Happy Earth Month!
At Vegan Fashion Repository, we celebrate the Earth every single month. But April is special, as attention worldwide shifts to all matters relating to environmental welfare. This time, let’s focus on resource use.
Growing a fibre crop consumes significant resources — water, land, energy and chemicals. Amongst popular natural fibres such as cotton, hemp, linen, jute, nettle and coconut fibre, hemp has one of the lowest impacts. It is considered one of the most sustainable fibres due to its minimal water requirements, limited or no need for pesticides, and high yield. While processing hemp into fibre can be energy-intensive, hemp is often a regenerative crop, as its deep roots improve soil structure. Growing hemp helps reduce deforestation by providing a high-yield, rapidly renewable alternative to wood-based products, allowing existing forests to remain intact. Hemp also acts as a carbon sink, absorbing more CO₂ per hectare than many other crops.
In use, hemp fabric is antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, naturally thermoregulating, and durable. Pretty impressive, isn’t it?
What better way to step into Earth Month than with shoes made from hemp? We’re not encouraging anyone to buy more, but if you’re already in need of a new pair, give these ones a try!
You’re very welcome.
Terra Barefoot by Risorse Future (Italy)
Material(s): hemp, organic cotton, rubber sole, natural latex insole
About the brand: Risorse Future is an Italian brand founded in 1955, producing in Monte Urano in the Marches region with zero outside processing or transportation. Their plant-based line (hemp and cotton) has been in place since 2010.
Regular price: €120.00
The All-Dai Shoe by Munjoi (USA)
Material(s): cotton and hemp blended yarns, sugarcane and algae waste
About the brand: Munjoi was founded in 2020 by American footwear designer Patrick Hogan to combat overconsumption. The All-Dai shoes are almost entirely plant-based and transform into four styles: sneaker, mule, sandal, and open-toe sneaker. The brand calculates and offsets its carbon emissions.
Regular price: $58.00
Velik Burgundy by Bohempia (Czech Republic)
Material(s): hemp canvas, cotton, natural rubber
About the brand: Bohempia was founded in 2015 by Tomas Rohal, producing vegan barefoot shoes from hemp and advanced microfibre Ultrasuede®, made locally in small workshops across the EU.
Regular price: €119.95
Trekker for Women by 8000kicks (Portugal)
Material(s): hemp, recycled polyester lining, recycled rubber soles
About the brand: Founded in 2017 by Bernardo Carreira and his grandmother Otília, this remarkable duo spent a year developing the world’s first waterproof hemp shoe – pioneering an entirely new category. The brand’s offer has now expanded into backpacks and accessories.
Regular price: $149.00
SUN Brown by Zouri (Portugal)
Material(s): hemp, natural rubber and cork insole, outsole includes plastic recovered from the Ocean
About the brand: ZOURI is a vegan footwear brand from Guimarães, Portugal, using Portuguese coastal plastic waste along with rubber and organic cotton. The brand has managed to engage over 600 volunteers from local institutions, NGOs, and schools to help cleaning the coasts on regular basis.
Regular price: €89.00
Vegan Runner by Vegetarian Shoes (UK)
Material(s): hemp/cork
About the brand: Vegetarian Shoes was founded in 1990 by Robin Webb, who taught himself shoemaking after leaving Art College. Inspired by recycled car tyres in Africa, the brand produces made-to-order shoes in European and English factories, including one co-op established in 1881. The small business still operates from its Gardner Street shop and office, now shipping worldwide.
Regular price: £125.00
Explore more vegan shoes in our Directory.
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