When most people go looking for an eco-friendly everyday sneaker, they expect to make a compromise. Either the shoe is sustainable but falls apart after a few months, built from materials that sound impressive but can't handle real use. Or it holds up well but uses the same synthetic materials as every other sneaker, with a recycled tag slapped on as a token gesture. Finding a shoe designed for actual daily life, one that holds its own in the rain and is made from materials that genuinely benefit the planet, has always felt like wishful thinking.
That's no longer the case. Hemp is the material that changes the conversation, and 8000Kicks is the brand that has put in the real work to make it into a sneaker worth wearing every single day.
Key Takeaways
- Durability and eco-friendliness are not trade-offs when the right natural material is chosen.
- Hemp generates just 4.1 kg of CO2 per pair during manufacturing. See the full breakdown on the sustainability page.
- The Explorer V2 uses a two-layer weatherproof system that handles rain without sacrificing breathability or using PFC chemicals.
- Independent certifications from OEKO-TEX, Eco-Stylist, and CITEVE confirm the sustainability claims go beyond marketing.
- A genuinely good everyday shoe needs to be comfortable from day one, weather-ready from the start, and built to last well beyond the first season.
The False Choice Between Durable and Eco-Friendly
The belief that sustainable shoes can't match conventional ones for durability didn't come from nowhere. Early eco footwear often prioritised environmental credentials over real-world performance. You ended up with shoes that said the right things but wore out faster, felt less comfortable, and simply weren't built for the demands of everyday life.
Hemp is different. It wasn't chosen because it ticks an environmental box. It was chosen because it genuinely performs. Hemp fibre is one of the most durable natural fibres in the world, holding its own against many synthetics even when you factor in weight. 8000Kicks tested more than ten different adhesives before landing on one that could survive real-world wear. The end result is a shoe that holds up better than conventional branded sneakers at the same price point.
That's not a sustainability argument. That's a performance argument. See how the brand stacks up against the competition in their best sustainable shoe brands overview.
Why Hemp Is the Ideal Everyday Material
A shoe you reach for every day has to work hard. It needs to stay breathable through long hours of wear, fight off the odours and microbes that build up over time, keep your feet comfortable as temperatures shift, and hold its shape through months of repeated use.
Hemp does all of this without relying on added treatments. Its anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties are part of the fibre itself. And it naturally regulates temperature, a quality so effective that hemp has historically been used as building insulation.
The environmental story is equally compelling. Hemp needs very little water, no pesticides, and no fertilisers to grow. It actually replenishes the soil as it does. Over the full manufacturing process, 8000Kicks generates just 4.1 kg of CO2 per pair compared to around 14 kg for a typical running shoe and up to 100 kg for leather.
Weatherproofing That Works Without Toxic Chemistry
If a shoe is going to earn a spot in your daily rotation, it has to handle whatever the day throws at it. That means an unexpected downpour on the way to work, dust from a building site detour, puddles at every crossing, and those grey mornings where the ground just seems permanently damp.
The Explorer V2 tackles this with a two-layer approach. The outer layer is a proprietary coating woven into the hemp upper that blocks liquids, stains, and dust at the surface. The inner layer is a waterproof membrane that keeps your feet dry when conditions push past what the coating alone can manage. Together, they make the shoe a reliable option in real rain and dusty environments. Full details are on the waterproof technology page.
The coating is also PFC-free, which is worth noting for something you wear every day. PFCs are a group of chemical waterproofing agents linked to environmental damage and health risks. Leaving them out means the waterproofing doesn't quietly undermine the shoe's sustainability credentials.
To be straightforward about the limits: the two-layer system works well for rain and puddles. In very heavy, sustained downpours or if the shoe is fully submerged, some water may get in around the ankle and laces. For everyday urban conditions, it offers more than enough protection.
What the Full Construction Looks Like
The Explorer V2 is worth looking at as a whole, not just a checklist of materials. The upper is premium hemp fabric, tested to OEKO-TEX standards to confirm no toxic dyes or chemicals. The insoles are natural hemp, the world's first, which brings odour resistance right where it counts. The sole is made from Algae Bloom EVA, a bioplastic produced by removing harmful algae from water ecosystems. The lining is recycled polyester, and the packaging is recycled cardboard.
The shoe is independently certified by OEKO-TEX, Eco-Stylist, and CITEVE, third-party verification that the sustainability claims are real, not just marketing copy. It's also completely vegan, with no animal-derived materials or adhesives anywhere in the build.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Explorer V2 suitable for everyday wear? Yes. The Explorer V2 is designed for an active lifestyle and works just as well indoors as outdoors. The clean, minimal design, natural hemp insoles, and lightweight algae-based sole all add up to a shoe that stays comfortable through a full day of wear.
How does hemp compare to conventional sneaker materials for durability? Hemp ranks among the most durable natural fibres on the planet. 8000Kicks puts their hemp shoes above conventional branded sneakers in the same price bracket when it comes to durability, a claim backed by testing across more than ten different adhesive formulations.
What makes 8000Kicks eco-friendly beyond just the material? The eco credentials go well beyond the upper. The soles are made from algae-based bioplastic, the lining from recycled polyester, and the packaging from recycled cardboard. Production generates just 4.1 kg of CO2 per pair. The brand holds certifications from OEKO-TEX, Eco-Stylist, and CITEVE, and its factories run on 30 to 55 percent renewable energy depending on location.
Will the waterproofing hold up over time with daily use? The system works on two levels: a surface coating and an internal waterproof membrane. With heavy use and regular washing, the coating can lose some effectiveness over time which is why hand washing is recommended over machine washing. The inner membrane, however, keeps doing its job regardless. For full care advice, see the FAQ page.
How does hemp compare to conventional sneaker materials for durability? Hemp ranks among the most durable natural fibres on the planet. 8000Kicks puts their hemp shoes above conventional branded sneakers in the same price bracket when it comes to durability, a claim backed by testing across more than ten different adhesive formulations.
What makes 8000Kicks eco-friendly beyond just the material? The eco credentials go well beyond the upper. The soles are made from algae-based bioplastic, the lining from recycled polyester, and the packaging from recycled cardboard. Production generates just 4.1 kg of CO2 per pair. The brand holds certifications from OEKO-TEX, Eco-Stylist, and CITEVE, and its factories run on 30 to 55 percent renewable energy depending on location.
Will the waterproofing hold up over time with daily use? The system works on two levels: a surface coating and an internal waterproof membrane. With heavy use and regular washing, the coating can lose some effectiveness over time which is why hand washing is recommended over machine washing. The inner membrane, however, keeps doing its job regardless. For full care advice, see the FAQ page.
An Everyday Shoe Built for the Long Game
The best everyday sneaker is one that just works. You put it on in the morning without checking the forecast. It feels just as good at the end of the day as it did at the start. And it doesn't slowly rack up an environmental cost that goes against how you want to live.
The Explorer V2 for men and Explorer V2 for women were built to be exactly that. Weatherproof, durable, genuinely sustainable, and comfortable through whatever a day actually demands. Browse the full collection at 8000kicks.com.