While I decide whether or not to take GardenRant up on their very kind offer of free Sloggers, I thought it best if I review what I already have. Being ‘green’, I want to make sure that I’m not engaged in mindless consumerism or becoming a slave to the gardening fashionistas.
| Aldo Sandals | Fake ‘Merrells’ | K-Mart Sneaks | |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Description: | Son’s locker room wear during ’01-’02 hoops season | Impulse buy from Walmart clearance bin circa 2003. |
6 months of office attire before called for garden duty |
| Price: | No clue | $12 | $19 |
| Off/On: | No bending involved. | Requires finger at the heal standing on one foot. |
Requires socks, knots — what a hassle. |
| ‘Puttering’: | Perfect | OK | Too much work to put on |
| Shoveling: | Ouch | Light digging | Pogo in tight soil |
| Mowing: | Too slick | Eh | Perfect |
| Snow: | Dusting to 1″ | Up to 3″ | Up to 6″ |
| Temperature: | > 25F | > 10F with socks | Down to -10F |
| Smell factor: | Funky but cleans up nicely | Amorphophallus in flower | Biohazard |
| Other uses: | Walking the dogs, ‘visiting Quito’ | Considered evening wear in Ithaca | Rodent repellent |
Craig, that is outstanding! Way better than Consumer Reports. And a word about real Merrell’s – the overpriced pair I have started falling apart at the seams within 6 months – No shit!! It’s fakes for me from now on. (Even if I weren’t cheap, which I am.)
Nicely done.
This MIGHT BE the greatest blog post ever posted.
Hank
LOL!!!!
This just settles my opinion. Lawn hazards or not, I’ll stick with my bare feet. *grin*
Hilarious! Hmm….you’ve got all the basic garden uses covered. What would you use the Sloggers for? Besides just flat-out fashion, of course….
Craig,
This is the first post that I’ve ever smelled.
Julie
Julie: I’ll take that as a compliment. I guess.
Colleen: They’d be good for really dressy occasions in this funky town — weddings, funerals, graduations etc.
This is hilarious – and extremely well-done. You could get this into a peer-reviewed journal I think.
I could send you biohazard signs for the sneakers. We’re approved as a BSL-2 facility…hmmm. Those shoes might get you up to a BSL-3 level.
Craig: I think there is a mouse in those K Mart tie ups! I think you big win was very timely and no one needs those sloggers more than you!!! LOL
Sharp eyes Layanee. That’s actually a leaf. Biohazards are relegated to the porch all winter, which is a veritable leaf eddy. I did once live in a house where the mice would steal dog food and fill my boots with kibbles.
And Pam: I’ll ship the sneaks to you when they reach BSL-3. Your students might make some amazing discoveries culturing them.
Good god. Take the sloggers.
I agree with Susan — I have a pair of Merrells, and they’re literally the worst shoes I’ve ever owned. I spent almost as much on insoles to try to make them wearable as I did on the shoes. No forefoot cushioning at all.
They make my feet hurt even when all I do is walk around the garden. Feh.
I’m looking forward to the Sloggers. I jam my feet into a pair of LL Bean gum boots just because they’re handy.
Sweat pants and gum boots: the height of Maine fashion!
hahaha- my gardening shoes have become every pair of shoes that I own that I will wear in the summer, sandals included. My husband freaks out when I wear sandals when using a shovel, but hey, I like to live dangerously!
Great post!
Loved your garden shoe review!
I have a similiar collection, but must admit I own a pair of Sloggers clogs – got them in spring 07 for half off. They’ve become my garden shoe of choice, easy on and off, sturdy and can hose ’em off. (yeah I know, I sound like an ad for Sloggers.)
Except for serious digging, then I get out the steel shank boots. Learned that one the hard way.
Very nice! Even grosser than my gross Birkis!
My feet has started to hurt after working in the garden so I need some expert advice here: I work several days a week in gardens other than my own, so this has to be serious working shoes. Sneaks may not good enough anymore.
I fear the slip-ons may not give enough support.
Thanks for any advice.