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Who Wears Wood Shoes? Would you? WICKED FOOTWEAR Uses Wood Pulp to Make New Shoes!
ALTON, NH -- Monday, December 20, 2010 -- <Green Presswire; Wicked Footwear, a New Hampshire based company with the goal of setting new standards in ecological footwear manufacturing has introduced a new nature-friendly outdoor “Eco-Fashionable” footwear line offering men two unique stylish selections.
Wicked Footwear has a new concept in shoes that is both innovative in design and comfort. These multi-purpose shoes use recycled wood pulp creating a trendy comfortable fitting basket weave pattern that is functional and stylish because it allows constant air movement inside the shoes. In today’s world of hustle and bustle hi-tech living, it is a nice change for the consumer to have the satisfaction of wearing something that’s different; old and new. These shoes fit into an eco-green lifestyle, look good and feel great to wear.
Wicked Hemp is cited as the first company to use WOOD PULP uppers mechanically compressed using non-toxic chemicals. The shoe colors utilize true eco friendly paint. Wicked Hemp shoes are made from carefully selected natural biodegradable materials uppers that are eco friendly with a low carbon footprint.
The shoes come in two styles, a slip on (WICKED WOODY) and lace up (WICKED PULP) model of two colors of black and brown. They have all the comfort features of removable insoles that tone your feet, with deep cushion and hidden EVA. This hybrid style has a multi colored natural rubber outsole that is good for urban and light trail use. The shoe’s look suggests hip living combining both comfort and designer styling.
“It has been too many years since the footwear industry has found a new use for natural materials in shoes. Every other shoe company uses oil-based components that are not ecologically friendly, so the time is right for a new technology”, says Matt Mahmet, the excited spokesperson, co-owner of Wicked Hemp footwear.
Matt holds up a shoe and comments, “We have taken wood and compressed it into a weave of crisscross-strands of wood pulp which is a bi-product of natural wood. The wood pulp is constructed into a very relaxed but strong material. As the upper is worn it will start to get a faded look to it, like denim. The upper is constructed for strength and has all the features for comfort. The shoe upper forms to your feet for a comfortable not like Dutch shoes” jokes Matt “What makes the design of the shoe a hybrid style is a mix of a light trail outsole on a casual shoe upper. It is like the cross over vehicles, multipurpose platform.”
Matt resides in a rural area of New Hampshire but works in the Boston area. His desire for appropriate dress in business and country inspired this hybrid style and gave him the dual-purpose shoe idea. Matt raps “I walk from the woods onto the street and I still look neat. You gotta try these shoes, they can’t be beat.”
WickedHemp.com wants you to know our shoes are low-tech and made of recyclable high quality material.
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About the company: Wicked Hemp The Wicked Footwear company launched its high fashion, high function footwear lines in 1997. Since then, Wicked Footwear has established several brands in the shoe and apparel business. Wicked Footwear designs fit many lifestyles, from motorsports and life style collection to hikers and casual walkers.
NOTEWORTHY:
We use Wood Pulp.
The Wood Pulp that we use is from hemlock, pine, and spruce. The thermo-mechanical process goes from chip to an extrusion of compressed fiber strands. Then made into basket weave pattern, and painted with Eco friendly colorings. Wicked Hemp is focused on finding and using the best quality materials that will be strong, comfortable and environmentally friendly. We will be adding more eco fashion styles with a variety of organic and recycled materials. The shoes are made from carefully-selected natural biodegradable materials
Wicked Hemp Footwear
This is so cool! I'm a hemp fanatic but I've never heard of wood pulp to make shoes...Wow. Definitely gonna get some of these. They look so stylish AND comfortable! Will return to update once I get them and will definitely be posting a review on my blog about my favorite outdoor footwear, http://besthikingboot.org. Yay for hemp shoes:)
ReplyDeleteI bought a pair of Wicked Hemp shoes in April of this year and I love them! I wanted shoes with a hard sole/hard toe for cycling and light hiking and this shoe fit the bill. I am also an ethical vegan and it is not easy to find good hiking shoes made without leather and suede. I have another vegan hiking boot I wear for long hikes (Garmont Kiowa Vegan Hiking Boot).
ReplyDeleteThese Wicked Hemp shoes are so unique and so rugged and well put together. They are comfortable for wearing around town and light hiking and mountain biking offtrail, but I can see how they would hurt my feet for long distance hikes (+ 10 miles) as they are a little bit on the stiff side. The only adjustment I needed to make was adding arch supports (I have very high arches). Otherwise they are still going strong for me and I wear them almost every day. I get a TON of compliments on them and a lot of people ask what they are made out of. People are genuinely interested in this shoe. This is a terrific gateway for talking about my veganism and how I shop with a conscience. I feel like I should have WickedHemp business cards to pass out as I have mentioned this company to so many people who ask about my shoes. I have the tannish/beige colored ones by the way, and they fit true to size for me. They provide ample room for my wide feet and high arches too (I was a dancer for years). I highly recommend these shoes!
It has been too many years since the footwear industry has found a new use for natural materials in shoes.
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