I walked through my custom Chucks a couple weeks ago, so I picked up a pair of black, grey, and white plaid/checkered Chuck Taylor Converse All-Star Hi-Tops (what a name for a shoe!) to hold me over until I could order new shoes. Those shoes have become my gym shoes. I ordered a pair of Adbusters‘ Blackspot Unswooshers. They arrived in the mail just yesterday and I was excited to unpack them.
From the Adbusters site:
The Unswoosher features everything that made the Blackspot Sneaker great - it’s made in a safe, comfortable union factory with environmentally sound, all-vegetarian materials, including 100% organic hemp uppers. But for the boot we’ve been able to take things even farther with soles made from reclaimed used tires. They look pretty wicked, and it’s a great way to take a bite out of an over-abundant waste material. Order online, or stop by a local Blackspot retailer to try them on in person.
The side sticker that you find on most shoe boxes.
The box that they came in with an obvious black spot on it.
The outside of the Unswoosher…on top of my mouse pad.
Another photograph of the Unswoosher with its anti-logo on the side.
The blank side of the Unswoosher.
The toe of the right shoe has a “hand-drawn sweet spot (for kicking corporate ass).”
The heel of the shoe, which is made from the same “vegetarian leather” as the toe cap.
The sole of the Unswoosher is made from recycled tires, which means that it’s strong and leaves a bad ass-footprint. The downside is that it can leave marks on uncarpeted floors.
The top seam on the shoe is sewn on the outside, which may look a little weird, but it’s comfortable on the inside…and it has a soft fuzz :]
The inside of the shoe has a tag that says “Live Without Dead Time” - Vivez sans temps mort, a slogan of May 1968.
Me, TinMan, wearing my new Blackspot Unswooshers.
You can tell from the area of the sole that’s two layers thick that they’re designed to be boot-like.
This tag was tied through a lace hole on the shoes.
My Blackspot Sneaker Shareholder Certificate that came with the shoes. I think it’s a pretty cool idea.
In summary I’ll say that the shoes are costly, but it’s a good feeling to know that your shoes weren’t made in a sweatshop, they are well made, environmentally friendly, and don’t sport the logo of any corporation. It took a couple flights of stairs to break them in so I could walk comfortably in them, but I expected that with the thick hemp canvas and the tire soles. They’re way better than Chucks for the winter, they’ve kept my feet warm and dry so far.
You can find more information on the shoes on their Adbusters page.
October Update
Here are my Blackspot Unswooshers ten months later:
