Synthetic Addict Slippers
Hey Steph,
I’ve been a huge fan of yours since I started climbing 4 years ago and you’ve been a huge influence on me in many many ways, from rock climbing to being VEGAN! I’ve been vegetarian for a couple years but I started being fully vegan around September of 2014 and I love it. When I initially stopped eating meat, I was greatly influenced by your mentality and view on cruelty free and amazing vegan food! So thank you very much for that.But I digress haha. My main reason for emailing you is to ask you a question and get your feedback on some stuff. But first, the question: Why is it that your new Evolv slipper has a split leather upper and isn’t vegan? I remember reading a couple years or so about you talking about your shoe designs at Evolv but you mentioned that you would make a vegan slipper. Evolv is definitely my favorite climbing shoe but as far as I know they don’t have any vegan shoes which is a bit disheartening, as I am vegan for moral reasons as well as health ones and evolv is known for being particularly environmentally conscious. So you can imagine I was somewhat disappointed to learn your slipper isn’t vegan :(. Hopefully Evolv can figure something out and get some vegan gear out there for us cruelty free climbers!
I’m also curious to know what you’re viewpoint on being vegan when it comes to the clothes you wear. Do you have any leather gear/clothing/articles that you use? Also, do you buy anything that’s not vegan, say as a gift or something like that? Sorry For the extra long email. I really hope you read this and possibly get back to me, If not no worries of course. I’ve been a great supporter of yours and thank you for everything you’ve done for me!
Yours truly,
Chance
Hi Chance,
Thanks for touching base on the Evolv slippers! As you know from my blog, I have been working with Evolv on making a slipper, and additionally on making a synthetic version that will work for crack climbing. The Addict was the result of the slipper project, and now we are testing synthetic fabrics with different prototypes (don’t worry, they will not be safety orange) to find a material that is pliable and thick enough to work in cracks, as well as for face climbing–that’s the tricky part. You’re definitely not the only one who wants the synthetic slipper, and it is coming 🙂
As you know, I use leather climbing shoes when I don’t have other options–climbing shoes are pretty integral to climbing. I still climb in the Chaos, which is an all synthetic shoe that Evolv used to make. When I do have options, I don’t choose leather–all of my non-climbing shoes and boots are synthetic. My philosophy in all things in life is to decide what’s important to me, ask myself what I personally can do about it, and do the best I can to follow that.
Thanks for being patient on the synthetic Addicts, and I hope you’re going to like them!
Steph
