Komodo

Brand Overview

Established in 1988, Komodo focuses on making sustainable clothing and footwear, in partnership with Asian factories. This charitable brand's footwear is 100% vegan, although many of their clothing items contain virgin wool, so the brand itself is not vegan.

About Komodo

"At Komodo, we are dedicated to creating clothes that are sustainable and don’t have a negative impact on the environment. We are passionate about protecting and nurturing our planet, but we also love fashion and don’t believe the two need to be mutually exclusive. Why can’t we look great whilst fighting for the world we live in?!" - Komodo team

What materials are used to make Komodo shoes?

Komodo's line of shoes is 100% vegan, and they use a combination of natural, organic, and recycled materials to make them. Some of the materials they use include: vegan leather made from corn waste (uppers); vegan leather made from cactus (uppers); 100% organic cotton (uppers); recycled polyurethane (footbed); natural cork or recycled EVA foam (insole); Abacá banana canvas and/or recycled cotton (lining); recycled PET plastic (laces); and recycled & virgin rubber and/or recycled tires (sole); The composition of each specific shoe can vary, and fortunately their website will give an overview of those materials on each of their shoe's product description page. Komodo has also informed us that they use synthetic glues, rather than glues containing animal-derived ingredients.

Are the materials used to make Komodo shoes eco-friendly/sustainable?

From an environmentally-friendly materials standpoint, Komodo shoes and sandals are considered quite environmentally-friendly, as they incorporate so many recycled and natural materials, as well as innovative new eco-friendly materials (such as banana fibre canvas, and cactus leather).

Does production of Komodo shoes create a lot of CO2 emissions?

From a carbon footprint, water usage, chemical usage, and general natural resource usage standpoint, it's difficult to asses the impact that Komodo has, and what they do to remediate it. Komodo does not currently provide data as to their environmental impact or remediation efforts, so it's difficult to accurately asses them in either of these regards. Komodo does however say that, "All suppliers work within our ethos to reduce the environmental impact of their operations and processes." A recent environmental win for Kimodo is that their main Nepali knit factory switched to solar power after a few years of discussions with the brand.

Does Komodo use green shipping methods?

It's unclear from their website if Komodo uses net-zero or negative emissions shipping partners, either domestically or internationally. We’ve asked them for clarification, and are currently awaiting reply.

Does Komodo use eco-friendly packaging?

It's unclear from their website if Komodo uses recycled, recyclable, compostable, or other forms of eco-friendly and sustainable packaging. We’ve asked them for details regarding the materials they use for packaging, and are currently awaiting reply.

Are Komodo shoes recyclable or compostable?

It’s unclear from the information available on their website if Komodo’s shoes are recyclable or compostable. We’ve asked for clarification from the Komodo team, and are currently awaiting reply.

How should I dispose of my worn out Komodo shoes?

We’ve asked the Komodo team if they currently have, or are developing, a shoe recycling program, and are awaiting reply. In the meantime, Get it Vegan recommends either trying to have them repaired, donating them to someone in need, or taking them to a clothing recycling depot (if available in your city), which can strip them down to their recyclable components.

Where can I buy Komodo shoes?

Komodo shoes can be purchased from their website, from their social channels, or from a variety of stockists worldwide (including one in Greenland!).

Do Komodo shoes ever go on sale?

Komodo will email you a voucher if you subscribe to their newsletter when visiting their website. There were also several models marked down by up to 50% when we last visited their website.

Are Komodo shoes ethically made?

Komodo shoes and sandals are made in Asia (Kathmandu, Nepal, Bali, India or China). As such, it's difficult for us as an outside, non-certifying 3rd party to verify whether or not Komodo ensures its factory enforces all international and local labour laws, regulations and fair working standards to provide a safe and fair working environment for their workers. According to the brand, they "work closely with our factories to ensure our garments are produced in a safe working environment where all workers are guaranteed a fair wage." The brand also claims that the "majority of factories we use hold certifications like SA8000 and GOTS or are independently audited by bodies like UL." The brand's stated ethos is to ensure that their factories cover certain labour and operational policies, such as: no child labour or forced labour; no exploitation of work force; a no-discrimination employment policy; workers' rights; additional employee benefits; a living wage; certain health and safety measures; fire regulation; hygiene standards; and waste disposal.

Does Komodo promote ‘slow fashion’ or a ‘circular economy’?

Komodo appears to incorporate some elements of a circular economy, such as using natural materials, using organic cotton, using recycled materials, contributing to land restoration projects charitably, and encouraging their factories to reduce production waste.

Is Komodo a charitable company?

Yes - throughout their history, Komodo has been involved with several charitable causes, which typically centre around land restoration, helping children in need within Asian communities, and providing water for areas in which it is scarce. Currently, Komodo supports SOS - Sumatran Orangutan Society with every purchase.

Komodo Product Range

Komodo makes casual house and beach shoes for men and women in a variety of styles, some being timeless, such as their cap-toed sneakers, with others being more retro, such as their low-top leather-look trainers/skate shoes. Their store also sells shoes from the brand "Genesis." Their current line-up of house-made shoes includes: