How They Are Made
Every pair of Kung Fu Mary Happy Shoes carry a story — one of skilled hands, honest work, and materials chosen with care. Here's what goes into making them.
Who Makes Them
Our shoes are handmade in China by a small, family-run manufacturer that has been producing this style of shoe for decades. The team of 30 staff members are the heart of everything we do.
This isn't a factory floor with anonymous workers. These are skilled craftspeople — many of them elderly artisans from local villages — who have spent their lives perfecting this craft. The family behind the business was thrilled to revive production of this beloved shoe, and they've built a workplace that reflects that pride.
Fair Workplace
We believe the people who make our shoes deserve as much care as the shoes themselves. Every one of the 30 staff members has:
- Equal working rights
- Regular, fixed working hours
- Guaranteed leave days
- Clear safety regulations on the production floor
Because these shoes are truly handmade, there is a daily production quota that cannot be exceeded — both to protect the health of the makers and to maintain the quality of every pair. This is why Kung Fu Mary shoes cannot be mass-produced. Good things take time.
How They're Made
Each shoe is assembled entirely by hand. There is no toxic glue used at any stage — instead, every component is hand-stitched together. This traditional technique is slower, but it produces a shoe that is more durable, more breathable, and free from the harsh chemicals found in most modern footwear.
The hand-stitching process also means that each pair has a subtle individuality.
What's In Them
We've taken the classic Chinese cotton kung fu shoe — the one many of us remember from the 80s as "Happy Shoes" — and made it better, without losing what made it special.
- Uppers: Higher-quality breathable cotton fabrics for durability and all-day comfort
- Footbed: Extra quilted cushioning
- Stitching: Fully hand-stitched — no toxic glue, ever
- Soles: Recycled, environmentally friendly rubber
- Buckles: Press-stud buckles that are adjustable along the strap, plus a spare buckle included in every pair
Simple materials. Honest construction and better for the planet too.
Have questions about our materials or process? Get in touch — we love talking about this stuff.
