Disclaimer: The products featured were provided for review.Aside from checking out some
vegan makeup at the
Planted Expo Vancouver last month, I was also introduced to a Vancouver-based shoe company called
Grounded People. With a line-up of stylish, casual sneakers made with a 100% vegan material, Grounded People is committed to creating sustainable fashion that's ethically produced. The brand has kindly provided me a pair of their
Geranium Navy Low-Top Vegan Shoes (C$165) to try out so I wanted to share with you my thoughts on the design and comfort. To read my review, click......
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| Grounded People | Vegan Shoes |
Currently offering a variety of high-top and low-top sneakers ethically made in Brazil, Grounded People uses recycled cotton for the canvas upper of their shoes while the soles are made with natural rubber. The "Geranium" style is a dark navy low-top sneaker with a zero-drop design (which means that the heel of the shoe is not elevated above the toes). In terms of comfort, I would equate Grounded People to a pair of Converse or Vans. While the EVA insoles offer some cushioning, there is minimal arch support. The shoes are adequate for a quick trip to the grocery store but not suitable for long walks or full work days (if you work on your feet all day). Judging from the design, though, Grounded People is catering to those looking for casual, stylish sneakers as opposed to those in search of supportive, all-day comfort shoes.
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| Grounded People | Vegan Shoes |
Nevertheless, the shoes look and feel sturdy and well-made. One of my favorite design elements is the series of nylon D-rings for the shoelaces to loop through. Another interesting feature is the short length of zipper on the back of the shoe that holds a decorative strip of shoelace in place, although I do wish that this was sewn down as that segment of lace tend to come loose and flop around the ankle.
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| Grounded People | Vegan Shoes |
Currently, each pair of shoes from Grounded People comes with one free extra pair of shoelaces of your choosing. Grounded People actually has a Laces Program wherein the proceeds from every shoelace sale go towards a specific charity. For example, the proceeds from their pink laces go towards KidSafe, a Vancouver organization that provides safe havens for children in need.
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| Grounded People | Vegan Shoes |
In terms of sizing, Grounded People offers whole sizes and recommends sizing up if you are in between sizes. I personally found that the shoes run very large. I am a women's size 6.5 so I selected a size 7, which turned out to be way too big. So I actually recommend sizing down if you are in between sizes.
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| Grounded People | Vegan Shoes |
Overall, I think Grounded People is perfect for fans of casual sneakers that also care about sustainability. It's clear that the brand is dedicated to creating vegan, environmentally conscious, and ethically made shoes. To learn more about the brand and to check out their full collection, visit
groundedpeople.ca.
