New Balance are supposed to be made in America but I don't know what to believe anymore...

quote:<HR>Originally posted by 13squared:
http://www.nbwebexpress.com/information/madeinusa.asp[/URL" target="_blank"><HR>

That link has the info. Note that NOT ALL New Balance shoes are made in the USA. Only a select few are.

You can try some shoes from companies like:
http://www.herseycustomshoe.com/[/URL" target="_blank">
http://www.newtonrunning.com/who_we_are/green_features.php[/URL" target="_blank">

Hersey is custom made for you in the USA. Not sure about Newton, but they use a lot of recycled materials in their shoes and supposedly support some causes. You'd have to e-mail to ask about where they are made. Note that most of these shoes are much more expensive than the Chinese sweatshop made shoes.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by RunnersHigh43:
Why not get a waffle iron and some glue and make your own....you may start your own company someday!

<HR>

LOL, Throw in some fabric to make your own clothes as well. That'd be quite responsible.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by creb:
has anyone actually tried the newtons? they say that their shoes are suppose to mimic barefoot running. seems like you can do the same with lightweight trainers. but who knows. any experiences?<HR>

Go to this discussion thread here:
http://forums.runnersworld.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/687106477/m/6631059262[/URL" target="_blank">

There are a few people who have tried them and given reports of their experiences. From the website, it seems all their pro athlete endorsements are from triathletes. From the price, they seem geared towards triathletes who seem more enamoured with pricey gear than more runner-only types. That's not to say the shoes ain't worth it -- I myself have no idea since I never tried them...

It's not easy being socially responsible these days. Some of those sweat shops do keep starvation at bay for some families. It is very sad. I have decided to not buy certain brands, but I think it's important to let those brand owners know why I won't purchase. I try to at least send an email, and get it into some type of public forum (letter to the newspaper editor, high profile blogs etc.). I always wonder what would happen to the workers if the boycotts worked and the factories are shut down. Are they just moved to another country....? I would pay an extra amount for shoes, if I thought the money would go to higher wages for the workers. But I suspect the money wouldn't trickle down.

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Jimmy Legs

I live with fear and danger everyday, but sometimes I leave her and go running.......

savoir..

Well, I already spend $120, I figure another 10 bucks is inconsequential. If I thought the 10 bucks would make to the workers, I'd pay it. I really don't think US manufacturers, who pay their workers much better than overseas workers, have to charge $50 extra to maintain a profit. Best wishes.

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Jimmy Legs

I live with fear and danger everyday, but sometimes I leave her and go running.......

quote:<HR>Originally posted by quitesane:
this term "socially responsible" is terribly one-sided. you say you don't want shoes from "children in sweat shops". well, what if those children LITERALLY feed their families? what if they desperately WANT and NEED those jobs? screw them because <corporate name here> doesn't pay them enough or doesn't have conditions up to "our" standards??

i'm not saying the working conditions are "nice" nor that they get paid a "fair wage". what i AM saying is that they desperately need the income and this is one of the very few ways they can get it. if we decide to boycott <corporate name here> or whomever, the only people who will suffer is the people who you ostensibly are all "socially responsible" about. <HR>

I've heard the quote that everytime you masturbate, god kills a kitten, but I didn't realize that everytime I don't buy cheap sneakers a child starves to death... who woulda thunk it?