Gunas is a Fully Vegan Brand

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Brand Highlights

Founded in 2009 by industrial designer and animal lover, Sugandh G. Agrawal, Gunas is a brand with animal welfare at its core. This award-winning brand partners with dozens of animal welfare, environmental, children's and community-based charities, and works hard to ensure its workers are paid a fair wage under ethical working conditions.

About Gunas

"We can look and feel good without harming other living beings. We need to connect our selves with what goes on behind the scenes and question our actions and their impacts." - Gunas team

Are Gunas shoes intentionally vegan?

Gunas is very much an intentionally vegan brand, rather than one that uses vegan materials out of convenience, or for other reasons. It was started by an animal lover, and supports dozens of animal-related charities.

What materials are used to make Gunas shoes?

For their shoes, Gunas uses up-cycled non-skid rubber soles, textured eco-polyurethane (made without the use of harmful chemicals), for the uppers, and up-cycled faux suede for the lining.

Are Gunas shoes eco-friendly/sustainable?

Gunas shoes are at least somewhat environmentally-friendly, as they incorporate many up-cycled and recycled materials. Unfortunately, Gunas doesn't share any data on their website with regard to the CO2 emissions created during the production and shipping processes, and any subsequent negation efforts (if any), so it's difficult for us to comment on their sustainability efforts in that regard.

Does Gunas use green shipping methods?

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

Does Gunas use eco-friendly packaging?

It's unclear from their website if Gunas uses recycled, recyclable, compostable, or other forms of eco-friendly and sustainable packaging. We’ve asked them for details regarding the materials they use for packaging, and are currently awaiting reply.

Are Gunas shoes recyclable or compostable?

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

How should I dispose of my worn out Gunas shoes?

We’ve asked the Gunas team if they currently have, or are developing, a shoe recycling program, and are awaiting reply. In the meantime, Get it Vegan recommends 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 Gunas shoes?

Gunas shoes can be purchased from their online store and through select authorized boutiques and online stores, including Immaculate Vegan. 

Do Gunas' shoes ever go on sale?

Yes - there’s a “Sale” section of their website, and we noticed sales in the area of up to 45% when we visited. They also offer a 10% discount code when subscribing to their newsletter, and offer discounts to their charity partners.

Are Gunas shoes ethically made?

Some Gunas shoes are handmade in South Korea, while others are handmade at a vegan factory in India. Although it's difficult for us as a non-certifying 3rd party to verify their employment of fair labour, Gunas claims to adhere to their own strict internal standards of ethics, claiming to "maintain a personal connection with all our artisans through personal annual visits to their studios ensuring our high quality standards and ethical work conditions are maintained. As a part of our commitment to fair wages, we pay above average wages to our artisans which is further reflected in our pricing. No one and no being should pay the cost for our fashion, other than us."  

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

Gunas appears to employ some elements of a circular economy, such as using increasingly sustainable and high-quality materials, using recycled materials, and employing fair labour. One area in which they could improve is by using a 'made-to-order' production system, which could cut down on production waste.

Is Gunas a charitable brand?

Very much so. In fact, they're one of the most diverse brands that we've come across in terms of their charitable partnerships. Over the years they've supported dozens of animal charities, as well as, children's and community-based causes, including Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, Vegan Outreach, and Prevent Cruelty California. They claim to have "donated significant dollars and product for fund raising or offer special discounts to members who support these charities."

Gunas Product Range

Gunas primarily makes bags, although they offer a small catalogue of modern flats and loafers in the female aesthetic. They also make made-to-order high-top sneakers with a branded print.