The start-up DopeKicks introduces the first waterproof hemp shoes, featuring cannabis hemp fabric, cork, and recycled rubber.
Hemp is well known for its incredibly strong fibres, and it consumes 3 times less water than cotton, while having a minimal impact on the soil.
The unisex shoe has a fabric upper, made from cannabis hemp. The hemp plants are harvested, after which the fibres are separated from the bark, where they are allowed to rest in the field for 4-6 weeks. The separated fibres are then carded into strands and cleaned to remove impurities. They are then spun into yarn and woven into textile.
During the manufacturing process, a special coating layer is added to protect the fabric and its properties from stains, liquids and dust particles. To guarantee that no water comes into shoe, the company added a special water proof membrane on the inside, providing two layers of protection against wind, cold, liquid and dust.
In addition to hemp, the shoe features soles made from old rubber soles. The old soles are shredded and melted to create custom moulded soles that are “flexible, durable and save the environment at the same time.”
The shoes’ insoles are made of cork, a material that offers cushioning and is anti-bacterial.
The vegan shoes are manufactured in Portugal, where the employees receive fair wages. The sneakers are currently on Kickstarter, where they already reached more than 10 times their goal.
Photos: DopeKicks