FAQ
We’ve put together the answers to the most commonly asked questions below, but if your question isn’t answered here then please send us an email at hello@aspectclimateprojects.com and we’d be happy to help.
where are your shoes made?
Our shoes are crafted in Portugal by Pedro and his team who have worked diligently and patiently with us whilst developing our footwear.
They are a third-generation shoe-maker with a focus on quality over mass-production and strive to work with more sustainable materials. Also, being located at the centre of Portuguese shoe manufacturing, we are able to minimise shipping distances and further lower our carbon footprint; making them a perfect partner for aspect climate projects.
how do I choose the correct size?
Our shoes are made in sizes EU 36-46, please see our size guide for more details.
If you’re unsure about what size to order please send us an email at hello@aspectclimateprojects.com and we’ll be happy to help.
how do I take care of my shoes?
Please check our care section for details of how to keep your shoes looking fresh.
how long do natural materials last compared to leather/synthetic materials?
Any shoe is only as strong as its weakest part. That’s why we considered every aspect not only for its impact on the climate but also its durability. We use high quality materials throughout our shoes so that they will stand the test of time.
if my shoes are made to order, can I still return them if they don’t fit?
Yes. We have worked hard to ensure a good fit but if your shoes don’t fit then you can return them in an unworn condition and they will go to the next person on our wait list. Please see our returns and exchange information page for more details.
how do I find out about the next pre-order?
To stay up-to-date with our latest footwear project we’d recommend signing up to our newsletter, or following us on Instagram here.
are you carbon neutral?
During our design process we have carefully considered our CO2 impact and we are confident that we’re “net zero” (most brands are 10-30kg CO2 per pair, with this study suggesting 13kg CO2 for synthetic running shoes). On top of this, we work with gold-standard climate offsetting schemes to ensure that for every pair we sell, we offset one-tonne of CO2 from the atmosphere. That’s 1000kg.
Our considerations include:
- We don’t use any leather, the production of which creates huge amounts of greenhouse gases
- Almost all of our materials are from actively carbon-sequestering plants, many of these are from trees which stay in the ground to maximise their positive impact
- Many of our materials are repurposed from what would normally be waste
- Therefore we require no extra land, water or fertilisers during growth
- Saving them from landfill or being burnt avoids greenhouse gases being released
- Our shipping is carbon-neutral
We believe in winning with the climate, and have created a new model which allows us to literally make tonnes of difference.
are your materials taking plants from the food-chain?
None of our materials remove any plants from the food chain and in fact we use waste materials from food production such as coconut husks and pineapple leaves so that we help to increase the income for the growers of these natural, healthy foods.
why don’t you use leather?
All of our shoes are 100% vegan and leather free. This was a very early decision we took due to the high impact on the climate from meat and leather production.
As detailed in the report from Biodiversify, leather production also poses a huge threat to various aspects of biodiversity. On top of the greenhouse gases produced by the animals, the fertilisers, land and water used during fodder production as well as the chemicals and water used in the tanning process must be considered in the overall impact of leather use.
We’re in an exciting time where leather is no longer the only option for high quality shoes. Amazing new materials such as Pinatex have their own natural character and can be created with a much more positive impact on the world.
are there any plastics in your shoes?
We have gone to great lengths to remove the hidden plastics which are in almost all shoes; we have replaced the normally plastic padding with natural latex from trees, and we have used cork for our heel and toe stiffeners instead of thermo-plastics. At this stage though we couldn’t avoid using some plastic in our shoes as the latest plant-based materials require a small percentage of polymer to remain long-lasting. Our vision is to create shoes that are as climate conscious as possible, but we also wanted to ensure their quality.
A perfect solution isn’t yet available, but we believe we are creating the best shoes possible with the materials available today and we want to remain transparent to our customers about our choices. As technology progresses, we have a clear vision to utilise the skills of our factory to experiment and completely remove plastic as soon as possible. Please click here to understand more about our materials and the technical trade-offs we considered.
your question not covered?
If you have any other questions please do contact us at hello@aspectclimateprojects.com and we’d be happy to help.