Merry People

Merry People Brand Overview

"Merry People started in 2014 as an idea, born out of frustration, when I was working at a corporate job in Melbourne, Australia. With the city’s notoriously unreliable weather, I kept wrecking my work shoes; I needed a durable and comfortable pair of boots that could withstand my commute and still be suitable to walk into a corporate office." - Danielle Holloway, Founder of Merry People

About Merry People

Founded in Melbourne, Australia in 2014, Merry People makes vegan rain (or "gum") boots with natural rubber. Their boots are made in China, and are available throughout Australia by way of retail partners, and ship worldwide when purchasing directly from their website.

Is Merry People a charitable company?

We’ve asked the Merry People 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.

Are Merry People boots waterproof?

Yes! According to the brand, "Our boots are 100% waterproof. The neoprene lining ensures our boots are waterproof at the sides as well."

What materials are used to make Merry People boots?

Merry people boots are made using natural rubber for the outer, neoprene for the lining, and vegan glue to bind.

Are the materials used to make Merry People boots eco-friendly/sustainable?

While the neoprene used for the lining of the boots is a synthetic and generally not environmentally-friendly material, the main material used for Merry People's boots - natural rubber - is eco-friendly from a physical standpoint, as it is a natural material that biodegrades naturally. Having said that, natural rubber that is not produced in a sustainable way has plenty of negative consequences for the environment and for workers, such as: deforestation, biodiversity loss, and child and slave labour. We have reached out to Merry People to learn more about their rubber sourcing, and are currently awaiting reply.

Does production of Merry People boots create a lot of CO2 emissions?

From a carbon footprint standpoint, it's difficult to asses the impact that Merry People has, and what they do to remediate it. Merry People does not currently provide data as to their environmental impact or remediation efforts, so it's difficult to accurately asses them in these areas.

Does Merry People use green shipping methods?

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

Does Merry People use eco-friendly packaging?

It's unclear from their website if Merry People 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.

Can I recycle my Merry People gum boots?

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

How should I dispose of my worn out Merry People gum boots?

We’ve asked the Merry People 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 Merry People boots?

Merry People boots can be purchased from their website, and can be shipped worldwide. They're also available in the stores of dozens of retail partners throughout Australia, and a few in New Zealand.

Do Merry People boots ever go on sale?

No - and that's a good thing. According to the brand, "We never put our products on sale. We’ve created quality boots with a functional and classic design that can be worn season on season, year after year. We sometimes have samples, lightly worn boots used for photoshoots or events, and some factory seconds at our office. If purchasing a pair of these boots appeals to you, please email us with the size & colour you are looking for, and we will do our best to help you."

Where are Merry People's gum boots made?

Merry People makes their boots at a family owned factory in China.

Are Merry People boots ethically made?

Being that Merry People's gum boots are made in China, it's difficult for us as an outside, non-certifying 3rd party to verify whether or not they ensure their factory enforces all international and local labour laws, regulations, and fair working standards to provide a safe and fair working environment for their workers. According to the brand, "We have a close relationship with the factory and visit very regularly. The workers are treated well and paid in line with the local living wages. We have been asked why we do not produce in Australia - when we started, we sought out the Australian boot manufacturers certified by Ethical Clothing Australia and were unable to find a factory with the capacity, ability to scale, and equipment required. With advice from an Australian sourcing company, we looked abroad and visited countless factories before finding the right fit for our values and needs."

Does Merry People promote ‘slow fashion’ or a ‘circular economy’?

Merry People gets mixed reviews from us with regard to their promotion/inclusion of circular economy, principles. In the positive column, they use natural rubber as their main material, make their boots by hand, and actively avoid over-producing. On the other hand, their natural rubber might not be sustainably sourced (we are awaiting details), and they produce in a country known for its lax labour laws (although that doesn't mean their labourers are necessarily treated unfairly).

Merry People Footwear Range

Merry People makes men's, women's and children's rain boots (or "gum"/"Wellington" boots). They have 3 main styles: "Darcy" - a mid-calf rain boots; "Bobbi" - an ankle boot, and "Billie" - their clogs. Their style is outdoorsy and timeless, and their various models come in a range of colours. They also do collaboration designs that run for short periods of time.