Look! I just became a fan of Okabashi footwear, on Facebook! And I posted the comment you see to the left:I love my Okabashi "Men's Torino" sandals that I just purchased, yesterday! They make me look like an old, fat guy from Miami! I can't wait to wow my students with my new look!
The comma splice was intentional (this time). With my usual spring attire for Gainesville (Bermuda shorts, athletic socks and baggy Dollar Store t-shirt) I really do look like an old, fat guy from Miami! I believe this has been my intention all along.
Back to Okabashi. My beloved faux-Birkenstock Pali sandals finally broke down after 4+ summers of constant service, and I fretted about the future of my feet for this upcoming summer. I considered getting a new pair of Palis from the Internet, but most Internet people want to charge 17-dollars for a pair of the ones I have now - SEVENTEEN DOLLARS! That's without shipping, and way too much for a cheap pair of plastic sandals. So, the other day I broke down and bought a pair of Okabashis at the neighborhood Walgreens for 10-dollars. The thing that sold me on them was not the fact that they are on Facebook and Twitter (although I find that fact immanently hilarious), but that they are:
- Made in the USA
- Have a 2-year guarantee
- Are recyclable
They're made in Georgia, of all places. I thought "Okabashi" meant they were some New Age Japanese construction, but this is not the case.
About the recycling: Even with Gainesville's new recycling privileges (type 1-7), Okabashi will let you send your shoes back to Buford, Georgia for actual recycling into new footwear. You have to put them through the dishwasher first -- not having a dishwasher, I wonder if my washing machine would be enough? Yes, checking on the recycling page for Okabashis, apparently you can! If they pass muster, they grind up your old Okabashis and make them into new Okabashis. The circle of shoe life writ large, man! According to their website, Okabashis can contain up to 85% recycled materials and still be durable.
So far, so good with the Okabashis. I've been wearing them around the house this evening (I'm still recovering from a massive head cold so I've been out of commission most of the week) while I catch up on dishes/laundry. The real test will be when I wear them to campus on Monday and put them through the rigours of graduate teaching assistant life.
To recap: Okabashis are my new shoe of choice because they are made in the USA, so I support American industry and not sweathshops overseas, they are cheap yet they can contain recycled materials and be recycled themselves. Win!
3 comments:
I was so scared to click on this! I fell in love with Okabashi shoes, geez, what? 23 years ago! (got my first pair just before we got married) I was afraid to see if you would say they were bad for the environment.
I didn't know you could recycle them! More to love :)
True story:
Once I was at a drugstore picking out my new summer shoes, when suddenly a tattooed hand darted out and this gal said "Don't buy those! Those are Jail Shoes!" I thanked the young lady and bought them anyway. Not to judge by outer appearances, but I kinda got the feeling that was personal experience.
I found out later that jails do issue Okabashis, in one size too large, so that inmates can't run well.
HAHA! Thanks so much for posting that wonderful, slice-of-life commentary on Okabashis! Good to know they've been around so long, so when I do finally get around to recycling them I won't get a "Return to Sender, etc." response to my mailing.
Just did a Google on "okabashi jail shoes" but didn't get anything enlightening. You know, though, I just BET that the "Men's Torino" sandals I bought at the Walgreens are the jail shoes in question. I can't WAIT until someone stops me at the Publix and asks, "so, how long you been out?" SCORE!
I guess I am recycling my pair unintentionally. I love mu pink pair for the last 6 years with hardly no wear or tear. I love supporting local businesses I think its so important we take care of home first.
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