There are inspirational sneaker brands, yes plural, that are making waves in the fashion industry for not only selling products that are stylish and affordable, but doing social good. Chances are you have heard of one of them, but we’re here to spread the word on a collection of companies who stand for more than profit. Whether they are giving shoes to kids, donating a portion of proceeds to charity, or giving creative folks an outlet into the design industry – these five companies are the inspirational shoe brands to support.
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5 Inspirational Sneaker Brands
Five inspirational sneaker brands that prove style, quality and affordability can coexist with social good & a movement to change.
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Toms, Founded 2006
Toms, founded in 2006, by Blake Mycoskie is likely the most recognizable brand in our list. The brand is built on the foundation of One for One, which is now their trademarked slogan. What does it mean? For every Toms product you purchase, they will help one person in need. The company initiated this model with footwear. Purchase one pair of Toms super simple slip ons (for about $50), and one pair would be donated to someone in need. While this was the start, it has evolved – on both the product side and the charity side. Now Toms has a full line of footwear, sunglasses and most recently apparel.
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Keep, Founded 2006
With a history that goes back as long as our well recognized Toms, Keep was also founded in 2006 but we feel they’re a bit more of a sleeper. The Keep product line spans apparel, accessories, shoes and kidswear. Their products are vegan (including the footwear), which means that no animals were harmed in its construction. Upping their inspirational rating is the fact that everything they make is made in factories regularly audited to ensure ethical working conditions.
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Inkkas, Founded 2012
What happens when inspiration strikes while backpacking across Latin America? A pretty rad textile company, that’s what. High quality, colorful, hand made textiles are made all around the world, but few get integrated into sneakers. Until now. Inkkas works with local artisans to integrate their materials into a full line of clothing, accessories and shoes. The result is truly a global product.
But as James Bond says, the world is not enough, so in addition to an ethical product, Inkkas also plants one tree for every purchase, via their One Shoe One Tree program, and helps sustain the rainforest with Trees for the Future. Wow.
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Bucketfeet, Founded 2011
Bucketfeet makes designing footwear accessible to anyone. Their mission is to ‘connect people through art’, and what it has resulted in is a network of over 12k artists, over 100 countries, and an expansive line of footwear (with someone really for everyone), and retailers across the country – where you can go scope out the unique sneakers in person.
How does it work? Bucketfeet has an ongoing open call for artwork. Feeling inspired? Take pen to paper, or brush to Photoshop art board, and get to work. Next up submit! A panel of Bucketfeet team members review selections continually, and those selected go into production. Artists make proceeds on every item sold.
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Foresake, Founded 2011
What happens when you combine two college buddies, a desire to hike & explore the mountains, wet socks, a brain storm & $250k in funding? Foresake happens.
Foresake, headquarted in Boston, Massachusettes, manufactures outdoor footwear backed by an impressive guarantee to make sure when you’re wearing their product, there is no lack of comfort. Even if you’re on a snowcovered hill at 10,000 feet. The boots have a sneaker look and feel, but the durability to get you where you want to go.
Foresake makes our Inspirational Footwear list for a few reasons. With exceptional entrepreneurial minds, Sam Barstowe and Jake Anderson built a company to fulfill a need they personally sought – great hiking boots. But it turned out, lots of us need those. Now they have their product available to the masses with a call to action – get out there! Take to nature and share your results. #adventureworthy
