Kangaroos Are Being Killed To Make Alternative Performance Footwear Like This Shoe - Ugh!
5 Dec 2010
Vibram FiveFingers shoes cost around $110 and approximately 4 million kangaroo lives per year*.
FiveFingers shoes are designed to make you feel like you're walking or running barefoot. Shame on them! Shame on the fitness industry for allowing this to happen! It's a barefoot-inspired shoe for God sakes! It makes absolutely no sense to me that a kangaroo has to die in order for fitness consumers to feel like they're walking or running barefoot. Especially when grassy fields are plenty. I'm assuming most barefoot runners worry about the consequence of stepping on something sharp or uncomfortable and a grassy terraine is one way to avoid that...I've done it and it feels great. I've also run full marathons next to runners who were completely barefoot on city streets. This is something I wouldn't do, but I know it can be done without killing a kangaroo!
*This number is an estimate of kangaroos commercially killed in Australia annually. Read more HERE
I wasn't born yesterday.
I know that animals are being killed everyday to make all kinds of clothing items that we, as consumer, purchase without thinking twice about (PETA and animal-free folks, I'm obviously excluding you here). And yes, I buy leather products often and know that a lot of my sneakers are made from it. I'll justify that by saying that most of these products are necessities. But a barefoot runner? C'mon now. It doesn't make any sense to me. Most human beings already own a pair of bare feet. Killing kangaroos for this kind of sneaker is not necessary, it's cruel and unfashionable.
These shoes are really unattractive...I'd rather stare at a kangaroo for 10 hours.
I'd rather watch a kangaroo hop around or a joey peak out from his mother's pouch than slide my feet into a pair of FiveFingers, even if it's just to test them out. It's really sad knowing that kangaroos are killed to make us feel like we're walking barefoot when we already have that luxury. The crazy thing about it is that I had no idea FiveFingers were made from Kangaroo leather until a reader commented on a video I made about barefoot-inspired running shoes. The reader raved about the performance enhancing quality of FiveFingers footwear so I went to the website curious as to whether their product range included a stylish option. That's when I realized the company uses Kangaroo leather which they claim enhances free motion within their shoes. The FiveFingers Performa along with several other styles is made almost entirely from Kangaroo leather. For a split second I considered testing this shoe (even though I'm not a fan of toe-separation) but then I thought, how could I live with myself? I freaking LOVE kangaroos! I became so upset about this that I began watching videos on Youtube to learn more about kangaroo killings linked to the fitness industry. It was not a pretty afternoon spent surfing the internet! But I learned a lot, including something about myself: I will not support or promote companies that condone cruel killing of animals for products that are absolutely unnecessary or that could easily be made without harming animals. Cruelty towards animals for the manufacturing of fitness product should not be happening at all and companies that traditionally use Kangaroo skin (i.e. Adidas for soccer cleats) should make sure to enforce humane guidelines.
FACT: Kangaroos are cool.
6 species have already gone extinct ---> NOT COOL
How can you save a Kangaroo and still wear a performance enhancing minimalist shoe?
Don't buy FiveFingers and tell them why. Let them know how you feel by visiting their contact page or shooting them an email at info@vibramfivefingers.it
Also, there are plenty of shoes out there that don't use Kangaroo leather. For example, one of my favorites is Terra Plana's Vivo Barefoot Evo collection which is 100% Vegan, planet friendly and super stylish. My favorite designs are The Evo in green and The Evo 2 in navy/blue mesh. Aside from looking great as a sport shoe that activates your core, they also wear casually and look cute with jeans.
See it to believe it and do something about it.
You don't have to watch this video (includes graphic content) but sometimes you really need to see it to believe it. I know I did.
Cruelty is not fashionable and I hope you'll join me in furthering a movement of informed fitness enthusiasts who shop with a conscience and care about how fitness products are made. Thank you.
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#1. Barefoot TJ - Reply to this
Dec 5, 2010 12:14PM
Someone who runs in Vibram FiveFingers is not barefoot. You have to actually have b a r e f e e t in order to be considered barefoot. Just sayin’.
#2. MizzFIT replied to Barefoot TJ - Reply to this
Dec 5, 2010 12:26PM
Hi TJ,
I agree and that’s why I called them barefoot-inspired shoes. It bothers me that instead of learning how to run barefoot, people are buying Kangaroo leather shoes that simulate the barefoot experience. I don’t like Kangaroo leather being used in this way. It upsets me and makes me lose respect for companies like Vibram. I have nothing against barefoot runners, in fact I respect them immensely and consider myself one of them (except when it comes to running on streets). I’m sensitive to the ruthless killing of Kangaroos and feel the need to inform people of products that use Kangaroo leather unnecessarily. I hope this explains things a bit more. My intention was never to insult barefoot runners.
MizzFIT
#3. Jennifer - Reply to this
Dec 22, 2010 7:36AM
Kudos to you for speaking out about this. I found your site because I was interested in their “shoe” today and couldn’t believe when I saw they were made out of Kangaroo leather. It’s as if they were bragging about it. I do want to point out that you justified your other purchases of animal products as necessities. I learned 8 years ago that really the only necessities might be tires and public items we use. There are tons of great fitness shoes, belts and bags that are animal friendly. Check it out. I know if you changed your perception about kangaroo leather, you can change your perception about cow, calve, pig, lamb and any other animal leathers.
Here’s to your compassionate and fit life!
#4. Roxie - Reply to this
Dec 26, 2010 9:14AM
Why do you people take your anger out on one company? There are many soccer shoes which are made of kangaroo also, but are you protesting Adidas and other athletic manufacturers?
#5. MizzFIT replied to Jennifer - Reply to this
Jan 4, 2011 3:29PM
Hi Jennifer,
I loved your comment and really appreciate your perspective. So much that one of my New Year’s resolutions is to cut down on leather products that aren’t a real necessity. There’s so much truth to what you say and it really affected my conscience when I thought about animals dying unnecessarily. I know I can’t change the world through my purchases but I can play a role in making a change. I’m going to keep you in mind throughout my career and will do my best to incorporate more animal-free products into my styling videos and suggestions. THANK YOU so much for sharing your views here.
MizzFIT
#6. MizzFIT replied to Roxie - Reply to this
Jan 4, 2011 3:33PM
Roxie,
You’re right, other companies deserve to hear these kind of complaints. This is just one of many cases and believe me, I was not happy to read about how many Kangaroos are killed to make Adidas soccer shoes. It really disappointed me even though soccer is one of my very favorite sports. I can only hope for Adidas to one day create a Kangaroo-free soccer cleat. I honestly believe it’s possible so if you’re up for it, then let’s ask Adidas to give it a shot. There’s no harm in asking and I think they’d love to get this kind of consumer feedback. Let me know if you’re up for it…
MizzFIT
#7. MHFerrell - Reply to this
Jan 8, 2011 4:43AM
Kangaroos are not killed to make Vibrams. Kangaroos are killed for kangaroo meat in Australia and Vibram uses the leather as a bi-product of the meat production process.
#8. MizzFIT replied to MHFerrell - Reply to this
Jan 9, 2011 6:24AM
MHFerrell,
If you can prove it, I will listen. Until then I will speak out about this.
MizzFIT
#9. Theo Factswillsetyoufree - Reply to this
Jan 9, 2011 9:02AM
Sorry, MizzFit, no kudos from me. I hate to call out you and the good-hearted folks here who are upset about the kangaroos being killed, but what you’re doing in incredibly hypocritical, despite your generally good intentions. If you’re totally honest with yourselves, the real reason you’re upset about this, and not about the use of standard leather is because kangaroos are “cute”, and therefore are given a greater right to live than other animals. It’s the same reason many so-called vegetarians have no problem eating fish, but won’t eat some land animals. Furthermore, the kangaroos used to make these shoes aren’t factory farmed like the cows that you’re okay with killing, and factory farming is the real cruelty going on. In addition, there are many more more cows being killed than kangaroos (by a factor of tens of thousands!), so shouldn’t you be speaking out against the larger problem if you’re so determined to save critters?
The most important set of facts you’re missing here relates to the status of kangaroos in certain parts of the world. In many areas of Australia, kangaroo populations are actually out of control, and are the ecological equivalent of rats. Their culling is actually encouraged so that other animals can survive. They’re essentially vermin in their ecosystems that have put the habitats out of balance. Add to that MHFerrell’s correct assertion that, in many cases, they are using the same kangaroos that were killed for meat (or population control), and you have a much more humane practice than the production of leather (which generally comes from different cows than the ones used for beef).
Time to get off the high horse, and stop using outrage as a way to disguise your own bias towards cuteness without really knowing what is going on.
#10. Theo Factswillsetyoufree - Reply to this
Jan 9, 2011 9:04AM
For the record, though, I do agree that these “barefoot” shoes are silly, and criminally ugly. That’s a much better-reasoned argument to take Vibram to task.
#11. MizzFIT replied to Theo Factswillsetyoufree - Reply to this
Jan 10, 2011 11:41PM
Thank you for responding, but please don’t assume that the only reason I’ve taken to my blog to write about this is because Kangaroos are “cute”. It goes well beyond that for me. I think it’s important to voice all opinions on serious issues, whether great or small in relation to other issues happening in the world. There’s always something to talk about and this is a place for conversation to happen. So I don’t feel like this topic is worthless at all. It got you to comment, didn’t it? Also, there are many who disagree with you on the issue that Kangaroos becoming vermin in certain parts of Australia. I actually read up on that before writing this article because I had remembered hearing this side of the coin. When I dug deeper I found that certain species of Kangaroos have actually gone extinct due to over-killing. To me, that’s quite sad. And yes, they are cute. A lot cuter than rats for sure. So what if I think that. All that matters is that people have an attachment to these animals and would like to see them better treated and NOT ABUSED.
That said, I think you offer some good points with regard to cows that I am giving a lot more thought to. I appreciate that you’ve taken the time to share this info and better inform me of another issue that deserves my attention and careful research. Thank you so much for commenting here on MizzFIT.com.
-MizzFIT
#12. carly - Reply to this
Mar 5, 2011 8:54AM
I’ve been kayaking for a few months and have been looking for a neoprene bootie that lets my feet breathe. I’ve tried wearing my Keens and they are way too big, and the neoprene booties I’ve purchased make my feet sweat too much. I would love something that provides protection against the sharp gravel, lets my feet breathe, and will still fit comfortably in my kayak. I’ve heard about these so called “five fingers shoes” but I don’t know much about them or their quality.
Nature of the beast: Well, to some extent, that’s just the nature of neoprene. It’s an insulator, of course, so if your feet are outside the water and it’s not real cold, they’re going to sweat. Maybe a lot.
Popular option: The “five fingers shoes” you’ve heard of are Vibram Five Fingers(several models around $80). They’re sort of a rubber/fabric glove for your feet. Each toe has its own, well, “finger.” So you get the foot-feel of, well, your foot, and the protection of a light shoe. Vibram came out with these four or five years ago and at the time it seemed they had made these almost as a joke. There wasn’t any clear market or marketing plan. But now the “no shoe” running crowd has picked up on them, and stores can’t keep them in stock. Anyway, they’re great for kayaking. They give you good foot protection and a little bit of warmth, but aren’t as sweaty as neoprene socks.
So i buy a pari shoes from five-fingersvibram.com try fell the quality.After pay money from my Credit Card,just got 5days,i got my shoes.Just find shoes are fit my feet.So i want share a my Experience.
Read more: http://www.five-fingersvibram.com