SubzeroAK
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Guy Invents Sandals That’ll Grow 5 Sizes In 5 Years To Help Millions Of Poor Children
Article: http://www.boredpanda.com/shoe-that-grows-adjustable-sandal-kenton-lee/
Since most of you seem to like this, feel free to explore some ways you can help out. :) https://www.theshoethatgrows.org/be-involved.html
CatsPitBullsAndBooksOhMy
how the fuck didn't anyone think of this before? how many too-small shoes are lying in landfills? this is awesome!
fairybug
Somebody show these to Bill Gates -- totally his style to invest in something like this.
Warranty
He needs to patent!
eagleeye33
How do I donate? Here TAKE MY MONEY!
dbrsong
So, the shoe grows for a five year period? Wow! ... I know, I know, I'll shut up. This is truly an awesome idea though.
ganjapudding
Amazing
ChernoGamma
fucking BRILLIANT
nouseforanameforthisshit
*not available in alaska
SubzeroAK
Alaska isn't the place that needs them. ;)
Danimal2018
That's amazing!
StrawmanPuncher
But why does it take 5 years to grow?!
maximuminnovationstevejobs
Wondering the same thing right now...
kentrik
See if Vibram can prototype a sole so that they're super durable. That would be amazing.
Kumatora
You GO Andrew W.K!
MetalSkeletal
See! These are the ideas that make me realise how frigging dumb I am. I'm gonna go back to back to being ordinary now.
doberdork
Serioysly this guy gets major brain points.
cheerflpessimst
And you get major spelling points....
strawberrymilkshakes
This is so ingenious. As a mother of two, I would do filthy things for this to be on the market
SubzeroAK
Like... Just bear with me here... Clean a kitchen?
strawberrymilkshakes
I would clean up a bedroom after a pornshoot
TetraNordeh
Some family friends run an orphanage in Africa. When they were first starting, we sent them entire boxes of off-brand Crocs. They're 1/?
TetraNordeh
hideous shoes but they're cheap,the rubbery material held up better than foam flip-flops,and were easier to clean than cloth or leather. 2/2
IAmLobstronomous
I would fund it.
Puskin
This guy. We need more of him. Someone make more of him, please.
JessSchwarze
Check out these shoes that ONLY BILLIONAIRES BUY!
jpifer88
I really hope someone rich puts a ton of money behind these
yomdiddy
Apple has enough cash stores up in the bank that they could buy everyone in the world a pair of these sandals and have enough leftover (1/2)
protanopia
I really hope a ton of average people put a little money into these.
Wahoomcdaniel
Agreed. Fund me?
thatmanmoe
And not turn it into a commercial venture.
InSovietRussiaNudesSendYou
"Yes, Mr. Gates, what do you think about shoes that keep growing?" - investor, probably.
Pumpkinbot
Meanwhile, the Wal-Mart family sits on their mountain of cash and chuckles at the poor people.
StarrryNight
Fuck Wal-Mart
FastRedPonyCar
The 2nd gen Walton family are scum. First generation gave massive amounts of their fortune to charity :(
otebear
I figure the Gates Foundation might support it, though they recently seem fixated on malaria and agriculture.
LizardEnterprises
Well, those are the two biggest issues. Also polio. But I'm sure they have a couple million lying around they could throw at this.
otebear
I don't know; they rejected my friends' grant request for some really promising West Nile Virus research.
ArcaneM37
These coukd greatly benifit agriculture. I was shocked when I visited Zambia to find that women and children do all the harvesting barefoot.
WhatStinks
Normal shoes would do just the same for adults. These shoes are ideal for kids whose feet grow very fast.
ArcaneM37
Indeed. the kids there tended to own one pair of shoes, but they only wore them to church on Sunday and worked barefoot. shoes are precious.
TheVampireDante
I could see Ewan McGregor getting into this, does a fair bit of charity work when he has the time, funding a project like this? I'd say so.
GalacticaPegasusValkyrie
Ewan McGregor is my favourite celebrity. Generous, intelligent, and ridiculously good-looking.
takeacatnap
No mention of his giant dong? Come on.
therogueduchess
Plus the man can SING.
TomatoKetchupForPrimeMinister
Classic Scot
OneEyedTrouserCatsnake
I went to the website and clicked on "Fill a Duffle". Saw that they were all sent already. First time I've ever been happy to see 1/2
cbarbz
They're back in stock now!
OneEyedTrouserCatsnake
Something say "Out of Stock". Gives me a little hope for humanity.
riking28
Also, what you're supposed to do is sell them to the kids for $0.10 each, so that it doesn't feel like a handout. Psychology!
PinkJellyBeanToes
Fisher-Price roller skates without wheels
Idonthavealottosay
Those were so uncomfortable
thegriffin88
Yesss, I had those too. Managed to do a wicked faceplant with 'em. #1 kid, that wasn't me.
USPS
Sounds awesome, I hope they physically last that long in that environment
cattywumpus
If you make them out of decent leather and something really tough, like Vibram for the soles, they'll last. *Looks at 5 yo Keen sandals*
swimnerd86
The point is not only will they last, but also grow with the kid. Most kids outgrow their shoes long before they wear them out
RandomCulturalReference
My sandals will be 10 this year, I wish there would be an odometer in them.
sparkledick
My Chacos turn 7 in a few months. People may hate on the fashion choice, but they're the best shoes I've ever owned.
anomaly23
I had a pair of Reebok sandals for 15 years.
mattituuude
Nasty
anomaly23
Well I cleaned them. Obviously.
youonlyseetheworldyoumake
My nomadic state of mind rope sandals are 9 years old. They're not ideal for rainy days, but I usually wear them anyway.
BlueShwagger
I've had my pair of Danner boots for 8 years now. Steel toe work boots that I've used for hunting, hiking, fishing, etc. Love 'em.
IDontSeeEnoughDarkTowerOnImgur
I've had my flippy floppies for nine years now.
quattrobajeena
What about your swim trunks?
IDontSeeEnoughDarkTowerOnImgur
I had to buy new ones, since I've gained 20 lbs. Thanks for the reminder...
walkingtallmachinegunman
5 years? Ive had my current pair of vibram sole combat boots on for about 1 year and the treads are just about bald.
HypoMix
I love Keens
MyHorseAteMyPaycheck
I have a pair of heavily-worn leather riding boots that are 14-ish years old. They're faded, but not even a crack on them. Good ol' Ariats.
[deleted]
[deleted]
cattywumpus
Those would last a REALLY long time.
Gunslinger11999911
You are not alone there!
forgottenlawngnome
Whew, I wasn't the only one...
BigBlackNaginta
The soles of my combat boots are vibram and I've worn them everyday for 2 years. They're so durable that they still haven't broken in.
DarthFirebolt
I trashed a pair in just 2 summers of commercial mowing. The sole wore out and chunked off, but the upper is just fine.
erichwithanh
Yea my 5 year old runs through shoes in 3 months..
ConnorWuff
Buy them better shoes, then. Although almost all shoes in those sizes are awful so....
erichwithanh
I'm open to suggestions... So far the best were a tiny pair of jordans and those lasted about 5 months.
ConnorWuff
What size?
captainclutch
You're supposed to run IN them not THROUGH them
SweetBabyJesusBaconFlavoredNutellaMountainDewApplePieMooQuack
Noting some twine can't fix.
Marrgo
Worn out shoes is better than no shoes though.
telkanuru
I'm guessing the kind of people who need these have a different definition of "worn out" than you do.
erichwithanh
When you put it like that it does sound like a 1st world problem.
Kooks
i think he's referencing the kid's feet growing more than the shoe wearing down
saboten13
I don't think he/she is
ThatsPermanent
A way better solution than foot binding. That got out of hand.
Alisa2
Heh
grufflesia
fortunately they brought it to heel
Killerby
Foot binding was never a "solution" to anything. It was an unhealthy practice in the name of beauty.
ThatsPermanent
Agreed. Beauty and the subjection of noblewomen, who were used as marriage pawns to transfer wealth and unite families. 1/2
ThatsPermanent
2/2 Lower classes copied the practice (a growing standard of beauty) to advance socially. A dark, crippling topic. My apologies for the joke
WhyWouldYouBelieveMeMyPantsAreOnFire
this is such a head-smackingly obvious solution. +1 for this guys ingenious idea.
helgasinclair
So thinkable, it was unthinkable
Jokrfatz
*smeg-head
[deleted]
[deleted]
Katzendaugs
Looks like children to me, you simple fuck.
WhyWouldYouBelieveMeMyPantsAreOnFire
holy shiiiiiiiiit top comment
halyeahboy
someone get this guy a plaque. or a medal... yeah! a medal!
satanismybitch
I would have made them out of McDonalds French Fries. Because they're fucking delicious.
stackoverflo
...I don't think it works like that
PlutoForPresident2016
umm.... *scratches head*
GQBound
Tske that, Toms!
UsChickens
-1 for your head-smacking inability to punctuate above a middle-school level.
PoppinLochNessHopster
TIL: we are writing important documents here, documents that need to be perfect.
UsChickens
TIL: it's okay to be a poorly educated idiot as long as you use the excuse "No one cares on the internet".
PoppinLochNessHopster
TIL not being a pretentious blowhard = uneducated. Enjoy your fedora.
UsChickens
Enjoy not knowing the difference between a Fedora and a Trilby. Stay in school, kids.
WhyWouldYouBelieveMeMyPantsAreOnFire
how'd you get to be so cool?
dannykings37
I had roller blades that did this.
Idonthavealottosay
Those were so uncomfortable
dannykings37
I don't remember mine to be that bad.
echocall
I had those too! I also watched "Brink!" more than I'd like to admit
Katzendaugs
I'm sure people have thought of it before. It's not a profitable idea. The world is lucky a selfless guy thought it, too.
poochyena
Thats what i thought. Poor children isn't exactly a great target audience for if you want to make money.
sippinonorphantears
tru
itsamazing
it is based on an idea that's 1000s of years old. Until Early Modern history most shoes did this. The only problem was down to durability
MisssChanandlerBong
Well when you look at the success of toms, it's possible he could make out pretty well. It's all about the marketing.
NedDanson
I totally agree. Most companies manufacture "affordable" goods with planned obsolescence in mind, building something to last is unheard of.
TheatreStreet
Lets do it
Nize426
Also probably has to do with whether or not the material the shoe is made out of will actually last 5 years.
ListenHereYouLittleShit
You know what they do in resource poor countries when a shoe rips or sole gives out? They fix it. Not throw it away, but fix it.
thegriffin88
I'd like to think he thought of that. For the sake of the kids, y'know?
Nize426
I'm sure that that's probably the second thing they considered after thinking of the design. Having buttons is always risky though.
DeadyBearr
It's still cheaper because it's a one size fits all kind of deal.
IDontSeeEnoughDarkTowerOnImgur
Even if it lasts 2-3 years, it's an improvement.
mzxrules
depends. will the shoe actually last 5 years?
Nadas
Will they?
krauraurgg
Ask again in five years and we might have an answer.
WhatStinks
This is good for children, since they grow very fast.
footfistartkickpunchsing
I could see it lasting maybe 2 or 3 tops, but if they wear it every day...
comtruce
That's the first thing I thought too. So many points of failure on the shoe...
VandalKhrome
Not if you're hunting gazelles to survive. Was that racist? Yeah... it's racist.. sorry not sorry. I'm an asshole drunk.
dancfontaine
don't call yourself an asshole or you'll begin believing it.. and I think other people did just now as well
klubai4
Running after gazelles doesn't seem like a useful survival plan to begin with.
Idonthavealottosay
The sole and the straps might break
elijohud
I think this is a brilliant idea, but I'm curious, any trick stuff that's supposed to help the sandals last that long without wearing out?
gayorstraightboobsaregreat
Quality of materials I'd wager.
telkanuru
I'm guessing the kind of people who need these have a different definition of "worn out" than you do.
HellaDonkeys
They also have to wear the same one pair of shoes every day most likely.
elijohud
Undoubtedly. I was thinking along the lines of clasps and straps breaking.
nevermakesagoodid
There is no way the claps or straps are going to last that long. I know that I had clasp on studded bracelets start rusting in a month. :c
fouroneone
Use brass, instead of steel, and it won't rust, use harder rubber for the soles, leather straps with added stitching around stress points.
nevermakesagoodid
Well, I I now feel really stupid.Not only I was being a negative nancy but I forgot the simple fact that there are different metals.
AussieBen
SHOE COMPANIES HATE HIM: Click here to find out why!
eromitlab
Learn more about this (1) weird trick discovered by a mom
ImNotAnActorIJustPlayOneOnTV
Fuck. Why did I click this.
satanismybitch
Bong hits and cheetos fed this great mind.
Tabatas
I clicked. smh
THEBESTUSERNAMEINTHEWHOLEWIDEWORLDEVERSINCETHEBEGINNINGOFTIME
I've been clicking for three goddamned hours! What is the reason why?!
jjschim15
Still trying to find out why...
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ImNotAnActorIJustPlayOneOnTV
5753797457631752 visa 11/16 numbers on the back are 259
BoondockSaintsFan
The first person to comment here fucked us. Now everyone's gonna click here.
7isMagic
But just wait til you see what he does next!!!
KlokwerkSolja
Lol
yesthisisjoe
Immediately thought of this. Great minds!
Eclaircissement
THIS ONE SIMPLE TRICK...
ominousdusk
These poor kids had no shoes, but what this man made for them will bring you to tears!
Hurrrrrrrrr
Check out these shoes that ONLY BILLIONAIRES BUY!
QuiGonRum
I clicked here but couldn't find out why
nednerb
Every time.... Every damn time I think of a witty comment I check and it's already there.
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pentameter
Do you work for buzzfeed?
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DearAbbi
that user name tho
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ThatLemonStealingHorse
He puts his milk in BEFORE his cereal.
thatstightbutthole
Okay calm down- buzzfeed may hate him but he's not Satan.
CaptainMooregan
Well I hate buzzfeed so...
thatstightbutthole
Buzzfeed sucks tiny herpes penis
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CaptainMooregan
Goddammit. +1
SepiaSkies
I have strong feelings about this. It's a brilliant idea, but as far as I can tell, their distribution/business model depends on donation(1)
ZOMGNO
the growth of the community. Employment is a valuable thing. Including the community in the supply chain is always a fantastic idea.
Cheomesh
Commenting here for later review.
UnpleasantOne
This should be the top comment. My immediate first thought.
UnpleasantOne
Also, a good read on this issue: Dead Aid
ZOMGNO
I like the start-up ventures being donation-based, but they should be done in conjunction with manufacturing or teaching in the country and
SepiaSkies
Agreed. Our first products were donated until we began integrating the community in manufacturing.
ZOMGNO
ultimately handed over to the communities to continue with, maintain & produce. Like you said, long-term it is unsustainable & unhelpful for
WoahShocksMyBrain
I've lived and worked in some very poor countries, and honestly I think the biggest issue with this model is aesthetics.1/2
WoahShocksMyBrain
Doesn't matter how poor people are, how they look is important. Nobody ever wore the free toms because they were ugly/cheap plastic.
SepiaSkies
Oh totally. The poor have to be treated as customers who deserve to be delighted, not as charity cases who should be happy with scraps.
SepiaSkies
(2)Ultimately, donated shoes suffer the same problem as Toms - free stuff displaces employment of cobblers. Cobbling becomes less attractive
HypoMix
I'm glad i'm not the only one thinking this.
SepiaSkies
(3)And so local manufacturing jobs dry up. It's not sustainable. Real solutions integrate host countries in manufacturing/distribution.
thewildplum
I think the kids these shoes are going to would either have these shoes or NO shoes. Not these shoes OR locally hand made shoes.
SepiaSkies
In developing countries, kids aren't getting the shoes they need. We agree. But handouts don't address WHY they aren't getting shoes.
thewildplum
True, "free trade, not aid" and all that. In the mean time tho, while we sort that out, lets send shoes.
SepiaSkies
(4) The tech is genius, but unsustainable w/o external donations, and frankly, rich western countries have short attention spans.
SepiaSkies
(5) To learn more: http://www.globalenvision.org/2013/04/02/toms-shoes-and-conscious-consumerism%E2%80%99s-3-biggest-sins
6footdildo
i like Muhammad Yunus nobel prize winning idea of giving out small loans to entrepreneurs who can't get them from the bank
DyslexicAgnostics
Exactly what I was thinking when I saw this. There's a documentary thats gaining momentum called Poverty inc. It outlines this perfectly.
kawaiibrah
YES. EXACTLY. It is good. It is well meant. But it's the exact reason "free humanitarian aid" is not all good. Latent dysfunctions arise.