About Astral

Founded in 2002, Astral was born from a desire to create ethical and environmentally conscious outdoor sports equipment. Before 2012, the brand was best known for its innovative range of life jackets and was the first in the industry to remove all toxic materials from its manufacturing process. Since then, its eco-friendly ethos and technical prowess have expanded to its range of vegan Astral footwear, designed to offer form and function whether running rivers, hitting the trails or exploring the town.

Astral Hemp Footwear

Here at Northshore Watersports, we’re proud to stock a variety of versatile Astral footwear in our collection, including a selection of Astral hemp trainers. With its myriad of environmental and practical advantages, the use of hemp (or cannabis sativa) in its high-performance shoes is no surprise from the pioneering and environmentally responsible brand. Astral’s VP of Sales & Marketing Christie Dobson said of the decision: “Hemp was an easy choice for us, not only for its performance benefits – it’s durable, antimicrobial, and breathable – but also for its environmental attributes. It’s petroleum-free and grown without pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers.”

With two of the brand’s most popular hemp trainers in our collection, the Astral Hemp Donner and the Astral Hemp Loyak, we’ve taken a look into the specifications of each one to help you decide whether Astral hemp shoes could be the right choice for you.

Hemp Loyak Trainers

The Hemp Loyak is a revamp of Astral’s popular Loyak shoe, featuring hemp canvas material on the upper half and the brand’s G® Rubber on the outsole. Astral’s Flex-Grip™ soles are designed to provide superior flexibility and balance and, with the inclusion of the innovative G.15™ compound, offer excellent grip and abrasion resistance. Adding to this is its wide surface area and wide-spaced divided 3mm lugs that are ideal for gripping on loose dirt you might find on the trails.

Astral shoes are designed with balanced geometry that enables the most natural positioning for your foot, as similar as possible to going barefoot. With a 1mm drop, the footbeds on the Hemp Loyak trainers are almost level and feature an extra wide forefoot that enables your feet and toes to spread out for extra balance and comfort.

If you’re looking for a casual trail-to-town shoe with an exceptionally comfortable fit and stylish look, the Hemp Loyak trainer is an excellent choice.

Best Worn: On light hikes, casual walks and exploring towns on your travels.

Upper Material: 77% Hemp / 23% recycled polyester.

Midsole Material: 7mm thick, 45C closed cell EVA foam.

Outsole: Flex-Grip™ soles with G.15™ compound. 3 mm divided lugs.

Drop: 1mm.

Foot to Ground Distance: 12mm heel, 11mm ball.

Weight/Shoe(size 9US): 189g (6.7 oz).

Fit: True to size.

Colours Available: Denim Navy, Granite Grey, Desert Khaki.

Hemp Donner Trainers

Astral’s Donner Hemp trainers are similar to the Hemp Loyak in many respects but have several key differences that make them more suited for higher levels of performance. Like the Loyak, the Donner is created with high-quality hemp uppers that provide superior breathability, rot resistance and an exceptional level of durability to cotton. However, the Hemp Donner also features additional benefits such as water resistant laces, a padded ankle cover and welded reinforcement at key areas of the toe, heel and eyestays.

Designed with the same balanced geometry as the Loyak and all Astral footwear, Donner Hemp trainers also provide a natural foot positioning and a supremely comfortable fit. While they too have a 1mm drop, their soles are chunkier and raised higher from the ground, with 4mm divided lugs and a sole made from AGRO G® Rubber which provides even greater abrasion resistance and grip.

If you’re looking for stylish trainers that provide superior grip and a comfortable, sturdy fit on treks and trail walks, Astral’s Hemp Donner shoes could be perfect for you.

Best Worn: Moderate to light hikes, trail walks and casual wear.

Upper Material: 77% Hemp / 23% recycled polyester with welded reinforcements on the heel, eyestays and toes.

Additional Features: Heel cup with padded ankle collar. Medium arch support. Water resistant laces.

Midsole Material: 53C closed cell EVA foam.

Outsole: G.15™ high friction AGRO G® Rubber with extra abrasion resistance. 4mm lugs.

Drop: 1mm.

Foot to Ground Distance: 17mm heel, 16 mm ball.

Weight/Shoe: Men’s 9 = 265g (9.344 oz).

Fit: Run a 1/2 size small.

Colours Available: Black/Brown, Grey/Black, Denim Navy.

Whether its the Hemp Donner or the Hemp Loyaks you opt for on your next venture, both Astral’s innovatively designed hemp trainers offer unrivalled comfort, fit and durability both on and off the trails.

Explore more from Astral in our collection here at NorthShore Watersports, including a large variety of Astral footwear for all activities.