In partnership with ZebraOasis
Table of Contents
About ZebraOasis
At home, you probably have a compost bin, a trash can, and a recycling tub. But when it comes to throwing out your old sneakers, which vessel do you choose?
Traditionally made from a mix of polyester, rubber, and sometimes aluminum, while sneakers certainly have some recyclable components, they often get thrown in a landfill at the end of their life.
ZebraOasis does things differently. Not only are their shoes made with a Hemp Flynit upper and recycled CO2 foaming sole, but they also feature a unique design to make them 100% recyclable. What is this unique feature, you ask? The R-ring design separates the upper and the sole of the shoe to make recycling easier.
Founded by Johnny Wen, a master tailor based in Vancouver, the brand is releasing their sneakers in April. I was lucky enough to receive a complimentary pair and got to look at their design firsthand. I took them for a spin around the city and quickly learned how they set themselves apart from other sustainable shoes out there.
In this ZebraOasis shoes review, you’ll read all about my experience with the sneakers, along with an in-depth analysis of their materials and design, feedback, and more. Ready to go? Let’s kick things off with the highlights.
Highlights
- 100% recyclable, sustainable sneakers
- Unisex design
- Dye-free
- Unique R-ring design
- 1-year warranty
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ZebraOasis Shoes Review
Before I get this ZebraOasis shoes review on the road, you should know that at this moment, the brand offers one style of shoe.
To be quite honest, because of how versatile the design is, right now, they only need one style of shoe. A unisex design, I received a white pair in a size 7 (8 women’s). In the coming sections, I’ll tell you all about their fit, feel, features, performance, and more.
First Impressions
When I told my friend I was trying out a pair of sustainable shoes for work, they assumed I would be walking around in sandals made from wood pulp and leaves. Needless to say, they were totally surprised when I showed them my ZebraOasis sneakers, and I was even more surprised when I slipped them on.
I’ll get into the fit and feel of the sneakers in the next section of this ZebraOasis shoes review, but for now, for now, you should know that I had no hiccups in receiving my shoes and that they came in a recycled cardboard box without any additional packaging materials.
I really like that. So often shoes will arrive stuffed with paper and wrapped in plastic which is entirely unnecessary. Right off the bat, I could tell that this brand is on a mission to do better.
Fit & Feel
This is probably going to be my favorite section in this ZebraOasis shoes review to write. Why? Because I had a really pleasant experience trying out these sneakers, and they have become a treasured pair in my weekly line-up.
One of the first things I noticed about these sneakers is how lightweight they are. I’m not a fan of clunky shoes and tend to walk quickly, so needless to say, I really loved wearing these. The size 7, which is actually a women’s 8 was a perfect fit for me and I still had enough room to wiggle my toes around and feel comfortable.
Features
It’s 2023 and sneakers can’t just be sneakers anymore. With 22 billion shoes made each year and hundreds of millions ending up in the garbage, we have a responsibility to choose responsible footwear.
That’s why ZebraOasis shoes are jam-packed with thoughtful features to, not only make wearing them comfortable but also an act of rebellion against waste. Let’s get into the features that make these shoes unique:
- Foldable & machine washable: These shoes are incredibly packable and a must for vacations. If you’re worried about how white they are, they clean up easily in the washing machine too. They’re made without dye (hence the white color) so that no extra pollution is generated during the manufacturing process.
- 100% truly recyclable: The “R” in the R-ring design stands for “reboot,” and when you pull on the string, your shoes will magically come apart so you can recycle them properly.
- Hemp Flyknit upper: The world’s first, to be exact. It’s soft and stretchy and will never give you blisters—I know because I walked around the mall in them for 8 hours. This strong material is breathable and won’t break down as easily as some other sneaker materials will. Hemp is also naturally resistant to UV light and mold, so don’t be surprised if these last longer (and smell better) than other fabric-based shoes in your closet.
- Recycled-CO₂-injected sole: Made from TPU foam, the soles are made with gas-assisted tech that gets rid of the need for toxic chemicals during the foaming process
Comfort & Performance
So I’ve already touched on comfort a bit in this ZebraOasis shoes review, but I want to get into why these shoes are so comfortable. In short, it’s all about the materials and construction. The uppers are made from a stretchy yet form-fitting hemp that’s breathable and light.
The soles are made from recycled CO2-foaming material, and while this material is certainly a good choice for the earth, it’s a great choice for your feet as well.
The combination made me feel like I was supported while walking around the city and truly, I never thought about my feet once (aside from making sure I didn’t get my brand-new white kicks dirty!)—they’re really that comfortable.
As for performance, the ZebraOasis sneakers didn’t let me down during a particularly long shopping day when my mom was visiting. I can’t say that about other shoes such as Converse or even my Adidas. I really liked knowing that what I’m wearing has a positive impact on the planet, and that’s just one more reason why I’d opt for ZebraOasis over other shoes in my closet.
R-Ring Design
The “R” in R-Ring stands for “reboot.” This is because once you’ve worn out the shoes, you can separate them using the unique ring (which is a strong thread that holds them together) and recycle them 100%. In this section of my Zebra Oasis Shoes review, I’ll show you exactly how the shoes are separated and how to do it.
Step 1. Remove the foot cushion
To access the R-Ring, you’ll first need to remove the foot cushion. Underneath, you’ll see a green string that leads around the interior perimeter of the shoe. On the very bottom, there is a pull tab that’s tucked into a clear pocket.
Step 2. Undo the laces
To make things easier, I recommend undoing the laces. This way you’ll have better access to the R-Ring, and it even helps you to see what you’re doing if you’re interested in the magic like I was. This step isn’t necessary since the laces are made of the same biodegradable material as the shoe.
Step 3. Pull the R-Ring tab out from the bottom of the shoe
To get started separating your shoe, you’ll pull out the R-Ring tab that’s securely tucked into the clear pocket on the bottom of the shoe. Get a firm hold of this tab and pull. Note: Mine was very securely stitched into the bottom of the shoe, so I actually had to cut one of the clear fasteners to start the pull. Be careful not to cut the string if you do this.
Step 4: Tug the string to start the thread
Once your R-Ring is officially free and ready to be pulled, start tugging the string. You’ll watch the green zig zag stitch slowly start to disappear before your very eyes. Keep pulling the string and it will remove itself easily.
Step 5: Pull the thread around the entire shoe
Ensure that you have pulled the string completely around the shoe. You should now have a detached string and a fully assembled shoe. Put the R-Ring string aside.
Step 6: Separate the upper from the lower
Here’s the really, really cool part. To separate the shoe, all you have to do is tug the upper part away from the lower. It easily comes apart and you’ll have two individual pieces.
Step 7: Recycle properly
Now that they’re detached, the sole and uppers of the shoe can now be recycled properly. The hemp uppers and laces biodegrade quickly, but if you can find a place that recycles textiles, that’s even better.
Sustainability
Still stunned by the whole 22 billion pairs of shoes fact? It’s true. That amount was made in 2021, and get this: each of these shoes is made from 15-20 different materials.
At the end of their lives, most of these shoes are thrown in the garbage where they’re sent to the landfill to slowly and painfully break down over the next 30-40 years—aside from any aluminum pieces which take 200-500 years.
But that’s not even the biggest issue with the lifecycle of a shoe. The real problem comes in the manufacturing process. These 15-20 materials each have an environmental cost to produce, and when toxic chemicals are used for production, that cost is increased.
That’s why creating a fully recyclable and non-toxic shoe is so important, and why ZebraOasis is a brand worth buying. When pulling on the R-ring, the upper separates from the sole, leaving two pieces to be recycled or broken down the right way.
ZebraOasis Shoes Sizes
ZebraOasis shoes are unisex and offer sizes Z4 to Z13. For Men, that equates to sizes 4 to 13, for women, it’s sizes 5-14. I usually wear an 8 in women’s sneakers, so I was shipped a size 7. They’re perfect. They fit my feet really well with a little wiggle room at the toes—exactly how sneakers should be.
ZebraOasis vs Other Brands
When compared to other sustainable shoes from brands such as Allbirds and Adidas, the ZO sneakers come out on top. They’re the world’s first-ever shoes to be made with 100% hemp Flynit uppers, meaning they’re the easiest to biodegrade.
On top of that, they’re incredibly durable, foldable, breathable, and anti-slip, and have a shoe sole hardness of 40-45c—the perfect range for long hiking which is why I experienced no discomfort when wearing them walking for hours.
As for their performance in extreme weather, the shoe soles are resilient at -10 degrees C. Others are difficult to wear below 6 degrees C. And last but not least, ZebraOasis shoes are 100% recyclable thanks to their R-ring design. When it comes to true sustainability, the choice is easy.
Who Are ZebraOasis Shoes For?
ZebraOasis shoes are for anyone who wants to do better with their footwear and lower their eco-footprint. They have just one versatile design right now that will see you through casual daily wear.
ZebraOasis Shoes Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
At the time I wrote this ZebraOasis shoes review, the brand hadn’t launched their sneakers yet, but I still managed to find a few comments around the web from folks like me testing them out.
A blog called Movies, Games, and Tech featured a ZebraOasis shoes review and talked about how comfortable they are. It read:
“The shoes themselves are extremely comfortable and don’t need any breaking-in period. ZO shoes feature a lightweight and high-performing TPU sole and a durable, breathable hemp mesh upper that are so soft for any types of feet. These materials and design make ZO shoes suitable for all-day wear, including activities like traveling, hiking, and office work.”
I agree that ZebraOasis shoes are super versatile. They have a look that pairs easily with workout clothing, jeans, and even khakis and are just solid, all-around good sneakers to have in your closet.
From the time I put my pair on, they were my shoe of choice for walking around the city, running to the store, and visiting friends. They’re one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own, but more so, they’re easy to wear, put on, and take off.
A ZebraOasis shoes review by Average Joe Cyclist agreed. Their tester said, “I have found them super comfortable to wear, so they have become my go-to house shoes. They should be available for sale in April, so watch out for them! Your pair of ZebraOasis shoes will come with a one-year warranty.”
Not many shoes come with a one-year warranty, and I think that’s awesome because one year is typically the average amount of time you should wear a pair of sneakers (if you’re very active in them). Their warranty assures you know yours will stay in great shape for 365 days, and if they don’t Zebra will send you another pair.
Is ZebraOasis Legit?
Nothing I found during this ZebraOasis shoes review would make me think otherwise. The feedback I did see for the brand was very positive and while customers are thrilled with the fit, feel, and look of these sneakers, they’re in love with the brand even more.
Are ZebraOasis Shoes Worth It?
From the moment I slipped my ZebraOasis shoes on I loved them. They’re lightweight and incredibly comfortable, and I’m really impressed with the R-Ring design, R stands for reboot since once you worn out the shoes and separate them, you can recycle them 100%.
This brand totally breaks the glass ceiling of what sustainable, biodegradable shoes can be, and is a great one to support. ZebraOasis shoes are launching in April, I and I highly recommend getting yourself a pair.
Where To Buy ZebraOasis Shoes
Want to make the switch to a more sustainable shoe? Go to ZebraOasis.com.
FAQ
Who owns ZebraOasis shoes?
Jonny Wen, a master tailor from Vancouver, created and owns ZebraOasis shoes.
Do ZebraOasis shoes run small?
ZebraOasis shoes don’t run small, they just offer one unisex size. That means that men can go ahead and order their regular size and women should choose a size down.
What is ZebraOasis’ Warranty Policy?
When you purchase a pair of ZebraOasis shoes, they’ll come with a 1-year warranty. This warranty protects your shoes from defects in materials and workmanship for 365 days. It does not cover damage sustained by daily wear and tear.
How To Contact ZebraOasis
For any other information not provided in this ZebraOasis shoes review, go to ZebraOasis.com.
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