The perfect Sneaker -

My very good friend Kata, who is a translater, lives in Berlin, and amongst other books translated the "Princess Diaries" into German ("Ploetzlich Prinzessin"), wears these all the time. Again, from Canada the "Blackspot-Sneaker-People" make you feel good about wearing this shoe...this is from their website:

Philosophy Behind the Shoes

For years the old pattern went on. People were jaded by megacorporate control of so much of their lives, but couldn't see how they might take some power back. We decided to launch a counterattack. The result is the world's first global anti-brand: Blackspot Shoes. Earth- friendly, anti-sweatshop, cruelty free, and pro-grassroots, Blackspots are the only rough-and-ready shoes designed to give toxic megacorporations what they need the most: a swift kick in the brand.

I dont own a pair of these, yet (still saving)!! - but I tried on Kata's and they are very, very comfy, sturdy, and the black hemp gives them a very nice japanesee, organic look. Compared to regular Converse (that's obviously what they are copying here) they seem much more durable and the sole is a bit thicker, making me a bit taller... I liked that.