Biankina
Rated: Good
Price: $$
Location: USA
Quick verdict
Biankina is best for eco-conscious women seeking affordable, vegan, Mediterranean-inspired casual footwear, especially espadrilles and canvas sneakers, with artisan craftsmanship and natural materials at a price point that significantly undercuts luxury competitors. What stands out is the combination of GOTS organic cotton, natural rubber, jute, and cork in handcrafted Spanish footwear at just $70-$126, plus a tree-planting initiative (2 trees per purchase). Caveats include a very small brand with limited third-party verification, a potentially lapsed PETA certification, and gaps in labour transparency.
Key info
- Headquarters
- USA (American label); designed in Barcelona, Spain
- Founded
- 2018
- Product categories
- Shoes, Vegan
- Price range
- $$
- Key certifications
- GOTS organic cotton; PETA-Approved Vegan (possibly lapsed early 2023)
Biankina sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
Uses GOTS-certified organic cotton canvas, 100% natural rubber soles (vulcanised, no glue), sustainable jute midsoles, natural cork, recycled microfibre, nickel-free eyelets, and cotton laces. The glue-free vulcanisation process is a genuine differentiator. Not all components are fully certified.
Handmade in artisan workshops in Spain (and reportedly Portugal). EU labour law protections apply. Audits some suppliers but has no published Code of Conduct, no evidence of living wage assurance, and no third-party labour certifications.
Partners with Eden Reforestation Projects (2 trees planted per pair in Nepal, Madagascar, Haiti). Circularity partnerships with TerraCycle and Soles4Souls for end-of-life recycling. Plastic-free recyclable packaging. Glue-free production minimises chemical use. However, no published carbon footprint data, no water metrics, no formal climate targets.
Good material transparency on product pages (lists all materials used). Names manufacturing in Spain. However, no factory list, no Code of Conduct, no impact reports, and no audit results. PETA certification reportedly lapsed in early 2023.
At $70-$126 for handmade-in-Spain, organic cotton, natural rubber footwear, Biankina significantly undercuts luxury espadrille brands ($200+) and competes favourably with Veja ($100-$200) and Allbirds ($98-$160). Free shipping included. DTC model eliminates retail markup.
What they do well
- 100% vegan with natural materials. Every shoe is made without animal products, using GOTS organic cotton, natural rubber, sustainable jute, and cork. These materials are largely biodegradable, not just "vegan synthetic"
- Artisan Spanish craftsmanship with innovative construction. Handmade by artisans using traditional techniques, including vulcanisation for sneakers (bonding rubber to cotton via heat, eliminating glue entirely) and hand-sewing for espadrilles
- Competitive pricing for European-made sustainable footwear. At $70-$126, Biankina delivers handcrafted Spanish shoes with organic materials at prices that make sustainable footwear genuinely accessible
- Active environmental initiatives. Tree planting via Eden Reforestation Projects (2 trees per pair), end-of-life circularity through TerraCycle and Soles4Souls partnerships, and plastic-free recyclable packaging
Room for improvement
- Labour transparency needs strengthening. No published Code of Conduct, no living wage evidence, and only partial supplier auditing. Formal labour certifications or published factory information would significantly boost credibility.
- No published impact or sustainability reports. Claims about tree planting (the stated goal was 2 million trees by 2023) and fair wages lack published data or annual reports to substantiate them. The tree-planting goal deadline has passed with no public update on progress.
- Dated and potentially lapsed certifications. PETA certification reportedly lapsed in early 2023, though the brand still claims vegan status. Updated third-party verification is needed.
About Biankina
Biankina was founded in 2018 by the Montserrat family (Francis and his wife) in Barcelona, born from a rejection of fast fashion's environmental impact, animal cruelty, and worker exploitation. The family set out to create minimalist, eco-friendly footwear inspired by the Mediterranean, drawing design inspiration from the French Riviera, Amalfi Coast, and Spanish Costa del Sol.
The brand's material palette centres on GOTS-certified organic cotton canvas (uppers), 100% natural rubber (soles, bonded via heat vulcanisation with zero glue), sustainable jute (espadrille midsoles, undyed, no chemical additives), natural cork (sandal footbeds, sustainably harvested from regenerating bark), and recycled microfibre. The innovative vulcanisation process that bonds rubber to cotton using heat alone, eliminating adhesives and harmful chemicals, is a genuine technical differentiator. Sneakers are machine washable as a result.
Shoes are designed in Barcelona and handcrafted in family-owned artisan workshops in Spain (and reportedly Portugal), subject to EU labour standards. Biankina holds GOTS certification for organic cotton materials and was PETA-Approved Vegan, though this certification may have lapsed in early 2023.
Shipping is free worldwide from Spain, with 30-day returns (free exchange shipping via REDO service). Products are also available on Amazon and Etsy. Pricing at $70-$126 positions Biankina as one of the most affordable options in the sustainable footwear space, below Veja ($100-$200), Allbirds ($98-$160), and far below luxury espadrille brands ($200+). Customer feedback is generally positive, with the most consistent note being that sizing runs small.
Product highlights
St. Tropez Vegan Canvas Sneakers
Classic low-top canvas sneaker in GOTS organic cotton with cotton laces, natural vulcanised rubber sole; machine washable
~$99.95
Signature product with glue-free construction and Mediterranean minimalist design
Girona Eco Canvas Vegan Espadrille Wedges
Authentic Spanish espadrille with 2" wedge, organic cotton upper, adjustable ankle strap, jute midsole, rubber sole
~$105–$115
Traditional artisan construction meets eco-conscious materials; handcrafted in Spain
Marbella Vegan Leather Slip-On Cork Sandal
Slip-on sandal with sustainable cork footbed and vegan leather upper
~$69.95
Most affordable option; uses sustainably harvested Mediterranean cork oak
Granada Eco Canvas Vegan Espadrille Wedges
Higher 3.5" wedge espadrille in organic cotton canvas with jute midsole and ankle strap
~$115–$126
Dressier option for events; biodegradable jute midsole is carbon-positive during cultivation
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