At Saola,eco-designis not just a statement of intent, but aphilosophythat applies toevery stageofproduct development.
It starts with the priority given tonatural and recycled materials.
It goes throughmanufacturing processes that reduce CO2emissions and continue with the extension of the life span andrecyclabilityof our shoes.
Today,recycled or natural materialsrepresent60 to 80%of the components used tomanufacture our shoes.By 2025, the goal is to reach 100%. Achieving all this without sacrificingcomfort, sturdinessandlightnessso that the best way to walk is still and always ours.
The materials of our outsoles
VIBRAM ECOSTEP NATURAL
Known and recognized for the exceptional resistance and grip of its soles,Vibramchose to innovate by creating the natural compound Vibram Ecostep.
Made with over 90% natural ingredientswithout the use of solvents or chemicals,but instead dyed with pigments from plants and organic agricultural by-products.
This alternative solution guarantees the same performance in terms of strength and grip.
Akey step forwardfor the environmentand gives Saola the opportunity to take the lead by integratingEcostepinto our soles.
RISE: ALGAE FOAM IN THE OUTSOLES
Rise, formerly Rise (ex Bloom Foam), is a high-performance foam made from resin, algae biomass and bio-sourced additives.
A process that makes the best of an unideal situation when we know that:
- on the one hand, algae are growing exponentially with global warming, to the point of presenting a risk for ecosystems.
- on the other hand, they do not require fossil fuels or arable land to grow.
Turning excess algae biomass into a sustainable resource is therefore a real opportunity for biodiversity preservation.
For all these reasons, SAOLA soles contain 20% algae.
An invitation to go green in a different way!
RECYCLED EVA
Turning yesterday's waste into tomorrow's resources.
At Saola, nothing is lost, and everything is recovered.
This includes the material lost during the production of EVA soles. Added to the new mixture, the production waste is used to create new soles.
The materials of our insoles
THE COMFORT OF CORK
Is what we choose for the interior of your insoles.
Hand harvested, without the need to cut down trees, cork is an organic material and ecological. But not only that…
It is also flexible and resistant, durable and waterproof, hypoallergenic and easy to clean!
It's only a short step from there to choose it as a material for our insoles... a step that Saola took a long time ago.
RECYCLED PET, GRS CERTIFIED
Made from petroleum, PET is the world's most widely used plastic. It is used in the food industry, for packaging and water bottles, and in the textile industry, in the form of polyester. Hence the idea of recycling these products to produce a secondary raw material: recycled Pet.
A GRS "Recycled Global Standard" certified resource, a guarantee of responsible and much less polluting production, which not only gives waste a real use, but also preserves oil resources. No wonder Saola chose to integrate recycled petrol right from the start. Just to get off on the right foot.
KNIT DESIGN
The big advantage of knit construction is that it avoids material waste, by adapting production exactly to the size of the shoe.
Another advantage, and not the least, is the guarantee of optimum comfort, between lightness and breathability. And last but not least, the knit we use is certified and labeled OEKO-TEX.
VEGAN LEATHER & MICROFIBER
At Saola, leather is not natural, and for once, that's just as well.
Made from 40% recycled PET (recycled plastic bottles) and 60% PU, it's a vegan alternative that responds as much to the concerns of today as to the challenges of tomorrow.
The idea is here, and at your feet, it's not finished making its way.
© CERTIFIED ORGANIC COTTON LACES
The organic cotton used in our laces is GOTS-certified.
This means that our production and transformation processes are environmentally friendly, with:
- water consumption cut in half;
- preference given to the use of organic fibers, produced from natural composts instead of pesticides and other chemical fertilizers;
- The absence of hazardous inputs such as toxic heavy metals and aromatic solvents
A natural solution for everyone!