04/24/2023
Sustainability might be something of a buzzword these days but its importance should not be undermined.
There are more ways now to ‘go green’. A lot of people I know favor using reusable bags and tumblers over single-use plastic products, for example. Even some smartphones are starting to utilize eco-friendly construction materials or offer recyclable/recycled packaging.
It’s pretty cool that we also now have a choice to opt for sustainable shoes.
Interestingly, many of today’s discarded kicks end up in landfills to rot or, worse, burned. When that happens, most shoes release microplastics and greenhouse gasses which have long been proven to be harmful to the environment and to us humans.
But that’s the problem these ZebraOasis shoes wanted to solve. Because these shoes are not just made of sustainable materials, they are also fully recyclable.
And it has to be mentioned — they’re super comfortable, too.
Guiltless comfort
Looking at the Zebra Oasis sneakers, you probably won’t be able to tell it’s an eco-friendly shoe. Its simple design makes it an easy everyday pick (or a walk-heavy travel shoe, even) and it’s oh-so-comfortable.
The flyknit part of the shoe is made of hemp fiber — a world’s first — and is 100% biodegradable. Compared to the usual cotton flyknit found on other sneakers, hemp is an eco-friendly material that requires less water and fewer pesticides to grow. It’s also incredibly durable, naturally anti-bacterial, and breathable, making it an ideal choice for everyday wear.
The flyknit design ensures a snug fit, while also allowing air to circulate around your feet, so you stay comfortable all day long. The whole shoe wrapped around my foot rather nicely and there is a tiny bit of stretch so you don’t feel too closed in.
Zebra Oasis has also developed its own “R-knit” weaving which omits the use of non-degradable fibers like polyester, nylon, or spandex commonly found in other footwear.
That’s for the top part. The bottom sole, on the other hand, is created with fully-recyclable TPU foam which is produced with gas-assisted technology, reducing CO2 emissions, and thus omitting the need for harmful foaming chemicals.
TPU foam is made from thermoplastic polyurethane, which is highly durable and resistant to wear and tear. This means these kicks should stand up to frequent wear and provide the same level of comfort for a long time.
In addition to all that, Zebra Oasis shoes also don’t use harmful chemical dyes and make use of Merino Wool for its insole.
Ready for recycling
One thing that makes Zebra Oasis shoes extra special is their R-ring design.
Instead of glued-on parts, Zebra Oasis shoes are sewn in and this is important for two reasons: better durability and recyclability.
Durability is given as being sewn offers longer lifetimes for shoes but as for recyclability? That’s where the R-ring design kicks in.
When the time has come that your shoes are all worn-out, the shoes’ R-ring allows you to easily separate the fabric from the foam with one pull.
Why is this important? Because most shoes are made of mixed materials, they can’t be properly sorted for recycling unless separated first. With the R-ring design, that can be easily done. And you can remain guilt-free knowing your ZO shoes won’t be adding to the pile-up of trash.
And while there are many kicks out there that are also eco-friendly, I think Zebra Oasis takes it up a notch with this innovation.
Comfort is not a second thought
I’ve been using these shoes for a while and they’ve instantly become a staple to my wardrobe. They’re classically designed, easy to slip on, and go with practically all of my outfits.
And so breathable too.
It’s summertime here and if you’ve ever been to a tropical country in this heat, you know it can be very uncomfortable.
The combination of the hemp fly knit and Merino Wool insole kept my feet nice and cool even during long walks under the sun. And being so light to wear makes it very freeing, too.
The overall fit is good which is expected as these are designed to mold to your feet. I didn’t experience any first-shoe pains or blisters anywhere, either.
The Merino Wool insoles are incredibly soft and comfortable and have moisture-wicking properties which I think helped in keeping my feet feeling fresh. They’re removable too which makes it easy to clean or even replace them.
But my favorite thing about these shoes is their weightlessness. Wearing them was almost the same as walking barefoot.
These shoes aren’t designed for outdoor activities, however, and the company does not recommend them for extreme activities like mountain climbing or extreme hiking.
Luckily, these aren’t activities I take part in. I’m just your regular ol’ city girl walking on the streets of the Metro.
But in all seriousness, I’m pretty sure that I will be wearing these a lot. They’re even foldable so they’re so so easy to pack. Perfect for when I want to switch out from uncomfortable heels after work or events.
Besides, you really can’t go wrong with white sneakers, and having a sustainable one is even better.
Final thoughts
The earth isn’t getting any younger and humankind has had its hand in its degradation. This only means that it’s also up to us to take care of what we have and try to restore what we’ve destroyed.
Zebra Oasis takes both your feet and the environment into consideration.
Having the ability to separate the foam sole from the fabric flyknit top is a big help as it makes the shoe fully recyclable, lessening trash and the negative impact on the environment, and it thankfully doesn’t sacrifice comfort in doing so.
If you want to grab a pair for yourself, you can head over to the ZebraOasis crowdfunding page. As of writing, the company has already reached their goal with a little over a month left in the campaign period.
