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The Secret Ingredient Behind My Favorite, Go-With-Everything Spring Sneakers? It’s Corn!
Seavees SeaChange LTT sneakers are *the* versatile, responsible sneak you can wear with everything—and they're made from corn.
As explained in the once-viral internet jingle (which really still slaps today), there are *so* many reasons to love corn. For starters, it’s delicious. It has the juice (*it has the juice*) and, contrary to unpopular opinion, can be a nutritious source source of fiber, protein, and unsaturated fat. But its uses go well beyond just eating. From new approaches in plastics, paper goods, beauty products, and even batteries, corn gets a “gold” star for its eco-friendly versatility.
Add to the list: Corn leather, which just so happens to be the secret ingredient in these versatile sneakers you’ll want to (and can) wear literally everywhere. Meet the SeaVees SeaChange LTT, the easiest, breeziest white sneakers that go with any outfit, and boast entirely responsibly-made materials throughout its design.
About SeaVees
If you’re not familiar with SeaVees, the California-cool footwear brand got its start in the ’60s with its line of casual, any-occasion sneakers. After being shuttered in the 1970s, the brand spent nearly 40 years dormant until 2005, when founder and shoe designer, Steven Tiller, stumbled upon a vintage pair at thrift shop in Tokyo. Tiller brought the brand back to life in 2008, keeping the effortless “West Coast” vibe SeaVees was originally founded on, and expanding it to better serve the people and planet with more sustainable packaging, responsible materials, and a slew of nonprofit partnerships.
How does corn become leather?
Back to the corn: The crop is a cornerstone of the brand’s SeaChange collection, particularly the SeaChange LTT sneakers, which swap traditional leather for vegan corn leather on its uppers. Yes, corn. The material is made using a combination of non-food, GMO-free corn grains, as well as recycled polyester from plastic bottles, which are both processed into a bio-based polyurethane and turned into buttery smooth corn leather.
It’s one of the more responsible materials you can get your feet into. Since the grains are sourced from non-food corn products, it doesn’t divert food resources from human or animal supply chains, nor does it contribute to increased land use and carbon emissions associated with natural leather production. Add in pineapple-yarn laces (made with fibers derived from food waste), natural- and recycled rubber outsoles, and a recycled-cotton canvas lining, they’re eco-friendly from lace to sole. And they give back—every pair purchased from the SeaChange collection gives back $1 to SeaTrees, a nonprofit dedicated to combating climate change through sea kelp restoration.
But, they’re still a pair of shoes, which means they need to fit right and be comfortable, no matter how responsible they might be. Thankfully, they tick off these boxes, and look cool and casual while doing so.
My review of the SeaVees SeaChange LTT
I have the White/Gum combination and find them to be the ideal “fit” for an everyday spring sneak. They’re supportive without looking too sporty or overtly orthopedic, if you know what I mean. That blended-rubber outsole puts pep in every step, while the memory-foam footbed (which is put in all of brand’s shoes) allows for extra airflow, so on warm days, I don’t have to worry about sweating. And really… they just look cute with nearly every outfit. I can dress ’em up paired with a sundress or exercise dress, wear ’em with leggings and a hoodie, or rock ’em with jeans and T-shirt. For just over $100, they’re a sustainable style staple (try saying *that* three times fast) you’ll feel good about wearing all spring and summer long.
There’s nothing corny about these kicks, except for, well, the kicks themselves. While you’re waiting for farmer’s market season to get the real golden veggie, snag the next best thing: A pair of corn-leather sneakers that have the juice, too.
More styles from SeaVees
SeaVees Baja Slip On
$75
Prefer the ease of a slip-on style? Step into the Baja Slip Ons, which trade in laces for a totally hands-free design. In addition to a linen canvas upper, each pair boasts a recycled cotton canvas lining, recycled elastic gore, and a blended outsole made with recycled/natural rubber, so you can feel good about slipping them on.
Available sizes: 5-11, in half sizes | Colors: 3
Fit note: the brand recommends going a half size up in this style
SeaVees Sato Oxford
$130
Cute and chunky, these Oxford-style sneaks are bound to rake in the compliments. The vegan design includes recycled cotton, recycled rubber, and bio-based memory foam for comfort. While we love this loud yellow color, they're also available in versatile white and brown.
Available sizes: 5-11, in half sizes | Colors: 3
SeaVees Acorn Trainer
$130
This retro, 90's inspired sneaker isn't just green on the outside—the design includes recycled nylon, recycled cotton, and recycled rubber. Plus, the suede is sourced from tanneries certifed by the Leather Working Group (LWG). If green isn't for you, don't sweat it—there are plenty of other colors to choose from.
Available sizes: 5-11, in half sizes | Colors: 10
SeaVees Bodega Clog
$110
Waterproof, durable, and cute to boot—the Bodega Clog is down for any activity. This style is made with a rubber outsole, a moisture-wicking recycled polyester lining, and a bio-based memory foam insole for plenty of pressure relief.
Available sizes: 5-11, in whole sizes | Colors: 5
SeaVees Après Puff Slip On
$80
Keep your toes toasty in these plush slippers, which are made in a snuggly soft recycled polyester fleece and feature a recycled leather outer. You’d never know that the fabric was once water bottles, that’s how heavenly they are to wear.
Available sizes: 5-11, in whole sizes | Colors: 4
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