From: tms@cs.umd.edu (Tom Swiss (not Swift, not Suiss, Swiss!))
Newsgroups: rec.food.veg
Subject: FAQ: Leather Alternatives
Date: 2 Oct 92 17:49:44 GMT
Article-I.D.: mimsy.60852
Organization: The Reality Liberation Front (pixels to the people!)

Leather Alternatives FAQ list
Compiled by Tom Swiss
Last modified: Oct 2 1992
Send praise, information, flames, money, women, etc. to tms@cs.umd.edu

     Available via anonymous ftp from flubber.cs.umd.edu, file name
other/tms/veg/leather.alternatives.FAQ

     This list is only as good as the information I get. If you have 
comments on any of the stores, catalogs or products mentioned in this list, 
or if you know of other good products or sources, _please_ send them to me!

===== Vegetarians and the Use of Leather Goods =====

     For the benefit of our "lurking omnivores", and for those new to
vegetarianism, we should start with a few words about the attitude of
vegetarians towards the use of leather goods. We should note that
there are some vegetarians who have little or no objection to the use
of leather and other animal-derived goods; many who adopt a vegetarian
diet primarily for reasons of health would fall into this category, as
would some who adopt a vegetarian diet for its lower environmental
impact (but see below). Even those who are vegetarian for ethical
reasons may use some leather goods - if there is no available
alternative, if the goods were gifts, or purchased before the person
became a vegetarian or purchased by mistake. I own a pool cue with a
leather tip I bought many years ago, and a pair of leather hiking
boots I bought thinking they were synthetic, and that I was unable to
return.

     Thus, a vegetarian wearing leather shoes is not necessarily a
hypocrite.

===== Environmental Considerations =====

     Some claim that using leather alternatives is harmful to the 
environment, as these alternatives usually use plastics which are derived 
from petrochemicals, or fabrics like cotton whose production often involves 
the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. However, the production of 
leather is also damaging to the environment.

     From the Nov/Dec 1991 issue of the Vegetarian Journal: (much of the 
other information presented here is from the same issue.)

<begin quote>

Environmentally, turing animal hides into leather is an energy intensive 
and polluting practice. The Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology
states, "On the basis of quantity of energy consumed per unit of product
produced, the leather-manufacturing industry would be categorized with the
aluminum, paper, steel, cement, and petroleum-manufacturing industries as a 
gross consumer of energy." Production of leather basically involves soaking
(beamhouse), tanning, dyeing, drying, and finishing. Over 95% of all 
leather produced in the U.S. is chrome tanned. The effluent that must be 
treated is primarily related to the beamhouse and tanning operations. The 
most difficult to treat is effulent from the tanning process. All wastes 
containing chromium are considered hazardous by the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA). Many other pollutants involved in the processing 
of leather are associated with environmental and health risks. In terms of 
disposal, one would think that leather products would be biodegradable, but 
the primary function for a tanning agent is to stabilize the collagen or 
protein fibers so that they are no longer biodegradable.

Evaluating the relative environmental and health costs of leather versus 
non-leather products is difficult to do. It is apparent that they all 
involve practices that can adversely affect public health and the 
environment. Since leather is intimately related to the exploitation of 
animals, it seems most desirable to buy canvas, limit purchases, go 
barefoot, and encourage companies to develop more ecologically sound 
alternatives.

<end quote>

===== Mail Order and Catalog sources of non-leather goods =====

     Heartland Products and Aesop Unlimited carry only non-leather items:

     Heartland Products Ltd., Box 218, Dakota City, IA 50529, (515) 
332-3087.

     Aesop Unlimited, P.O. Box 315, N. Cambridge, MA 02140, (617) 
923-1704.

     _The Compassionate Shopper_ regularly lists companies that sell 
non-leather shoes. Contact Beauty Without Cruelty, 175 W. 12th St., #16G, 
New York, NY 10011-8275.

     The following sources carry both leather and non-leather
products, so read carefully:

     Avon Fashions, Avon Lane, Newport News, Va 23630, (800) 322-1119.
Shoes, belts, and other clothing items made from synthetic leather. (I
get the impression that they only carry women's clothing, but I'm not
sure.)  I have had a complaint about the quality of the goods sold by
this company; caveat emptor.

     Birkenstock, 1339 Massachusetts, Lawrence, KS, 66044, (913)
841-7027.  The Capri and Nobbi sandals, Birki clogs, and Teva sandals
are free of animal products.

     John Blair Co, Warren, PA 16366. Mostly women's shoes, some men's
shoes and work boots.

     Brights Creek, Bay Point Place, Hampton, VA 23653, (800)
622-9202.  Excellent selection of non-leather children's shoes.

     Forestry Suppliers Inc., 205 W. Rankin St., P.O. Box 8397,
Jackson Ms 39284-8397, (800) 647-5368. LaCrosse Timber Boots (see
below).

     J. Crew, One Ivy Crescent, Lynchburg, VA 24506-1001, (800)
932-0043.  Men's and women's canvas deck shoes and thongs, women's
espadrilles, slip-ons and tie sneakers.

     L.L. Bean, (800) 221-4221. Various New Balance shoes (see below),
Canvas Main Canoe Shoes, River Runner Thongs and Sandals, canvas
Sperry Top-Siders, non-leather bags, watch bands and jackets.

     Massey's, (800) 627-7397. Canvas and synthetic slip-ons, leather-like 
flats, pumps, and other styles. Somewhat pricey.

     Old Pueblo Traders (OPT), Palo Verde at 34th, P.O. Box 27800,
Tucson, AZ 85726-7800, (602) 748-8600. Women's shoes, sandals, and
boots, many in hard-to-find sizes. Leatherlike pants, suedelike
skirts, and faux furs.

     J.C. Penny, (800) 222-6161. Often carries some non-leather
products.

     Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), (800) 426-4840. REI carries
two non-leather sandals, the Kahala and the Response. They have the
Novara Lifeline Lycra bicycling glove, and non-leather bags,
backpacks, deck booties, and watch bands.

     Roaman's, (800) 274-7130. Often has some non-leather shoes.

     Sears Roebuck, (800) 366-3000. Several types on synthetic footwear, in 
canvas and suedelike materials.

     Smith & Hawken, (415) 383-2000. Rubberlike garden clogs for men and 
women.

     Sports Wave, 5484 S.W. Alger, Suite #G-13, Beaverton, OR 97005, (800) 
322-3381. Avia shoes (see below).

     The Tog Shop, (912) 924-4800. Women's shoes: canvas sneakers, rubber 
rain boots, sandals, slip-ons and slippers.

     WearGuard Work Clothes, (800) 388-3300. Walkers in Chukka and Oxford 
styles, rubber steel-toe and waterproof boots. "No Sweat" work gloves (see 
below).

===== Athletic Shoes =====

     Men's: Avia shoes made with hydrolite or HLT2; the 141 crosstrainer; 
the 2000 series running shoes; the 333, Arc 351, and Arc 383 walking shoes; 
and several basketballs shoes are non-leather. Converse All Stars ("Chuck 
Taylors"). K-Swiss canvas sneakers. New Balance 677 running shoes, 320 
athletic shoes and cross trainers - read labels. Nike - call (800) 344-NIKE 
for a list of non-animal products; many of their non-leather shoes use a 
synthetic called Durabuck. Saucony has non-leather running and other 
athletic shoes.

     Women's: Avia 680 and 525 aerobics shoes, running shoes in the 2000 
series, the 333, 383, and 351 walking shoes. Converse All Stars. New 
Balance 677 running shoes, 320 athletic shoes and cross trainers - read 
labels. Nike - call (800) 344-NIKE for a list of non-animal products; many 
of their non-leather shoes use a synthetic called Durabuck. Reebok canvas 
sneakers. Saucony has non-leather running and other athletic shoes. Tretorn 
canvas tennis and walking shoes.

     Children's: Attack Force. Converse All Stars. Nike shoes with Durabuck 
(that number again, (800) 344-NIKE). Pro Wings. WJ 900.

     Thanks to Tim Tyler (tim@ais.org) for providing a copy of Nike's
list of non-leather shoes. Unless otherwise indicated, all colors for
both sexes are non-leather.  

                               NIKE
        Fall 1992 Footwear not containing animal-products

     Technical Running, Men's & Women's: Air 180, Air Verona (Women's), Air 
Max ST, Air Huarache, Air Alpha, Air Anodyne (Men's), Air Skylon 2, Air 
Pegasus, Air Icarus, Air Craft (Women's), Air Athena (Women's).

     Racing Shoes: Air Mariah, Sarone, The Waffle Racer, Air Pegasus Racer.

     Track & Field: Zoom D, Zoom S, Zoom V, Zoom Extra, Zoom Rotational,
Javelin, Zoom Rival, Zoom Glide, High Jump, Long Jump.

     Men's Basketball: Air Jordan (ONLY Black/Light Graphite/bordeaux 
colors are Durabuck! Other colors are LEATHER), Air Flight Hurache Air Solo 
Flight (Black/Black ONLY), Air Bound (Black/Black-Light Graphite, 
Black/White-Dark Royal Blue, & Midnight Navy/Midnight Navy-Metallic Gold 
color ways), Air Flight Mid, Air Force 180 Low (Black/white/dark Royal Blue 
color way ONLY!), Air Ballistic Force High (Black/White true-red ONLY), Air 
Magnum Force 3/4 (Black/Black-bronze ONLY). 

     Men's Cross-Training: Air Trainer Hurache, Air Trainer Lite.

     Men's Tennis: Air Challenge Hurache.

     Women's Tennis: Air Challenge Hurache.

     Women's Cross-Training: Air Trainer Hurache, Air Elite Max, Air 
Elite Hurache.

     Hiking/Outdoor: Air Revaderchi, Air Deschutz.

     Outdoor Volleyball: Foot Digs.

     Cycling: System Ultra, Access.

     Men's Golf: Hobart, Hobart SL.

     Football: Strike Force High, Strike Force.

     Soccer: Rio Plus M, Rio Plus M (Children's), Rio Plus Turf (Children's).

     Aqua Gear: Aqua Sock Too3, Aqua Sock, Aqua Surf, Aqua Strap 2, Aqua 
Thong 2 

     Women's Golf: Colwood.

     Wrestling: Escape 2, Combatant.

     Baseball/Softball: MCS Air Slam, Air Slider, Air Slider by Bo Jackson, 
MCS Slam, CS Heat, Slasher, MCS Keystone, Air Attack, Women's MC5, Air 
Circuit (Women's).

     Boy's Gradeschool/Preschool: Air Flight Mid (Black/White-Cardinal Red 
ONLY), Air Pegasus, Aqua Sock (Youth & infant sizes).

      Girl's Gradeschool/Preschool: Air Pegasus.


===== Hiking Boots =====

     Hi-Tec Sierra Sneaker: All canvas hiking boot. Available from 
Heartland or REI.

     Rugged Outback: Leatherlike hiking sneakers. Available at Payless Shoe 
Source.

     Aesop and Heartland both carry leather-like hiking boots.

     In the U.K., Michael Traub says that the following places carry
non-leather hiking boots:

     Cader Idris Outdoor Gear
     Eldon Square
     Dolgellau
     Gwynedd LL40 1PS
     Phone 0341-422 195, access and visa accepted. Prices 29.50 to 49.99

     Designer Wares
     8 Ashwell Road
     Bradford BD9 4AU
     0274-483390, price 45.00

===== Work Boots =====

     Heartland Products carries a leatherlike boot with a steel toe.

     LaCrosse Timber Boots: Rugged all-rubber boots, 12" high with felt 
midsole, foam insulation and knobby soles.

     WearGuard Work Clothers carries rubber steel-toe boots.

===== Dress and Other Shoes =====

     Read labels. (Aren't most vegetarians compulsive label readers by 
now anyway?) Look for the words "All man-made materials", or for shoes 
made from canvas or other obviously non-leather fabric. Try Payless Shoe 
Source, Fayva, Kinney, K-Mart, Sears, J.C. Penny, Pic 'N Pay, Woolworth, 
Thom McAnn, Wal-Mart, Marshalls, and other inexpensive chains. You may
find at least one non-leather model even at more expensive stores, but
why pay more?

     Tom Billings (teg@stat.Berkeley.edu) reports that non-leather
narrow width men's dress shoes are just about impossible to find. Any
information on sources for such shoes would be appreciated.

     Shari Dawson (c/o Greg_Dawson@mindlink.bc.ca) tells me that
Naturalizer shoe stores carry a variety of women's shoes in imitation
leather and suede, including narrow sizes.

===== Accessories =====

     Belts: Aesop and Heartland are good sources. The belts that sometimes 
come with pants are almost always non-leather. Canvas belts with the brass 
slide-through buckles (like Boy Scouts use) can be found at any outdoor 
sports store. (And they last just about forever!)

     Briefcases: Inexpensive briefcases at office supply stores are often 
non-leather. Aesop carries both a business attache and portfolio. Land's 
End has a canvas briefcase. (Or ditch the briefcase and get a nice backpack 
- they're easier to carry on the bus or subway.)

     Handbags and wallets: Most department stores carry some non-leather 
bags and wallets. Sporting goods stores often carry nylon or canvas 
wallets.

===== Specialty Items =====

     Ballet shoes: R.G. Barry Corp., Box 129, Columbus OH 43216.

     Balls and gloves: Spalding Sports offers a synthetic leather
volleyball, basketball, and soccer ball. The Vegetarian Resource Group
says that Spalding makes a vinyl baseball/softball glove, but one
netter says he called Spalding and they didn't know what he was
talking about. (800) 225-6601 to find stores in your area that carry
Spalding products. Dudley makes a synthetic softball: (800) 523-5387.

     Biking gloves: REI carries Novara Lightning Gloves and Novara
Lifeline Lyrca Gloves, made from Nash - a fabric that looks and feels
like leather but wears even better. No leather palms on these gloves.
Cotton/spandex "skiiing" gloves have also been recommended.

     "Leather" jackets: Avon Products carries a leather lookalike
dress jacket. In the U.K. there is Mocatan, producing all non-leather
goods including biker jackets and boots. Mocatan, James House, 49a
Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, WV3 OUF, U.K. (Any of our U.K. readers
dealt with these folks?) A company called Windbreaker makes a fairly
good-looking biker-style jacket, but I only know one store that
carries them. (If you're in my area, try Ranger Surplus - that's where
I got mine.)

     Work gloves: W. Wells Lamont "No Sweat" Gloves.

===== General Hints =====

     Look at the most inexpensive products - they are most likely to be 
non-leather.

     Some vinyl shoes may squeak. Try mineral oil, hand cream, or similar 
lubricants between the noisy surfaces.

     Many patent "leather" looking shoes are synthetic. Again, check the 
label for "all man-made materials." 

     "Leatherette" is a brand name of high-quality vinyl, not a form of 
leather.


===============================================================================
Tom Swiss/tms@cs.umd.edu  |  "Born to die"   |   Keep your laws off my brain!
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