Congratulations to Pamela, winner of the Common Ground Travel Shoes Giveaway!
Common Ground travel shoes are designed to spark conversation. Enter the giveaway to win a pair of your own.
People who are privileged to have the means and opportunity to travel often feel the urge to give back to others in socially responsible ways. This may take place through volunteer work, charitable contributions or other actions such as socially responsible buying (also called ethical buying), both at home and when traveling.
About the company
Common Ground is an unconventional Portland-based shoe company founded by John Tawney. Prior to launching his own company, Tawney worked with Nike for some 15 years and was a co-founder of NIKEiD personalized customization.
Expanding his creativity to new dimensions, Tawney came up with the idea of designing unique footwear that would deliver a social message and promote change. (Yes, reading about this did, at first, make me think about Fred Armisen’s TV show Portlandia that pokes fun at the progressive denizens of that city.)
N.B. Toms Footwear and Warby Parker are other examples of successful business ventures based on the premise that ethical companies should extend their work beyond profits alone.
The shoes
The quirky, conversation-sparking unisex shoes marketed by Common Ground are printed in an array of designs that highlight different points of view on social issues such as marriage equality, gender equality, immigration, and gun violence. The graphics are intended to inspire dialogue to help people place themselves in “each other’s shoes.” The slip-on sneaker-like shoes have a rubber sole and rubber tips, and are available in a range of colors in both men’s and women’s sizes.
In short, the broader message of the shoes is to inspire users to take the time to listen, understand and respect other points of view with empathy. The brand firmly believes that travelers, like you and me, can play a unique role as ambassadors of empathy through our actions. In addition, the company donates 2.5% of all sales to Start Empathy, an initiative of Ashoka, (the largest network of social entrepreneurs) dedicated to building a future in which every child develops the capacity for empathy.
Here are a few examples of the shoe styles that are available:
If you don’t want to provoke too much conversation or consternation, the message of the more subtle Progress style is less explicit. It emphasizes a cautious yet realistic approach to progress.
THE GIVEAWAY
To spread the word about the shoes to travelers, Common Ground is willing to give away one pair to a randomly selected reader of More Time To Travel. The shoes retail for $70 a pair.
The Rules:
- To enter, just leave a comment below with the shoe style and color of the pair you would like to win, selecting them from those on the Common Ground website.
- Limited to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.
- The contest ends on midnight 11/30/16. The winner will be announced here.
Disclosure: Common Ground sent me a pair of the shoes for consideration and possible review. They really are a neat idea! Any opinions expressed In this post are my own.
134 Comments
Amy F
November 4, 2016 at 7:34 amProgress Bright White Size 5.5
Nancy Monson
November 4, 2016 at 11:04 amCool post, Irene! The right shoes are essential for a happy vacation. I like the Immigration Jet Black Style–I love the mix of patterns and how the design represents cultures coming together.
Size 7.5
Laura Kelly
November 4, 2016 at 2:39 pmVery cool shoes and messages! I would love Gun Violence (that sounds weird), size 8.
Nancy D. Brown
November 4, 2016 at 6:01 pmI’d like to wear Progress in Military_Olive w8.5
Susan Christy
November 4, 2016 at 11:14 pmGender Equality – Strong Blue – Size 9
Fran
November 4, 2016 at 11:24 pmProgress – cabernet in women’s 8.5 thanks!
Brittney House
November 5, 2016 at 12:49 amI like the immigration, promised land in jet black.
Ashley C
November 5, 2016 at 7:15 amI like the Progress in Military Olive
Kelly D
November 5, 2016 at 9:43 amI like the GENDER EQUALITY, PIECES OF SAME in goldfinch.
Sharon
November 5, 2016 at 9:50 amThe Progress Military_Olive size 8.5.
Amy
November 5, 2016 at 9:50 amGun violence – jet black
These shoes are a great idea and look super comfortable for travel!
Alice
November 5, 2016 at 10:14 amMarriage Equality: Between Two
White/ 9
Hideliza Quane
November 5, 2016 at 10:55 amWill be making an 18 hour flight to the Philippines in January.
Would like to win:
Marriage Equlity White
Women’s size 6
Sandy Klocinski
November 5, 2016 at 2:03 pmI would like to win Progress in Military Olive size W-8.5
Lisa Weidknecht
November 5, 2016 at 3:05 pmI like Progress Cabernet, women size 8. Thank you!
Tracy Shafer
November 5, 2016 at 8:26 pmI like the Progress, in Bright White…size 6.5
Amy G
November 5, 2016 at 9:39 pmI would love the Marriage Equality Between Two in White!
Denise L
November 5, 2016 at 10:29 pmI’d pick Progress in jet black. They look stylish and comfy.
nickie
November 5, 2016 at 11:53 pmI like the Immigration: Promised Land size 7.5
Denisse
November 6, 2016 at 9:04 pmMarriage Equality: Between Two in Goldfinch
marilou t
November 6, 2016 at 9:30 pmi like gun violence in a 8.0
trinity Wilkins
November 6, 2016 at 9:52 pmI would like the Progress in jet black, size 8 1/2 they look really nice.
Paige
November 6, 2016 at 10:45 pmProgress in Military Olive, size 5.5
Amanda Patterson
November 6, 2016 at 11:19 pmI really like the Marriage Equality: Between Two Bleached_Apricot !
Jeanne M Rousseau
November 7, 2016 at 1:23 amGreat shoes, I love to see companies for causes. I like the Gun Violence, 1000 Pieces in Deep_Forest.
doddie d
November 7, 2016 at 10:47 amProgress in Jet Black. Size 7. 🙂
pat lambert
November 7, 2016 at 11:06 amImmigration promised land 9.5
McKim
November 7, 2016 at 11:15 amI like the Project Jet Black shoes.
Laurie W.
November 7, 2016 at 1:30 pmI would love the Progress shoes in Jet Black.
paige chandler
November 7, 2016 at 1:52 pmI like gun violence in jet black. Great message!
Michelle Donovan
November 7, 2016 at 2:58 pmMARRIAGE EQUALITY in White (11W) – super cool!
Mary Cloud
November 7, 2016 at 5:12 pmI like the Gun Violence Black design
edq143
November 7, 2016 at 5:50 pmI like the style Gun Violence size 6
Pamela
November 7, 2016 at 6:09 pmThanks so much for the grat review. I had never heard of Common Ground Footwear before, and I just love both the idea behind the shoes and the great styles themselves. I would love to have a pair of Immigration: Promised Land style shoes in Jet Black. I would wear them proudly!
Nadine Stacy
November 7, 2016 at 6:56 pmI’d like progress in black to go with everything.
Chrystal D
November 7, 2016 at 8:29 pmI\’d love to be wearing the Immigration : Promised Land in Jet Black in a size 6.5
Angela Saver
November 8, 2016 at 12:50 amI would choose the Gun Violence, 1000 Pieces in Jet Black!
[email protected]
Sandy Bonesteel
November 8, 2016 at 5:07 amI want the Progress style, in Jet Black.
Kathy Borgen
November 8, 2016 at 6:12 pmI love the Progress in Cabernet. These shoes look amazingly comfortable!
ron schnell
November 8, 2016 at 9:09 pmGun Violence size 7
ron frampton
November 9, 2016 at 2:10 pmIMIGRATION PROMISE LAND IN JET BLACK AND A SIZE 5.
Vera P.
November 10, 2016 at 12:16 pmProgress in Jet Black Women’s 7
Looking for shoes for trip in 2017 to Asia, these look perfect!
Bridget Combs
November 10, 2016 at 4:19 pmI like the deep forest Gun Violence, 1000 Pieces/ size 8
Edward Tarver
November 10, 2016 at 7:24 pmMarriage equality size 6.5
betty league
November 10, 2016 at 8:18 pmwomen’s 8.5size Progress Jet_Black – is the shoes I would like to have if I win. thanks
Debby Kulchar
November 11, 2016 at 10:19 amImmigration: Promised Land
Bleached_Apricot would look great on me! thanks for great giveaway
Kristi C
November 11, 2016 at 10:37 amI would like the Progress in military olive.
Barb C
November 11, 2016 at 5:58 pmProgress Bright White Size size 6.5
Crystal Quibell
November 12, 2016 at 7:04 amI’d like Gun Violence, Strong_Blue in a 7.5′ thanks!
Jana Liu
November 12, 2016 at 8:27 amI would go with the Marriage Equality: Between Two
Bleached_Apricot
ruth curtin
November 12, 2016 at 4:16 pmLOOKS LIKE A COMFORTABLE SHOE THAT DOES NOT DEFORM FEET
Suzette Ward
November 12, 2016 at 4:36 pmI LOVE LOVE LOVE these. I’d choose Progress in jet black, size 10.
Jan Koontz
November 13, 2016 at 4:03 pmjust to cool
Jen F
November 13, 2016 at 8:25 pmProgress Military Olive…my favorite color.
M. L.
November 15, 2016 at 1:39 amYOU HAVE WOMEN’S SHOES IN SIZE 11 7 12!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!
So…you can guess what sizes I’m looking at, right??? 😉
If I won, I would order the Progress size in a women’s size 12.
Kathy Pease
November 16, 2016 at 6:15 pmI would love the Progress
Jet_Black in size 9…Thanks so much for the chance 🙂
Julie Davies
November 17, 2016 at 10:09 pmGender Equality, Pieces of Same
Strong_Blue size 8 women
They look very comfortable!
clynsg
November 18, 2016 at 9:48 amGender Equality, Strong Blue, W-6
Kathy Hanley
November 20, 2016 at 2:25 pmI like the Jet Black in size 8.5 and would love to try them out!
Christina O
November 20, 2016 at 3:37 pmLike the black and white promised land shoes.
Irma Sh
November 21, 2016 at 11:26 pmThank you for your website. The shoes look comfortable, easy to slip on and good for walking.
I really like the Gender Equality,Pieces of Same,Strong Blue in Size 8 Womens
Helen Horvat
November 22, 2016 at 5:02 pmgun violence in black. great idea
MARIA SIMON
November 22, 2016 at 10:04 pmProgress in Military Olive SIZE 8 THANK YOU
Anne Davis
November 23, 2016 at 7:48 pmWHat a good idea. I vote for progress in black size 7/1/2
Steve Stone
November 23, 2016 at 11:38 pmmens or womens progress. id like some for me but think my foot is too big.
latanya
November 24, 2016 at 9:20 pmI like Progress in black
Susan Chester
November 24, 2016 at 11:09 pmI like the Gender Equality, Pieces of Same in Goldfinch
Kristen
November 26, 2016 at 2:09 amI like the Forest Green Gun Violence shoe.
Danielle
November 26, 2016 at 11:40 amI really like the Progress Jet_Black
Carol G
November 26, 2016 at 1:41 pmIMMIGRATION: PROMISED LAND Size W-7
jberry
November 26, 2016 at 3:56 pmMy preferred option is GUN VIOLENCE, 1000 PIECES,in Deep Forest.
Pat
November 26, 2016 at 4:59 pmI like Progress Jet Black
Rhonda Struthers
November 27, 2016 at 1:52 pmMy preference is Immigration: Promised Land jet black
susansmoaks
November 27, 2016 at 5:30 pmi would like the Marriage Equality: Between Two Bleached_Apricot in women’s size 10
Deb E
November 27, 2016 at 7:42 pmReally cool idea. I would like Gun Violence in Black & White – Size 8
Bobbie Smith
November 27, 2016 at 10:42 pmI really like the Progress in Jet Black. 7 1/2
Erica B.
November 28, 2016 at 5:16 amI like immigration in deep forest.
Melissa
November 28, 2016 at 9:02 ami love the Progress shoe in Jet Black. i really like what the company stands for! thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Donna
November 28, 2016 at 1:26 pmLike Gun Violence in Blue size 9 1/2 – thanks.
Kathy Tracey
November 28, 2016 at 2:23 pmJet_Black would be for me. They look so comfy.
Kathy Tracey
November 28, 2016 at 2:24 pmProgress style
LauraSL
November 28, 2016 at 3:00 pmI love this unique line of shoes! I would love Progress in Gray_Violet.
elaine fisher
November 28, 2016 at 9:46 pmIMMIGRATION: PROMISED LAND
peach 8.5
cool love all the styles
Jane McGregor
November 28, 2016 at 11:42 pmGun Violence, 1000 Pieces
Jet_Black size 11
CHRISTY SWEENEY
November 29, 2016 at 10:10 amI LIKE THE GUN VIOLENCE IN DEEP FOREST
Christine G
November 29, 2016 at 1:41 pmHello Everyone,
When I first saw these shoes and read the review I thought I would really like to have the grey violet progressive style. However after surfing the Common Ground site and reading all the reasons why the artists created each design I have decided to take a bolder approach to my selection. My choice of Gun Violence-1000 pieces in Strong Blue size w-8 is apt to bring on more attention and therefore more conversation which I now understand to be the whole point of creating this line of shoes. What a fabulous way to open eyes and helping change points of view Common Ground and definitely a great review More Time to Travel.
Christine
Caralea Page
November 29, 2016 at 1:43 pmA really good cause and great shoes! I like the Progress Jet-Black, W-10.5
Teresa A Thompson
November 29, 2016 at 2:31 pmGender Equality, Pieces of Same Goldfinch, size 8.
Jessica Whitehouse
November 29, 2016 at 2:56 pmI’m not really a fan of the “mismatched” look, So I would choose the Progress line pd solid colors. My favorite is the basic black, in women size 11-12.
Barb
November 29, 2016 at 4:13 pmI love the idea and these shoes: gender equality, pieces of same, strong blue, W 7.5
Serena Powell
November 29, 2016 at 6:11 pmI would love the Progress shoes in Military Olive.
Ed
November 29, 2016 at 7:35 pmGun Violence Jet_Black is my item of choice.
Tricha Leary
November 29, 2016 at 7:37 pmlove Promised land in Deep Forest size 9
Lisa V.
November 29, 2016 at 7:42 pmI like the Gun Violence, 1000 Pieces Jet_Black .
eva andrew
November 29, 2016 at 8:27 pmI like the Cabernet in Progress…size 10
shawna
November 29, 2016 at 8:48 pmI would like the Gender Equality, Pieces of Same
Bright_White in 8.5
Laurie Emerson
November 29, 2016 at 9:20 pmI love the Immigration Promised Land in Deep Forest.
Shannon
November 29, 2016 at 10:11 pmI love the GENDER EQUALITY, PIECES OF SAME in blue!
denise april
November 29, 2016 at 10:57 pmI like the Progress
Jet_Black
Jenny Scheldberg
November 29, 2016 at 11:25 pmThese are great! I love the Marriage Equality in gray/white.
Mark Marville
November 29, 2016 at 11:34 pmGender Equality, Pieces of Same
Strong_Blue Size 9.5
Joy Venters
November 30, 2016 at 12:03 amGender Equality – Bright White – size 10
These are really good looking shoes
Carolyn Daley
November 30, 2016 at 2:00 amI like the Progress shoes in Jet Black in size 8.
STEPHANIE MACDONALD
November 30, 2016 at 4:42 amI like the Progress in Military Olive in 8
Lisa Varner
November 30, 2016 at 10:05 amI’d love the Progress, Jet Black (size 7).
Dawn J
November 30, 2016 at 10:15 amMarriage Equality: Between Two, Bright White, Size W 9.5
Thank you!
DeeAnn S
November 30, 2016 at 11:36 amI like Gun Violence, Deep Forrest. Size 8 would be great! Thanks.
Trent Zinser
November 30, 2016 at 11:50 amProgress Jet_Black size 10.5
Buddy Garrett
November 30, 2016 at 11:53 amI would like to win Progress Bright-White in 81/2.
amy smeltzer
November 30, 2016 at 1:08 pmI like the Progress Military Olive ones in women’s size 8 1/2
Amy Moore
November 30, 2016 at 1:08 pmGender Equality Bright White Sz 9.5
Peggy Rydzewski
November 30, 2016 at 1:31 pmI could wear the jet black to the office and be comfortable.
Jerry Marquardt
November 30, 2016 at 2:24 pmI like the Progress style in the Jet Black color the most of all of the fine choices on the Common Ground web site.
Tracey Byram
November 30, 2016 at 3:01 pmMarriage Equality: Between Two
Bright_White Womens size 6
Marc
November 30, 2016 at 3:01 pmHi. I’d like the Progress style in the Bright_White color…(because I’m a non-provocative, subtle-type guy who takes a cautious yet realistic approach to progress).
jules m.
November 30, 2016 at 3:55 pmi like the PROGRESS in jet black.women’s size 10
Jennifer H.
November 30, 2016 at 4:19 pmI like the IMMIGRATION: PROMISED LAND in the color black and white in women’s size 11.
Lorena Keech
November 30, 2016 at 4:21 pmGun Violence in Strong Blue, womens, size 10
Carol
November 30, 2016 at 4:22 pmImmigration: Promised Land
Deep_Forest in woman size 11
John H.
November 30, 2016 at 5:14 pmI would like to win this for my wife
Immigration: Promised Land
Jet_Black women\’s 11
Immigration: Promised Land
Deep_Forest women\’s 11
Kimberly Snyder
November 30, 2016 at 5:26 pmProgress
Jet_Black
size 9.5
Janice Gabriel
November 30, 2016 at 7:43 pmGun violence size 8. Very cool shoes
MARSHA C
November 30, 2016 at 8:41 pmMarriage Equality: Between TwoBright_White
size 8 1/2 please
victoria williams
November 30, 2016 at 8:55 pmI Love Progress in Jet Black.
rich bar
November 30, 2016 at 8:55 pmgun violence strong blue 9.5
Eugenia Taylor
November 30, 2016 at 9:30 pmImmigration bleached apricot
Leslie Davis
November 30, 2016 at 9:45 pmGender Equality, Pieces of Same
Goldfinch
Joseph Fleming
November 30, 2016 at 9:47 pmThese are interesting shoes. They would make a nice gift for a lady in my life.
Richard Hicks
November 30, 2016 at 10:08 pmI like the Progress in gray violet
DanV
November 30, 2016 at 10:17 pmI like Progress Jet_Black
AEKZ2
November 30, 2016 at 11:07 pmI really like the Progress shoes in jet black
S. Carer
November 30, 2016 at 11:24 pmI would choose the Progress in Jet_Black.
Aaron
November 30, 2016 at 11:37 pmI like the IMMIGRATION: PROMISED LAND in Deep Forest in size W – 10.5.
Bridgette Mahmood
December 1, 2016 at 1:27 amImmigration: Promised Land
Jet_Black women size 8