8000Kicks hemp shoes are the first 100% water resistant, anti-microbial sneakers made from premium, industrial hemp. They are great for hiking, running and casual wear and can navigate all types of weather and environments.
8000Kicks demonstrates how organic materials can be used to produce beautiful, durable and environmentally friendly fashion. Their hemp shoes are sustainably crafted using all-natural, vegan materials.
Originally called “Dope Kicks”, 8000Kicks is an eco-friendly, California-based footwear company that specializes in hemp shoes, and other hemp products like backpacks and socks.
Their product line is made entirely of industrial hemp and other organic materials. 8000Kicks hemp shoes are rip resistant, stain resistant, antibacterial, and antimicrobial.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- 8000Kicks is an environmentally responsible and sustainable company that creates durable, waterproof and stylish hemp shoes.
- 8000Kicks has one of the lowest carbon footprints of any shoemaker – approximately 4 kilograms CO2 per pair. Carbon footprint calculates the amount of pollution released into order to make a specific product.
- 8000Kicks are superior hemp shoes because they are naturally water resistant, odor resistant, and extremely durable.
8000Kicks Review | Hemp Shoes for Sustainable Style
8000Kicks “The Seeker” – $135
The Seeker are an everyday office casual model, created with an anti-slip, extra grippy rubber outsole and a stylish speckled design.
With an antibacterial and breathable hemp insole, the 8000Kicks Seekers are made to not smell. The shoes are also waterproof, so they won’t get ruined by stains, liquids, or dust.
The hemp shoes are vegan, biodegradable, and 99% compostable. The Seeker comes in two colors: all beige and black and white.
Seeker Features:
- Minimalist design
- Made from hemp fibers that are water-resistant and durable
- Vegan and biodegradable rubber soles
8000Kicks “Explorer V2” – $135
8000Kicks first line of stylish hemp shoes are called the Explorer V2. They are also made of premium cannabis hemp fibers used in both the upper fabric as well as the insole of the hemp shoe.
The Explorer V2 have a double layer of waterproofing, which make them both waterproof and stain resistant.
They come in several color ways – black, beige and green or black and white. Each version comes with a white or black outsole that contrasts nicely with the color scheme.
The brand logo in the Explorer V2 is placed on the shoe tongue, and a Cannabis leaf is stamped on the bottom of the outsole. The same styles are available for men and women.
The Explorer V2 hemp shoes are 8000Kicks most popular shoe because they are a comfortable, strong, stylish shoe that can be worn for all kinds of activities.
Explorer V2 Features:
- Waterproof / Stain resistant
- Odor Resistant
- Antibacterial / Antimicrobial
- Eco-Friendly, Vegan Materials
- Durable, resistant to tears and rips
- Bouncy, cushiony outsoles made of plant-based Bloom Foam
FAQs
About 8000Kicks
8000Kicks was created through the collaboration of co-founder Bernardo Carreira and his grandmother Maria Otilia. She brought 50 years of textile expertise to the company when Bernardo decided to create the 1st waterproof hemp sneaker.
In this video, Bernardo, the founder and inventor of 8000Kicks, discusses how he created the idea for the shoe, the process of creating the shoe, and the benefits of using hemp for footwear.
“Each fiber can be up to three meters, and that’s what makes it so strong because one fiber is always all the way up to three meters, and it’s all too if they put all too wet all together into a trend that makes the fabric and the threads super strong.” – Bernardo, Founder of 8000 Kicks
What is Hemp?
Hemp is an eco-friendly, sustainable fabric that has a lot of amazing benefits. It’s strong, rip resistant and stain resistant. It’s also naturally antimicrobial, which means it can fight off bacteria and dirt that your shoes come into contact with on a daily basis.
This naturally sustainable fabric comes from the hemp plant, a variety of the Cannabis Sativa plant that only has negligible levels of THC. It grows into tall, fibrous stalks and is known to grow easily and without much additional water or any pesticides to encourage plant survival.
As such, the hemp plant inherently absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere, leaving a small carbon footprint in both its cultivation as well as during the textile production process.
Since hemp requires a minimal amount of water to thrive, it is a sustainable premium fabric that is now widely used by ethical fashion designers around the world. Hemp leaves a smaller carbon footprint, making it an ideal fabric for clothing, shoes, and bags.
The plant fibers are an excellent alternative to leather while also producing fibers that are three times stronger than cotton. This makes hemp perfect for use in products with heavy use like shoes, bags or clothing. When used in fabric construction, these fibers help to create products that are durable and cost-effective, as well as beautiful.
Why Use Hemp?
When woven into a fabric, these fibers are loved for being friendly to the environment while also being strong and beautiful. It is relatively inexpensive to produce as well. But the most popular reasons why we love it are because:
- it has natural anti-microbial properties making it perfect for shoes and other surfaces that can get dirty easily
- its tightly woven material makes the fabric UV-resistant, providing a layer of protection from the sun
- it wears well, becoming softer and more comfortable after repeated use or wear
- it is waterproof, adding to the flexibility of using the fabric in clothing and accessories
Are hemp shoes waterproof?
8000Kicks hemp shoes have a waterproof and stain resistant exterior. A special coating layer is applied to the hemp fabric to protect the shoe from undesired blemishes, fluids, and dirt. You can take these sneakers into any environment and they will bounce right back.
This makes 8000Kicks great for hiking and running through wet, muddy conditions. No matter where you take these shoes, they will emerge looking fresh and clean.
Are hemp shoes sustainable?
8000Kicks hemp shoes are made from one of the most sustainable fabrics on the planet. Hemp does not require pesticides or a lot of water to grow and is completely biodegradable. Hemp plants also help remove carbon pollution from the atmosphere, making them a carbon neutral textile. It is considered one of the most environmentally friendly fabrics.
Carbon Footprint is the quantity of CO2 produced in order to create a product. Carbon is released into the atmosphere and contributes to global warming. According to a 2013 MIT study, an average pair of running shoes emits 13.6 kilograms of carbon dioxide, comparable to leaving a 100-watt light bulb on for one week.
8000Kicks shoes carbon footprint of 4 kilograms C02 is one of the lowest compared to other sneaker brands. This makes them significantly more sustainable and eco-friendly than non-hemp sneakers.
Where are 8000Kicks made?
According to the company, 8000Kicks is ethically manufactured in Braga, Portugal and Dongguan, China. Both factories were selected because they have decades of experience working with hemp.
Are 8000Kicks shoes smell proof?
Hemp is naturally odor resistant and moisture wicking. It is one of the most breathable fabrics and does not retain odors.
8000Kicks hemp shoes are also made with hempcrete. Hempcrete is a high-performance polymer with temperature-regulating qualities. It helps your feet stay cool so that your shoes do not become sweaty.
Are 8000Kicks hemp shoes naturally antibacterial / antimicrobial?
Hemp is naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial, reducing the growth of fungal germs in your shoes and feet.
Are 8000Kicks hemp shoes durable?
Hemp has 3X the strength of cotton and is considered one of the most durable organic fibers in existence.
Are 8000Kicks hemp shoes legal?
Yes, the hemp is completely legal all over the world. Hemp is legal because the fabric used has no psychoactive components, the shoe cannot be utilized as a drug.
Are 8000Kicks hemp non-toxic?
Yes, hemp is not sprayed with chemicals or pesticides. Hemp is an invasive weed-like species and is able to thrive in almost any conditions or weather. This eliminates the need for pesticides when farming hemp, making it much more eco-friendly and non-toxic.
8000Kicks are also almost entirely biodegradable, as they are made of 95% natural materials.
How is hemp cultivated?
Step-by-Step Process:
- Extract hemp fibers from the trunk of the hemp plant, as this is where the longer, stronger fibers are found.
- Weave the hemp fibers into fabric for the upper part of the shoe.
- Use algae to create the sole of the shoe.
- Assemble the shoe.
The fibers are removed from the bark when the hemp is harvested – a technique known as “retting”. This process takes about 4 – 6 weeks to complete. Next, the fibers are subsequently separated, carded into strands and cleaned of any contaminants. After that, the material is either pulped to make paper, matted to make fleece, or turned into weavable fiber by steam explosion. Finally, the hemp is spun into yarn and woven into a fabric.
Hemp is derived from a variety of Cannabis sativa plant species and is used in textiles, rope, paper, and biofuel. 8000Kicks buys their hemp from France, Romania, and China, and has mills in both China and Portugal.
Are 8000Kicks hemp shoes vegan?
8000Kicks are 100% vegan and made from organic and biodegradable materials.
The outsole of the sneaker is composed of recycled algae blooms. Algae blooms are a fast growth of algae in marine habitats, and they are known to be particularly damaging to species in the region. The spread of algae, which thrives at higher temperatures, is a result of climate change and is harming the oceans.
8000Kicks teamed up with Bloom Foam, a firm dedicated to reversing the consequences of water pollution, to solve the problem. Bloom Foam creates sustainable materials from a variety of organic materials, including algae. The algae bloom also makes 8000Kicks feel super lightweight. In fact, they are also some of the most light weight shoes I’ve ever worn. The bouncy soles provide good support during long walks or runs.
How do I clean 8000Kicks hemp shoes?
Warm water and soap should be used to clean the shoes, with moderate scrubbing. The coating may fade or lose its effectiveness with time, but the shoes will remain waterproof thanks to the ultra waterproof membrane used.
Machine cleaning is not recommended by 8000Kicks since it may lose some of the coating that protects the shoes from water, dirt, and other pollutants.
What is the sizing of 8000Kicks shoes?
8000Kicks has an easy way for figuring out your shoe size. Look at any of your existing sneakers – Nike is preferable.
Find the tag inside the sneaker that displays the different sizes. Look for a “CM/JP” number – this is your shoes’ maximum fit. Select the same size for your 8000Kicks. If the CM/JP size in your current sneakers is 30, then you should select a size 30 or 31 in 8000Kicks shoes.
What is the shipping process for 8000Kicks?
International orders from the United Kingdom and the United States can take up to 5-10 days to arrive. It takes 7-14 days for European consumers. Buyers in other regions of the world might expect to wait 14 days.
What is the 8000Kicks return policy and warranty?
Not happy with your purchase? Contact 8000Kicks within 60 days for a replacement, exchange, or refund. Shoes must be brand new, unused, and in original packaging. All returns require 8000Kicks Customer Service authorization.
How can I contact 8000Kicks?
- Phone number: +1 478 401 4950
- Customer service email: help@8000kicks.com
Is 8000Kicks a fair trade company?
While 8000Kicks is not certified as fair trade, they are completely transparent about their entire supply chain. Their products are made in Braga, Portugal and Dongguan, China, at factories known for their expertise in hemp cultivation. They pay workers a living wage and even publish the salaries on their website in their FAQ section.
8000Kicks Discounts
Use the code FTFINDER to get 10% off your order.
8000Kicks Customer Reviews
Customers seem to also love 8000Kicks products and consistently leave good reviews on their website. 80% of customers leave a 5/5 stars, perfect review, 12% of customers leave 4/5 stars, and 8% leave 3 stars or less.
8000Kicks has a 4.7/5 star rating on Trustpilot based on 40 reviews. The majority of buyers praise the company’s ecologically friendly message, as well as the shoes’ durability and sturdiness. “The shoes are great, not just because they’ve done an excellent job with the materials and design, but they’re also quite comfy and environmentally friendly.”
The one fault that several customers reported was with size. Several people complained that the shoes they received fit smaller than expected and needed to be replaced. 8000Kicks has a very convenient return and warranty policy. They have a 60 day full refund, or a 1 year shoe replacement warranty.
Hemp Educational Resources
- “The Environmental Benefits of Hemp Shoes” by The Good Trade https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/hemp-shoes-environmental-benefits
- “Hemp Shoes: The Benefits and Drawbacks” by Treehugger
https://www.treehugger.com/hemp-shoes-benefits-drawbacks-4869153 - “Sustainable Footwear: Why Hemp Shoes Are a Smart Choice” by Eco Warrior Princess
https://ecowarriorprincess.net/2018/09/sustainable-footwear-why-hemp-shoes-are-a-smart-choice/ - “Hemp Shoes: Eco-Friendly Footwear” by Hemp Basics
https://www.hempbasics.com/hemp-shoes.html - “Hemp Footwear: Sustainable and Comfortable Shoes for Everyone” by Ministry of Hemp
https://ministryofhemp.com/blog/hemp-footwear/
Other 8000Kicks Hemp Products
The 8000Kicks Everyday Hemp Backpack is stylish and highly functional. It is the first 100% hemp backpack of its kind.
The Everyday Hemp Backpack
- Waterproof
- Durable, rip resistant material
- Fits a 15 inch laptop
- Large packing space with 18L expandable up to 30L
- Features a built-in slot to internally connect power plug (battery not included)
- Anti-theft pocket that is only accessible from the back.
8000Kicks Striped Socks
- Odor resistant
- Anti-microbial
- Anti-bacterial
- Breathable to keep feet cool
Final Thoughts
8000Kicks makes stylish, sustainable and durable hemp products. These products look good without damaging the environment.
If you enjoy 8000Kicks products, take a look at our curated lists of vegan sneakers and fair trade shoe brands for women.
