Ethletic

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS 

• Pakistan

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES 

Ethletic takes care to ensure more ethical production standards, from the sourcing of raw materials to the final manufacturing of their shoes. In fact, their entire supply and production chain is compliant with Fair Trade standards. The brand explains that this means that their producers are paid fair and proper wages for their work. 

Their factory is located in Sialkot, Pakistan, where there are currently 50 full-time employees. According to the brand, their employees receive a firm monthly income, irrespective of how many orders are delivered. Their wages are 20% higher than the legal minimum wage in Pakistan, which whilst lower than European standards, is enough to provide a dignified living. The brand also claims to visit the country each year, creating new contacts and friendships with their suppliers. 

Additionally, Ethletic states that the Welfare Society organised by the employees receives a bonus of $1 per Ethletic product sold. This money is then used to fund social projects such as health care and education. 

Since 2020, customers have also had the option to provide a tip with each purchase, which is forwarded directly to the employees in Ethletic’s factories. 

MATERIALS 

• Organic cotton
• Rubber
• Recycled polyester
• Recycled polyurethane 

Ethletic uses natural, renewable raw materials for the items in their ​‘Organic 24’ collection. These products have an organic cotton body, and a natural rubber sole. 

Ethletic’s organic cotton is certified Fairtrade and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Organic cotton cultivation requires less water than traditional cotton, and avoids the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides. This protects both the health of farmers and the quality of the soil, ensuring that the land is preserved for future generations. 

Natural rubber is used for the soles and toe caps of the shoes in the Organic 24 collection. Ethletic states that they source their rubber from responsibly managed plantations which are FSC certified. 

In 2023, Ethletic released their first sneaker models, JESSE and CARL, made entirely from recycled materials. These materials include Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified polyurethane. Polyurethane is a leather alternative that is plastic-based. By using recycled synthetics, the brand reduces their reliance on raw materials, and the associated environmental impact is consequently lower. 

Non-natural materials are also used for the metal shoelace eyelets and the shoelace end tips on some models. Ethletic explains that they are looking for alternatives for these small parts. According to the brand, all laces, labels, and yarns are Oeko-Tex certified, and can be recycled at the end of their lifespan. 

PACKAGING 

Ethletic does not disclose what packaging materials are used. 

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS 

Ethletic states that all their shoe models are laboratory tested each year to ensure that they are free from toxins and are Reach-compliant. In addition, as the brand uses GOTS certified organic cotton, only GOTS approved chemicals are used during the manufacturing process. 

Ethletic’s shoes are dyed at a certified factory in Pakistan, which the brand states uses special chemicals that are harmless to people and the environment. A processing plant treats wastewater from production and recycles much of the purified water back into production to save resources. 

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

Due to the complex nature of footwear, Ethletic’s shoes are not monomaterial. This compromises their ability to be recycled, and therefore increases the likelihood that these items will become waste at the end of their lifespans. Ethletic does however state that their shoes are assembled in a way that allows future separation and recycling. 

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS 

Ethletic states that they are in the process of developing a deposit system in which customers will be able to return their Ethletic shoes with confidence that the brand will properly recycle them. It is not yet clear whether the brand has been successful in delivering this. 

Ethletic has also launched a pilot project in collaboration with Sneaker Rescue. This promotes the repair of old sneakers to extend their lifespan and reduce their ecological footprint. 

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN 

Production locations: 

• Pakistan 

Ethletic has a relatively simple supply chain. They source their raw materials from Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan, and their production also takes place in Pakistan. In fact, Ethletic sources their cotton from Fairtrade farmers in Pakistan’s Multan District, only a few hundred kilometres away from the factory where their shoes are embroidered and assembled. The processing of the cotton takes place in Pakistan too.

This significantly reduces the overall length of their supply chain, and means that their transportation emissions are also lower. 

The brand’s headquarters are located in Germany, and they ship EU-wide, to Switzerland, and the UK. 

TRANSPORTATION 

Ethletic does not disclose what transportation methods they use in their supply chain. They state that they ship their final products through DHL GoGreen, reducing their transportation-related emissions. 

Ethletic’s shoes are 100% PETA-Approved vegan. In fact, Ethletic won the PETA Vegan Fashion Award in 2021! 

PRODUCT DESIGN 

Ethletic offers unisex shoe models in European sizes 36 to 47. The brand explains that they don’t offer half-sizes, or shoes bigger or smaller than this as they are not big sellers. This should help to reduce waste from overproduction. 

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES 

Ethletic’s ​‘Classic’ sneaker models are always in production, and are rarely out of stock in a few sizes at most, supporting slow fashion principles. Ethletic also explains that they only manufacture small quantities of ​‘Collection’ models, as they hope to avoid having spare pairs left over. They do, however, have an outlet section on their website. 

To enhance the durability of their shoes, and ensure that they are kept in use for longer, Ethletic processes their natural rubber soles with a slightly thicker seam than conventional manufacturers. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT 

Ethletic mostly provides very high levels of product transparency. The majority of product pages not only describe what materials the shoes are made out of, but also encourage consumers to ​‘trace’ their sneakers. Ethletic has partnered with Tracycle to make this possible. 

Through a link to Tracycle’s website, consumers can track each stage of the production process, from raw material sourcing through to assembly and distribution. This helps consumers to fully understand what goes into making each product. 

Unfortunately this feature is not yet available for all the items currently listed on Ethletic’s website, for example their ​‘Donovan’ running trainers. The product pages for these shoes state that they are made using recycled materials, but do not clarify exactly what this means. This could cause some confusion for consumers. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES 

Ethletic provides very detailed information about their design choices and production processes in the FAQ section on their website, so any questions you may have about the brand should be answered! Their website even provides names and photos of their manufacturers, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to answer the question: ​‘Who made my sneakers?’