Jambu – Thinking Green for Your Feet
Written by Helga
Thursday, 28 October 2010 02:36
Winter is coming. I make no secret of how much I do not love being cold. I do not love the drabness that New England’s winters bring. I’m a Texas gal.
I do love the fall, though. I see it as a last chance to easily slip into comfortable clothes, work in the yard, soak up the sun. Scoot the kids outside with ease, without the battle of getting them into everything you must dress them in for snowy, cold weather. Fall, to me, is a last chance to take in vibrant colors before dreary winter grays are the norm.
I enjoy a good romp through the woods, and we have many options close enough to just take off with the kids for a small hike at the last minute.
I always wear my after-sport comfort mocs, they are easy to slip on as I leave, but hiking isn’t what they are for – they are for after the hike. I tell myself this as I walk along and realize I’m not getting the support I need.
This past summer, Jambu Adventure Designs reached out to me and offered me a chance to try out any pair of their shoes. And there are so many cute shoes to choose from! Handwoven boots with 3 inch heels from India, sweet clogs and Mary Jane – type wedgies, and – hiking boots! My husband was pointing out all sorts of shoes that would go well with jeans or a skirt, but I am a practical sort. Give me hiking boots, thank you.
Makes you want to pull 'em on and crunch through some leaves, right?
I went with one of their All Terra designs, the Vermont Waterproof in gray. More like gray with blue highlights. It comes up over my ankle, and offers support when trekking over roots & rocks. It has rubber soles, a lace-up front, and a rubber bumper leading the way to protect your tootsies if you bang into something. And it’s waterproof!
I’ve had the chance to hike around in my Vermonts, or my ‘Jamboots” as I like to call them, (say it, it’s fun to say, jam-BOOTS!) about 5 times since I received them.
There, see, here's my bunions for all the world to gawk at
My first time in them, I wasn’t so sure. I am cursed with bunions (that word sounds so bad, but all it is is a bony outcrop on your inner foot up by your big toe) and it can make wearing some shoes or boots unpleasant. Your feet can feel squished & uncomfortable. The Vermont boots from Jambu were the correct size, but they didn’t design them around my bunions. The boots were comfy, with a firm footbed and arch support. But it was tight around my toes. Damn bunion! My husband reminded me that it takes a few hikes to break in a pair of boots. He pointed out that it’s that way with many of my favorite pairs of shoes.
He was right. After a few more treks, the boots started to stretch, the meshing and nubuck more pliable than I had first assumed. I enjoy slipping them on now, you can’t beat a pair of boots that’s breaking in well.
Cuter than your average hiking boot!
You know what my Vermont boot is not? It’s not clunky. Or heavy. It’s not ugly or unisex. Score!
If you are wondering what makes Jambu a greener boot or shoe to clad your feet in, then get this: Jambu has a selection of vegan leather/suede boots & clogs, very animal friendly while being stylish (vegan leather is an artificial alternative to traditional leathers from animal products). Jambu packages all of its shoes in 100% recycled material, which can be recycled again. The outsoles are also made of partially recycled rubber.
Now, I know there are some of my more extreme greenie readers saying “That’s not green enough, they should be greener“ but to that I say, every company has to start somewhere, I’m excited about and appreciate when a company sets out from the get-go to be more eco-friendly. Hopefully they will continue to strive for even more greener and vegan offerings.
Note: I did receive a pair of Jambu hiking boots free of charge for this review. My bunions almost prevented me from reviewing them at all, but the boots came through. This opinion (and my bunions) are all my own.
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RT @LiveGreenMom: @JambuFootwear gets a #FF for having #vegan footwear! http://bit.ly/9NaKkF
RT @JambuJambu: RT @JambuFootwear gets a #FF for having #vegan footwear! http://bit.ly/9NaKkF
@JambuFootwear gets a #FF for having #vegan footwear! http://bit.ly/9NaKkF
Jambu – Thinking Green for Your Feet http://bit.ly/9NaKkF
@JambuFootwear gets a #FF #green holler for having #vegan footwear! http://bit.ly/9NaKkF
Jambu – Thinking Green for Your Feet http://bit.ly/9NaKkF I do love a pair of greener hiking boots. And yes, those are my feet…
Jambu – Thinking Green for Your Feet http://bit.ly/9NaKkF I do love a pair of greener hiking boots. And yes, those are my unpretty feet…
I have a pair of vegan Jambu shoes and I LOVE THEM! I also have bunions and the shoes are a dream for me. Stylish, comfortable and vegan gets 5 *s from me!
Don’t you just hate that whole bunion thing getting on the way of a cute pair of shoes or boots? I’m psyched when I find footwear that works well with my feet. My sad, ugly feet. It runs in the family!
Jambu – Thinking Green for Your Feet http://bit.ly/9NaKkF I do love a pair of greener hiking boots. And yes, those are my ugly feet…
Jambu – Live Green Mom: live green mom, jambu vermont hiking boot review. There, see, here's my bunions for all th… http://bit.ly/9nh3e9
Jambu – Thinking Green for Your Feet http://goo.gl/fb/9sesl