Scraps to Shoes - The DIY
If you've spent any time browsing our new Footwear line you probably came across a funky little number called the DIY. Do It Yourself shoes are part craft project, part recycling effort and part moccasin for the masses. They're made from leather scraps left on the floor of our manufacturing facilities and come unassembled. The DIY was incorrectly referenced in a January issue of Newsweek as a design-your-own shoe, when in reality it's a build-your-own shoe.
I built one myself and enjoyed the meditative process of slowly threading each lace until eventually a shoe was born. The end result was an extremely lightweight moccasin that felt more like being barefoot than wearing a shoe. My only concern was the way the lacing felt against my heel. Anybody else put a pair together?
If this concept is still a bit fuzzy, here's a short video showing the construction process. We're always looking for ways to reduce manufacturing waste and the DIY is one step in the right direction.
Great video. I love the whole line. It makes me very happy to be able to buy great shoes that have a low environmental impact. You guy's should get a myspace page. Thanks for your time.
Posted by: Steve Gary | March 14, 2007 at 08:22 PM
I love these, and am excited about Patagonia's great new line of footwear, but am surprised that these are the only ones that don't come in really large sizes. I wear size 14 and was very happy to see that all your other shoes come in my size, but the XXL DIY only fits up to size 12.
Posted by: brad | March 15, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Thanks for the feedback Brad. I'll make sure the footwear folks see it.
Steve, for the time being Agent Timmy's page is our myspace presence. Thanks for the suggestion. http://www.myspace.com/agenttimmy
Posted by: Free | March 16, 2007 at 09:57 AM
I love that Patagonia has released the DIY; however I would like to make a quick suggestion... You should really sew moccasins with the seams on the inside. It reduces the amount of ware your seams will endure, thus making your nice fancy DIYs last a bit longer....
In my community in the North-west Territories a lot of the old timers still wear mocassins, they just put these mini rubber things over them when they go outside (picture cutting a rubber boot, like a low low cut ankle exposing sock)
Posted by: John Blyth | March 16, 2007 at 12:55 PM
Suggestion that the leather used be cruelty-free please and also maybe some gratitude for those who lose their lives for footwear. It seems highly environmentally sound but a bit indifferent. Cheers to your scrap-booking! :)
Posted by: William | March 16, 2007 at 04:18 PM
I was thrilled that Patagonia finally decided to take the plunge and produce some great looking shoes. Have you ever considered making dress shirts and/or pants? I know, I know. The rugged outdoorsy folks are cringing, but hey, I have to work Monday through Friday so that I can hike on the weekends. I'd love to make Patagonia (and eco-friendly clothing) my wardrobe of choice 7 days a week. It's not easy finding organic dress shirts, believe me.
thanks,
chris
Posted by: chris Woods | March 27, 2007 at 06:39 PM
The DIY moccasin is a great shoe and all, but I had MAJOR problem while ordering my pair.
People interested in this shoe should know that they have NO CHOICE in what color they will receive.
I was misled into thinking I was going to get a brown pair (Like the ones they advertise on the website).
But when the package arrived, I was surprised to find a musty black leather finish!
Sure they make a small note that colors may vary, but this is a totally different hue from what was expected.
After calling customer service about my problem, they said that the shoes were stored in another factory, and even if I returned the shoes to get a different color, I would have no choice in the color of shoe I would receive!!!!
Sorry, but I didn't pay money for a grab bag, and am very pissed I didn't get the shoes I thought I paid for. I'm not gonna bother returning the shoes...I refuse to even deal w/ the company any further.
Perhaps if someone from the company reads this, they could send me some complimentary BROWN paint so I could (DIY) paint them the color I wanted myself!
Patagonia might be focusing on Eco Friendly gear, but are SUCKING at Customer Service.
Posted by: VERY UNPLEASED | June 08, 2007 at 08:23 PM
I also received the black pair. I was also confused at first but they aren't that bad! I love mine!
Posted by: tracky | June 11, 2007 at 08:50 PM
I have never had any problem w/ Patagonia Customer Service. They are always more than happy to help. I think you need to just lightly sand the shoes and use some brown shoe polish to get the color you want.
Posted by: Steve P. Gary | June 12, 2007 at 03:09 AM
We do apologize about the unpleasant experience you have had with the DIY Shoe. The idea of the DIY shoe is to use up scrap material, so each shoe could have the potential of being made out of different material, same as the bags that we ship them in are made out of all different materials. The 300 pair that we ordered on the first PO was the color that you received. Each PO that we order will be made out of different material. Our shoes are manufactured through a cooperative agreement with Wolverine World Wide, and we contacted them directly to inquire if they were able to find a brown pair that we could send out to you, unfortunately, the only color available is what you received. You are welcome to contact customer service at 800-638-6464, and they can work with you so that you will not have to pay for shipping to return the DIY Shoe.
Posted by: incline | June 12, 2007 at 06:09 AM
RE: Steve P. Gary,
Thanks for the suggestion to lightly sand and shoe polish these shoes, but the leather on the DIY is way too thin...even for light sanding. Also the matte black leather patagonia sent me is way too dark for brown shoe polish.
My sarcastic request for FREE BROWN paint was made to emphasize how unpleased I am with the color mix-up. I have absolutely NO desire to repaint these shoes. A customer shouldn't have to go to these lengths to get the color of shoe they want!
I called Customer Service BEFORE I placed my order inquiring about the (colors may vary) statement Patagonia puts under the description of the shoe. Customer Service, although very friendly, gave me false information regarding the color of the DIY.
They stated that, "The shoe will be BROWN, and that BROWN is the only color that Patagonia produces for the DIY."
RE: incline
Thanks for the apology, but it doesn't resolve my dissatisfaction. If each PO order is going to be made of different materials, then Customer Service should be well aware of the colors they are sending out. Further, you should make your customers aware of the colors you have available!
Incline, it sounds like you weren't even aware of the colors you had available until you contacted Wolverine World Wide directly. Update the Patagonia website with the DIY colors you have available just like the other shoe models!
You already made the call to Wolverine World Wide. You already know that the only color available is black. Why doesn't the customer know this? If the website isn't going to be updated, at least keep the Customer Service Representatives informed so that they don't tell customers they are going to receive a BROWN pair of shoes when they are not.
Lastly to tracky, I'm so glad that you love your shoes, but I'm sure you would have been more pleased receiving the color you thought you paid for.
still,
VERY UNPLEASED
Posted by: VERY UNPLEASED | June 12, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Are you serious? My wife and I have a pair of the DIY, and they're great, who cares what color they are. You need to relax and enjoy the fact that a company provides shoes made out of recycled material. Is this really what you need to complain about?
Posted by: None | June 12, 2007 at 12:15 PM
You are correct, and we apologize for the miscommunication you received from customer service. We produced the DIY shoe as a way to eliminate waste, and it is true, we will not always know the exact color that the customer will receive. We will attempt to keep our representatives more informed of any type of discrepancies that may be shown online. Customer service is an important issue to us, and if you would like to return your DIY shoes, please contact Patagonia customer service at 800-638-6464, and they will be happy to work with you on your return.
Posted by: incline | June 12, 2007 at 01:45 PM
I think the shoes are killer. Mybe some ugg style inserts in the future?
Posted by: chris culpen | August 17, 2007 at 05:25 AM
Is there a chance that these shoes will be available again? I'm still very interested aside from the color change.
Posted by: Lucas | September 18, 2007 at 12:20 PM
me too! me too! please email me about their potential future availability.
Cheers,
Cassandra
Posted by: Cassandra | September 18, 2007 at 01:37 PM
This might be a stupid idea business wise but it would be really cool to be able to download the pattern for the shoes so people could make use of their own scrap clothing materials. For instance I have an old jacket that I would like to make into a pair of these shoes. I would buy them but it looks like they wont be available for a while. Just an idea.
Posted by: chris | July 30, 2008 at 02:47 AM
I dig this idea chris. Will see what we can do...
Posted by: Free | August 01, 2008 at 09:31 AM
I would love a pair of these shoes but i call customer service and they seem to be out of order? help
Posted by: Jackie | August 27, 2008 at 03:55 PM
hey guys, I love your shoes, I got a pair last christmas. Recently I've included concept of your shoes in my papers, as I am writing a paper on Enviornmental Theology for my studies at my seminary. I would love to get a hold of the DIY, however I can't find it anywhere on the internet. I'd love to either order a pair and send it to Taiwan where I'm from, or if you could send me a layout! Thanks!
Posted by: B Zaidarhzauva | June 29, 2009 at 07:56 AM