Hey there! If you‘re a regular reader, you know I‘m always on the lookout for the latest innovations in functional fashion. As someone who spent years working long shifts on my feet, I‘ve tried every shoe brand out there searching for the perfect mix of all-day comfort and modern style. I‘m excited to introduce you to a relative newcomer in the work shoe scene that might just be the answer to your footwear prayers: Snibbs.
What are Snibbs Shoes?
Snibbs is a work shoe brand that‘s flipping the script on what we expect from our on-the-job footwear. Founded in 2019, Snibbs set out to design sneakers that could keep up with the demanding needs of professionals like nurses, chefs, teachers, and servers who take upwards of 10,000 steps per day.
The result is a line of sleek, athletic-inspired work shoes made from premium and eco-friendly materials. Unlike the clunky, orthopedic-looking work shoes of yesteryear, Snibbs actually look like fashionable sneakers you‘d wear in your off-duty life. But don‘t let the good looks fool you – there‘s serious support and comfort technology hidden inside.
As someone who‘s always trying to make more sustainable fashion choices, I was thrilled to learn that Snibbs makes their shoes from recycled materials like plastic bottles and rubber. They‘re also 100% vegan and free of animal byproducts. Combining orthopedic-level support with green materials and fresh styling makes Snibbs a triple threat.
Hands-On Review: I Tried Snibbs‘ Two Most Popular Styles
Snibbs offers a range of sneakers for both men and women, but their two most hyped models are the Orbit and the Spacecloud. Luckily, the kind folks at Snibbs HQ sent me a pair of each to test drive. For reference, I typically wear a women‘s 8.5 and have flat, narrow feet.
Snibbs Orbit Review
I received the Orbit style in the shade "Wine Tasting," a deep burgundy hue with a speckled sole. My first impression? These sneakers are LIGHT – like, walking-on-clouds light. The knit upper is stretchy and breathable, conforming to my foot without any pinching or pressure points. Snibbs recommends going up a half size in the Orbits, so I got a size 9 and the fit is perfect. There‘s a finger‘s width of space at the end of my toes and my heels stay locked in place without slipping.
The Orbits have a slip-on design, so you can just slide your foot right in. There are laces, but they‘re more for show and minor adjustments than function. As someone who‘s always in a rush, I appreciate not having to fuss with tying laces. I‘ve been wearing my Orbits for full 8+ hour days working from home and running errands, and my feet are just as happy at 5pm as they were at 9am. The bouncy EVA foam midsoles deserve major credit – they absorb impact and return energy with every step to fight fatigue.
While the Orbits are undoubtedly comfortable, my favorite feature might be that they‘re machine washable. I may or may not have spilled coffee on my pristine sneakers already, but I just popped them in the wash and they look good as new. If you tend to get messy on the job, being able to launder your shoes is a huge win.
Snibbs Spacecloud Review
The Spacecloud is Snibbs‘ flagship work sneaker, with a chunkier silhouette and even more anti-fatigue technology than the Orbits. I got the Spaceclouds in all white, which gives them serious nurse shoe vibes, but chicer. The leather-like recycled polyester upper has a subtle pebbled texture and feels more substantial than the Orbit‘s knit. There‘s extra reinforcement in high-wear areas like the toe box to boost durability.
Slipping on the Spaceclouds feels like a hug for your feet – the dual-density sole and Ortholite insoles cradle your arches for a supportive sensation. The cushioning is a bit firmer than the Orbits but still provides plenty of shock absorption for all-day wear. These shoes definitely require a little break-in time before they feel fully molded to your feet.
I‘ve been wearing my Spaceclouds for full shifts at the hospital and I‘m impressed by how well they perform. The triple-density midsoles fight fatigue even when I‘m logging 15,000 steps, and the slip-resistant outsoles keep me sure-footed on slick floors. I also appreciate the shoes‘ interior odor protection – my feet stay fresh through double shifts.
How Do Snibbs Compare to Other Popular Work Shoe Brands?
When I first slipped on my Snibbs, I couldn‘t help but compare them to other well-known work shoe brands I‘ve tried like Dansko, Alegria, and Merrell. Looks-wise, Snibbs are the clear winner – no other work shoe brand captures that modern, minimalist sneaker vibe quite like Snibbs. In terms of comfort though, I‘d say Snibbs are on par with my trusty Danskos. Both have excellent arch support and shock absorption, but Snibbs feel lighter and more nimble.
Compared to budget-friendly work shoes from the likes of Skechers or Fila that often retail for under $80, Snibbs are definitely a bigger investment at $135-$149 per pair. However, having experienced the pain and fatigue of skimping on unsupportive cheap shoes, I firmly believe Snibbs are worth the splurge. The combination of premium materials, orthopedic-level comfort design, and eco-friendly construction justifies the price tag in my book. Plus, if you walk over 10,000 steps per shift like the average nurse, you‘ll get your money‘s worth in cost-per-wear.
Snibbs Outshine in Sustainability
One area where Snibbs shine compared to other shoe brands is their genuine commitment to sustainability. Did you know the footwear industry is responsible for a whopping 1.4% of global carbon emissions? Snibbs is trying to be part of the solution by making their shoes from recycled and bio-based materials whenever possible.
Get this: Snibbs uppers are made from an average of 7 recycled plastic bottles per pair. The laces, stitching, and woven labels also use 100% recycled polyester and nylon. Even the cushy Ortholite insoles are made from 5% recycled rubber. Using all these earth-friendly materials helps reduce Snibbs‘ environmental impact and keeps plastic waste out of landfills and oceans.
What‘s really unique about Snibbs though is they go beyond using recycled materials – they‘ve actually found a way to make their shoes decompose faster. I was shocked to learn most shoes take up to 1,000 years to fully biodegrade in a landfill. Snibbs worked with material scientists to create an additive that helps their shoes break down 92.5% after just 20 years in anaerobic conditions, without leaving behind toxic residues.
All this is to say, if supporting sustainable businesses is important to you, Snibbs walks the walk. Their 100% recycled packaging and Climate Neutral certified shipping are just icing on the Earth-friendly cake.
The Verdict: Should You Invest in Snibbs?
Now for the million dollar question: are Snibbs shoes worth shelling out $135 or more? After wearing mine for several weeks and chatting with other Snibbs converts, my verdict is a resounding yes – if you‘re on your feet all day for work. Nurses, servers, teachers, retail workers, and anyone else who logs a lot of steps on the job will get the most bang for their buck.
Snibbs‘ thoughtful design and use of renewable materials make them a cut above your average sneakers in both performance and eco-friendly cred. All of Snibbs‘ styles deliver exceptional support, stability, and comfort for all-day wear, and the fact that they actually look stylish is a huge bonus. Trust me, once you feel the difference Snibbs make in your feet and legs after a long shift, you won‘t want to go back to your clunky old work shoes.
To get your perfect fit, I recommend visiting one of Snibbs‘ retail stores in the Los Angeles or San Francisco area if possible to try on shoes in person. If you‘re shopping online, Snibbs has a handy fit quiz on their website to help you find your ideal size. Their customer service is also super responsive in case you have any issues.
At the end of the day, you‘ve only got one pair of feet – and if you make a living staying active on them all day, they deserve the best support possible. In my experience, Snibbs are the cream of the crop for keeping feet and legs happy and energized through long shifts. Plus, wearing shoes that look as good as they feel is an instant mood booster.
If you‘re ready to step up your work shoe game, head to Snibbs.co and treat yourself to a pair (or two). Your feet will thank you! And don‘t forget to keep an eye out for new styles and colors dropping – word on the street is Snibbs has some exciting releases in the pipeline for 2023.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to send me any questions you have about Snibbs or navigating the wild world of work footwear. In the meantime, wishing you happy and healthy feet.
Until next time,
Your Resident Shoe Expert
