Whether an avid traveller or not, everybody needs shoes.
But when you’re always on your feet and walking a lot, a good pair of comfy shoes can make the difference.
For travel, this means being stylish and versatile enough that you can use them for different situations—from sightseeing to nights out.
I was recently able to try the Explorer V2 by 8000Kicks, so I’m here to talk about its features and quality in detail!
These are eco-friendly and comfortable sneakers made fully out of hemp.
You’ll find the following points in this review:
Comfortable and multi-purpose waterproof hemp shoes.
Rating: 9/10
In 2017, the co-founder of 8000Kicks began his journey to create what’s now known as the first waterproof hemp shoe in the world.
This has since developed into a whole new category of casual sustainable footwear.
With factories in China and Portugal, they’ve adopted an eco-friendly approach that minimizes their carbon emissions while participating in various social efforts.
I do genuinely love the effort and commitment behind this brand, down to the fact that they go to lengths to make their products as sustainable as possible!
They aim to make hemp a popular material again, collaborating with the best hemp milers, shoe manufacturers and designers around the world.
The best place to buy these shoes is directly over on the 8000Kicks website.
(Or occasionally, at pop-up stores).
PS you can get 10% off with the code DREAMBIG
They offer free shipping to the USA and EU from their bases in Portugal and California.
Shipping can take as few as three days within the US and Portugal, or up to 3 weeks internationally.
My own experience was great! The shoes got here fast and were delivered in a well-structured box.
You also have 60 days to return your product, for example if you got the wrong size.
I returned and received my shoes again pretty quickly.
Every brand offers their on sizing system, which might be the biggest challenge of shopping alone.
8000Kicks recommend looking at the CM/JP number in your own sneakers as reference and refer to their size chart.
From my understanding, a size US 7 is usually a size UK 5, although when they arrived the shoes said 4.5 for UK which just suffocated my toes. So I returned them and got the US 8, which is a UK 5.5 with 8000Kicks.
These turned out to be the better size for me.
Their shoes are waterproof and dust proof which I have tested out.
They are very easy to clean and comes with a care note.
The shoes themselves are fashionable as well as comfortable.
Plus, they come well-packed with an extra set of shoe laces. This is a nice touch that I can definitely appreciate!
The short answer is, very comfortable!
I can’t describe the feeling. It’s like walking on air with the hemp insoles, which is lightweight and temperature-regulating.
you know hemp is used as home insulation because it is a temperature regulating material?
You don’t have to ‘break’ the shoe in as the moment you put them on, it’s instant comfort.
THIS is what you need to be wearing on your walks, especially when sightseeing or whatever adventure it may be.
I’m all about comfort over style when travelling, but with 8000Kicks you get both!
I would highly recommend wearing a pair of the Explorer V2 on your next city break…
So, what exactly makes the 8000Kicks Explorer V2 perfect for travel?
The main thing about this shoe and its most unique feature is the fact that it’s made of hemp and waterproof.
In fact, they’re the first fully hemp shoes that are waterproof!
The Explorer V2 is also the first-ever model of hemp shoes that 8000Kicks developed.
Hemp itself is a natural plant fiber that’s eco-friendly while famously noted for being strong.
And that I can tell you it is.
Before trying hemp shoes, my knowledge for hemp was limited to just relating it to cannabis, but apparently it’s the same species of plant!
Plus, don’t worry because hemp is 100% legal and my shoes made it through the airport just fine…;)
These shoes use the world's 1st Hemp insoles.
They’re known for their anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties, plus being temperature regulating, which is great when visiting hot areas.
It comes with a super light algae bottom for added durability.
In addition to being a comfortable wear, lightweight shoes are great to travel with as they won’t weigh down your bag.
I love how versatile these shoes are in terms of appearance.
You always want something that pairs well with all your outfits.
I got the Beige and Green version, which combines two of my favourite colours and they’re amazing as they go with my day-to-day and even evening outfits.
They come in other equally neutral colours like Black and White, Navy Blue, and Dark Brown.
The detailing is lovely and the stitching superb too.
Meanwhile, the platform on the bottom of the shoes make for a very flattering silhouette.
Another noteworthy thing about these 8000Kicks sneakers is the fact that they’re animal-friendly and 100% vegan, as well as sustainable.
If this is something you care about when buying products, then you’ll love them!
The company makes sure to emit only 4.1kg of CO2 per shoe, in comparison to the 14kg average of most running shoes (or 100kg for leather shoes).
Finally, what makes a great travel shoe is how functional they are.
You don’t want something that just looks good but can’t be used for multiple purposes.
I’ve tested the Explorer V2 for a few things.
Overall, you really can’t go wrong with these shoes.
Dress them up or down as you like, and you can easily go from long city walks to parties in the evenings with no problem.
Get Your 8000Kicks Explorer V2 Shoes here
Although I appreciate the small loop at the back of the shoe, it’s a bit too small for my fingers to fit into it.
They’re also not as breathable as some other shoes I’ve reviewed, but overall they’re still as comfy and durable.
There really isn’t much more to complain about the Explorer V2!
The only other thing would be if this specific style isn’t your jam.
BUT I would still keep eye out for this brand because they’re emerging through and have really high standards when it comes to sustainability and build quality.
They even have hemp backpacks which I’ve tried and love.
It’s got everything in it and more.
I’ve tested them for several weeks and found that the material is waterproof enough for everyday use.
Water falls off the surface easily, making it great for travel!
Here are my impressions in bullet points after using it for the first time vs three weeks.
This entire review boils down to one question…
Should you buy the 8000Kicks Explorer V2 shoes?
For me, the answer is yes.
It’s comfortable, stylish, and durable, and most importantly, eco-friendly.
These shoes are definitely suitable for travel.
Get Your 8000Kicks Explorer V2 Shoes Here
8000Kicks offers…
This Everyday Backpack is also made of 100% hemp. Its minimalist design is stylish and modern, with features like a 15-inch laptop sleeve and being expandable up to 30L. It’s a great backpack for daily use as well as travelling!
For a slightly more stylish shoe, 8000Kicks have these hemp Chelsea boots, which is also waterproof. It features a rugged sole so you can brave through rough terrains with no worry!
Another sneakers option you might like is The Seeker. It has a casual office wear design fit for everyday use. With recycled rubber soles and the brand’s signature hemp insoles, this is a great sustainable shoe.
That’s all for my in-depth review of the 8000Kicks shoes.
Have you ever tried it or their other products?
Feel free to comment below and let me know your thoughts.
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