Staff Picks: What We’re Actually Wearing This Summer

At 8000Kicks, we spend a lot of time talking about durability, comfort, weatherproofing, and sustainable materials. But when summer actually arrives, the question becomes pretty simple: what do we genuinely reach for every day?

This year, we asked the team to pick their favourite products from our collection. Just the shoes and bags we actually wear when temperatures go up, plans get messy, and we need products that work from morning to night.

From lightweight slip-ons to versatile backpacks, these are the hemp essentials getting the most use inside the office right now.

Summer shoes usually fall into two categories. Either they look good but become uncomfortable after a few hours, or they’re comfortable but impossible to style properly.

That’s exactly why we built our hemp footwear differently.

Hemp is naturally breathable, lightweight, anti-bacterial, and durable enough to handle everyday wear without falling apart halfway through the season. Unlike synthetic materials that trap heat and odours, hemp allows airflow while still being strong enough for daily use.

On top of that, all 8000Kicks shoes are designed to be weatherproof, easy to clean, and versatile enough for real life. Beach mornings, city walks, work meetings, last-minute dinner plans. One pair should handle all of it.

That’s the whole point.

• Lightweight hemp shoes that stay breathable even during hot summer days.
  
  
• Weatherproof materials designed for daily wear.
  
  
• Comfortable enough for walking, travelling, and long days outside.
  
  
• Neutral colours that work with almost everything.
  
  
• Vegan and sustainable materials across the collection.
  
  
• Staff-approved products we actually wear ourselves.

If there’s one product that perfectly fits the “throw them on and go” summer mindset, it’s the Sunslides Beige.

Bernardo describes them pretty simply:

“There’s nothing better for summer. They go with everything and you forget you're wearing them.”

And honestly, that’s exactly the appeal.

The Sunslides are designed for comfort without looking sloppy. The slip-on design makes them ridiculously easy to wear, while the natural hemp upper keeps them breathable even during hotter days.

Unlike most summer slip-ons that lose shape after one season, hemp fibres hold up incredibly well over time. That means fewer creases, better durability, and shoes that still look clean after months of use.

The neutral beige colour also makes styling effortless. Linen trousers, denim, shorts, oversized shirts. They work with pretty much anything.

Some products become favourites because they’re practical. Others because they simply feel good to wear.

For Otilia, it was both.

“Bernardo gets his taste from somewhere. These colours go with my garden, and my Sundays.”

The Explorer V2 Beige & Green has quietly become one of the most versatile shoes in the collection. Lightweight enough for summer, but supportive enough for long walks and everyday movement.

The combination of soft beige tones with subtle green details gives the shoe a more natural, relaxed look compared to overly sporty sneakers.

But the biggest difference is comfort.

The Explorer V2 uses ultra-soft hemp fibres, algae bloom soles, and natural hemp insoles to create a shoe that feels breathable while still giving proper support throughout the day.

It’s the kind of shoe you put on in the morning and never really think about again.

Which is usually the best compliment a shoe can get.

Summer usually means carrying more stuff around. Water bottles, laptops, towels, chargers, random things you somehow end up needing.

That’s why Mónica picked the Everyday Backpack Full Black.

“Summer calls for one bag that does everything. Beach in the morning, meetings after lunch, dinner with friends.”

The Everyday Backpack was designed exactly for that type of lifestyle.

Minimal enough for work, durable enough for travel, and weatherproof enough for unpredictable summer days.

Unlike traditional backpacks made from synthetic materials, hemp fabric keeps its structure really well over time while still feeling soft and lightweight. The Full Black version also makes it incredibly easy to pair with anything.

No loud branding. No overly technical outdoor look.

Just a clean everyday backpack that works almost everywhere.

A lot of brands talk about sustainability only from an environmental perspective. But honestly, products also need to survive daily life.

That’s one of the reasons hemp matters so much to us.

Hemp fibers are naturally stronger than cotton, more breathable than most synthetic fabrics, and incredibly resistant to wear. That means products last longer, stay looking good, and don’t need constant replacing.

For summer specifically, hemp also helps regulate temperature naturally. Shoes feel cooler, bags stay lighter, and everything becomes easier to wear daily.

That combination of comfort, durability, and versatility is what makes these products genuine staff picks instead of marketing products nobody actually uses.

Are hemp shoes good for hot weather?
Yes. Hemp fabric is naturally breathable and helps regulate temperature better than many synthetic materials. That means your feet stay cooler and more comfortable during summer days.

Are 8000Kicks products weatherproof?
All our products are designed with weatherproof technology that helps repel water, dust, and everyday dirt while keeping the materials breathable.

Do hemp shoes soften over time?
Definitely. Hemp becomes softer with use while still maintaining its durability. That’s one of the reasons our shoes become even more comfortable after regular wear.

What makes hemp better than synthetic materials for summer?
Hemp is breathable, anti-bacterial, durable, and more sustainable than most synthetic fabrics. It also absorbs less odour and handles everyday wear much better over time.

Summer products should make life easier, not more complicated.

You shouldn’t need different shoes for every plan or a separate bag for every occasion. The best products are the ones you stop thinking about because they simply work.

That’s exactly why these became the team favourites this year.

From the lightweight comfort of the Sunslides Beige, to the versatility of the Explorer V2, to the practicality of the Everyday Backpack, these are the products we genuinely keep reaching for ourselves.

If you’re building your summer rotation right now, this is where we’d start.