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Move Over FiveFingers: Biodegradable Footwear by 01M OneMoment

By Ray Hu - December 8, 2011

in Materials | Fashion Design

First things first: I've always been a bit put off by Vibram FiveFingers, the form-fitting, toe-splitting footwear that's intended to approximate bare feet. And by "a bit put off," I mean that I find them borderline criminal.

That said, I'm intrigued by a new offering from a Spanish company called 01M OneMoment, who recently launched their flagship product, a slip-on shoe that is intended to challenge Vibram's monopoly—or pentaphalangy, if you will—on the quasi-barefoot market. It's essentially an ultralightweight latex sock that is distinct from other footwear—five-fingered or otherwise—not only in terms of its appearance but also for its conceptual and technical approach.

01M OneMoment was originally inspired by native Amazonians, "who painted their feet soles with natural latex, obtained on the Hevea trees," as a natural "shoe" that eventually wears off and degrades into the environment. Their shoe comes in at just 1mm thick for the upper and 2mm for the sole, "at least 3mm less than the traditional shoe, which allows for "higher comfort, skin tight feeling and correct breathing all at the same time."

This shoe has been purportedly been years in the making, the brainchild of a "multidisciplinary team of architects, product designers, shoemakers and podologists." The major breakthrough lies in the materials itself, which is molded in a carbon-compensated polymer-injection process (in Spain):01M collection is developed from state of the art high-tech materials as biodegradable plastics, and extremely innovative production techniques, brought from other fields not related to the shoe industry, giving the product high resistance level, elasticity and environmental respect.

Moreover, 01M reaffirms their commitment to environmentalism with the packaging, which is "made from vegetal origin polymers, fossil organic matter, natural fiber and recycled cardboard."

However, perhaps the most salient feature of the product is the pricepoint: at just 10€ a pair, 01M OneMoment shoes come in at a fraction of the price of most lightweight or otherwise tech-y footwear... in fact, they're priced to compete with socks or flip-flops...

Still, I can't help but wonder if the shoes will begin to biodegrade after prolonged use... Anyone tried them yet?

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Annelies Monteyne

8 years ago

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where can i buy these shoes, it looks like they dont sell it anymore on ther site...

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nick lazier

12 years ago

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i just received mines.
Design/ is unique...never seen something like that; fits perfectly; great aspect....now test:
Breathing/ I put it with socks and no problem.
Then the next day, I've been to the supermarket with my 01M (without socks this time)>>>and no sweating.

great item, to let in my car or bag for emergency situations.
cheers.
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Helena

12 years ago

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The text in their website is clever. The same as BodyShop, it does not reveal anything, but sounds ecological and responsible and yes, sort of clever. But in fact, they are not giving any proof of credibility at all. No references, no info about the actual components in their "biodegradable" compound. Nor how does it manage "breathing". Nothing. And hey, one should start thinking when reading this: "packaging made from vegetal origin polymers, fossil organic matter, natural fiber and recycled cardboard." !!! And... The fossil organic matter is... Oil. Ta-daa. And so it goes.
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ARI

12 years ago

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IT IS VERY NICE DESIGN,WE CAN USE IT IN ANY CONDITION,BUT MY QUESTION IS,HOW LONG WE CAN USE THIS SHOES
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Anton

12 years ago

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It seeme like a good enough commercial product. If promoted right it could be the next Crocs. and that's where the problem. To me, the shoes are poorly designed. They look like colorful balloons streched on the foot or Jesters shoes.
Making a package out of vegetal polymers and recycled cardboard does not necessarily means it's a green design.
I don't know... don't see myself wasting a nickel on those things.
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rukka

12 years ago

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At 10 Euro (guessing around $15, but getting less and less every second) I would say they are just for use as slippers or on the beach so teh sweat issue shouldn't be a problem. Also as they scruch up small you could keep them in your bag all day then just slip them on when you get to the beach to stop your feey getting burnt by hot sand or sand getting in your shoes.
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Joe

12 years ago

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Great for barefoot sensation but far away of natural barefoot shape.
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Daniel

12 years ago

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I will try them in the Gym. Must be a nice feeling to leave my heavy sneakers resting in the locker for a change
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Luke

12 years ago

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I get the feeling my feet would get way too sweaty in these shoes. My feet tend to prune up towards the end of the day in my Vivo Barefoot shoes. The toe box also looks rather tight. At that point, I think we might as well just go with the sort of huaraches that the Tarahumara wear.

On the other hand, I do like the idea of using a thin layer of natural latex to wear down and eventually biodegrade. Save for people with latex allergies, it's probably better for you than the plastic and adhesives currently used.
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Jeff

12 years ago

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Give me a half a block jog around the corner and tell me that those things wont be filled with sweat and stink to high heaven.
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nick lazier

12 years ago

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Looks great!
I like the concept of Barefoot sensation.
great item for a very small price!
They talk about a 2X1 this weekend (Dec.09 to12) for Christmas....CHECK IT on their e-store.

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George Garcia

12 years ago

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Does it have any ventilation?
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