Got boots? You might think about another pair, when you see the picture-perfect boots with recycled tire soles from Green Bees that we’re giving away this month. No, they’re not vegan, but these leathers are processed traditionally, without heavy metals or formaldehyde, then treated with natural oils so that they develop a natural patina that changes in appearance over time.
Designed in California by the daughters of a family-run company that has manufactured shoes for decades, these boots are fair-trade hand-made in Mexico from locally sourced materials, such as the recycled tire soles. Green Bees discovered that the rubber from one tire can be used in four pairs of soles, which becomes more important this fall when the company will introduce both men’s and kids’ shoes. “We want a family of four to be able to wear Green Bees and know they’ve taken one tire out of the landfill,” explained co-founder Irene Clancy.
Said soles probably won’t make a dent in the one billion tires that we throw away annually to sit in a landfill leaching chemicals into our soil and groundwater for thousands of years, but it’s a start. Plus, for every Green Bees purchase, Trees for the Future will plant a tree.
But back to the boots. The delicately embroidered Thencha is a new take on an old classic fusing together the classic styling of an equestrian boot with the rugged comfort of a cowboy boot; the Erma features the same shape, without the embroidery. In oh-so-perfect colors like coal, honey and rustic, they feature a low heel, traditional styling and an extra-wide shaft for that perfect, worn-in look to transition you from beach-day barbeques to leafy picnics in the park.
The ever-so-generous Green Bees team will give us two pairs to give to you. Your choice: At $270 (Erma) or $298 (Thencha) a pair, that’s nearly $600 in boots! Go on, get some!
