BANGS Shoes is Likely a Fully Vegan Brand

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Brand Highlights

American brand BANGS Shoes was born from the inspiration that Founder Hannah Davis took from the simple work boots worn by workers and farmers she saw while teaching English in China. Here are some things that stand out to us about the BANGS Shoes brand and their footwear:

About BANGS Shoes

The brand was inspired by the character for "help" in Mandarin. In this spirit, BANGS Shoes has "cultivated a company culture and community united around everyday adventure, positivity, encouragement, and a passion to do good."

What materials are used to make BANGS Shoes' footwear?

BANGS Shoes' footwear is made of a nylon topstitch, canvas lining, aluminum eyelets, a rubber toe cap, and polyester shoe laces. They don't specify what the canvas is made of, and whether or not any of the materials are recycled (such as the polyester shoelaces), natural (in the case of the rubber for the sole), or organic (in the case of the canvas lining). We have asked the BANGS Shoes team for clarification, and are awaiting reply.

Are BANGS' shoes eco-friendly/sustainable?

Sustainability doesn't seem to be top-of-mind for BANGS Shoes, and if it is, they don't do much in the way of communicating it. It's not clear what their canvas is made of (bamboo is much better for the environment than non-organic cotton, for example), if the rubber sole is natural or recycled rubber, or if any of the materials used are recycled/recyclable.

Is BANGS Shoes' footwear recyclable or compostable?

It’s unclear from the information available on their website if BANGS Shoes' footwear is recyclable or compostable. We have asked for clarification from the BANGS Shoes team and are currently awaiting reply.

How should I dispose of my worn out BANGS Shoes' footwear?

We have asked the BANGS Shoes 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.

Does BANGS Shoes use eco-friendly packaging?

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

Does BANGS Shoes use green shipping methods?

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

Where can I buy BANGS Shoes' footwear?

For the time being it looks like BANGS Shoes' footwear can only be purchased from their website or from their social channels. We've asked if they have plans to work with retailers and are currently awaiting reply.

Does BANGS Shoes' footwear ever go on sale?

Yes - there’s a “Sale” section of their website, and we noticed sales in the area of 20% when we visited.

Is BANGS Shoes' footwear ethically made?

According to BANGS Shoes, their shoes are "responsibly cut, sewn, and stitched inside a highly reputable, family-owned factory in Asia". Being that their shoes are made in Asia, it's difficult as an outside, non-certifying party to verify as to whether or not BANGS Shoes ensures its factory enforces all international and local labour laws to provide a safe and fair working environment for their workers. BANGS Shoes does say however, that their "factory goes above and beyond to treat their employees with care and respect, enforcing fair wages, working hours, and a 1.5 hour lunch, and that they even recommend a nap during this long lunch break."

Does BANGS Shoes promote ‘slow fashion’ or a ‘circular economy’?

BANGS Shoes appears to apply some circular economy principles, such as contributing charitably from the profits of their sales; using some natural materials; avoiding the use of animal-derived virgin materials; and claiming to employ fair labour. An area in which they could improve is by increasing the use of recycled, recyclable, and/or compostable materials in their designs (if they don't already do so).

Is BANGS Shoes a charitable company?

Yes! BANGS Shoes has partnered with KIVA.org to donate 20% of their net profits towards helping entrepreneurs start businesses around the world, including in the United States. To date, BANGS Shoes claims to have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs in 74 different countries by way of this initiative.

BANGS Shoes Product Range

BANGS Shoes makes unisex canvas cap-toed shoes in a variety of styles and colours, some of which feature playful prints.