Tropicfeel
Rated: Great
Price: $$
Location: Spain
Quick verdict
Best for eco-conscious travelers and digital nomads seeking versatile, multi-terrain footwear and modular travel gear made with recycled materials. Their B Corp certification (score 82.9) and product-level sustainability tracking (CO₂ and H₂O savings displayed per item) set them apart in the travel gear space. The caveat: labor transparency, particularly around living wages, remains a notable weakness.
Key info
- Headquarters
- Barcelona, Spain
- Founded
- 2017
- Product categories
- Shoes, Bags, Activewear
- Price range
- $$
- Key certifications
- B Corp (score 82.9), GRS (Global Recycled Standard), GOTS, BSCI (factory-level), Bluesign (supply partners)
Tropicfeel sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
Uses GRS-certified recycled polyester (up to 70% in some products), recycled nylon (Hyosung Mipan regen), recycled EVA, and Bloom algae-based insole foam. However, conventional EVA and synthetic rubber persist in portions of their soles. Overall recycled content varies by product (e.g., Terra.001 at 32.82%).
Tier 1 supplier is Pouchen Group (Taiwan HQ, FLA member). Factories are BSCI-audited. However, no public Code of Conduct, no evidence of living wage payment, and only partially traced/audited supply chain. Pouchen has faced labor controversies historically (2014 Vietnam worker protests).
Product pages display specific CO₂ and H₂O savings per item (e.g., Terra.001: 17.92% CO₂ savings). 100% FSC recycled packaging. On-demand/crowdfunding production model reduces overproduction. Donates to forestry projects. However, no circularity/take-back program and no energy reduction steps in production.
Product pages show material breakdowns, recycled content percentages, Tier 1 supplier name, and impact metrics (powered by dcycle). Supply chain traceability from yarn to final product. But no full factory list, no public Code of Conduct, and no disclosed supply chain audit percentages.
Shoes range $69–$179; backpacks $79–$349. Comparable to Allbirds and Veja for shoes, Osprey for backpacks. Free shipping over $99, 30-day returns with free exchanges, and lifetime warranty on backpacks add solid value.
What they do well
- Certified B Corp (score 82.9): certified July 2023, verified by EQA, demonstrating holistic commitment across governance, workers, community, environment, and customers
- On-demand crowdfunding production model: launched via Kickstarter as the most-funded shoe campaign ever (€2.1M from 26,284 backers across 151 countries), minimizing overproduction and waste through demand forecasting
- Product-level impact transparency: each product page displays specific recycled content %, CO₂ savings %, and H₂O savings % versus conventional products, powered by dcycle sustainability platform
- 100% vegan with GRS-certified recycled materials: uses recycled polyester, recycled nylon, recycled EVA, Bloom algae foam, and 100% recycled FSC-certified packaging
- Conservation and community giving: Pin-Pact collection directs 100% of pin profits to rewilding projects and local environmental NGOs (over €14,200 donated)
Room for improvement
- Labor transparency and living wages, No evidence of living wage payment in supply chain, Code of Conduct exists but is not publicly shared, and supply chain audit scope is undisclosed. Pouchen Group (their manufacturer) has faced its own labor controversies.
- No circularity or take-back program (no end-of-life program, shoe recycling scheme, or repair service. Given that recycled synthetic materials are not biodegradable, this is a gap) especially when some reviewers report durability issues (shoes lasting less than a year).
About Tropicfeel
Tropicfeel was founded in 2017 in Barcelona, Spain, by Alberto Espinós and Lucas de Gispert after a backpacking trip to Thailand revealed the need for versatile, all-terrain travel footwear. They launched their Monsoon 2.0 sneaker on Kickstarter in April 2018, raising €2.1 million from 26,284 backers across 151 countries, making it the most-funded shoe campaign in Kickstarter history at the time. The brand has since expanded from footwear into modular backpacks, travel apparel (jackets, pants, tees), and accessories.
Key materials include GRS-certified recycled polyester, Hyosung Mipan regen recycled nylon, recycled EVA foam, Bloom algae-based insole material, and 100% recycled FSC-certified packaging. The B Corp certification (July 2023, score 82.9) means they scored above the 80-point threshold on B Lab's assessment covering governance, workers, community, environment, and customers, the median score for ordinary businesses is 50.9. Shoes are manufactured by Pouchen Group, a Taiwan-headquartered FLA member with factories across Asia.
Tropicfeel ships globally from Barcelona with free shipping over $99, 30-day returns with free exchanges, and no import duties. They operate physical stores in Barcelona (2 locations) and Madrid—in 2023, the company reported €27 million in revenue (+22% year-over-year). Pricing is mid-range, comparable to Allbirds and Veja for shoes, and Osprey for backpacks.
Product highlights
Terra.001 Sneaker
Evolved 4-in-1 all-terrain sneaker; 32.82% recycled content, GRS certified, quick-drying, anti-bacterial
$179
Flagship product, combines water-friendly, hiking, casual, and sport shoe in one; 17.92% CO₂ savings
Shell Backpack 20–40L
Expandable modular travel backpack, weatherproof, cabin-sized, compatible with wardrobe/tech/camera add-ons
$239
Won Europe Product Design Award 2023; over 70% sustainable materials
Jungle Sneaker
Lightweight, packable water-friendly sneaker with quick-drying tech; 60% recycled polyester
~$139 (often on sale ~$69)
Most affordable entry point; 19% CO₂ and H₂O savings vs. conventional
Hive Backpack 22–32L
Expandable modular backpack, clamshell opening, 16" laptop compartment, detachable hip belt doubles as sling
$249
Most versatile backpack, expands to 46L with add-ons; ideal for organized travelers
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