Ahimsa makes quality vegan boots, sneakers, sandals, heels, flats, and dress shoes for women, men, and unisex.
Gabriel Silva, the founder of Ahimsa, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes which caused him to have to retire from his career as a pilot. He then decided to adopt a vegan lifestyle and started Ahimsa in 2013.
Price
Ahimsa footwear prices start at $99 for the unisex Wave Sneakers and up to $249 for the unisex casual boot called Chris.
Animal rights
Ahimsa is a vegan-forward company—meaning that they’re not trying to hide that they’re a business that seeks to avoid animal suffering as much as is practical.
In their own words, “We were born to make a difference in the life of animals, nature, and our fellow human beings. Through our products, we aim to share the vegan lifestyle. Our goal is to have a more conscious society, one day completely free of cruelty.”
In 2014, Ahimsa took a big step to improve animal welfare further by opening its vegan shoe factory. A bold move to avoid any possibility of their shoes being made in a non-vegan factory.
As a vegan customer, you don’t need to wonder if some of the range isn’t vegan or if they use animal-derived glues. And if that wasn’t enough, Ahimsa has PETA-Approved Vegan certification.
Human rights
As a vegan-owned company, Ahimsa takes human rights seriously. In fact, Gabriel Silva, the founder of Ahimsa, has stated that one of his main reasons for starting the company was to improve working conditions in Brazilian shoe factories.
He told Sourcing Journal, “Our thought process behind this decision was that only by controlling the entire supply chain would it be possible for us to have the product we were aiming for. Quality control is much easier when everything is done in-house,” Silva explained, adding, “By employing everyone directly, we can guarantee they are all being paid fairly and working under ethical conditions.”
So while the Ahimsa factories don’t have formal fairtrade certifications to prove their compliance with human rights standards, they’re transparent and proud about their working conditions, giving us confidence.
Materials
Ahimsa does a good job sourcing and using sustainable materials in shoe production. Let’s take a closer look.
Vegan leather
Ahimsa’s vegan leather is made of polyurethane, more commonly known as PU. It’s a widely used material in various industries, from mattresses and clothing to car seats and tires. Even the roof of the London Olympic Stadium was made out of PU.
As far as shoes go, PU is often used as a vegan alternative to genuine leather because it has a similar look and feel but doesn’t require using any animals.
In addition to being vegan, PU is also waterproof and breathable. This makes it ideal for shoes since your feet will sweat in them, and you’ll want them to be protected from the elements.
EcoSimple
Ahimsa has partnered with EcoSimple, a Brazillian company that produces sustainable fabrics made from recycled materials.
EcoSimple’s fabric is created from recycled PET bottles and discarded textiles. The leftovers are collected from textile industries and sent to cooperatives, where they separate the fabric by color. Then, the material is recycled, weaved, and wired with recycled PET residues.
The result is a soft, stretchy, and durable fabric that Ahimsa uses in several of their shoes. And since it’s made from recycled materials, it helps to keep plastic and textile waste out.
Cotton canvas
Cotton canvas is a sturdy, plain-woven fabric often used to make sails, tents, and backpacks. It’s also a popular choice for shoes, especially sneakers.
It’s worth noting that cotton production can be pretty water-intensive. According to the Brazilian Association of Cotton Producers, Brazil ranks first regarding water used in cotton production. More than 95% of the plantations are run just by rainwater.
After the cotton is planted and harvested, it goes to the weaving process. This is where the fibers are turned into fabrics and meshes.
At Ahimsa, cotton canvas is used in the exterior and interior of some of their casual footwear.
Product line
Ahimsa has a decent range of shoes for women and men, from casual and dressy to sportswear.
The women’s range includes:
- Boots
- Heels
- Flats
- Sneakers
- Trainers
- Sandals
- Slip-ons
The men’s range includes:
- Boots
- Dress
- Sneakers
- Slip-ons
- Trainers
Ahimsa doesn’t offer a kids vegan shoe range.
Payment and shipping
Ahimsa is an online store based in Brazil and ships worldwide. They have two international websites and offer BRL and USD currencies.
You can pay for your order with Visa, Mastercard, and Paypal.
Ahimsa offers free worldwide shipping on all orders, with a 15-20 day delivery. Expedited shipping is available for an additional fee of $30, and delivery takes 5-10 days. Ahimsa doesn’t cover import taxes or duties.
They also have a wholesale program (although not public on their website), so you could contact your local shoe shops to see if they could stock the brand. Be sure to Google “Ahimsa shoes {my city}” to check availability first.
Returns and exchanges
Ahimsa has a 30-day return policy for new, unused, and undamaged products (except for trying), with the customer paying for return shipping. If you need to exchange an item, Ahimsa will send you a new one for free, but you’ll have to pay $30 for shipping.
For returns, Ahimsa recommends that you use a tracked shipping service as they’re not responsible for lost items.
Customer service
Ahimsa has a limited FAQ page covering shipping, exchanges, and returns. If you can’t find an answer to your questions, you can contact them via email or phone at their head office in Brazil.
We haven’t tested their response time, so we can’t speak to how quickly they’ll get back to you.
What could be better?
When it comes to sustainable materials, Ahimsa could do better when compared to other vegan shoe companies. While their use of recycled PET and cotton canvas is commendable, they could explore more innovative sustainable materials like algae-based plastics or pineapple leather. This would set them apart from the competition and be more aligned with their ethical values.
In terms of payment options, Ahimsa is a bit behind the times. They only accept Visa, Mastercard, and Paypal. While this is convenient for some customers, it excludes those who prefer to use other payment methods, such as American Express or Apple Pay.
Despite these drawbacks, we’re fans of what Gabriel has built at Ahimsa. They’re a great example of a vegan-friendly company working to make a difference in the world, including creating economic opportunities in Brazil. We hope to see more sustainable materials and payment options from them in the future.