Astral is Likely a Fully Vegan Brand

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Brand Highlights

Founded in 2002 by Philip Curry, who was also the founder of popular outdoor gear brand Patagonia, Astral is a brand that made its mark by revolutionizing outdoor footwear. Here are some of the things that stand out to us about Astral and its shoes:

About Astral

Astral has won awards for their paradigm changing footwear designs, and claims to have developed the stickiest rubber ever worn on wet rock. In 2018 they were also awarded "Best Water Shoes of 2018" by Outside magazine.

What materials are used to make Astral shoes?

Astral uses a variety of materials to make their footwear, such as hemp; recycled polyester; polyurethane; high friction rubber; nylon webbing; and synthetic leather. Most of the product listings on their website provide a specific breakdown of the materials used for each shoe, down to the percentage.

Are Astral shoes eco-friendly/sustainable?

Astral claims to "put nature first in all our business and product decisions." In keeping with this, their shoes are at least somewhat eco-friendly, as they do incorporate many natural, recycled, and high-quality materials into their designs. They do not currently use any tools or programs that can quantify and share the eco-friendliness of their products, other than sharing breakdowns of the materials used in each shoe.

Does Astral use green shipping methods?

It's unclear from their website if Astral uses net-zero or negative emissions shipping partners, either domestically or internationally. We have asked them for clarification, and are currently awaiting reply.

Does Astral use eco-friendly packaging?

It's unclear from their website if Astral uses recycled, recyclable, compostable, or other forms of eco-friendly and sustainable packaging to ship their products to customers, or when receiving them from their factories. We have asked them for details regarding the materials they use for packaging, and are currently awaiting reply.

Are Astral shoes recyclable or compostable?

It’s unclear from the information available on their website if Astral’s shoes are recyclable or compostable. We have asked for clarification from the Astral team and are currently awaiting reply.

How should I dispose of my worn out Astral shoes?

We have asked the Astral team if they currently have, or are developing, a shoe recycling program, and are awaiting reply. In the meantime, we recommend either trying to have them repaired, donating them to someone in need, or taking them to a clothing recycling depot (if available in your city), which can strip them down to their recyclable components.

Where can I buy Astral shoes?

Astral shoes can be purchased from their website, as well as from a network of North American retailers, which can be found on the "Find a Retailer" section of their website.

Do Astral shoes ever go on sale?

We haven't noticed any sales on the Astral website, and their newsletter signup attractant is for product announcements versus special discounts and sales.

How can I clean my Astral shoes?

Astral recommends hand washing your Astral shoes in warm, soapy water and gently scrubbing with a nylon brush, then air drying them.

Are Astral shoes ethically made?

Astral currently manufactures the majority of their products overseas. They claim to work with a production facility in Vietnam and another in China which, "resemble our facility in their ability to build high-end technical products under strict quality control." Being that their shoes are made in Asia, it's difficult as an outside, non-certifying party to verify as to whether or not Astral ensures its factories enforce all international and local labour laws to provide a safe and fair working environment for their workers.

Does Astral promote ‘slow fashion’ or a ‘circular economy’?

Astral appears to employ some elements of a circular economy, such as incorporating natural, recycled and high-quality materials into their designs. Some areas in which they could improve would be to use a 'made-to-order' production system, which could cut down on production waste, as well as employing certified fair labour.

Is Astral a charitable company?

We have asked the Astral team about any charitable initiatives they're involved with (if any), and are currently awaiting reply, as there is no such information available on their website.

Astral Product Range

Specializing in water, trail and performance-casual shoes, Astral makes highly technical wilderness sports shoes for men, women and children (in addition to dry goods, such as life jackets, dog beds, hats and apparel). Their current lineup includes: