MoEa Sneakers, new entrants in the market and industry, launches sneakers made from plants, fruits, and other recycled materials.
As every aspect of our lives touches on sustainability, we have seen an increased rate in sustainable fashion wear, more so, footwear. In fact, research shows that the sustainable industry will grow by 6.2% by 2026.
Leather and plastic have been the go-to materials in the footwear industry. Still, with sustainability catching up, it is not hard to come across sneakers and other footwear made from different plant materials.
What sets MoEA sneakers apart from the rest is while other brands use only one type of plant material, it uses five fruit materials; grapes, apples, corn, cactus, and pineapples. In addition, while not every part of the sneakers is made from plant or fruit waste materials, some features use materials from recycled bio-PU or PU and sustainably sourced cotton.
Notable, too, is the fact that you can get your sneakers in colors that resemble that of the particular plant whose the materials are from. However, you can still forfeit the solid colors and opt for white, which comes with accents of different colors.
Still, on the sustainability of the sneakers, they are handmade in Portugal through sustainably sourced labor. The inner soft lining and insole are super comfortable and made from recycled bamboo and recycled wood fiber. The shoebox packaging is also from recycled materials. Most importantly, the sneakers are recyclable. So, when your sneakers finally give in to the test of time, you can return them to MoEa for recycling into a new pair of soles.
Concerned about the quality and longevity of the shoes? MoEa sneakers are tested and approved to be just as robust as those made from leather. Its abrasion resistance is > 50.000 cycles, just like what leather sneakers have. The soles are as durable as they can get and made from sturdy natural and recycled rubber. To ensure the shoes do not fall apart, the sole and upper part is glued together with water-based glue and sewn for more reinforcement.
The sneakers are also water-resistant, allowing you to wear them throughout the year, even when the weather is rainy.
You can preorder your sneakers from Kickstarter, where deliveries will be from September 2021. The limited offer price on Kickstarter is $106.00 (€89.00), which saves you 31% off the retail price of $154.00 (€129.00).
Are there other options in the market? Certainly, numerous startups are giving renowned companies like Nike and Adidas a run for their money when it comes to sustainable footwear. Among the many options, some brands to check out include Ethletic, Veja, Keep Company, and Thousand Fell.
About The Team
MoEa is a newly established sustainable brand based in Paris. While the design of the sneakers is done in France, the shoes are handmade in Portugal. MoEa is the acronym for Mother Earth, a tribute to the company’s effort to protect the Earth through sustainable footwear. The team comprises 7 members, including the 3 founders Achille Gazagnes, Benoit Habfast, and Simon de Swarte.
“We’ve launched MoEa to create sneakers that offer the same level of style and comfort you’d expect to see in your favourite leather pair, whilst ensuring that the planet isn’t some sort of a meaningless afterthought and that animals aren’t treated with cruelty” Achille Gazagnes, co-founder.
