That reminds me of when Crocs was going to donate shoes to the survivors of the earthquake in Japan, and someone in the comments wrote "Haven't they suffered enough"?
It's actually refreshing to hear a story where there was no corruption. I half way expected some aspect to this report to include some illegal, sketchy, or white collar crime, and apparently the company has done what it said it would and simply run the course of usual consumer economics. Ultimately, it's maintained integrity with its mission. No malice, just regular ups & downs of business. Props to Toms! I wish the company more success.
But think about all the companies that started giving back because of Tom's... That is what really matters. That was blake's heart from the get go. He succeeded!
lol I used to hangout with some of the Tom’s inters in santa monica circa 2009 and they were all girls, mostly 18-22, and attractive. Blake would scoop up one or two at the end of the night in his porsche 356. he seems to like the less bright ones, and big boobs. He’s a grade a fake slactavist in love with capital just like bill gates, that stupid wework guy or that theranos woman. fake garbage people.
@@loralubimaia2783 a few of the tom’s interns lived in playa vista next to the EA Sports headquarters and we used to go to this sh t dive in SM called o’brien’s. They may have been the only southern christian i’ve known in La. but you shouldn’t believe anything you read on the internet.
V3M2 because it’s a company with variety, brand recognition, and good quality shoes at a good price with wide distribution. I wonder why you ask dumb questions but I don’t care to stick around to find out.
PlatinumBladeStudios Well just picture the Jeffrey Campbell lita platform heels or those studded loafers with colourful skinny jeans. Imagine ugly wedge sneakers with galaxy print leggings. Large headbands with big bows, ripped denim. Cold shoulder shirts, badly coordinated fast fashion from forever21 where the seams don’t line up and things rip within hours. Those horrible flimsy khaki green parkas that always looked wrinkled. Let’s not bring it back because I don’t miss it at all. If you miss it that badly just tie a flannel around your waist, wear some black leggings and put on some Keds and call it a day.
I bought a pair of Toms regular sneaker style shoes back in like 2014 and I actually loved them. They were fairly comfortable and actually lasted a few years before I finally had to stop wearing them because they had worn out too much. I honestly thought they were still popular lol but I guess I’m just getting older and slowly out of touch with what’s considered cool now haha.
I wear those style of shoes , sure for long walk its bad i like them bec i buy them, for like 5-10$ and it last more tham 12 months AND its light and feels like a sandal lol mines are not ToMs but i think copys with no logo
A few years … I never had a pair that lasted longer than 6 months, but the buy one give one kept me buying them. But not any more I’m afraid, I like hey dude shoes better … but they’re as disposable as well.
I remember an analysis that explained how these systems are actually pretty bad for the communities they are trying to help. Effectively, they displace the local manufacturers, which harms their economy.
well if 70%+ of that community walks around without shoes then I'd say that communities/cities local manufacturers weren't doing too well to begin with
@@illegalwaffel6435 the answer isn’t to make something some people were happy paying and giving it away for nothing. When people assume shoes are free, there zero future market. that’s bad for business
@@illegalwaffel6435 Short term it helps put shoes on people's feet, but long term it doesn't help the community or country as a whole to the point where people don't need to wait for free shoes in order to not go barefoot. It's the same with food or any donated item, local farmers can't compete with free rice being flown in all the time, so they just do subsistence farming or stop farming altogether because there's no point. So the population grows but they never thrive.
@@illegalwaffel6435 plenty of ppl in those places go barefoot by choice, they have shoes but just save them for work and school so they last longer. Around the neighborhood they go barefoot.
that "one for one" promotion contributed to ruining economies in Africa. When you donate shoe's to Africa, it takes away demand for local companies that produce shoes in these poorer regions. They lose business, and the economy takes a hit. It's not just shoes; don't donate anything to poor countries that already have businesses for that. Instead, donate money to those companies so they can succeed and provide jobs that help these economies
Well there is an interview with Blake where they tell him that he is actually putting cobblers out of work and he was heartbroken. Since then he has actually moved manufacturing to these countries and underdeveloped countries so he can provide both shoes to people who need them and jobs to create the shoes.
Jonathan Bechtold It was still problematic though, unfortunately. Ultimately, they still put local shoe manufacturers out of business for a larger, Western-based chain. The documentary Poverty Inc talks about companies like Toms and it’s a really good watch!
Sounds like the company was aware of this and tried to make changes to help them better - I can't say that they're necessarily an evil company when they made an effort to do that
Yeah a lot of people don’t realize this. Especially people who go on mission trips. They buy a $1,000 plane ticket, tell the citizens that they’ll build them a school and try to make them leave their own religion, then leave and post pics on Instagram of random kids like they’re a hero. Nothing gets done. They have people there already who can build homes and schools and make clothes. It’s like colonialism part 2
@@ravigopinathan2835 I mean did you watch the video? Tom's kept expanding its giving initiatives but didn't pivot its sales model which cut into its profit margins................
Are you drunk? He fooled millions of ppl into thinking that starving kids need “made in china shoes.” vs food. Calloused feet need food, not crappy shoes.
I love how these corporations copied this idea & the charity aspect of it because it basically shows they could’ve done something similar long ago but it took a competitor being thrown into the mix to push them to do so. For that reason, I would give Toms my money because the company’s heart was always in the right place while the others just wanted to regain some of their lost revenue.
There are a few shoe brands with less recognition that use flat soles and flexible uppers. Xero and Lems are two that I like. Lems has better design, but they're less durable.
@@Cococonutt I think Miholu meant to say most convenient cuz it's easy to slip on, not that bad looking, and really comfortable for shoes made out of canvas and low sole.
I just bought 3 pairs of TOMS today as I remember owning a pair about 10 years ago and loved how versatile they were but did find them overpriced back then.
They were overpriced, but I loved how a kid was getting shoes and I got a comfy pair to boot. I suppose I could have just given without buying, but I needed shoes anyway, why not Toms? I still have them.
I used these in high school, but they didn’t last long and if you didn’t wear socks they stunk, and they were sold out a lot. So I moved on to leather again and vans.
Orianna Stad i wear vans’ all the time i got dozens of those no-show socks. Some of them are really cheap and bad quality but some of them are really comfy. Even the thought of wearing shoes without socks makes me feel disgusted .
I didn't realize Toms had a financial problem. Everyone I know has at least 5 pair and buys them regularly. I have everything from their regular shoe to the higher end boots, I literally just got another pair of their sneakers today. They are super comfortable and last forever.
I'm in Ireland and honestly half of us girls in secondary schools wear black/navy Tom's w the school uniform. We definitely make up the majority of the market lol
@@01dirtydirk you want charitable people to have the money, unfortunately most of it goes to selfish elitists wanting to fund their own self interests and ridiculous life styles which many of them were born into and didn't earn.
@@TheBeanHome I think they meant he wouldn’t be a multimillionaire if he wasn’t in it for the money enough that he donated his money along with his company giving away those shoes. Which is very different from “being successful”
@@fernandorisso1494 yo si escuche de !a marca porque ese mismo año estaba creando mi marca de alpargatas! Nació Tom y se dificultó muchísimo para los que estábamos gestionando la idea! Patentaron afuera, fue un quilombo! Pero si las presentaron acá pero eran carisimas! Yo deje la idea! Y al año nació la otra marca ... Páez algo asi
@@fernandorisso1494 y para ser sincera, no t NGO idea si llegaron los famosos pares gratis acá! Ojala! Igual la idea de una alpargatas es algo básico cómodo y accesible! Pero toms sslian un huevo
rose novel you do know that America basically makes the world run right ? Oh you didn’t... if America’s economy goes to shit so does the worlds, whether you agree or not it’s a FACT.
fun fact: giving away shoes does not help the people he is giving the shoes to. The reason they are happy is that as kids, they don't understand. The problem is that by giving away free shoes he makes domestic-made shoes useless. Therefore, "Tom" made people even poorer. People in need don't need shoes, the tools to make food and a living, not $1 shoes, yes the shoes they give away are worth $1. edit: I am not saying that what tom is doing is out of hate or anything, I actually think he has the right idea. But the problem is that he is giving them fish when what they really need is a fishing rod and some bait.
I mean if the shoes are made there, and the people are paid to make them, then not really. If they are made in China, and then given by the millions to people in the Philippines, then yeah its gonna crash the domestic shoe market.
I think for millennials Toms (at least for me) was one of the first brands we were exposed to that made supporting ethical companies cool, switching our brains to start caring for the future. I think they’ve made an awesome impact at least in creating a marketable charitable business model
My mom got me my first TOMS in 2007! She heard about it from an NGO she worked with. Sadly, giving to others is very hard to do especially when competitors can make cheaper shoes. It probably also hurt the local shoe manufacturers in the countries he worked with. I think that's why the company almost went bankrupt. But, I loved the shoes and it lasted for 10 years! I bought some more because it actually allows the foot to maintain a more natural posture very similar to walking barefoot. I love how comfortable they are and have hiked wearing Toms 😅
Not all of toms are $50. You can find some for $30 and you’re helping another when you buy your pair for that price. You’re not giving another when you buy it for $3
Westielover Well you can buy a $3 pair for yourself and use the other $47 to donate another 15 pairs of $3 shoes. In the end, Toms is a brand. At their peak, most people were willing to pay that price for the brand. The one for one program just made them feel better about wasting that amount of money on canvas shoes.
I appreciate that he actually cared enough to find other ways to make an impact in people's lives and see what methods are actually more helpful. But I feel like there isn't a future for Tom's anymore.
I thought that they fell out of fashion because of some scandal, but it's nice to see that they kept their promise and continue to do good, while evolving.
These shoes were what the cool kids wore when I was in high school. I finally got a pair for Christmas my senior year and wore them to death. But the fad faded quickly after that.
As a Chilean myself, those shoes never were popular here because real alpargatas are more sturdy. My grandma used those and were more comfortable than flip-flops. The sole is made of hemp rope. Making it the perfect shoe for summer. But I prefer to spend more money and buy a pair of leather shoes so nobody step on my toes at the metro.
Fun fact tom shoes only cost like 4 dollars to make and donating shoes to Africa would just help hurt the African economy in textiles and help bankrupt shoe companies
I'm from Argentina and I literally forgot alpargatas ever existedddd lol they were the comfiest "shoes" of them all, I haven't seen them in so long tho 🤔
Lol I remember when Toms were popular They’re comfortable and I always wore mine with no show socks to prevent smelly smelly shoes I had no idea they made things other than shoes If anyone wants toms, they sell them for much cheaper at Nordstrom rack
Guys, these shoes are traditional Argentinian alpargatas, this is a company that is getting a lot of profit... I'm Argentinian and here some good quality alpargatas cost like 4 or 5 dollars. And the designer ones around 10 dollars. Those prices are insane!
I remember in the other video about this "buy one give one" scheme actually ruins the economy because it could make a shoe company in Africa struggling to sell a shoes.
@@bngr_bngr you can be a local shoe maker when some american company is coming in an giving away shoes, just the same as being a car dealer in Congo and GM coming in and giving out free cars
My problem is Toms was always that they weren't supportive. I have a bad back, so that's really important for me. I wasn't willing to pay $50 for a shoe that made my back hurt.
@@shayslay3416 In defense of Crocs at least they are very original and most people know it, toms don't seem special and most places out of Us don't even know wtf is a Toms
Just make the bottoms super squishy so old people and nurses can use them all day and lower the price. Forget the donating thing since even their study said it did nothing.
Here in Argentina people really only use them as house slippers or to doddle around in the garden. They aren't meant to be worn out walking around all day.
As someone who worked in a shoe store selling these - the quality is CRAP. £40 for thin, soft and easy to wear out soles, canvas which is too rough on the feet, and a style of shoe which NEVER fits perfectly because your size will run small, but the next size up will be too big. Also, they're EXTREAMLY narrow, but if you go up in size, they become too long and look like clown shoes. They made us watch a training video and told us that the quality of the shoes they give in Africa are better quality than the ones they sell. So you're buying a bad product for yourself, so that someone else can have a better version of the same thing - you might as well just give to the charities that support and promote local African business. Never mind the fact that the shoes should be reversed - the more hardy shoes are better for cities and pavements, and the softer shoes are better for arid, natural terrains.
Paige Connelly As someone who WORE them, they were crazy thin on the upper structure but the soles were so comfortable! I could be on my feet all day. I was in college, walking around campus, working retail, and going out for summer activities... they were overpriced but I overall I loved them and they lasted a long time for me. Never had sizing issues either.
I thought the soles were perfect. They were cushiony and had arch support. The problem was inconsistent sizing. Some ran narrow but some ran wide. Canvas I could depend upon stretching a bit if I sized down to keep from being too wide. however, some of the material was not canvas and had no give. I had 3 traditional pair and a pair of flats that I wore for work for 2 years. I finally wore down the heel on the flats in about the same time I wear through all my flats. I am on my feet almost all day and loved them. I still have a pair of the traditional ones. I always wanted some of the wedges, but I can't wear open toed shoes for work and I don't think any of them were enclosed.
@@joyfuljaj hate to break it to you, but they have no arch support, I actually had to go to the doctor because I got injured while wearing them and told me to stop wearing them for that exact reason (thank god I only had one pair)
yeah but they were just Argentine slipper shoes, you cant licence a product that already exists, it would be like licencing avacardos, and you cant licence charity... so really they just didnt update the shoes, they could have just made better shoes, but instead they made crappy expensive coffee.
@@danieia4029 hmmm i wonder if there is a way to charge people for going barefoot make it something trendy and charge them for a pair of none shoes even send them a box with nothing in it people are so sad i bet it would work
@@joejacko1587 Theres already a ton of barefoot shoes. The point of barefoot shoes is that they are really soft and offer no real support in the sole or other parts
I’m argentinian and i had never heard of toms before now, and I don’t know why but I don’t like the fact that some american dude just took a thing that was ours and made a lot of money out of it
I'd take neither. Ironically what made me choose sketcher is that even a $150nike couldn't give the support n grip I need. If only the cushion tech is used on dunks n similar sneakers. Hate the "new" fugly sneakers that resembles more of 80s bulky shit n useless netting tops that doesn't protect ur feet from elements.
I love Toms -- almost the only shoe brand I wear. They have great work shoes, summer sandals, walking shoes, winter boots, and then their classic style. I am disappointed that they were open to other companies copying their model, but they took the design as well.
I really hope they don't go out of business, I love their shoes, they are so comfortable, and they are one of the only brands that a 5 is actually small enough to fit me.
I always wanted a pair of Tom’s cause they looked comfy and easy to slip on. But my instep was way too high and I couldn’t get them on. Never actually knew about the charity aspect
@@berniceshed I don't have particularly wide feet so I can't say with certainty they they'd be what you're looking for, but I can say that the pairs I've had have had really soft fabric sides, making them very forgiving and comfy. I know some designs are a little stiffer, but I've preferred and had success with the softer canvas pairs. :)
I don't even know about them. Only see that my schoolmates started wearing them. Thought they suck,unfunctional,just smthg tt was trending. Only now tt I learn about their backstory....
I’ve been to El Salvador. Met a family who’s kids couldn’t go to school because they didn’t have shoes, so giving kids shoes for school attendance would be a good idea.
@@burntblueberrywaffles Well, currently they aren't buying any shoes so that business isn't exactly blooming. You could commission the shoe manufacture from local businesses. Letting kids go to school is kind of important for the economy as well, you know?
@@burntblueberrywaffles it is not killing the local economy at all, do you realize that this kids are in no position to give any money to the local economy? If they could buy shoes they would have. Of course a pair of shoes is not going to solve poverty, you cant expect a shoe factory to solve world's economy. But a pair of shoes can make a diffference in that kid s life
When I took science classes in community college we were only allowed to wear closed toe shoes and I loved wearing these because they were like cheap house shoes but acceptable to wear outside lol
I still wear and love mine. They're light, flat and comfy. I live in them as soon as the weather gets warmer. And I'm a sucker for fun patterns, so that helps too.
I hate to sound like a Toms ad, but I wear their other products and LOVE them. I have 3 pairs of their flats, and 2 pairs of sandals and 1 has a heel! They last forever and are a durable expensive looking (and sounding) shoe. These are my #1 office shoe. Crazy to think in 8th grade these were my #1 school shoe
Wait I love my toms! I got my first pair two years ago, I thought they were so ugly when they were trendy, then all of a sudden a couple years ago I decided I love the look haha
I bought a few pairs of Toms and I must say they’re really comfortable because they’re made of canvas they don’t irritate/rub against your feet and you can certainly walk for hours with no rubbing !! They are only a Spring/Summer shoe though. 😊
So basically other companies did to TOMS what Toms did in Argentina, COPIED and PASTED...basically ripped off the Argentina style shoe to make millions in Around the world.
c'mon he didn't ripped off the argentina style, nobody owns it, he made an argentinian shoe style popular around the world and donate some, i don't see the problem there. i'm argentinian and for me is something good to see it become popular. they are overpriced of course, for that amount of money you can buy a province in argentina
How did he rip off Argentinians? Whether he made the shoes or not had no affect on any Argentinians. Why, were they making shoes and giving half away? Give me a break.
TeacherTeacher yes and it does affect Argentina. He took the exact same style and made millions while argentina makes pennies for their same shoes. And now he has a nice million dollar home and lots of Money in the banks while the original creators of the shoes in Argentina stay poor. That makes sense to you?
Thats weird, they never smelled with me, I had a pair for almost 2 years and wore them with no socks. The 2nd pair I only had for 6 months but no smell there either.
I have worn only Toms since they first came out. I still have a pair from about 8 years ago, and they don’t smell. Wear them often. Just got a new pair that’s exactly the same. They are the most comfortable shoes. If your feet don’t stink, they won’t stink.
I'm not that big of a fan of their alpargatas but their sneaks rock. I commute cycle and the are really good for that, most sneaks separate between the canvas and sole from having your foot bent a lot, if they went under I would be sad. They also clearly mark their vegan shoes, so I am happy with that too.
Not so long ago, the alpargatas here in Argentina were used mainly and exclusively by countryside folks and 'gauchos' (the equivalent of the american cowboy lol). They were also (and to some degree) are seen either as a 'poor people' shoe (because they are so cheap) or like a status symbol if you are a landlord in the countryside. The value of them increased after this Tom trend, I remember buying them like 12 years ago from the hardware store and they were like less than a dollar (we had to dress up as gauchos and paisanitas) and when this trend started the value increased, in Argentina! And they started making alpargatas in more colorful designs.
Thanks for sharing this story! It honestly made me smile. I just purchased my mom and sister a pair a Tom’s alpargatas for Christmas and just had mine delivered to my door for my new office job. Lol I plan to wear them out til I can’t wear them anymore. They are so comfortable and look good with nearly anything. I can see why farmers and cowboys wore the for comfort.
My Tom's mens shoes have been the highest quality and comfortable shoes I have had. After 3 years of multiple days a week use they are still good (great seams and glue).
I think my grandma is single handedly keeping them in business nowadays.
Liya. Kxo lmao my grandma only wears toms-
Lol
Mine too! At least 3 grandmas are keeping this company going lol but she only gets them when they are on sale at Nordstrom Rack
I like Toms because they are vegan, and I'm not a grandma.
@@Gee-xb7rt do you eat them or something?
That reminds me of when Crocs was going to donate shoes to the survivors of the earthquake in Japan, and someone in the comments wrote "Haven't they suffered enough"?
😂
omg, too funny
And now Crocs are trending in fashion now. Those same people criticizing them are probably wearing them now lol
@@mikloridden8276 me… I’m “those people” 🥴 ngl crocs are kinda cute now
So true
It's actually refreshing to hear a story where there was no corruption. I half way expected some aspect to this report to include some illegal, sketchy, or white collar crime, and apparently the company has done what it said it would and simply run the course of usual consumer economics. Ultimately, it's maintained integrity with its mission. No malice, just regular ups & downs of business. Props to Toms! I wish the company more success.
I received free toms when I was young. Everyone in our church received one. It was fun because we all had the same shoes during that time.
What countey
But think about all the companies that started giving back because of Tom's... That is what really matters. That was blake's heart from the get go. He succeeded!
He succeeded in putting shoe makers out of business in the villages and cities that he gave shoes to. Cost him $4 a shoe to make.
The giving model hurts local economies. It also creates more beggars.
lol I used to hangout with some of the Tom’s inters in santa monica circa 2009 and they were all girls, mostly 18-22, and attractive. Blake would scoop up one or two at the end of the night in his porsche 356. he seems to like the less bright ones, and big boobs. He’s a grade a fake slactavist in love with capital just like bill gates, that stupid wework guy or that theranos woman. fake garbage people.
@@MrMadvillan I don't believe that for a minute
@@loralubimaia2783 a few of the tom’s interns lived in playa vista next to the EA Sports headquarters and we used to go to this sh t dive in SM called o’brien’s. They may have been the only southern christian i’ve known in La. but you shouldn’t believe anything you read on the internet.
The fact sketchers ripped off a ripoff is hilarious 😂
they should sue the heck out of them.
muffemod y u have to be so mean to that person? Just chill.
jaden yuki and even still their bobs not toms, they changed just enough of the product so they couldn’t be sued
I wonder why sketchers is still a thing
V3M2 because it’s a company with variety, brand recognition, and good quality shoes at a good price with wide distribution. I wonder why you ask dumb questions but I don’t care to stick around to find out.
toms could make a comeback when early 2010s fashion becomes trendy again
I hope that never happens omg..
flower power why, what was bad about it?
@@user-10021 it was just wack. Idk im bad at describing things lol
PlatinumBladeStudios Well just picture the Jeffrey Campbell lita platform heels or those studded loafers with colourful skinny jeans. Imagine ugly wedge sneakers with galaxy print leggings. Large headbands with big bows, ripped denim. Cold shoulder shirts, badly coordinated fast fashion from forever21 where the seams don’t line up and things rip within hours. Those horrible flimsy khaki green parkas that always looked wrinkled. Let’s not bring it back because I don’t miss it at all. If you miss it that badly just tie a flannel around your waist, wear some black leggings and put on some Keds and call it a day.
@@saladdinosaur beautifully written
I'm from Gambia , West Africa , every body in my country had free toms including me
yasser salma what
Africa is a continent.
Dr0pkidd They are Africa. The whole continent. They felt the rain.
Lmaoo y'all are funny , I wasn't clear with my comment I apologise , I'm from Gambia , a small country on the coast of West Africa
yasser salma how was it?
I bought a pair of Toms regular sneaker style shoes back in like 2014 and I actually loved them. They were fairly comfortable and actually lasted a few years before I finally had to stop wearing them because they had worn out too much. I honestly thought they were still popular lol but I guess I’m just getting older and slowly out of touch with what’s considered cool now haha.
I wear those style of shoes , sure for long walk its bad i like them bec i buy them, for like 5-10$ and it last more tham 12 months AND its light and feels like a sandal lol mines are not ToMs but i think copys with no logo
@@pokiblue5870 Bob's by Skecher's perhaps?
A few years … I never had a pair that lasted longer than 6 months, but the buy one give one kept me buying them. But not any more I’m afraid, I like hey dude shoes better … but they’re as disposable as well.
@Harry Harris cope europoor, the Eu, canada, japan and south korea basically the whole of NATO is literally our vassals lmao.
My little sister calls them old people shoes :(
I remember an analysis that explained how these systems are actually pretty bad for the communities they are trying to help. Effectively, they displace the local manufacturers, which harms their economy.
well if 70%+ of that community walks around without shoes then I'd say that communities/cities local manufacturers weren't doing too well to begin with
@@illegalwaffel6435 the answer isn’t to make something some people were happy paying and giving it away for nothing. When people assume shoes are free, there zero future market. that’s bad for business
Somewhere in Argentina is it really pissed off shoe salesman… you probably can’t afford shoes for himself now
@@illegalwaffel6435 Short term it helps put shoes on people's feet, but long term it doesn't help the community or country as a whole to the point where people don't need to wait for free shoes in order to not go barefoot. It's the same with food or any donated item, local farmers can't compete with free rice being flown in all the time, so they just do subsistence farming or stop farming altogether because there's no point. So the population grows but they never thrive.
@@illegalwaffel6435 plenty of ppl in those places go barefoot by choice, they have shoes but just save them for work and school so they last longer. Around the neighborhood they go barefoot.
that "one for one" promotion contributed to ruining economies in Africa. When you donate shoe's to Africa, it takes away demand for local companies that produce shoes in these poorer regions. They lose business, and the economy takes a hit. It's not just shoes; don't donate anything to poor countries that already have businesses for that. Instead, donate money to those companies so they can succeed and provide jobs that help these economies
Well there is an interview with Blake where they tell him that he is actually putting cobblers out of work and he was heartbroken. Since then he has actually moved manufacturing to these countries and underdeveloped countries so he can provide both shoes to people who need them and jobs to create the shoes.
Jonathan Bechtold It was still problematic though, unfortunately. Ultimately, they still put local shoe manufacturers out of business for a larger, Western-based chain. The documentary Poverty Inc talks about companies like Toms and it’s a really good watch!
Sounds like the company was aware of this and tried to make changes to help them better - I can't say that they're necessarily an evil company when they made an effort to do that
Yeah a lot of people don’t realize this. Especially people who go on mission trips. They buy a $1,000 plane ticket, tell the citizens that they’ll build them a school and try to make them leave their own religion, then leave and post pics on Instagram of random kids like they’re a hero. Nothing gets done. They have people there already who can build homes and schools and make clothes. It’s like colonialism part 2
I take it further and just don't donate at all
I had these. My dad said "why are you wearing karate shoes" 😕
My mum always called them boat shoes haha
outlander jep, they do actually look very similar to „budoten shoes“ which are used in martial arts xD
Lmao
Dam I'm going to use that.
PlatinumBladeStudios lmao many told me I look like jetlee 😂 I guess it’s what the population is exposed to 🤷🏾♂️
I never liked Tom's but his heart was in the right place. I don't think he understood business though
@@ravigopinathan2835 I mean did you watch the video? Tom's kept expanding its giving initiatives but didn't pivot its sales model which cut into its profit margins................
I wish I didn't understand business enough to build a $600m company.
The founders name was Blake, not Tom. Ffs.
@@harshithmanjunatha4473 I'm fairly sure there's more to that story than just buying the name for the sake of it
Are you drunk? He fooled millions of ppl into thinking that starving kids need “made in china shoes.” vs food. Calloused feet need food, not crappy shoes.
I love how these corporations copied this idea & the charity aspect of it because it basically shows they could’ve done something similar long ago but it took a competitor being thrown into the mix to push them to do so. For that reason, I would give Toms my money because the company’s heart was always in the right place while the others just wanted to regain some of their lost revenue.
Tom's are the most comfortable shoes I've worn. I started wearing them as I became disabled. They didn't hurt my feet like most shoes.
There are a few shoe brands with less recognition that use flat soles and flexible uppers. Xero and Lems are two that I like. Lems has better design, but they're less durable.
It’s mission didn’t fail. It paved the way to charitable giving as a market incentive.
But if their mission was to actually help people, they absolutely failed. The giveaways of shoes destroy local businesses and make towns poorer.
Which is horrible
They destroyed local business though.
Mind blown: The logo is the Argentine Flag
🇦🇷
U know what's funny?
I'm Argentinean and the "flag" in the logo is missing the sun...
That is why I stopped buying their products.
Bc the owner took the idea from the alpargata I guess it makes sense. It reminds me of the story of the logo for the clothing brand John L. Cook
In Argentina my whole family wears these. Not Tom's but "alpargatas". They cost about $1 and are like flil flops to them.
Honestly this is the perfect time for toms to rebuild itself, people are looking to buy shoes online but also be charitable
a year ago would have been a bad time the supply chain was and still is messed up
I’m still buying Toms. Had no idea they had fallen out of favour.
Me neither
Same here, my Toms are the most comfortable soles ive ever worn
@@Miholu1 ummm I don’t believe you or you don’t wear many kinds of shoes lol
@@Cococonutt I think Miholu meant to say most convenient cuz it's easy to slip on, not that bad looking, and really comfortable for shoes made out of canvas and low sole.
who cares if things are trendy or not. just wear what you like
I just bought 3 pairs of TOMS today as I remember owning a pair about 10 years ago and loved how versatile they were but did find them overpriced back then.
They were overpriced, but I loved how a kid was getting shoes and I got a comfy pair to boot. I suppose I could have just given without buying, but I needed shoes anyway, why not Toms?
I still have them.
I have flat wide messed up feet, never understood the love for these or converse
I have many pairs but usually buy when they are on sale. Fit me brilliantly (unlike Bobs) I love glow in the dark versions...
There is alot less cushion on the new ones
I used these in high school, but they didn’t last long and if you didn’t wear socks they stunk, and they were sold out a lot. So I moved on to leather again and vans.
Who tf wears shoes without socks
Başak Bozdoğan shoes without shoessss
@@basakbozdogan437 socks looked really weird with them. you could wear the no-show socks but those still fall down.
Isabela Diaz ndmejenbsemjs
Orianna Stad i wear vans’ all the time i got dozens of those no-show socks. Some of them are really cheap and bad quality but some of them are really comfy. Even the thought of wearing shoes without socks makes me feel disgusted .
I didn't even know they were doing poorly. I own half a dozen of their shoes AND a pair of their sunglasses, which I love.
I think that he had the right idea and probably really thought he could help...
Throwback to 2011 when I was a junior in HS and every kid had these.
i was a senior. we had "toms at prom" theme. i wore black toms under my ball gown hahaha
side note: i still wear toms........................
I still love Tom’s and buy them every year. I have like 20 pairs. They’re so comfy and perfect for summer.
I didn't realize Toms had a financial problem. Everyone I know has at least 5 pair and buys them regularly. I have everything from their regular shoe to the higher end boots, I literally just got another pair of their sneakers today. They are super comfortable and last forever.
They are incredibly durable for sure.
Exactly!
I agree, they are durable!
Same!
If they last forever why do you need to consume so much!? Just give that money to charity and create less environmental impact!
They should rename their brand to Jerry's
Grandpa rick is that you?
potatomato :p 😂😂😂 classics
potatomato :p
Only if he has a partner named Benjamin.
potatomato :p Toms are the kind of shoes that people in third world countries wear.
Or Ben's.
Tom's just need to lower their prices.
oscar ramirez nah they need to stop giving me blisters.
I agree!
@@izzyworden3083 Ever heard of no show socks?
Seriously! I paid ~35 for a pair (with shipping/tax). The same shoes are now selling for 49.95.
edit: just checked their site. 54.95...GTFOH
@@ebscoHOSTpub I'm with you on that! It is ridiculous.
I'm in Ireland and honestly half of us girls in secondary schools wear black/navy Tom's w the school uniform. We definitely make up the majority of the market lol
Same in my catholic k-8 school lol
Time to go there
I still swear this is the only shoe I’ll wear traveling. Multiple European trips now with just these on my feet! So comfy and light weight.
And stinky
@@elviciosodelavida only if you don't wear socks
Sounds like he’s in it for the charity and not the money.
While becoming a multimillionaire....
@@01dirtydirk is being successful wrong? He still helps more people than you unless you can top those numbers.
That sounds much better than most companies/ people.
@@01dirtydirk you want charitable people to have the money, unfortunately most of it goes to selfish elitists wanting to fund their own self interests and ridiculous life styles which many of them were born into and didn't earn.
@@TheBeanHome I think they meant he wouldn’t be a multimillionaire if he wasn’t in it for the money enough that he donated his money along with his company giving away those shoes. Which is very different from “being successful”
It's funny that this brand didn't succeed in Argentina, where the basic product is from
It’s probably because it’s very common there already. And Toms might be more expensive than other brand that exists there.
Jackie L you said it before me
@@jaclpz it must be that, because i am from argentina and i didnt even know that this brand existed until now
@@fernandorisso1494 yo si escuche de !a marca porque ese mismo año estaba creando mi marca de alpargatas! Nació Tom y se dificultó muchísimo para los que estábamos gestionando la idea! Patentaron afuera, fue un quilombo! Pero si las presentaron acá pero eran carisimas! Yo deje la idea! Y al año nació la otra marca ... Páez algo asi
@@fernandorisso1494 y para ser sincera, no t NGO idea si llegaron los famosos pares gratis acá! Ojala! Igual la idea de una alpargatas es algo básico cómodo y accesible! Pero toms sslian un huevo
business insider lokey kinda bangs. what consistently fantastic videos
Facts
dead arse, my fellow guy
Anyone watching this in 2020 and actually feel like you want a pair of Toms now? Lol
especially because i've been getting instagram ads for them
this is a 10 minute long commercial, suppose it served it's purpose
i have too many lmfao but its the only comfy shoes i can find that are office casual
Get bobs by sketchers, they're much more comfortable
I still have toms and wear them. 🤷🏼♀️
Hope he never loses that smile! What a humble man!
Up Next: The Rise and Fall of the World's Economy
Ha.
rose novel you do know that America basically makes the world run right ? Oh you didn’t... if America’s economy goes to shit so does the worlds, whether you agree or not it’s a FACT.
Kim En she’s just a dumb kid. Don’t be too rude, you might get her to start crying.
👌😂
Lauren Bear 🤷🏻♀️
I still wear toms daily! Comfortable and versatile. I prefer toms because they’re more stylish than crocs 🤣
Justin Thao yes I still wear mine to
I dont like crocs
fun fact: giving away shoes does not help the people he is giving the shoes to. The reason they are happy is that as kids, they don't understand. The problem is that by giving away free shoes he makes domestic-made shoes useless. Therefore, "Tom" made people even poorer. People in need don't need shoes, the tools to make food and a living, not $1 shoes, yes the shoes they give away are worth $1.
edit: I am not saying that what tom is doing is out of hate or anything, I actually think he has the right idea. But the problem is that he is giving them fish when what they really need is a fishing rod and some bait.
EXACTLY.
I donate fishes says the only man who knows how to fishing.....
Well said
Watch the Adam ruins everything episode on toms, it explains this whole problem in detail
I buy the sketchers brand BOBS because they have a line that gives to dogs. I'm not ruining an economy!
I mean if the shoes are made there, and the people are paid to make them, then not really. If they are made in China, and then given by the millions to people in the Philippines, then yeah its gonna crash the domestic shoe market.
I think for millennials Toms (at least for me) was one of the first brands we were exposed to that made supporting ethical companies cool, switching our brains to start caring for the future. I think they’ve made an awesome impact at least in creating a marketable charitable business model
My mom got me my first TOMS in 2007! She heard about it from an NGO she worked with. Sadly, giving to others is very hard to do especially when competitors can make cheaper shoes. It probably also hurt the local shoe manufacturers in the countries he worked with. I think that's why the company almost went bankrupt.
But, I loved the shoes and it lasted for 10 years! I bought some more because it actually allows the foot to maintain a more natural posture very similar to walking barefoot. I love how comfortable they are and have hiked wearing Toms 😅
Damn 50 dollars for some old alpargatas, here in Argentina I can have them for maybe 2 or 3 dollars.
You are actually paying for 2
@@ipoi5117 well 5 dollars then
Jung kookie is a troll dont listen to him look at his pfp got some weaboo pic
Not all of toms are $50. You can find some for $30 and you’re helping another when you buy your pair for that price. You’re not giving another when you buy it for $3
Westielover
Well you can buy a $3 pair for yourself and use the other $47 to donate another 15 pairs of $3 shoes.
In the end, Toms is a brand. At their peak, most people were willing to pay that price for the brand. The one for one program just made them feel better about wasting that amount of money on canvas shoes.
I appreciate that he actually cared enough to find other ways to make an impact in people's lives and see what methods are actually more helpful. But I feel like there isn't a future for Tom's anymore.
i remember being too poor to afford toms so my mom bought me bobs lol
and even the walmart version lol
Me too! Now that I’m an adult I am grateful my mom did what she could haha
That's what I have.
I thought that they fell out of fashion because of some scandal, but it's nice to see that they kept their promise and continue to do good, while evolving.
I thought I heard that all those free shoes led to local third world shoe makers going out of business. They couldn’t compete with free.
I always thought TOMS was cute and always wanted a pair but I couldn’t get past the price.
Same
Same
Most are $29.99. That’s expensive?
@@philiphanan1493 at the time when they were popular, they were usually listed around $50 -$70
@@philiphanan1493 for this kind of shoe ?
In most places , yes .
They lost their popularity once Louis from One Direction stopped wearing them
Agreed
😂😂😂
Lmaoo forreal
i only bought them because of him😂
literally what i was thinking his impact
These shoes were what the cool kids wore when I was in high school. I finally got a pair for Christmas my senior year and wore them to death. But the fad faded quickly after that.
For me the cool kids were the ones making fun of anyone wearing them lol.
@@sjajsnsppopepep1502 anyone making fun of other people are certainly not a cool kids, at least not in my book
@@ourtime-downhere6931 Im not saying theyre cool but they were popular
never liked Toms, i don’t like the look, pricy, and they slip
yeaaa they also hurt my feet real bad :(
As a Chilean myself, those shoes never were popular here because real alpargatas are more sturdy. My grandma used those and were more comfortable than flip-flops.
The sole is made of hemp rope. Making it the perfect shoe for summer.
But I prefer to spend more money and buy a pair of leather shoes so nobody step on my toes at the metro.
pricila yeah i need support and my feet dont fit in any type of flat shoe
Fun fact tom shoes only cost like 4 dollars to make and donating shoes to Africa would just help hurt the African economy in textiles and help bankrupt shoe companies
pricila Ever heard of Tom’s Avalon shoes?
I'm from Argentina and I literally forgot alpargatas ever existedddd lol they were the comfiest "shoes" of them all, I haven't seen them in so long tho 🤔
En el sur todavía las re ves!
Toms should have got Myspace Tom to be their spokesperson
Lol I remember when Toms were popular
They’re comfortable and I always wore mine with no show socks to prevent smelly smelly shoes
I had no idea they made things other than shoes
If anyone wants toms, they sell them for much cheaper at Nordstrom rack
Always wear socks haha, a lot of daft people do not
Please dont wear socks. Its not attractive to wear socks.
Yes but please ask them not to donate the 2nd pair
@@sjajsnsppopepep1502 I get the feeling that you might be an unattractive person
@@PointNemo9 good choice in daft 😋
I have a pair of Bobs, no idea they were a knock off of Toms.
Tonka Bear as a kid I had a knockoff pair of them too xD didn’t know these were branded shoes, I always thought they originally didn’t have a brand
😐
That's like saying I had no idea Shasta cola was a knock off of coke
Guys, these shoes are traditional Argentinian alpargatas, this is a company that is getting a lot of profit... I'm Argentinian and here some good quality alpargatas cost like 4 or 5 dollars. And the designer ones around 10 dollars. Those prices are insane!
Most of Sketchers shoes are knock offs of popular shoe styles. Adidas and Nike have sued them both.
I remember in the other video about this "buy one give one" scheme actually ruins the economy because it could make a shoe company in Africa struggling to sell a shoes.
Is it the 'Adam ruins everything' series?
Dino Diary what shoe company in Africa?
@@bngr_bngr you can be a local shoe maker when some american company is coming in an giving away shoes, just the same as being a car dealer in Congo and GM coming in and giving out free cars
John Ames those shoes are completely different products.
Local brands are usually too expensive for the common folk anyways lol.. Speaking as South African
I love Toms. Been buying them for years.
48$ for canvas shoes, no wonder why they falls.
Hahahahahhahahahahah we wear plastic nowadays
You can get them a lot cheaper, $48 is full price
My problem is Toms was always that they weren't supportive. I have a bad back, so that's really important for me. I wasn't willing to pay $50 for a shoe that made my back hurt.
Tom's had a good run but Crocs took over and they lost their glory
And then crocs lost its glory. Both have always been ugly af.
Crocs are older than Toms.
Mirza Ahmed 😂😂
just like Levi's got copied af
@@shayslay3416 In defense of Crocs at least they are very original and most people know it, toms don't seem special and most places out of Us don't even know wtf is a Toms
Just make the bottoms super squishy so old people and nurses can use them all day and lower the price. Forget the donating thing since even their study said it did nothing.
Team Shmo essentially exactly what Skechers did
mine had pretty soft soles - even arch support.
It was TOMs reluctance to adjust the bottom of the shoe as fashion changed that lead to public disinterest
Ii tried Tom's. They weren't comfortable for my feet, had no padding, and very little support.
Yea they definitely felt like a discount shoe to me too, never bought into it
Here in Argentina people really only use them as house slippers or to doddle around in the garden. They aren't meant to be worn out walking around all day.
Never heard of Tom’s but they look like slippers
@@a.wanderer5006 Putter. Dawdle means to delay.
As someone who worked in a shoe store selling these - the quality is CRAP. £40 for thin, soft and easy to wear out soles, canvas which is too rough on the feet, and a style of shoe which NEVER fits perfectly because your size will run small, but the next size up will be too big. Also, they're EXTREAMLY narrow, but if you go up in size, they become too long and look like clown shoes.
They made us watch a training video and told us that the quality of the shoes they give in Africa are better quality than the ones they sell. So you're buying a bad product for yourself, so that someone else can have a better version of the same thing - you might as well just give to the charities that support and promote local African business. Never mind the fact that the shoes should be reversed - the more hardy shoes are better for cities and pavements, and the softer shoes are better for arid, natural terrains.
Paige Connelly As someone who WORE them, they were crazy thin on the upper structure but the soles were so comfortable! I could be on my feet all day. I was in college, walking around campus, working retail, and going out for summer activities... they were overpriced but I overall I loved them and they lasted a long time for me. Never had sizing issues either.
Nah, I think the better shoes should go to Africa .
I thought the soles were perfect. They were cushiony and had arch support. The problem was inconsistent sizing. Some ran narrow but some ran wide. Canvas I could depend upon stretching a bit if I sized down to keep from being too wide. however, some of the material was not canvas and had no give. I had 3 traditional pair and a pair of flats that I wore for work for 2 years. I finally wore down the heel on the flats in about the same time I wear through all my flats. I am on my feet almost all day and loved them. I still have a pair of the traditional ones. I always wanted some of the wedges, but I can't wear open toed shoes for work and I don't think any of them were enclosed.
@@joyfuljaj hate to break it to you, but they have no arch support, I actually had to go to the doctor because I got injured while wearing them and told me to stop wearing them for that exact reason (thank god I only had one pair)
TOMS should have licensed their brand in order to expand into new markets (i.e. outside of the shoe market).
yeah but they were just Argentine slipper shoes, you cant licence a product that already exists, it would be like licencing avacardos, and you cant licence charity... so really they just didnt update the shoes, they could have just made better shoes, but instead they made crappy expensive coffee.
copy rights and patents can only be applied to authentic, one of a kind design.
@@SoSo-li6dn they're not argentine, they're everywhwere in south america and some countries in asia and even europe
so no ones gonna mention louis tomlinson’s contribution to their success
Ryan B well bc no one cares
@@victoriahale5254 i do x
Ryan B THANK YOU
I literally only thought of him
Who?
These canvas shoes killed my back. Walking on cardboard offered more support than a pair of TOMS. Overpriced for what they are.
I can't wear flat shoes like that it sounded horrible
@@irenephillips1523 Awful shoes. They murdered my back and hips. You’re better off barefoot!
@@danieia4029 hmmm i wonder if there is a way to charge people for going barefoot make it something trendy and charge them for a pair of none shoes even send them a box with nothing in it people are so sad i bet it would work
@@joejacko1587 remember those shoes that were barely anything but a mold for your feet? They even had the design for your toes.
@@joejacko1587 Theres already a ton of barefoot shoes. The point of barefoot shoes is that they are really soft and offer no real support in the sole or other parts
I love my Tom’s so much. Don’t care if they aren’t in style
My most comfortable slip on shoes
I never thought Alpargatas were a thing outside South America 😂 lol
They are definitely a thing in southern Europe
Dude! Am from saudi arabia and i nearly have 4 or 5 pairs 🤣
Ikr
@@joanadamas7223 yes I bought some similar 100 years ago when I was a student in Spain!!!!
I’m argentinian and i had never heard of toms before now, and I don’t know why but I don’t like the fact that some american dude just took a thing that was ours and made a lot of money out of it
More like lower the prices people see Tom's and a pair of Van's for the same price they take the Van's
I'd take neither. Ironically what made me choose sketcher is that even a $150nike couldn't give the support n grip I need. If only the cushion tech is used on dunks n similar sneakers. Hate the "new" fugly sneakers that resembles more of 80s bulky shit n useless netting tops that doesn't protect ur feet from elements.
I love Toms -- almost the only shoe brand I wear. They have great work shoes, summer sandals, walking shoes, winter boots, and then their classic style. I am disappointed that they were open to other companies copying their model, but they took the design as well.
I really hope they don't go out of business, I love their shoes, they are so comfortable, and they are one of the only brands that a 5 is actually small enough to fit me.
I always wanted a pair of Tom’s cause they looked comfy and easy to slip on. But my instep was way too high and I couldn’t get them on. Never actually knew about the charity aspect
I still have some, they’re comfortable and last a long time 🤷♀️
Kathleen L I just got a new set. I still love them and wear them all the time.
Exactly
toms are some of the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn to this day
Yup. I have the most f.. ed up feet ever and Toms fitt perfectly and so comfy. I still love my Toms and im living in my Toms in the Summer
I agree!
Would you recommend them to someone with wide feet?
@@berniceshed I don't have particularly wide feet so I can't say with certainty they they'd be what you're looking for, but I can say that the pairs I've had have had really soft fabric sides, making them very forgiving and comfy. I know some designs are a little stiffer, but I've preferred and had success with the softer canvas pairs. :)
@@tesiaw6229 thank you
They're overpriced and don't last!
TheRealDeal they always looked flimsy to me. I never bought a pair, they didn’t appeal to my soul
Agreed
especially if you live in a city and walk everywhere
I loved them, I still own my first pair from 2013 😅 I got a second pair but my dog ate them honestly my favorite pair of shoes
I don't even know about them. Only see that my schoolmates started wearing them. Thought they suck,unfunctional,just smthg tt was trending.
Only now tt I learn about their backstory....
I bought a pair of black Tom's wedges back in 2015 and I still love them and wear them all the time.
I'm one of those children that have a pair of toms and I'm forever grateful for that. The quality of the product are incomparable. 😊😇
I’ve been to El Salvador. Met a family who’s kids couldn’t go to school because they didn’t have shoes, so giving kids shoes for school attendance would be a good idea.
Kai Stockman actually it’s not, giving away free shoes kills the local economy. It’s like giving fish instead of teaching fishing
Edit: I've changed my mind on this topic, thank you.
@@burrito5673 You could still give kids shoes for school attendance. They could buy them from local businesses.
@@burntblueberrywaffles Well, currently they aren't buying any shoes so that business isn't exactly blooming.
You could commission the shoe manufacture from local businesses.
Letting kids go to school is kind of important for the economy as well, you know?
@@burntblueberrywaffles it is not killing the local economy at all, do you realize that this kids are in no position to give any money to the local economy? If they could buy shoes they would have. Of course a pair of shoes is not going to solve poverty, you cant expect a shoe factory to solve world's economy. But a pair of shoes can make a diffference in that kid s life
I remember when they were the big thing. Got like 3 pairs, don’t even know where they are now. I think my mom gave them away after I move out.
These are currently sitting in the back of my closet as we speak
I don't remember what happened to mine. I think I donated them
Omg I have some too
Blake=Tom's
Woof mine too
Ian Nicol I doubt men wore them?
When I took science classes in community college we were only allowed to wear closed toe shoes and I loved wearing these because they were like cheap house shoes but acceptable to wear outside lol
Even if they aren’t as prevalent, this guy got other companies on the wave of charitable marketing. He passed his goal by far
I don’t think I have ever had a pair but I have always wanted a pair.
They are SO COMFY I buy one pair a year and they last!
Toms is a classic. Doesn't go out of style.
I just bought 2 pairs directly from Tom’s. People have some strangely strong opinions about them. They are what they are. Lol.
I still wear them, they're comfortable and go well with my style.
I still wear and love mine. They're light, flat and comfy. I live in them as soon as the weather gets warmer. And I'm a sucker for fun patterns, so that helps too.
Louis Tomlinson is the only reason I used to love these tbh. Tumblr convinced me I needed them
I hate to sound like a Toms ad, but I wear their other products and LOVE them. I have 3 pairs of their flats, and 2 pairs of sandals and 1 has a heel! They last forever and are a durable expensive looking (and sounding) shoe. These are my #1 office shoe. Crazy to think in 8th grade these were my #1 school shoe
I just searched Toms in google and for this in my recommendations lmaooooo
Wait I love my toms! I got my first pair two years ago, I thought they were so ugly when they were trendy, then all of a sudden a couple years ago I decided I love the look haha
I bought a few pairs of Toms and I must say they’re really comfortable because they’re made of canvas they don’t irritate/rub against your feet and you can certainly walk for hours with no rubbing !!
They are only a Spring/Summer shoe though. 😊
Of course they are summer shoes. Theyre basically flats.
So basically other companies did to TOMS what Toms did in Argentina, COPIED and PASTED...basically ripped off the Argentina style shoe to make millions in Around the world.
c'mon he didn't ripped off the argentina style, nobody owns it, he made an argentinian shoe style popular around the world and donate some, i don't see the problem there. i'm argentinian and for me is something good to see it become popular. they are overpriced of course, for that amount of money you can buy a province in argentina
No sorry doesn’t work like that
How did he rip off Argentinians? Whether he made the shoes or not had no affect on any Argentinians. Why, were they making shoes and giving half away? Give me a break.
@@fgfg633 it does affect Argentinians. It is part of our culture, sold by an North American company
TeacherTeacher yes and it does affect Argentina. He took the exact same style and made millions while argentina makes pennies for their same shoes. And now he has a nice million dollar home and lots of
Money in the banks while the original creators of the shoes in Argentina stay poor. That makes sense to you?
*stares at my family's new set of Toms
We still wear these regularly, and use them for anything from house wear to hiking.
Is no one going to mention how bad they smelled after like a week of wearing them??
Thats weird, they never smelled with me, I had a pair for almost 2 years and wore them with no socks. The 2nd pair I only had for 6 months but no smell there either.
I have worn only Toms since they first came out. I still have a pair from about 8 years ago, and they don’t smell. Wear them often. Just got a new pair that’s exactly the same. They are the most comfortable shoes. If your feet don’t stink, they won’t stink.
You have to wear them with socks lol Some people maybe get a away with not wearing them with socks, but everyone sweats different.
Yeah, I wear them with no-show socks
I'm not that big of a fan of their alpargatas but their sneaks rock. I commute cycle and the are really good for that, most sneaks separate between the canvas and sole from having your foot bent a lot, if they went under I would be sad. They also clearly mark their vegan shoes, so I am happy with that too.
I love my Toms, i use them with with my summer dresses. So simple and comfortable
“Chances are you once owned a pair of these.”
NOPE!
Me neither, never have. Not that I'm not about the premise, just don't like the style or the fabric/ prints they choose. I'm a Sanuk kinda gal.
Lol, I just bought a pair of Tom's😂
Same lmao. It’s still gonna come back
Same im waiting for them in the mail lmao
They are so cute!
Still love toms theyre still my go to everyday shoes.😄
Same. Honestly, I like them. Their easy and comfortable.
I had no idea that ‘Toms’ is actually a brand, here it’s almost a generic term for canvas shoes. Too many copycats.
Converse is the one ppl usually associate with canvas shoe, surprised it's Tom's in your area
Aren't Toms known as Espadrilles? I know Chanel and Dior make these type of shoes too (but no donating).
Hallelujah. Four shoe trends I really dislike: 1) Toms, 2) Ugg boots, 3) Crocs, 4) Wedges.
Not so long ago, the alpargatas here in Argentina were used mainly and exclusively by countryside folks and 'gauchos' (the equivalent of the american cowboy lol). They were also (and to some degree) are seen either as a 'poor people' shoe (because they are so cheap) or like a status symbol if you are a landlord in the countryside. The value of them increased after this Tom trend, I remember buying them like 12 years ago from the hardware store and they were like less than a dollar (we had to dress up as gauchos and paisanitas) and when this trend started the value increased, in Argentina! And they started making alpargatas in more colorful designs.
Thanks for sharing this story! It honestly made me smile. I just purchased my mom and sister a pair a Tom’s alpargatas for Christmas and just had mine delivered to my door for my new office job. Lol I plan to wear them out til I can’t wear them anymore. They are so comfortable and look good with nearly anything. I can see why farmers and cowboys wore the for comfort.
My Tom's mens shoes have been the highest quality and comfortable shoes I have had. After 3 years of multiple days a week use they are still good (great seams and glue).
If you haven’t already you should do the rise and fall of MySpace. Curious to know how that all went down.