Inexpensive, and feels like it
If I am two things, one is cheap and the other is mildly environmentally conscious. So, after my Skechers bit the dust (never buying another pair), I was in the market for a casual shoe which didn't top $50. So, lo and behold, I came across these shoes on Amazon. Both aspects of my personality were piqued.
So it's made out of a snow tire, right? That must be soft...
Well, one thing to know is that these shoes run small. I ordered a 10, and it is more like a 9. So it's too tight at the outset. Which wouldn't be an issue if the materials are soft and yielding... which they most certainly are not. All sorts of seams and nubbins inside the shoe seemed to be tearing into my feet (this is with socks, I'm not one of those sockless shoe-hippies), which did not diminish after several wearings (I should point out, I'm not some sort of uber-sensitive shoe person, either. I buy regular old shoes like Skechers, New Balance, and Rockport. So my perceptions of discomfort are not coming from someone who needs special orthopedic shoes or has some sort of pain disorder).
The deal breaker, however, is the sole and insole. Far from being soft and cushioning, the rubber sole feels like it isn't there - in a bad way. The insole offers little to no arch support, and does not help to absorb any shock. After walking for 30 minutes in these shoes, my feet ached like nobody's business.
So, on the pro side: they're cheap, the concept is nice, recycling bottles and tires and so on. They look decent enough.
On the con: They run small, they are uncomfortable both on the sole and on the foot in general.
I just can't recommend these shoes to anyone who is seeking cheap, good shoes, or eco-friendly shoes. It's just not ethical to suffer for the planet like this. The "carbon cost" in podiatry appointments and equipment more than offsets any gain from recycling.
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