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.