8000Kicks hemp shoes

8000Kicks (originally launched as DopeKicks) is a sustainable footwear and accessories brand known for creating the world's first waterproof hemp sneakers. The brand's name, 8000Kicks, pays homage to the historical discovery of hemp textiles in China dating back to approximately 8000 BC. The company was founded by Bernardo Carreira and his grandmother, Otília, whose 50 years of experience in the textile industry helped develop the unique hemp-based material.

While the brand is headquartered in Portugal, its manufacturing operations are distributed across two primary locations to leverage specialized expertise: Portugal (specifically in Braga and Minde) and China (Dongguan). The company sources its industrial hemp primarily from China, which is the world's leading producer of hemp textiles, as well as from European sources like France and Romania. 8000Kicks remains an independent, family-led business under its original founders, positioning itself as a pioneer in the eco-friendly and carbon-conscious fashion market.