|
downcycle
Nov 16, 2007, 12:16 PM
Post #1 of 59
(4379 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 9
|
I am in the market for a new pair of shoes, and I want to support fair trade but I am having a difficult time finding a company or even a single pair of shoes that fit this bill. If anyone can help I would really appreciate it. Additionally, any good tips on other fair trade gear companies are welcome. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
ja1484
Nov 16, 2007, 12:52 PM
Post #2 of 59
(4358 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 11, 2006
Posts: 1935
|
Ha! Libs!
|
|
|
|
|
downcycle
Nov 16, 2007, 12:56 PM
Post #3 of 59
(4353 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 9
|
Don't hate because some want to support sustainable economics rather than ruthless capitalism...
|
|
|
|
|
HarklessDO
Nov 16, 2007, 1:23 PM
Post #4 of 59
(4338 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 29, 2007
Posts: 159
|
I second the Libs, they are so funny. Capitalism is a beautiful thing.
|
|
|
|
|
grasshoppa
Nov 16, 2007, 1:34 PM
Post #5 of 59
(4333 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 31, 2002
Posts: 7
|
I'd like to hear if you happen to find a brand of climbing shoes that support fair trade. Good luck!
PS. Climbers are a great group of people, but sometimes I wonder about the needless comments that pop up on this forum (for example, the "libs" comment). 
|
|
|
|
|
ja1484
Nov 16, 2007, 2:59 PM
Post #6 of 59
(4276 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 11, 2006
Posts: 1935
|
grasshoppa wrote: PS. Climbers are a great group of people, but sometimes I wonder about the needless comments that pop up on this forum (for example, the "libs" comment).
I just find it funny when people get all tied up in feel-good causes to BS themselves. You know...green movement, fair trade, vegetarianism, feminism...goofy stuff like that.
On the other side of the card, there are just as many deplorable Cons, what with their drive for theocracy and murdering of the constitution, etc.
(This post was edited by ja1484 on Nov 16, 2007, 3:00 PM)
|
|
|
|
|
gr4t
Nov 16, 2007, 3:06 PM
Post #7 of 59
(4268 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 13, 2005
Posts: 23
|
HarklessDO wrote: I second the Libs, they are so funny. Capitalism is a beautiful thing.
Isn't this the way capitalism's supposed to work, you spend your money with the companies that provide the service you want in the way you want it - he just wants to spend his following certain principles.
|
|
|
|
|
deane
Nov 16, 2007, 3:23 PM
Post #8 of 59
(4254 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 31, 2006
Posts: 30
|
That's weird, I thought this was supposed to be a forum about fair trade climbing shoes....
I haven't seen anyone advertising fair trade shoes. Evolv makes a big deal about being vegan friendly but that just means synthetic.
ja1484, I'll keep my eye out for shoes with the American flag and Ronald Reagan image printed all over them and you'll be the first to know when I find them.
|
|
|
|
|
rmsusa
Nov 16, 2007, 3:34 PM
Post #9 of 59
(4243 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 24, 2004
Posts: 1017
|
In reply to: Isn't this the way capitalism's supposed to work, you spend your money with the companies that provide the service you want in the way you want it - he just wants to spend his following certain principles.
Exactly! Problem is, that fair trade is such a nebulous and ill-defined concept that it gets a lot of ridicule.
Well deserved ridicule, IMHO, but you're right. That's the way trade should work.
|
|
|
|
|
bobruef
Nov 16, 2007, 3:50 PM
Post #10 of 59
(4230 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 22, 2005
Posts: 884
|
gr4t wrote: HarklessDO wrote: I second the Libs, they are so funny. Capitalism is a beautiful thing. Isn't this the way capitalism's supposed to work, you spend your money with the companies that provide the service you want in the way you want it - he just wants to spend his following certain principles.
exactly. a fair trade product is separate market quantity. It is using capitalism to positive ends. Same thing with the green movement. How is people paying more for a product that fits their moral values detrimental? At worst, you can claim that it is people following fickle fashions, but if that's the case, then they're not destroying capitalism, they are still essential participants in this type of economy. People are voting in the capitalist tradition: with their wallets.
|
|
|
|
|
fenderfour
Nov 16, 2007, 5:10 PM
Post #11 of 59
(4185 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 12, 2005
Posts: 177
|
From Wikipedia:
Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based model of international trade which promotes the payment of a fair price as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production of a wide variety of goods.
THis means that you are paying a fair price to the people making the product, not just the manufacturer.
The higher-end La Sportiva shoes are made in Italy by people who are paid a fair wage for their work. I believe this fills the requirements of "Fair Trade" even though Sportiva does not advertise it.
|
|
|
|
|
ocary
Nov 16, 2007, 5:28 PM
Post #12 of 59
(4155 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 1, 2006
Posts: 90
|
I've got some old shoes I will trade you for some nachos. Is that fair?
|
|
|
|
|
downcycle
Nov 16, 2007, 5:32 PM
Post #13 of 59
(4150 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 9
|
ja1484 wrote: grasshoppa wrote: PS. Climbers are a great group of people, but sometimes I wonder about the needless comments that pop up on this forum (for example, the "libs" comment). I just find it funny when people get all tied up in feel-good causes to BS themselves. You know...green movement, fair trade, vegetarianism, feminism...goofy stuff like that. On the other side of the card, there are just as many deplorable Cons, what with their drive for theocracy and murdering of the constitution, etc.
I have to be honest, I am sort of shocked at some of the responses. I did not go into a forum about shoes and lambast people for not buying fair trade products. I choose to pay more by shopping at local independent grocery stores because they buy from local farmers even though I could save at least 25% buy shopping at Walmart. I also believe that if something is produced by someone who doesn't feel taken advantage of you get a better product. Also I don't want to support corporations that choose to increase profit margins regardless of the social or environmental detriment it causes. But I never force my opinions on others or flippantly name-call those I disagree with.
Thanks FenderFour, I will look into Sportiva, that seems like what I'm looking for (besides being great shoes).
If anyone want's to discuss any other feel-good causes, like being concerned about the impact you have on the world we live in, agreeing that people have the right to not be exploited, understanding that our obsession with meat negativly impacts our world, or believing that women are people...goofy stuff like that... maybe we could move the discussion to a more appropriate location, or PM me.
And remember kids:
Fair trade = Patriotism
Walmart = Imperialism
|
|
|
|
|
chezdillon
Nov 16, 2007, 5:38 PM
Post #14 of 59
(4144 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 10, 2004
Posts: 66
|
I believe that Scarpa would fit this requirement as well.
|
|
|
|
|
ja1484
Nov 16, 2007, 5:49 PM
Post #15 of 59
(4124 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 11, 2006
Posts: 1935
|
deane wrote: ja1484, I'll keep my eye out for shoes with the American flag and Ronald Reagan image printed all over them and you'll be the first to know when I find them.
I find it funny that you think I'm neoconservative and/or republican.
Other beliefs I hold:
Pro-Choice
Anti-Iraq War
Pro-Flag Burning Rights
Pro-Gun Ownership
Pro-Fiscal Responsibility
Anti-Socialized healthcare
Anti-PATRIOT Act
How's yer little coordinate doing now?
|
|
|
|
|
hopperhopper
Nov 16, 2007, 5:52 PM
Post #16 of 59
(4119 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 29, 2007
Posts: 475
|
downcycle wrote: Walmart = Imperialism
HEIL HAPPY YELLOW SMILEY!
|
|
|
|
|
downcycle
Nov 16, 2007, 6:04 PM
Post #17 of 59
(4102 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 9
|
I guess I found what I'm looking for, and they go beyond my expectations.
"La Sportiva's goal is to provide durable, high-quality products in a way that respects the environment, as well as the health, safety and dignity of the workers who make our products." - La Sportiva website
OIA Fair Labor Code of Conduct Certified
100% wind powered
Zero-waste policy
They are also dedicated to saving Laurel Knob, which should interest you, ja1484. I also have to say that when you use "libs" as an insult directed at someone pursuing fair trade options, and refer to the green movement, fair trade, vegetarianism, feminism as "goofy stuff," you are aligning yourself with Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly, so it is hard to assume otherwise.
|
|
|
|
|
fenderfour
Nov 16, 2007, 6:10 PM
Post #18 of 59
(4091 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 12, 2005
Posts: 177
|
I think you will find that many climbing/outdoor companies share these beliefs without going over the top to advertise them. They see it as a responsibility, not a marketing tool.
|
|
|
|
|
k.l.k
Nov 16, 2007, 8:40 PM
Post #19 of 59
(4057 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 9, 2007
Posts: 1190
|
downcycle wrote: I have to be honest, I am sort of shocked at some of the responses.
You need to get out more. This has been truly warm and fuzzy by most climbing forum standards.
Most any climbing gear made in western Europe, with mostly western European materials, is likely to meet the occasionally mushy criteria for "Fair Trade" labelling. It also tends to be better designed and better-made than a lot of the stuff made in cheaper locales. The downside is that we have to buy the stuff with our depreciated currency.
I don't believe Acopa flies the FT label, but they appear to be pretty good as well (i.e., all the shoes made in a single factory that actually specializes in shoe production, not just another maquiladora).
It would be nice if more companies followed Patagonia's lead, on the website, documenting the entire production chain from soup to nuts. Really interesting to see where stuff is made, what from, and how, especially when product performance has real consequences.
|
|
|
|
|
ja1484
Nov 16, 2007, 9:04 PM
Post #20 of 59
(4042 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 11, 2006
Posts: 1935
|
downcycle wrote: They are also dedicated to saving Laurel Knob, which should interest you, ja1484. I also have to say that when you use "libs" as an insult directed at someone pursuing fair trade options, and refer to the green movement, fair trade, vegetarianism, feminism as "goofy stuff," you are aligning yourself with Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly, so it is hard to assume otherwise.
Those are goofy things, and Bill O and Rush have far far worse things that they believe in.
Thing is, no one cares about those "causes", not even the people claiming to support them. Do you buy fair trade Gas? Fair trade automobiles? Fair trade everything?
Nah. Too inconvenient. Just get in there when the getting's easy, because then you can pretend you're morally superior. Nice warm fuzzy feeling.
At least I admit I don't care, as opposed to trying to fool myself.
|
|
|
|
|
shockabuku
Nov 16, 2007, 9:35 PM
Post #21 of 59
(4020 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 20, 2006
Posts: 4868
|
downcycle wrote: agreeing that people have the right to not be exploited
Where the hell does an idea like that come from?
|
|
|
|
|
ja1484
Nov 16, 2007, 9:50 PM
Post #22 of 59
(4008 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 11, 2006
Posts: 1935
|
Damned if I know. Exploitation is pretty much what built this country from founding to present-day.
|
|
|
|
|
deane
Nov 16, 2007, 10:58 PM
Post #23 of 59
(3976 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 31, 2006
Posts: 30
|
I'm just giving you a little shit for turning this question into some half assed political forum. Don't mind me.
|
|
|
|
|
ja1484
Nov 16, 2007, 11:21 PM
Post #24 of 59
(3963 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 11, 2006
Posts: 1935
|
deane wrote: I'm just giving you a little shit for turning this question into some half assed political forum. Don't mind me.
Gotta love hand grenades. They can burn a thread to the ground right fast can't they?
|
|
|
|
|
cdrisc
Nov 17, 2007, 12:23 AM
Post #25 of 59
(3937 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 15, 2006
Posts: 11
|
In reply to: Damned if I know. Exploitation is pretty much what built this country from founding to present-day.
right along side the labor movement, and wild ideas like equality
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
