage of the materials that make up each Patagonia shoe (including rubber, polyester, and EVA materials) are recycled. Dual-density compression-molded EVA footbed/midsole provides cushioning and comfort with support in the right places; removable for cleaning or custom footbeds. Water-based solvents and stitched outsoles reduce the need for harsh glue products and chemical adhesives while adding durability. Some Patagonia footwear styles utilize Hevea natural latex, which is extracted using a process that benefits the tree because it allows space for new milk production and results in a sustainable material. Curing Hevea milk creates a microstructure with thousands of tiny air bubbles, a completely natural, springy cushion. Patagonia requires that the tanneries they work with are fully compliant with current environmental business practices and standards like treating their water to U.S. standards and using steam and solar power to displace fuel consumption. They also offer a line of vegan-friendly shoes that are made without the use of any animal by-products. Superior comfort and environmentally sound manufacturing practices make this a shoe you can truly feel good about wearing.

When it comes to winter shoes and boots, women have a lot of options. High leg boots, ankle boots, shoe boots, smart and casual pumps, and shoes for dressing up are just some of the designs they can pick from. But with leather loafers and smart brogues as well as high-top canvases, men also have a wide range to browse through. Here are some tips to help you stay in step with current trends this winter.

Extremely fashionable this season are high boots for women. This can include thigh high boots, over the knee boots and over the ankle boots, and they can be flat or have high heels. Over the knee boots help you stay warm, and can be used in lots of ways; they can be worn with jeans tucked in or with dresses for more glamour. Shoe boots, from brogues to open toed, are a good option for if you want to be more unique.

For more dressy shoes which are comfortably flat, the low-heeled slip on pump is even more fashionable this winter than the sandal. An essential to every woman’s shoe collection, pumps can be worn to work events, formal lunches and soirees. They also come in a wide variety of shades and patterns, from classic black to polka-dotted to a purple shiny, allowing a girl to be creative at the same time as she stays comfy.

For those who go to lots of chic dinners, or just like to make an impact, you will need at least one or two pairs of high heels. Leather and suede stilettos never fail to impress, whether worn with trousers or skirts. They can help you look taller and sleeker, and with so many designs at the moment you can be as rock-chick or as understated as you like. For some catwalk glam, buy some buckled sling-back shoes.