Nurae is Likely a Vegan Brand

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Nurae Brand Overview

Founded in 2019 and based in Pamplona, Spain, Nurae makes vegan clogs and Birkenstock-style sandals in nearby Alicante, Spain. Their footwear is made with fair labour, and their approach to sustainability it based around the use of recycled, natural, and durable materials. For the time being, Nurae footwear is only available within Spain & Portugal, via their website and local retail partners that share their philosophies.

About Nurae Vegan Footwear

"At Nurae we firmly believe that it is possible to manufacture footwear in a more sustainable way, with natural, recycled materials and, of course, without the use of any animal component." - Nurae team

Is Nurae an ethically vegan brand?

Nurae is an intentionally and ethically vegan brand, rather than one that uses vegan materials out of convenience, or for other reasons. According to the brand, "We are committed to your well-being but also to animal welfare and the sustainability of the planet."

What materials are used to make Nurae shoes?

Nurae uses a variety of natural, synthetic, and recycled materials to make their clogs and sandals, including: vegan synthetic material (lining); recycled PET plastic (lining); cork (footbed); microfibre (surface of the footbed); vegan Crepelin (sole). All materials are certified as PETA-approved vegan, and their recycled materials are certified by GRS (Global Recycled Standard). Their buckles are also nickel and chrome-free. Nurae claims their soles are non-slip, although they don't say anything about having relevant certification.

Are Nurae shoes eco-friendly/sustainable?

Nurae's approach to sustainability is based around the use of recycled, natural, and durable materials. In terms of the materials used, their clogs & sandals are at least somewhat eco-friendly, as they incorporate many natural and/or recycled 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 vague breakdowns of the materials used in each shoe. And while the virgin man-made synthetics they use in other models are generally considered worse for the environment than recycled synthetics, or natural materials, those virgin synthetic materials are still considered to be more environmentally friendly than animal-derived leathers. This is backed up by data from inside the fashion industry as well as outside of it. For the data, please see Collective Fashion Justice’s CIRCUMFAUNA initiative.

Does production of Nurae footwear create a lot of CO2 emissions?

From a carbon footprint standpoint, it's difficult to asses the impact that Nurae has, and what they do to remediate it. Nurae 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 Nurae use green shipping methods?

It's unclear from their website if Nurae uses net-zero or negative emissions shipping partners, either domestically or internationally. We’ve asked them for clarification, and their team didn't mention any specific green shipping partnerships.

Does Nurae use eco-friendly packaging?

Yes - according to the brand, "Regarding the packaging, we use recycled cardboard boxes, without plastic or chemical inks. In SEUR shipments, we use entirely recycled plastic envelopes to reduce this environmental impact and ecological footprint. We have no plastic on the deliveries. The shoeboxes are made of recycled cardboard. We use also cardboard shipping bags instead of plastic shipping bags."

Are Nurae shoes recyclable?

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

How should I dispose of my worn out Nurae shoes?

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 Nurae clogs & sandals?

Nurae clogs & sandals can be purchased from their website, although they only ship within certain areas of Spain & Portugal. Nurae also works with small local shops that share their philosophies. We've asked them if they have plans to work with retailers worldwide, or open up their shipping to other countries, and they've told us that they don't have any short-term plans to do so.

Do Nurae shoes ever go on sale?

We haven’t noticed any sales for Nurae shoes when visiting their site and perusing their social channels, and according to the brand, "We believe in responsible consumption, which is why we manufacture quality footwear, to guarantee maximum durability. We stay away from compulsive purchases, so we do not believe in aggressive discount or sales policies or in events such as Black Friday."

Where are Nurae clogs & sandals made?

Nurae clogs and sandals are made in Alicante, Spain.

Are Nurae shoes made with fair labour?

Yes! Nurae shoes are made in Alicante, 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 Nurae promote ‘slow fashion’ or a ‘circular economy’?

Nurae incorporates several elements of a circular economy/slow fashion model, such as: employing fair labour; using natural materials; using recycled materials; using durable materials; avoiding discount-level pricing; opposing mass-consumerism; making timeless styles; producing their footwear close to where they are located; producing their footwear close to where it is sold; and using eco-friendly packaging.

Is Nurae a charitable company?

We’ve asked the Nurae team about any charitable initiatives they're involved with (if any), and they told us, "We are currently talking to a company that cleans up plastic in oceans. We would like to participate in this kind of initiative."

Nurae Product Range

Nurae makes leather-look 2-strap sandals and clogs in unisex styles, at a mid-range price point. Their styles are classic, timeless, and minimalist, and are offered in a small range of colour options.