Backpacking to Thailand and returning with a firm for adventurers? Yes, it can happen.
"Traveling could change your life forever" is the motto of the Spanish firm Tropicfeel and we couldn't agree more. More than a sneaker firm, the project is an authentic philosophy of life (and travel) that was born when the founder and CEO, Alberto Espinós, observed the devastating impact of a certain type of tourism in Southeast Asia, coupled with the fact that, as a backpacker, he literally felt the weight of clothing that didn't fully satisfy him.
So he decided to create its own line of versatile, lightweight and sustainable clothing and footwear, while also dedicating itself to promoting conscious, responsible and respectful travel worldwide. But, in a world where all firms claim to be sustainable, what difference does true sustainability make? "Sustainability at Tropicfeel is part of the brand's DNA and, in addition, we have data that supports each and every one of the actions we carry out in the company", says emphatically Alberto, who previously worked at Accenture and Crowdcube, a crowdfunding platform.
Alberto Espinós on a trip to the Philippines.
“Everything is born from a need. I myself experienced what it means for a traveler to go to Thailand, do a hundred hours on the road with a backpack loaded with material and finish the road with totally destroyed sneakers. That was me. And I am sure that many will have felt that same sensation. So I said 'this can't happen again'. I came up with the idea of creating versatile pieces that could make life easier for those who They would have experienced the same thing.”
There, Alberto recalls, he changed the chip. “I thought it was my chance. The moment to undertake and bring to the market a brand whose values went further. Do not stay only with customer satisfaction. Think about what we want for future generations. What will they find? A sea full of plastics, deforestation of the forests... That had to change and we also want to do it with the help of the consumer, taking into account their opinions, what they need, what they miss on all their trips”.
Alberto Espinós was inspired to create his signature on a backpacking trip to Thailand.
Therefore, they propose looking for alternative destinations, getting a durable kit... As they explain on his website, many people travel wishing to leave their mark on all the wonders of the world. “Instead of leaving a mark, try to leave a mark. A positive footprint that is born from your respect for nature and different cultures”, they propose.
The firm thus inspires a more authentic and responsible way of traveling. “We promote a change in the way of traveling through products that adapt to any situation and circumstance. An example of this could be one of the latest campaigns we have launched on Kickstarter, our Shell backpack. This is useful for weekend stays, but also on big trips around the world. The same goes for our sneakers. With them you can spend a weekend visiting the city of Malaga or spend the day in a cove in Menorca and snorkel, but if you prefer to go to the Montgó Natural Park, in the province of Alicante, any of our models will also work for you”.
Alberto Espinós is the founder and CEO of Tropicfeel.
One of his star products is the Canyon sneaker. “His was the second most funded Spanish campaign in Kickstarter history, reaching two million euros and the support of 25,019 sponsors”, Albert tells us. “Those who buy it are people who like adventure, especially hiking and mountain walks. Usually, These are practical people who, in addition, are looking for a product that fits them aesthetically, a shoe that allows them to discover the world but that, in turn, they can use to go out one day to dinner. Versatility is essential, imagine when they also discover that they can get in the water with them!”
In their new model, Jungle, they have used in the upper part of the shoe 77% recycled polyester, with an average reuse of 7 plastic bottles for each pair. Breathability, lightness and slip resistance are other characteristics.
Tropicfeel promotes a sustainable, conscientious and adventurous style of travel.
SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ON DEMAND
From the moment the firm was created, sustainability was one of the key points and it is important for them to communicate it well. “All our processes, launches and different teams are fully aligned around this concept. We work with the on-demand model, helping to produce exactly what our community needs or is missing in their wardrobe or travel. This procedure allows us to generate less waste and reduce the environmental impact, since we do not overproduce or generate excess stock”.
Another reason why Tropicfeel is a sustainable firm are the suppliers. “They allow us to offer the traceability of each product that we launch on the market. Among them, Cosmo and Bloom Foam stand out for using recycled and ecological materials. In addition, we constantly monitor our environmental impact with the BCOME platform, which allows us to measure the impact of our garments”, explains the entrepreneur, who Beyond his commercial proposal, he has worked with different projects that invite the consumer to be aware and responsible.
“We give visibility to different environmental problems. An example of this was the production of our first documentary, Avocado Rise, which deals with the problem of deforestation due to the overproduction of avocado in Sierra de Bahoruco, a UNESCO World Heritage nature reserve. It is a non-profit initiative that seeks to give visibility and contribute a reflection on the responsibility we have as consumers.
Creating versatile and durable garments is the objective of the Spanish firm Tropicfeel.
Similarly, they have created the Tropicfeel Journeys project, where they focus on taking advantage of a different, local and eco-sustainable trip. “Our latest corporate project has been Tropicfeel Nation, a membership program aimed at travelers who advocate responsible tourism. This space is not like the programs we are used to. Through challenges and tests, the user will have access to different exclusive prizes that, in turn, will leave a positive mark on the planet”.
LEAD THE CHANGE
It is, nothing more and nothing less, Alberto explains, what this firm is looking for for adventurers. “We want to walk together with travelers in complete harmony towards a more responsible future. We offer travel material with versatile, sustainable and high-quality products whose purpose is to improve the life of the consumer in a conscious way, leaving a positive impact on our environment.
Espinós on one of his trips to the Canary Islands.
They manufacture in different countries according to the type of product, and they all go through various quality testing processes, the first on raw material, the second during manufacturing and the last after production. “In addition, we check the resistance to tearing, abrasion and that they do not use harmful chemicals in production. As well as the durability of the final product. Our product is of high performance, so sustainability is not only in the use of organic or recycled raw materials. but also in the long duration of the products so that the customer can enjoy them as much as possible”, adds Alberto.
“At the distribution level, we try to reduce the carbon footprint in transport. For this reason, we use a combination of truck and ship for most production shipments. (from the supplier to our warehouse)”. They already sell in 147 countries, including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and parts of Asia, and continue to focus on promote a large community of travelers.
Leaving a positive footprint and not a negative impact is the objective of Tropicfeel.
We asked him if he noticed any other similar project and he is clear about it: “We have always been big fans of Patagonia. The book Let my people go surfing has also inspired many of the paths we have taken. In our case, always trying to use the strength of our brand to inspire positive change in the travel industry. Really I greatly admire those founders and entrepreneurs who set up a company that contributes to that change”.
ECOTOURISM AND PREFERRED DESTINATIONS
The trip that most impacted Alberto, for better and for worse, was that of backpacking through Southeast Asia, where he was able to see the positive and negative face of tourism. “I enjoyed unforgettable experiences, in remote places, far from the hand of God, but, on the contrary, I was also able to see the impact of mass tourism in the region. I think this situation led me to rethink a lot my way of going on a trip.”
Tropicfeel campaign image.
Another destination that had a great impact on him was Lanzarote and La Graciosa. "You can be amazed at the amount of colors, landscapes and the great differences as you go around the island, it's amazing!". Among those destinations that, in his opinion, work best with ecotourism, are the Canary Islands. “They have been able to block in time the great impact that construction and coastal tourism could have, like, for example, the Balearic Islands which, although they have probably arrived a little later, are trying to redirect the situation very correctly”.
In his suitcase (or, rather, backpack) are never missing some off-road sneakers. “Beyond that I'm not a fanatic, I love to travel light and try to wear as little clothing as possible. That is why we try to create versatile products”. That yes, he confesses to us that the hotels do not go him too much. “I always go for hostels and, well, Airbnb too! I love his proposal. Thanks to this form of accommodation I have slept and discovered incredible places, such as Siargao, an island in the Philippines. where there are spectacular Airbnbs, or in La Graciosa, where I had the opportunity to sleep in front of the sea”.
Regarding the current complicated situation, Espinós considers that there is a great desire to travel again. “Fortunately, this pandemic has left us with positive things. One of them is awareness in decision making. Many people are not going to travel like they used to. In other words, very likely throughout this year very short trips will be made and repeatedly throughout the year. What's more, it can even be the other way around; longer trips that allow you to disconnect to reconnect again at work. Remote work is one of the trends that is here to stay.”