Our Essential sneakers are made of the finest raw materials available. All the materials we use are 100% vegan. Our simplistic design matches every occasion, formal and informal. We work with a minimalistic philosophy and create timeless essentials. Available in 5 different colors.
How product is made
– CORK-leather upper
– Signature logo embossment on tongue
– Waxed cotton laces
– Vegan Onsteam lining
– Sole made of recycled rubber
THE PROCESS
Our sneakers are made with the utmost care. The whole process is ethically responsible, from the harvesting of the cork until the production in Portugal. We’re proud of the process, from raw material to sneaker.
Our sneakers are designed in Amsterdam, while the production is done by hand by experienced craftsmen in Portugal.
About Cork harvesting
Cork harvesting is an environmentally friendly process during which not a single tree is cut down.
Cork oaks are harvested every nine years, once they reach maturity. It doesn’t harm the tree, and the cork bark regrows. In fact, harvested cork trees absorb 3-5 times more CO2 than non-harvested trees. Cork oak trees in Portugal alone help offset 10 million tons of carbon every year.
After the workers use machetes and bars to properly harvest the trees, the material is taken to the manufacturer’s facilities, where the right equipment is in place. The cork bark, our raw material, is introduced in containers with boiling water. Boiling water alters the cell structure of cork, expanding them to create a more manageable material. This way, the professionals have more freedom to treat the cork as needed. It’s important to mention that only water is used during the boiling process; no chemicals like in the case of leather.
The workers now proceed to shave the boiled cork until they get very thin sheets. After that, a cotton-based backing is added to the sheets in order to increase durability. Several layers of cork sheets are used during this step, something we can notice in the final appearance of our sneakers.
