Everything you
want to know.

Yes, the shoe is made exclusively from natural materials, with the exception of the metal eyelets and (for some models) the lace tips – we are already looking for alternatives for both small parts. Otherwise: organic cotton, natural rubber – that's it. For example, we use liquid latex as a natural "glue" and latex foam for cushioning.

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

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

We use only natural, renewable raw materials for our products.

The organic cotton is Fairtrade and GOTS certified. No dangerous pesticides or insecticides are used during cultivation. Through mixed cropping, it is ensured that there are no harmful effects on people or nature. Furthermore, it is forbidden in organic farming to use genetically modified seeds – and water consumption is reduced by around 90 percent.

Natural rubber comes from sustainably managed plantations according to FSC guidelines. 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 in furniture production, for example.

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 label for rubber was originally initiated by the Ethletic pioneers themselves. You can find more information about our rubber on our supply chain page. Incidentally, rubber is light brown in its natural form – which can be seen, for example, on the sole of the Goto model.

Our entire supply and production chain meets the criteria of Fair Trade. The Fairtrade minimum price helps cotton farmers cover the costs of sustainable production. As a result, farmers do not have to go into debt to pre-finance overpriced seeds and can instead plan ahead and invest.

Thanks to the Fairtrade premium, social projects and educational institutions can be funded – which is fundamental in the fight against exploitative child labor.

We produce fairly, and that applies to every stage of sneaker production. Currently, around 50 permanent factory workers are employed at the production facility in Sialkot. They are paid even when production is not running – a fixed monthly income is guaranteed.

Our workers receive a wage that is about 20 percent above the national minimum wage in Pakistan. In addition, the Welfare Society receives a premium of 1 US dollar per pair of Ethletic shoes sold – for healthcare, insurance, and school education.

Fair working conditions are not tied to a specific location. Ethletic stands by its production in Pakistan – nothing to hide!

Another aspect is the reduction of emissions: our raw materials do not grow in Europe. The cotton is grown by a Fairtrade smallholder cooperative in Muzaffargarh near Multan – only a few hundred kilometers away from the Ethletic factory. You can read more about this on our About Us page.

Yes, 100 percent. Neither beeswax for waterproofing, nor a wool lining, nor glue made from animal meal are an option for us. Therefore, our products are all "PETA-approved vegan." FSC and Fairtrade-certified agriculture also prevents habitats from being destroyed by overexploitation and monoculture.

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

Germany: €4.90
EU: €10.70
Switzerland: €17.40 (For values between €22 and €150, shipments are duty-free, but not free from import sales tax.)
UK: €12.70

If the value of the goods falls below the free shipping threshold after a return, shipping costs will be charged retrospectively and deducted from the refund.

Goods can be returned within 30 days of receipt. The costs for return shipping are borne by the customer.

If you are located outside the EU, please fill out the CN 23 customs form to ensure customs clearance.

Please note the following regarding returns:

• Please be sure to include the completed return slip.
• Do not tape or write on the shoebox – please wrap it in paper (newspaper is best).
• Please only return shoes that have been tried on exclusively indoors and are free from signs of wear.
• For the sake of the environment, please refrain from unnecessary returns.

We recommend sending returns via insured shipping. Refunds can take up to 2 weeks after receipt of goods.

We still rely heavily on manual labor during production; unfortunately, mistakes can rarely happen. Please take a few photos of the defects and send them to our customer service at ethletic@brands-fashion.com. We strive to resolve your claim 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. Furthermore, the organic cotton we use is produced according to the strict GOTS guidelines – this standard goes far beyond legal pollutant requirements.

Ethletic is constantly evolving as a brand. Children's shoes are not currently in our range, but we know there is a demand for them.

Our sneakers are not (yet) weatherproof, which is mainly because we consistently rely on natural materials. You can see a simple trick for making your sneakers water-repellent in this video.

We advise ordering your normal size – with the exception of the Fair Dancer, which runs a bit small, the models are all cut true to size. The Fair Trainer is a bit roomier in the forefoot area. If you are between two sizes here, we recommend choosing the smaller size.

No, we only offer full shoe sizes. If you are between two sizes, it is 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, be sure to use a 30-degree delicate cycle. It makes sense to remove the laces before washing. You can find more washing tips on our care page.

In principle, we distinguish between the "Classic" and "Collection" models. The Classic sneakers are constantly being restocked and are rarely sold out – and if they are, they are usually back in stock within a few weeks.

For the Collection models, we have a smaller number produced from the start. However, if a model proves to be a hit, we react and reorder – delivery time from Pakistan: around six weeks. This is the price we have to pay for more sustainable "slow fashion."

We generally offer our unisex models in sizes 36 to 47. We are currently unable to include even more "fringe sizes" – very few pairs of these sizes are sold, and the effort would not be manageable for a small company like Ethletic.

No, this is not possible. Many interested parties ask because they want to wear orthotics in the shoes. From customer feedback, we know that many get along well with a shoe one size larger, in which they wear the orthotics.

The Fair Flip is a summer shoe – but not a real bathing sandal, as it is made of organic cotton. As such, it is only suitable to a limited extent for swimming pools or saunas. However, it is comfortable, durable, and the ideal companion for hot days.

You can find an initial overview of how we envision a collaboration on our cooperation page. Please send us an email at ethletic@brands-fashion.com with as much information as possible so that we can clarify the details.