Our unsustainable lifestyles have led to the need to change our purchasing habits but also, and above all, our production processes to a more sustainable level.
One of the sectors that has done a lot of damage to our environment in the past is certainly the fashion industry, we have talked about it extensively in the article 'Eye does not see, heart does not grieve'.
One of the many production choices for the fashion industry, geared towards a more ecologically sustainable world, has been the search for and use of simpler, stronger and less polluting raw materials. And this reasoning has led to the return, with great success, of hemp fabric. This type of material became, overnight, extremely necessary and important for the development of so many fashion products. The subject, however, of the greatest changes and influences in this process of ecological revolution is footwear.
Advantages of hemp fabric shoes: 6 main advantages
Hemp shoes now represent the future of footwear. This process is happening because hemp fabric possesses so many types of characteristics, making it the ideal fabric for perfect footwear in every respect.
First of all, one of the major reasons for the growth of hemp fabric, namely its ecological sustainability, must be taken into great consideration. It is well known, in fact, that hemp represents the future of fabrics and raw materials in the field of fashion. Thanks to the many characteristics of the hemp sativa plant, it represents the best solution for the planet: from the higher percentage of CO2 absorbed from the air, the ability to absorb heavy metals from the soil, its adaptability to every climate and terrain, to the minimal need for water and toxic substances for its production. In fact, it seems to tick almost every item on the list of demands for the creation of a raw material that is not harmful to the environment.
Nevertheless, there are plenty of other reasons why hemp is the wisest choice in the field of textiles, specifically for footwear. Here are some examples:
It is a very durable fabric
Hemp is an extremely strong weave fabric, almost five times stronger than other natural fibres such as cotton. Consequently, it can be used and washed very often, without suffering any damage in its quality or shape. Precisely for this reason, shoes made of hemp may be able to last for years without being scratched.
Breathability first
Hemp is, in fact, a fabric with a complicated but light weave, which gives the product of which it is made numerous advantages, first and foremost breathability. It succeeds in retaining body heat in colder seasons, but is at the same time cool on warmer days. It stays very dry and thin, but manages to retain sweat and unpleasant odours, giving it the possibility of being worn for a long time without being uncomfortable or uncomfortable.
Easy to wash
La grande resistenza del tessuto da canapa porta a una nuova conseguenza, molto utile nel mondo della produzione delle calzature: è molto semplice da poter lavare. La grande resistenza del tessuto, infatti, permette di poter essere lavorato e lavato spesso, senza per questo perdere la propria trama o il colore. Delle scarpe fatte di questo materiale potranno essere utilizzate molto spesso, senza perdere la loro lucentezza o forma. Un'ottima alternativa al lavaggio invece è quella di lasciare il vestito di canapa fuori per una notte a "prendere aria": questo permette alle fibre di rigenerarsi togliendo quindi tutti i cattivi odori.
Highly hypoallergenic
The great strength and naturalness of hemp fabric also has very positive consequences for our health. In fact, hemp is a hypoallergenic fabric, which can be used by many people without any risk to our skin.
Highly sanitary and antimicrobial
The list of elements and characteristics that are positive from the point of view of our health. In fact, hemp is an anti-microbial and anti-parasitic type of fabric, making it the safest material for a product, such as footwear, that is so essential, but at the same time exposed to so many risks.
Biodegradability
Hemp, unlike so many other fabrics used by industry today, is completely natural and plant-based, one hundred per cent. This will lead us to the conclusion that they are also more biodegradable and less toxic to the environment once they can no longer be used and have to be disposed of.
Popular shops and brands for hemp fabric shoes
Hemp fabric shoes are therefore a little gem in the world of footwear, destined to become increasingly popular and used. There are, in fact, many Italian and European brands that are trying to take the next step towards a more fashion-conscious style and are starting to produce and distribute shoes, made of hemp fabric, of great quality and with very pleasing designs. Here is a short list of the best known brands and brands for their hemp woven shoes.
ACBC
Definitely one of my favourites even though it does not only produce shoes in hemp but also in other sustainable and recyclable fabrics as well as agricultural waste such as grapes, apples and corn. In fact, ACBC stands for 'anything can be changed'. The company began its journey by creating the first shoe with an interchangeable zip and then developed further by trying to expand its footwear collection also and above all with the use of recycled and/or renewable organic materials. The ultimate goal is the circularity of the entire production chain but also of the post-life cycle of a shoe, through the up-cycling of shoes used in playgrounds.
Furthermore, ACBC is the first Italian footwear company to be B corp certified, meaning it meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal responsibility. Their Evergreen hemp shoe has a hemp fibre upper and algae fibre lining. A classic and above all unisex trainer.
Beautiful Story
Bella Storia is a beautiful, all-Italian project that has made a name for itself in the footwear world thanks to its eco-sustainability goals and the great quality of its products. In fact, Bella Storia produces completely Vegan shoes, using a large quantity of innovative materials that are not harmful to nature. First and foremost, of course, is hemp, followed by other fabrics such as Cactus Leather, Pinatex or Pineapple Leather, Recycled Pet, Cork and many others. This brand hides behind each shoe a small story, a small dream made of ideals, quality and attention to detail, to create a more sustainable and respectful future.
Bohempia
Bohempia is another small, European-style company that wanted to base its ethical and moral principles on the creation of more eco-friendly products. Among the various high quality products it offers, there are certainly also hemp fabric shoes, which range in model and style, but always present a very high level of quality. One of Bohempia's aims is to be able to make hemp the main fabric for shoe making worldwide. It has developed a product creation process that is extremely attentive to detail and quality. In fact, Bohempia develops its one hundred per cent hemp shoes in small workshops throughout Europe, processing and colouring hemp shoe by shoe.
Jo Hemp
Jo Hemp is a further Italian-based product company whose ultimate goal is to create high-quality, eco-friendly products that can be used by men and women every day. This company develops very pleasant and extremely high-quality models every day, giving due consideration to every step in the production chain. As the name itself suggests, each Jo Hemp model is produced with a very large percentage of hemp, from the outer fabric of the shoe to the inner sole, which is lined with latex. In this way, Jo Hemp ranks as one of the highest quality, eco-friendly brands in Italy, helping the Italian fashion world towards the creation of a more sustainable future.
Future Resources
Future Resources is another of the many and varied Italian brands that have moved to create environmentally sustainable, yet high quality solutions. In particular, this company is based on the creation of footwear made entirely of sustainable and biodegradable materials, such as hemp. In addition, these shoes can be described as one hundred per cent vegan, achieving a very high level of awareness in the production process that is also conscious and respectful of nature. The brand, despite everything, does not give up on style. The website, in fact, presents countless models of shoes, for every type of customer, in numerous shades and for any season. They are very convenient, comfortable, but at the same time durable and long-lasting. With Risorse Future, therefore, we have quality and awareness in a few simple steps.
8000kicks
8000kicks is a Portuguese footwear company, highly renowned for its shoe models made of hemp fabric. Not only is it one of the most resplendent companies in this field, but it is also one of the first footwear brands to have made shoes with an inner sole of hemp and an outer sole of seaweed, making the product one hundred per cent biodegradable and all made of environmentally sustainable materials. This brand's shoes include many other positive features, including the use of many other eco-friendly, breathable and hydrophobic materials, so they cannot get dirty easily and can be washed in a few simple steps. Combining these great features with a highly enviable style, we get one of the top brands in the field of footwear.
Our choices determine our future
In the European and international market world, there are now many brands that have decided to change their values and shift their production to a series of mechanisms and gears that can help create a cleaner world. Part of this world is highly focused on this magical material, hemp, which is not only less harmful to the environment, but also possesses many other optimal qualities. Therefore, when you go ahead and buy a pair of hemp shoes, you are not only choosing how you want to dress, but also how you want to help the environment.
References and insights:
[1] https://www.vestilanatura.it/fibre-tessili/naturali/canapa/
[2] https://econosa.com/best-sustainable/shoes/hemp-brands/
Photo:
[F1] Jonathan Borba, Pexels
[F2] Pexels, ManSan
© All rights reserved
Translated with Linguana