philosophy

crafted from carbon-absorbing, plant-based materials for the good of the climate

click the headings below to explore

pinatex

pineapple leaf fibre

sole

natural rubber
natural rubber

footbed

cork and coconut husk fibres

components

out of sight didn’t mean out of mind in our mission to create shoes for the good of the climate

packaging

minimal, recycled and environmentally better
  • philosophy
  • pinatex
  • sole
  • footbed
  • components
  • packaging

working with nature

plants, particularly trees, are the lungs of the Earth and pull huge amounts of carbon from the atmosphere

By using plant-based materials and working with, rather than against, nature, we not only have a cleaner supply chain, but we also add value to an economy that naturally benefits the climate.

built to last

the world’s longest wear trial

Our shoes - being made from natural materials - benefit from incredible natural properties which have evolved over millennia.

For example, cork has a unique thermoregulating ability, coconut husks are incredibly durable and natural rubber is flexible yet tough.

Partnering natures innovations with pioneering materials, we’ve crafted shoes that will stand the test of time whilst being better for your feet.

amazing natural materials that don’t use extra land, water or fertiliser

In the global fight against climate change, upcycling would-be waste from food production into high quality materials is a game-changer.

By utilising materials such as pineapple leaves and coconut husks, we’re able to benefit from their natural properties without the need for extra land, water or fertiliser during the growth stage.

This creates extra value for the farming communities, helping sustain plant-based, decarbonising economies.

vegan

cruelty free and climate considered

Meat and leather production create vast amounts of greenhouse gases and are extremely land and water intensive. Our shoes are 100% vegan, meaning that no animal products are used.

only using what’s needed

Reducing our impact on the planet isn’t simply about replacing parts of the shoe with better materials, it is also about removing needless components which are often used as decoration or to reinforce poor materials.

By using better materials and analysing every aspect of the shoe in detail, we eliminated all metal from the shoe by not having eyelets and also removed any backing material, giving our shoes a lighter, more natural feel.

avoiding plastic

We went to extreme lengths to avoid plastics, especially the hidden ones; instead of plastic reinforcements we used cork and instead of EVA padding we used natural latex.

Naturally, these materials have higher costs, but they are game-changing innovations for the environment and bring performance benefits.

Small amounts of polymers are currently unavoidable in the upper and lining materials, which require a blend of materials with their plant base to achieve long lasting durability. Our aim is to reduce use of polymers to zero by working with material innovators to find pioneering solutions.

lightweight, breathable, long-lasting and water-resistant, Pinatex is the most advanced plant-based leather alternative available

Innovator Dr. Carmen Hijosa wanted to solve two problems; find a sustainable alternative to leather, and find a use for the waste from pineapple production.

By partnering with farming communities who collect the leftover leaves from the harvest, she created the unique natural-textured material Pinatex. 

This process also gives extra value to the pineapple groves supply chain by providing them with an additional income stream.

68 leaves

Making one pair of our shoes uses the equivalent of 68 pineapple leaves which would otherwise be burnt or discarded.

The long fibres of the leaves are extracted and dried before being manufactured into Pinatex material.

The pineapple groves sequester tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere and finding a use for the leaf waste prevents further release of carbon through their burning.

waste not

Because Pinatex is created from the by-product of pineapple agriculture, no extra land, water or pesticides are needed to create the raw material.

The material is coloured using GOTS (organic) certified pigments making it much more efficient than other dyeing methods as the material is not submerged in water to absorb the colour.

Composition : 72% pineapple leaf fibre, 18% polylactic acid, 5% bio-polyurethane, 5% polyurethane

from the rubber tree - kinder to your feet and better for the climate

The rubber for our soles is renewably harvested from the Hevea Brasiliensis tree which naturally pulls carbon from the atmosphere.

Tough enough to be used for aircraft tyres, yet soft and flexible enough to support the natural movement of the foot, natural rubber is one amazing material

vegan colours

Whilst you wouldn’t associate soles with being vegan or not, many colours are derived from animal substances.

We use a vegan pigment.

leaving less behind

Synthetic soles, even recycled ones, do not biodegrade and shed microplastics during wear.

Currently, it is estimated that the abrasion of synthetic shoe soles is the seventh largest contributor to microplastics in the environment. 

It’s been estimated that each person on average accounts for 109 grams of micro plastics shed via synthetic soles per year.

Our soles contain 86% natural rubber, therefore significantly reducing this impact. 

The remaining content of the sole is to increase performance and aid in processing during manufacture. 

Composition : 86% natural rubber, 10% fillers, 3% additives, 1% pigment. 

initial steps

Natural rubber is an incredible material. Something from nature that has changed our lives.

But the production of natural rubber does present challenges and it would be wrong to ignore these. Rubber trees are often grown in areas of high diversity, so they do present issues to ecosystems, a highly complex issue that is discussed in our Biodiversify report. 

We carefully assessed our options and felt this was the best material for now, but it’s a particular area we will continue to innovate on and strive for less impactful solutions in the future. 

naturally better

By avoiding synthetic foams, we’ve been able to harness the natural benefits of cork and coconut husk fibres.

Renewable, biodegradable and helping to absorb carbon, these materials have amazing durability and elasticity meaning they provide long-lasting support and comfort.

Being naturally low density, they are lightweight and have excellent temperature and moisture management properties.

cork

Renewably harvested from the bark of the Cork Oak tree, the process of regrowth actually increases the trees ability to absorb carbon.

By supporting this traditional industry we’re helping to keep trees in the ground, sustain biodiversity and reducing desertification in vulnerable areas.

coconut husks

Our organic coconut fibres come from the discarded husks of coconuts harvested in Sri Lanka. 

Fully renewable and biodegradable, by using these fibres we help to create extra income for farming communities.

As the trees are not harmed during the harvesting process, they continually pull carbon from the atmosphere.

one a-maizing lining material

Developed using pioneering techniques, our microfibre lining is 100% breathable and offers superior comfort and temperature regulation.

With abrasion-resistance better than some leathers and way beyond what standard fabrics can achieve, this material is built to last.

Bio-based, using organic maize, this innovative material is also kinder on the climate.

Composition : 20% corn polymer, 40% recycled polyester, 10% pigmented polyurethane, 30% adhesive fibres

natural comfort

Our padding is made from natural latex from the Hevea Brasiliensis, or rubber tree. 

Not only does this mean that it’s growth helps pull carbon from the atmosphere, but it’s also biodegradable and a renewable resource.

This incredible material contains thousands of tiny air bubbles giving unparalleled comfort and temperature regulation properties.

sticking to our principles

We used a natural, water-based latex rubber adhesive rather than the synthetic alternatives.

built to last

The lasting board is the hidden component that the shoe is built around - an unsung hero.

Inspired by it’s use in high quality mattresses, we developed our own lasting board from compressed coconut fibres which give improved cushioning and breathability.

Being a by-product, this amazing material is renewable and fully biodegradable - kinder on your feet and the planet.

coconut reinforcement

To give long lasting comfort and support, we developed internal reinforcement using compressed coconut husk fibres.

Hardwearing, yet flexible this material provides a great natural alternative to thermoplastics used on most other shoes.

a cleaner type of cotton

Made from GOTS certified organic cotton, our laces avoid the use of chemicals during growth and are biodegradable.

By using the yarn in it’s natural raw colour, not only do we benefit from the rich tones, but it also avoids the need for any dyes to be used.

Our lace tips are made from vegetable cellulose and it is processed without the use of toxic substances.

Our boxes are made from FSC Certified post-consumer recycled cardboard and are fully recyclable and biodegradable, as is our tissue paper. Not only this, but we also print our boxes using vegetable based inks.

compostable packaging

Our shipping bags are made from a corn-based material that can be composted in your home composting bin.

Even our shipping labels can be composted, but these need to be done industrially. Just cut around the green line and put them in the compost bin for the council to collect.

If you order two pairs, we’ll fix the bags together with tape which is also industrially compostable.

our shoes