KUMI Sneakers is a Fully Vegan Brand

Shop on:

KUMI Sneakers Brand Highlights

Founded in 2020 by Sergio and Alexandra, KUMI Sneakers focuses on making sustainable vegan sneakers using natural and recycled materials. The company's core values, which reflect their own, are: respect and love for animals; sustainable fashion; and supporting the local economy.

About KUMI Sneakers

"Our aim is to create an ethical, vegan and dynamic brand based on sustainable fashion. We use organic and recycled materials, compostable packaging and our production is local, made in Spain, reducing C02 emissions and supporting the local economy." KUMI Sneakers team

Is KUMI Sneakers an ethically vegan brand?

KUMI Sneakers appears to be an intentionally and ethically vegan brand, rather than one that uses vegan materials out of convenience, or for other reasons. In fact, "Respect and love for animals" is one of their core values. According to the Founders, Sergio & Alexandra, "we adopted a puppy that we love madly and we want to make sure animals are treated with the same dignity."

What materials are used to make KUMI Sneakers?

The product description for each sneaker on the KUMI Sneakers website will list its components, but they generally include: recycled plastic bottles and corn waste (uppers); high-tech and eco-friendly microfiber (liner); natural rubber (outsole); removable and recycled made of PU, EVA and cork (insole); 100% cotton (laces); and chrome and nickel free eyelets.

Are the materials used to make KUMI Sneakers eco-friendly/sustainable?

From an environmentally-friendly materials standpoint, KUMI Sneakers's shoes can be considered quite environmentally-friendly, as they incorporate so many recycled and natural materials (as well as avoiding chrome and nickel in their eyelets). If KUMI Sneakers were to use 100% organic cotton in place of their current organic cotton for their laces, it would make them even more eco-friendly. It's also worth noting, that in 2022, KUMI also became Real Sustainable Fashion certified by Ethical Time.

Does production of KUMI Sneakers produce a lot of emissions?

From a carbon footprint, water usage, chemical usage, and general natural resource usage standpoint, it's difficult to asses the impact that KUMI Sneakers has, and what they do to remediate it. KUMI Sneakers does not currently provide data as to their environmental impact or remediation efforts, so it's difficult to accurately asses them in either of these regards. It is worth noting that KUMI Sneakers are both designed and produced in Spain, which does help them reduce C02 emissions relative to brands who produce their product far from where they are designed and sold.

Does KUMI Sneakers use green shipping methods?

It's unclear from their website if KUMI Sneakers uses net-zero or negative emissions shipping partners, either domestically or internationally. We’ve asked them for clarification, and they told us, "We always look for the most sustainable shipping method. At this moment we work with UPS that have a different range of sustainable policies."

Does KUMI Sneakers use eco-friendly packaging?

According to KUMI Sneakers, their shoes are sent in a 100% compostable mailer made from bio-based polymer PBAT and a plant based polymer PLA, and in a recycled cardboard box, which includes a recycled postcard (tinted with cocoa pods) and a 100% cotton shoe bag.

Are KUMI Sneakers recyclable or compostable?

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

How should I dispose of my worn out KUMI Sneakers?

We’ve asked the KUMI Sneakers team if they currently have, or are developing, a shoe recycling program, and they've told us that "we are working to find a solution with the old pairs. As we are a new brand we don't have this option yet but we are working on it." 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 KUMI Sneakers?

KUMI Sneakers can be purchased from their website, their social channels, and select online sustainability-oriented retailers. We've asked them if they have plans to work with retailers, and they told us that they are "working to start selling in shops."

Do KUMI Sneakers ever go on sale?

Yes - When we visited their site, they were advertising a coupon code for 15% off. Their newsletter also says to "Join to get special offers, free giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals," which implies that there are other sales and offers periodically.

Are KUMI Sneakers ethically made?

Yes! KUMI Sneakers's shoes are made in Elche, Spain, which means their labourers are protected by the stringent labour laws of the European Union, which also include strong health and safety regulations.

Does KUMI Sneakers promote ‘slow fashion’ or a ‘circular economy’?

KUMI Sneakers appears to incorporate several elements of a circular economy/slow fashion model, such as: employing fair labour; using natural rubber & cotton; using recycled materials; working with local producers; and using eco-friendly shipping materials.

Is KUMI Sneakers a charitable company?

We’ve asked the KUMI Sneakers team about any charitable initiatives they're involved with (if any), and they told us that, "During 2021 we have worked with Protectora de Barcelona (local animal shelter placed in Barcelona) and FAADA (animal rights organization). Now we are changing to start collaborating with other charities."

KUMI Sneakers Product Range

KUMI Sneakers makes low-top, leather-look unisex sneakers primarily in white, with a variety of multi-coloured accents. Their soles are described as "non-slip," although they are not certified as such.