When packing for a trip, shoes are often one of the biggest problems. Sneakers take up valuable suitcase space, sandals aren't ideal for every destination and a pair of stylish shoes isn't always practical when you're walking around a city all day. 8000Kicks has built its brand around creating footwear designed to make that decision easier.

The unusual part is the material.

8000Kicks makes its shoes primarily around hemp, one of the oldest natural textile fibers in the world. Founded in 2019, the company set out to bring hemp into modern footwear and prove that a natural material could also be comfortable, durable and practical for everyday use.

The story behind the brand is almost as memorable as the shoes themselves. According to 8000Kicks, founder Bernardo was brainstorming business ideas with friends in Portugal at around 5am when someone suggested creating a smokable shoe. The idea obviously didn't become the final product, but the conversation led the team to consider hemp for a much more practical reason: its strength, durability and potential environmental advantages. 

That unexpected conversation eventually became 8000Kicks.

Today, the company offers a growing collection of hemp footwear including its Explorer, Seeker, Trekker and Hemp Runners, as well as slip-ons, backpacks and other accessories. The brand positions its shoes as vegan, breathable and weatherproof, giving hemp a modern performance role rather than treating it simply as an alternative material. 

One of the company's biggest innovations is its attempt to make hemp footwear suitable for wet weather. The Explorer V2, for example, uses a two-layer protection system designed to make the hemp upper weatherproof. This is particularly interesting for travelers who don't want to pack separate shoes for every possible weather condition. 

The brand has also experimented with other unusual materials and construction techniques. Its sustainability program highlights natural hemp insoles and soles made using algae, while the company emphasizes vegan materials across its footwear collections. 

Comfort is another major part of the story.

The current Hemp Runners feature a wide toe box, ankle support, reflective laces and a performance sole, while the brand describes them as designed for walking, running or simply standing throughout the day. Customer reviews frequently mention comfort and breathability, making them particularly relevant to people who spend long days exploring cities or traveling between destinations.  

The customer response has also been substantial.

8000Kicks currently displays a 4.8 out of 5 rating based on more than 2,000 reviews on its website. Its Explorer V2 alone has more than 1,000 reviews, with the majority receiving four or five stars. Customers frequently praise the shoes for their comfort, modern appearance and suitability for everyday use.  

Trustpilot provides another useful indicator of customer interest. The company has accumulated more than 500 reviews, and recent customers have described the shoes as comfortable, lightweight and well made. Some specifically highlight the shoes' performance in wet weather, while others mention buying additional pairs after enjoying their first purchase.  

Perhaps even more impressive is the community that has developed around the brand. 8000Kicks says it has successfully funded six Kickstarter campaigns, attracted more than 15,000 backers worldwide and delivered products across all seven continents. In 2026, the company launched its seventh Kickstarter campaign for the Shifter, a new model designed around a wider fit and lighter construction. 

That Kickstarter history is important because it demonstrates that the company's customers are not simply passive buyers. Thousands of people have actively supported the development of its products, helping 8000Kicks refine its footwear through successive campaigns.

The company is also actively participating in the conversation around sustainable footwear. Its recent educational content compares hemp with materials such as recycled synthetics, cotton and leather, while explaining why hemp can offer a different combination of breathability, durability and environmental characteristics. 

For travelers, however, the appeal goes beyond sustainability.

A good travel shoe needs to be comfortable enough for long walks, versatile enough to work with different outfits and practical enough to deal with changing conditions. Ideally, it should also be easy to pack. That's the problem 8000Kicks is attempting to solve.

The result is a brand that feels particularly relevant to modern travelers, digital nomads and people who prefer to own fewer but more versatile products.

There is also an interesting opportunity for travel creators. 8000Kicks operates an affiliate program and currently advertises a 20% commission on referrals, specifically welcoming influencers, marketplaces and people who want to recommend the products to their audiences.  

That makes the brand especially interesting for anyone creating travel content. A destination guide about walking around a European city, a packing list for a long trip or a guide to travel essentials can naturally introduce 8000Kicks as a footwear option.

What began with a strange late-night business idea has evolved into a global hemp footwear company backed by thousands of customers and Kickstarter supporters.

And perhaps that's the most interesting thing about 8000Kicks.

It isn't simply asking whether shoes can be made from hemp.

It's asking whether one of the world's oldest natural fibers could help create the next generation of travel footwear.