REASONS NOT TO BUY

1. This product is made from Sofubi (vinyl). Those who prefer leather might not find this product suitable.

2. The back of the boot has a slit that has to be prized apart to insert/remove the foot - this may require some strength but is much easier to wear than our previous vinyl boot products.

3. The slit at the back will not close completely - check the photos to see what I mean.
4. Some flash may be left over inside the deep heel socket - this is more noticeable in colors other than black.
5. If you are going to plug some clickety-click stands into the socket, be aware that they provide minimal balance support.
6. The boots don't stain as no ink is involved in their creation - if you discover a mark on the foot after wearing any of our footwear - it's probably accumulated dust that can be removed from the foot with thinner or melamine sponge.
7. Clickety-click stands, boot cuffs, and our roof/stairs are pictured in the photos but not included.
8. We kept the 3D print layering for an additional "digital" aesthetic which some folks may not like.
9. The symmetrical boot design can be worn on either foot. However, if you remove both boots with feet attached, you won't know which foot is in which boot. Your Smart Doll will inform you by kicking you if you attach the feet to the wrong shin.
10. Humans cannot wear them even though they may cost more than human footwear. However, I plan on making human versions as I would love to wear them myself ;-)
11. You could instead buy several jars of "Trader Joe's Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend 2.3 oz."
12. Even if you chop up the boots and sprinkle them on some nachos, the nutritional value will be close to zero. Those nachos will then be your last meal as your Smart Doll (who was watching you chop up their new boots) proceeds to make you into nachos topping.
13. If you were lucky enough to avoid being seen by your Smart Doll while chopping up their boots, the nachos will still be your last meal, as ingesting vinyl is not something you should be doing in the first place - stick with water and nachos if you got no topping.

About Vinyl Boots

Footwear always comes with an environmental cost. Leather involves taking a life and using land for livestock. Plastic, on the other hand, can take centuries to decompose.

Many folks have asked for non-leather options. When we launched Smart Doll in 2014, some shoes used PVC, but fake leather tends to flake over time—which is why I’ve avoided it.

More recently, we’ve been experimenting with creating vinyl versions of our boots. Using silicone and wax, we replicate leather shoes to make slush-cast vinyl molds. These require a few design tweaks—like a slit at the back with a hole to prevent tearing, and thinner casting so the boot flexes enough to get the foot in and out.

The upside? Vinyl boots are paintable for those who like to customize their look. And while they’re expensive to develop, they cost less to make over time—so they’re priced lower than leather. Most importantly, they don’t come at the cost of a life.

Reasons Not to Buy

• Vinyl is slush cast by human hands, so expect surface quirks like air bubbles or scuff marks.

• Flash (excess vinyl) is hand-trimmed, not machine-cut—edges may not be surgical.

• The slit at the back leaves a visible gap when worn. Check photos to see if that bothers you.

• The vinyl may feel squishy or thin to some, though it’s strong enough to support a Smart Doll.

• Removing the boots may require some finger ninja skills.

• If you’re anti-plastic, these aren’t for you—Smart Dolls themselves are plastic too.

• Vinyl may last thousands of years, unlike leather (a few hundred?). So don’t toss them in the trash. Recycle responsibly. And don’t forget to remove your Smart Doll first—unless you want her ghost stomping your dreams.

• • But beware: if another dog has already christened that grass, you’re layering poo.

  • Let it dry, then proceed with chisel and hammer. Don’t inhale.

  • If you skipped the gentle reminder not to step in poo, your Smart Doll may rebel by stomping your pillow. Just flip it over and pretend it never happened.

    Soles are not non-stick like a Teflon pan. If your Smart Doll steps in dog poo, you’ll need to handle it the traditional way—wipe it off, preferably on grass.
    

Taking Off Vinyl Boots

As mentioned above, removing vinyl boots may require some ninja finger action. The grippy texture of vinyl clings to the foot like it’s saying, “I’m not going to let goooo!”

Image 1 shows how to open the top of the boot. Don’t worry about pulling too wide—the circular hole at the bottom of the slit helps prevent tearing.

Image 2 demonstrates how to gently wriggle the foot out. You may find it easier to remove the foot from the doll before doing so.