Vancouver-based vegan lifestyle brand Grounded People has debuted a trans-seasonal footwear collection designed with animal-free inputs.
The company on Tuesday announced the launch of its All SZN boot collection, a PETA-approved line of high-top sneaker styles designed with natural rubber and vegan leather. Developed with durability in mind, the shoes are water-resistant, lightweight and easy to clean, and can be paired with a selection of colored laces that allow wearers to quickly change up their look. Each pair of laces purchased benefits a different charity, from KidSafe, a Canadian program benefiting children living in poverty, to climate action group Climate Resolve.
The boot-like style builds upon the ethical shoe company’s sneaker program, adding more substantial treads designed for diverse terrains and weather conditions. Available in black, brown and white, the styles feature metal D-ring eyelet lacing systems, a back zipper for ease of removal, and recycled rubber soles made from car tires. The $129 style comes in women’s sizes 5-11 and men’s sizes 7-13.
Grounded People, which manufactures its footwear in Brazil, partnered with Spanish textile manufacturer Grupo Morón for its hide-free microfiber alternative leather made from polyurethane. The solution, OnMicro, is waterproof, abrasion-resistant, washable and breathable, and was designed to mimic the natural characteristics of cowhide leather.
Courtesy of Grounded People
Launching in Canada, the U.S., Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and the U.K., the new line represents an evolution for the brand. “The introduction of the All SZN Boot Collection marks a pivotal moment for Grounded,” the company said. “With this expansion, the company can offer footwear options for year-round seasons, fostering a more stable and robust revenue generation model.”
“Entering the well-established winter footwear market with an innovative design that seamlessly fuses functionality and fashion opens a door to significant opportunities,” CEO Maximilian Justus said. “This shift from seasonal purchasing patterns to a more consistent revenue stream aligns favorably with the interests of stakeholders.”
“At Grounded People, we firmly believe in making sustainable fashion a year-round reality,” he added, noting that the design and development team “has invested significant effort to uphold this philosophy.” The brand launched in late 2021 with high-top and low-top canvas sneaker styles made by a fair-trade, 100-percent factory in Brazil.
