About K!BO Kicks
KIBO 希望
KIBO means ‘hope’ in Japanese and our
mission is to bring some of it to the world by reinventing how footwear is made.
The ! is a reminder to do things differently. The fashion industry needs to change and tackle big issues such as climate change and modern slavery. And that's only possible if we adapt ourselves and unite as a community. Because we know that every small step goes a long way.
"Every product is ethically crafted with the planet and its people in mind"
- Natalie, Co-founder
Apple Leather
Apple Leather is a USDA certified Biobased product recycled from the waste of Apples used in the juicing industry.
First, we take apple waste and reduce it into a powder then mix it with other natural plant fibers. This mixture is then processed and bonded onto a plant material base. The manufacturing process is solvent free because the fibres are compressed through a high-pressure water jet system. This way, 95% of the water is recycled and re-used throughout.
The result is a durable, environmentally friendly, and breathable material that has found its way onto a pair of KIBO Apple Kicks.
Recycled Leather
We start with discarded leather scraps, grind them into fine fibers and combine it with other eco-friendly materials to create a new type of leather that is lighter and more durable than full-grain leather.
The manufacturing process is solvent-free because the fibres are compressed through a patented high-pressure water jet system. The result is 95% of the water is recycled and re-used throughout.
When you go the extra mile to make a difference, the comfort and durability of natural rubber keeps up with you. Our outsoles are made from recycled rubber compounds.
Recycled Canvas
We rescue fabric scraps from factory floors, shred it and turn that into new fibres that are woven into a new piece of fabric.
Even though it is recycled from a mixture of industrial waste and consumer textile waste, our technique produces a new fabric feel cotton fabric.
Using recycled cotton reduces water consumption by 98% creating less impact on our environment.
Recycled Plastics
That empty plastic bottle of water in the trash? We recycle it and other post-consumer plastic waste and turn them into a polyester fibre that we knit all our shoe laces and shoe linings from.
Insoles
That feeling of comfort when you slip into a pair of our sneakers comes from an insole made of natural cork. This keeps it anti-bacterial, anti-odour and sweat-wicking.
Then we pad it with dual-density foam for both support and comfort. This way, it is not just our outsides that are eco-conscious but insides too!
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People First
We ensure that our process is transparent, ethical and responsible by working with partners we trust. Our materials are GRS certified and our production meets global BSCI and REACH standards to ensure that workers are safe, paid well beyond the minimum wage, and with zero tolerance on bonded labour.
Our footwear is proudly manufactured in Putian, Fujian province in China, in a purpose-built boutique production line with experienced craftsmen. We demand the highest craftsmanship for our products, and we are able to deliver this by paying workers well above minimum wage.