LAKAT Sneakers review: How comfortable are sustainable shoes?
There are more ways to live a sustainable lifestyle nowadays—from minimizing waste by opting for reusable straws, utensils, and bottles to riding bikes. Aside from these habits, did you know you could also make your closet more eco-friendly?
LAKAT Sneakers lets you put your best eco foot forward. These Philippine-made shoes are crafted from sustainable materials such as pineapple fibers.
On paper, these shoes sound great—not only are you helping save the planet with every step you take, but you're also supporting local weavers and farmers in Negros and Mindanao. But how do these sustainable sneakers fare on the streets when it comes to style and comfort?
Box/packaging
Typically, when I buy new shoes, they come in a crisp paper bag and a big box. LAKAT Sneakers take a more eco-friendly approach with this. The shoes came in a tote bag and had cardboard wrapped around them.
Materials and design
The sneakers don a simple, minimalistic design reminiscent of other canvas sneakers in the market, which makes them easy to pair with any outfit. The shoes I got to try out came in the Raw White colorway and I can see myself wearing these for casual and maybe even business casual occasions since they've got a clean look to them.
The shoe itself is very light since its upper is a thin, cloth material made of pineapple and cotton fiber. LAKAT says this upper is water repellant, and since these sneakers are white, getting them wet in situations like rain would be a nightmare.
I tried pouring water over the shoe and true to the brand's promise, it fell right off. However, some water did leak between the tongue so my sock still got soaked.
The shell toe, as well as the outsoles, are made of rubber locally farmed in Mindanao. The other parts of the shoe come in one color but the sole dons a cool blue hue, which is a nice touch since white outsoles get very dirty over time.
Coming to the top, you have a standard lacing system with flat laces and underneath is the tongue which is also made of pineapple and cotton fibers.
Looking inside the shoe, you'll be greeted by the LAKAT Sustainables branding then at the heel tab is the brand's logo.
Fit and sizing
For the pair that I got, the LAKAT Sneakers are true to size. They also offer half sizes, which is great for those who like wearing shoes that have a little more room in the toe area.
When I think of comfort, my mind doesn't really go to cloth sneakers. I know they can be pinchy at times by the Achilles and cause blisters. Additionally, in my experience, shoes of this kind are not as durable as rubber ones. So far, though, these sustainable sneaks have been a delight to wear except for the first few times. I got blisters at first, but this is usually fixed by wearing longer socks.
I was surprised by the amount of cushioning the foam in the soles provided. They made the fit snugger. However, I feel like over time and over constant use, the insoles will get worn out, flattened, and they might need replacing.
And this is all up to taste, but I wish the shoelaces were a bit shorter. They look a bit clunky and distract from the minimalistic look.
The verdict
Style-wise, the LAKAT Sneakers are a versatile pair that you can wear on the street thanks to the simple yet clean design. The shoes are also pretty comfortable to wear as your everyday beaters.
At the end of the day, what makes these shoes stand out is how they're made. You're not only saving the planet but also supporting local weavers and farmers.
Whether you're thinking of beginning living sustainably or wanting to take your eco-friendly lifestyle to the next level, these sneakers are a step in the right direction.
LAKAT Sneakers come in two styles. You can get the low-cut version in raw white, pink, olive green, and black for P3,960, while the high-cut shoes, in either black and raw white, go for P4,220. Shop the collection at www.creativedefinitions.com/collections/natural-fibers.
