Keds Reduces Carbon Footprint with New Shoe

By Kendra Gilbert on July 24th, 2009

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People might think Keds are outdated…abandoned long ago with lunchboxes and coloring books. But, alas, the sentimental shoe company has reinvented the classic canvas sneaker, with a green twist.

Partnering with Loomstate, an all-organic fashion line, Keds has come up with several new styles of the classic Champion sneaker to be sold exclusively at Barneys New York (YES, Barneys!). Looks like Keds shoes are moving up in the world.

The new designs are pretty stylish, I can already see rich hipsters strutting around the streets in them, but I’m not so sure about the $75 price tag. Lord knows, I’ve made my fair share of unwise clothing purchases, but it seems the growing organic shoe business is getting out of hand. Basically, this new venture by Keds is a desperate attempt to keep up with TOMS shoes, which has built a cult following among eco-minded consumers who don’t mind spending $50 on canvas sneakers.

Part of the profits from the sale of the shoes does benefit an environmental group that promotes the expansion of organic agriculture, but it all just seems to be another overpriced gimmick. However, if you’ve got the money to spend, and you need to be at the forefront of all things hip, these sneakers wouldn’t be a bad choice. They’re cute and fun, light and summery.

I guess if you’ve got to walk around this planet for the rest of your life, it’s not a bad idea to do it in a shoe that lightens the footprints you leave in the earth.