Hemp shoes are becoming increasingly popular as people seek sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional footwear. Hemp is a versatile and durable material that offers many benefits for shoe wearers, including breathability, comfort, and microbial properties that combat foot odor. Several brands, including 8000 Kicks, Rackle, Sanuk, and Rawganique, offer a variety of hemp shoes for men and women, ranging from sneakers to sandals to slip-ons.
8000 Kicks is a Portuguese brand that specializes in hemp shoes, offering the world’s first waterproof cannabis sneaker. The brand sources its hemp responsibly from farms in China, France, and Romania and manufactures its vegan hemp shoes in regularly inspected factories in China and Portugal. Rackle, a US-based footwear brand, aims to produce the most comfortable, sustainable, and biodegradable lightweight shoes made of 100% hemp one-piece uppers lined with OCS and GOTS-certified organic cotton. Sanuk, a Cali-based brand, offers a collection of sustainable shoes for men and women, including hemp canvas shoes made from a blend of hemp and responsibly sourced cotton, TENCEL, linen, jute, or virgin polyester. Rawganique, a hemp clothing brand, offers a range of sustainable home products and hemp shoes, including ballet flats, boots, sandals, high tops, and sneakers made from 100% European hemp.
HOW WE CHOOSE THE BEST HEMP SHOES
When it comes to sustainable and ethical fashion, hemp shoes are an excellent choice. Hemp is a natural fiber that requires no chemical inputs and much less water than cotton. It is also a regenerative agriculture crop that draws down a greater amount of carbon from the atmosphere than is emitted during its cultivation. With these benefits in mind, here’s how we choose the best hemp shoes:
Materials
We look for shoes that use sustainable materials, such as organic cotton and/or linen blended with hemp for the uppers. When synthetics are used, we prefer that they are recycled. For the insoles, we prefer hemp or cork, which keep feet feeling fresh, and natural rubber for a durable and sustainable outsole. Midsoles are often made of plastic, but we’re pleased to see recycled algal bloom, castor bean oil, sugar cane, and partially recycled EVA foam becoming more commonplace.
Certifications
We prefer shoes that have certifications from reputable organizations such as bluesign®, USDA Biobased Product, Leather Working Group (LWG), Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and OEKO TEX Certification. These certifications ensure that the shoes meet strict environmental, social, and ethical standards.
Supply Chain and Labor Practices
Transparency is key. We want to know where our shoes are made and that workers throughout the supply chain are treated fairly and have safe working environments. We prefer shoes that have certifications from organizations such as BSCI, fair trade, Fair Wear Foundation, and SA8000.
Green Business Practices
We look for shoe brands that use renewable energy and carbon offsetting to eliminate single-use plastic. These green business practices help to reduce the carbon footprint of the shoes and the company as a whole.
Community & Charitable Giving
We also consider shoe brands that give back to the community and support charitable causes. Brands that give back get a high five for their commitment to making a difference.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON SUSTAINABLE HEMP SHOES
Hemp shoes are becoming more mainstream as people realize their benefits for the environment and for fashion. The most sustainable pair of kicks are the ones you’re already wearing, but if you need to buy new shoes and want to tread lightly on the planet, consider ethical shoe brands that use sustainable materials, have transparent supply chains, and support charitable causes. Help spread the word about the best hemp shoe brands for a low planetary impact by sharing this article.
