8000kicks Hemp Sneakers (Vegan Shoes!) Review
8000kicks Hemp Sneakers (Vegan Shoes!) Review
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Buy it at Amazon: 8000kicks Hemp Sneakers (Vegan Shoes!) [Affiliate Link]
Save 10% off a pair of sneakers using my referral link : https://8000kicks.com/discount/RBP10 [ Affiliate Product Link]
Takeaway: Lightweight, water resistant, eco-friendly and sustainable shoes.
The shoes come in several color options, and I opted for the full black version with black soles; I also received an additional pair of laces, though the shoes arrived pre-laced. If you haven't worn clothing made of hemp before, the material tends to feel a bit stiff at first, with a rough canvas feel close to the texture of burlap or linen. It will soften, however, over time as you break in the material which happens naturally the more you wear the shoe. The foam outsoles of the 8000kicks shoes are made from algae, harvested from algal blooms, creating a soft, flexible and durable cushion out of plant material rather than petrochemicals.
At the top of the tongue you have a small sewn on label for the 8000kicks branding in their signature hemp green. The laces each have metal eyelets and the stitching throughout the shoe is even and precise. As with most natural fibers, it’ll have a slightly hairy appearance on the surface of the material. On the inside you’ll notice that the sizing isn’t printed on the back of the tongue, like you’d find on most shoes. Instead, it can be found on the outer wall inside the shoe, displaying the size for different regions. Note that in the US, half sizes are not currently available and since I needed a men’s size 8.5 I was advised to select the next size up. The label also advises to hand-wash in warm water as machine washing may compromise the water repellency of the shoe. The material is splash-proof, but the longer it stays in contact with water, the more likely it is to absorb some of it, due to the breathability of the fabric; so while you won’t find that your feet will feel soaked immediately. if the shoes remain wet, you may start to feel a bit of humidity in the shoe, and I found that it usually happens first along the seam where the upper is glued to the sole. For enhanced dirt and water repellency, I recommend adding a top coat of an aerosol waterproofer.
The insole is also made of hemp and is removable, if you prefer to use custom or cushioned inserts. At the heel is a double-stitched pull tab, so you can use this to help you pull your shoes on without being worried that it’ll tear off. In terms of padding and cushion, the sides, upper, and toe of the shoe are lightly cushioned maybe 1/16th of an inch thick between the inner and outer layers, while the upper collar is a bit more substantial at about ½-5/8th of an inch thick. In terms of comfort, I found the foam soles to feel a bit thin for sports and outdoor activities like hiking since you tend to feel every texture and bump underfoot. Traction wise they seemed okay, but I’m not sure how well they would handle wet terrain or slippery muddy slopes.
That said, I think these are a great city walking shoe. On flat even surfaces like pavement or indoor flooring, these are comfortable and lightweight. As mentioned earlier, it’ll take you a few days to really break them in, but once you do, you’ll find that they flex and stretch with your foot, providing a natural, unrestrictive feel that remains breathable throughout the day. I did feel like they retained a little bit of heat, though I’m not sure if that’s because the black color simply absorbs more sunlight while I’m out and about, since I haven’t tried the other styles. However, by the end of the day I didn’t find that my feet were hot and sweaty because of it; but if you do have this problem, 8000kicks also sells moisture wicking hemp ankle socks with 57% hemp content blended with 41% polyester and 2% spandex for durability, breathability and comfort. These feature a small silicone patch at the heel to hold these in place for a low-profile clean look. 8000kicks’s also makes a re-usable hemp facemask with the same antibacterial, breathable, and water repelling features as the fabric used on their shoes, and with the adjustable ear elastics and sewn in nose clip, this is probably one of the most comfortable, sustainable masks I’ve used in the past year.
Overall, I think the 8000kicks sneakers are well-made, comfortable, and decent for use as an everyday walking shoe. You can rest assured that these are 100% vegan friendly, containing no animal products, and the company choose to use practices that are sustainable and eco-friendly. They do come at a premium, but if you can afford the extra expense to reduce the harm to our planet from traditional manufacturing processes and materials, I think it is well worth it in the long run.
Buy it at Amazon: 8000kicks Hemp Sneakers (Vegan Shoes!) [Affiliate Link]
Save 10% off a pair of sneakers using my referral link : https://8000kicks.com/discount/RBP10 [ Affiliate Product Link]
Save 10% off a pair of sneakers using my referral link : https://8000kicks.com/discount/RBP10 [ Affiliate Product Link]
Takeaway: Lightweight, water resistant, eco-friendly and sustainable shoes.
The shoes come in several color options, and I opted for the full black version with black soles; I also received an additional pair of laces, though the shoes arrived pre-laced. If you haven't worn clothing made of hemp before, the material tends to feel a bit stiff at first, with a rough canvas feel close to the texture of burlap or linen. It will soften, however, over time as you break in the material which happens naturally the more you wear the shoe. The foam outsoles of the 8000kicks shoes are made from algae, harvested from algal blooms, creating a soft, flexible and durable cushion out of plant material rather than petrochemicals.
At the top of the tongue you have a small sewn on label for the 8000kicks branding in their signature hemp green. The laces each have metal eyelets and the stitching throughout the shoe is even and precise. As with most natural fibers, it’ll have a slightly hairy appearance on the surface of the material. On the inside you’ll notice that the sizing isn’t printed on the back of the tongue, like you’d find on most shoes. Instead, it can be found on the outer wall inside the shoe, displaying the size for different regions. Note that in the US, half sizes are not currently available and since I needed a men’s size 8.5 I was advised to select the next size up. The label also advises to hand-wash in warm water as machine washing may compromise the water repellency of the shoe. The material is splash-proof, but the longer it stays in contact with water, the more likely it is to absorb some of it, due to the breathability of the fabric; so while you won’t find that your feet will feel soaked immediately. if the shoes remain wet, you may start to feel a bit of humidity in the shoe, and I found that it usually happens first along the seam where the upper is glued to the sole. For enhanced dirt and water repellency, I recommend adding a top coat of an aerosol waterproofer.
The insole is also made of hemp and is removable, if you prefer to use custom or cushioned inserts. At the heel is a double-stitched pull tab, so you can use this to help you pull your shoes on without being worried that it’ll tear off. In terms of padding and cushion, the sides, upper, and toe of the shoe are lightly cushioned maybe 1/16th of an inch thick between the inner and outer layers, while the upper collar is a bit more substantial at about ½-5/8th of an inch thick. In terms of comfort, I found the foam soles to feel a bit thin for sports and outdoor activities like hiking since you tend to feel every texture and bump underfoot. Traction wise they seemed okay, but I’m not sure how well they would handle wet terrain or slippery muddy slopes.
That said, I think these are a great city walking shoe. On flat even surfaces like pavement or indoor flooring, these are comfortable and lightweight. As mentioned earlier, it’ll take you a few days to really break them in, but once you do, you’ll find that they flex and stretch with your foot, providing a natural, unrestrictive feel that remains breathable throughout the day. I did feel like they retained a little bit of heat, though I’m not sure if that’s because the black color simply absorbs more sunlight while I’m out and about, since I haven’t tried the other styles. However, by the end of the day I didn’t find that my feet were hot and sweaty because of it; but if you do have this problem, 8000kicks also sells moisture wicking hemp ankle socks with 57% hemp content blended with 41% polyester and 2% spandex for durability, breathability and comfort. These feature a small silicone patch at the heel to hold these in place for a low-profile clean look. 8000kicks’s also makes a re-usable hemp facemask with the same antibacterial, breathable, and water repelling features as the fabric used on their shoes, and with the adjustable ear elastics and sewn in nose clip, this is probably one of the most comfortable, sustainable masks I’ve used in the past year.
Overall, I think the 8000kicks sneakers are well-made, comfortable, and decent for use as an everyday walking shoe. You can rest assured that these are 100% vegan friendly, containing no animal products, and the company choose to use practices that are sustainable and eco-friendly. They do come at a premium, but if you can afford the extra expense to reduce the harm to our planet from traditional manufacturing processes and materials, I think it is well worth it in the long run.
Buy it at Amazon: 8000kicks Hemp Sneakers (Vegan Shoes!) [Affiliate Link]
Save 10% off a pair of sneakers using my referral link : https://8000kicks.com/discount/RBP10 [ Affiliate Product Link]
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