Yes, the shoe is made exclusively from natural materials, with the exception of the metal eyelets and (on some models) the shoelace tips – we are already looking for alternatives for both of these small components. Otherwise, it's organic cotton, natural rubber – that's it. For example, we use latex milk as a natural "adhesive" and latex foam for padding.

The eyelets currently come from an Oeko-Tex source in China; we are in the process of realizing an even more sustainable alternative made of natural material.

Complete compostability is our declared goal. The cycle should be closed. For this, we would like to implement a deposit system in the future, where the Ethletic customer can return their shoe to us and be sure that we will compost the sneaker professionally. Even now, the shoe – excluding the metal eyelets – would rot; it just takes time.

For our products, we exclusively use natural, renewable raw materials.

The organic cotton is Fairtrade and GOTS certified. In the cultivation of organic cotton, the use of dangerous pesticides and insecticides is avoided, which protects the health of farmers and consumers. The soil is also not contaminated and depleted, as is the case with conventional cotton cultivation. Through mixed cropping, it is ensured that there are no harmful effects on people and nature. The land is thus preserved for future generations, which is particularly important for the local farmers in India and Pakistan. In organic farming, it is also forbidden to use genetically modified seeds. Furthermore, organic farming uses much less water – around 90 percent.

Natural rubber, which we use for our soles, caps and for vulcanization (that's what this classic "gluing process" is called), is also a great renewable raw material. On the one hand, it completely decomposes – unlike plastic, which many conventional sneaker manufacturers rely on. On the other hand, our rubber comes from sustainably managed plantations, certified according to the ecological and social guidelines of the FSC. This includes, for example, continuous reforestation. A rubber tree that provides latex sap for about 20 years is replaced by a seedling after its useful life, while the hard wood is used, for example, in furniture manufacturing. This is therefore a sustainable use of resources. The FSC standard also guarantees that forest management does not come at the expense of the ecosystem, affected communities, or forest resources.

Our rubber is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and is grown and harvested under fair and sustainable conditions in Sri Lanka. This sustainability seal for rubber was once launched by the Ethletic pioneers themselves. The FSC seal guarantees, among other things, that nature and wildlife are not harmed by monocultures and overexploitation. You can find more information about our rubber here. Natural rubber, by the way, is light brown in its natural form – visible, for example, on the sole of the Goto model. Latex milk, which we use to glue the shoes, is naturally white.

Our entire supply and production chain meets the criteria of Fair Trade. This means that the labor of people in the countries of the so-called "global South" is not exploited, but fairly compensated. The Fairtrade minimum price helps cotton farmers cover the costs of sustainable production. The Fairtrade minimum price for organic cotton is higher than for conventionally grown cotton. This way, farmers do not have to indebt themselves for the pre-financing of overpriced genetically modified seeds from large agrochemical corporations; instead, they can plan ahead and invest. Thanks to the Fairtrade premium, which is additionally paid to farmers, social projects and educational institutions can be financed – elemental in the fight against exploitative child labor. The successes of Fair Trade show that measures to strengthen producer families through fairer wages and school education for children can help to make child labor dispensable and improve the living conditions of entire families in the long term.

We produce fairly, in every segment of sneaker production, including the factory. Currently, around 50 permanent factory workers are employed in the production facility in Sialkot. They are paid even when production is not taking place. This ensures them a stable monthly income. Typically, production companies in countries like Pakistan rely on temporary workers who only earn money when they are at the factory.

Our workers receive a wage that is higher than the state minimum wage in Pakistan – they earn about 20 percent more. The earnings are not comparable to European standards, but they provide sufficient livelihood locally.

In addition, the Welfare Society, organized by the workers, receives a premium – $1 per pair of Ethletic shoes sold – which is used for social projects such as healthcare, insurance, and schooling.

Fair working conditions are not tied to a specific location. Either a company considers them fundamental, like us, or it doesn't – recent media reports have clearly shown that there are major abuses in textile and shoe production in countries like Portugal or Romania, tolerated or even established by well-known brand manufacturers. Ethletic stands by producing in Pakistan – nothing to hide! The basis of our actions is fairness, and we implement it in Pakistan exactly as we would in a European country. With the difference that the involvement of ethically operating companies in the so-called "global South" makes a big difference: for the workers who benefit from social benefits and higher wages. At the same time, it serves as a role model for other companies. And ultimately, also with regard to international understanding, because if people have good experiences with "the West", this can improve relations. We work on an equal footing with colleagues in Pakistan. During several visits a year, acquaintances and friendships are made, and we gain deep insights into people's lives.
  

Another aspect is the reduction of emissions: our raw materials – cotton and rubber – do not grow in Europe, but in our case in Sri Lanka and India, or more recently Pakistan. It would make no sense, from an ecological and economic point of view, to first transport these raw materials to Europe for further processing. Instead, we have been able to further shorten the distances between cultivation and manufacture by now having the cotton grown by a Fairtrade small farmer cooperative in Muzaffargarh near Multan – only a few hundred kilometers away from the Ethletic factory. This cooperative was the first in the country to be founded on Ethletic's initiative and creates opportunities in a structurally weak region. Find more information here.

Yes, 100 percent. We consciously avoid materials of animal origin and also pay attention to the "subtleties". Thus, neither beeswax for impregnation, nor a wool lining, nor an adhesive made from animal meal are an option for us. Therefore, all our products are "Peta-approved vegan". Ethletic also operates in an animal-friendly way when it comes to species protection: FSC or Fairtrade-certified agriculture prevents habitats from being destroyed by overexploitation and monoculture.

We currently deliver via our online shop to many EU countries, Switzerland and the UK.

Shipping costs depend on the delivery address and the value of the goods.

Shipping costs - DE: €4.90 and free shipping for orders over €115

Shipping costs - EU: €10.70

Shipping costs - Switzerland: €17.40 (For values between €22 and €150, shipments are duty-free, but not exempt from import VAT.)

Shipping costs - UK: €12.70

Should the value of the goods fall below the free shipping threshold after a return, shipping costs will be charged subsequently and deducted from the refund.

Goods can be returned within 30 days of receipt.

If you are outside the EU, please fill out form (CN 23) to ensure customs clearance of shipments. Download here

The customer bears the costs for returns.

Please note the following for returns:

• Please include the completed returns form. Download here.
• Do not glue or write on the shoebox. Please wrap the box in paper (preferably newspaper to avoid unnecessary paper) so that we can continue to use the box.
• Please only return shoes that have been tried on exclusively indoors. If a pair does not fit or you do not like it, we can only accept them if they are free of signs of wear.
• For the sake of the environment, please refrain from unnecessary returns. Every return leads to a great deal of work for our small team, and every additional transport route burdens our planet.

Please send your paid return to our sustainable service partner:

Brands Fashion GmbH
Müllerstrasse 11
D-21244 Buchholz
Germany

We recommend sending returns insured.

As soon as the return has been received, the refund will be initiated. Return shipping, inspection of the goods, and refund can take up to 2 weeks.

We still rely very heavily on manual labor in production; therefore, in rare cases, a mistake can unfortunately happen. We apologize for this. Of course, we strive to continuously improve durability, which is why we ask you to take a few photos of the defects for us and send them to our customer service at service@ethletic.com. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and endeavor to resolve your complaint as quickly as possible.

Yes, our shoes are free of harmful substances according to EU standards. We have all models tested annually by a laboratory. Ethletic sneakers are "Reach-compliant", meaning they meet the EU Reach regulation, which regulates the presence of chemicals. In addition, the organic cotton we use is produced according to the strict guidelines of GOTS, the Global Organic Textile Standard. This even goes far beyond the legal pollutant regulations. Thus, only those chemicals listed on the GOTS positive list may be used during production. Professional wastewater treatment is also ensured.

Ethletic is constantly evolving as a brand, so there are always new models. Children's shoes are not yet part of the range, but we know there is a demand and we are keeping it in mind.

Our sneakers are not (yet) weatherproof, mainly because we consistently and exclusively use natural materials without animal ingredients. Designer Johanna Balzer is currently working on finding solutions here. Please give us some more time. You can see how to make the sneakers water-repellent with a simple trick in this video.

As for "real" sports shoes, we are already a step further: the first retro Ethletic jogging shoes are expected to be launched in 2019.

We advise ordering your normal size – except for the Fair Dancer, which run a little small, all models are true to size. The Fair Trainer is slightly roomier in the forefoot area than the comparable Chuck model of a large fashion brand. If you are between two sizes here, we recommend choosing the smaller size. In addition, the sneakers have a comfortable, lightweight footbed.

No, we only offer full shoe sizes. If you are between two sizes, it's best to choose the smaller one first (exception: Fair Dancer – always round up here).

With the necessary care: Yes! We recommend washing sneakers by hand. If you wash shoes in a machine, definitely choose a 30-degree delicate cycle. It makes sense to remove the shoelaces before washing. Please note that Ethletic cannot assume any warranty for damages caused by washing the shoes. You can find more washing tips in our blog post on the topic: Sustainable - fresh.
 

Basically, we distinguish between "Classic" and "Collection" models. "Classic" sneakers of a model are constantly re-produced, are rarely out of stock in some sizes, and if so, are usually back in stock within a few weeks. For "Collection" models, which are oriented towards the trends of the current season with fashion colors and patterns, we produce a smaller quantity from the outset to be able to sell as many shoes as possible and not have larger remnants – it is not very sustainable to have to sell shoes below the production cost at the end. For "Collection" models, there is therefore no guarantee that a sold-out size or color will be re-produced. However, if a model proves to be a hit, we react to this and order a larger contingent from Pakistan. However, it then takes about six weeks for this to arrive in Germany. This is the price we have to pay for more sustainable "Slow Fashion".

We generally offer our unisex models in sizes 36 to 47 – size 47 was recently added at the request of many customers. It is currently not possible for us to include more so-called "edge sizes". Only very few pairs are sold in these sizes, which already applies to sizes 36 and 37 or 46 and 47. The effort would therefore not be manageable for a small company like Ethletic.

No, this is not possible. Many interested parties ask because they want to wear insoles in their shoes. We know from our customers' feedback that many manage well with a shoe one size larger, in which they wear the insoles.

The Fair Flip is a summer shoe – but not a real bathing sandal, as it is made of organic cotton. It is therefore only conditionally suitable as a swimming pool or sauna shoe. However, it is comfortable, durable and, thanks to the pleasant cotton feel, the ideal companion for hot days.

You can get a first impression of how we envision the cooperation here. Please send us an email with as much information as possible so that we can clarify the details.