Gola produces mainly in Asia, more precisely in Vietnam and China. The Made in England collection is produced in England. Gola does not present any information regarding the manufacturing methods of its products. In addition, there is no publicly available data that provides information on measures taken by the brand to ensure safe, fair and ethical working conditions.
For example, Gola uses leather and suede from an LWG (Leather Working Group) certified tannery, canvas nylon (partly made from 100% recycled polyester), PU (partly made from recycled fibres) and rubber for the soles. Unfortunately, we do not have any information about possible sustainability measures in production.
We are pleased that Gola has now removed all plastics from its packaging. The plastic packaging sent by post is made from at least 50% recycled plastic and all printed components come from FSC-certified forests, are recycled and certified by the World Land Trust. The shoe boxes are made from 100% recycled cardboard and can be fully recycled after use.
Gola shoes are made from a combination of natural and synthetic materials, which affects the recyclability of the shoes. With JogOn and Evri, they are committed to giving their customers the opportunity to give their old shoes a second life.
Wooden elements at the points of sale are from controlled sources, the suppliers are FSC, PEFC and Sedex certified.
Gola is based in England and does not publish detailed information on the production sites in Vietnam, China and England. The company has set itself the goal of reducing the proportion of air freight.
Gola uses leather for most shoe models that comes from Leather Working Group (LWG) certified tanneries that support responsible leather production. There is a lack of information regarding animal welfare. However, Gola also offers vegan shoes that are registered by the Vegan Society.
Gola shoes are characterised by a timeless aesthetic and have been impressing customers with their classic design for decades. To ensure the longevity of the shoes, the brand offers comprehensive care instructions online to help customers care for and handle the products correctly.
Gola also cooperates with JogOn and Evri to give old shoes a second life. Customers can read comprehensive instructions on the website. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainability.
Gola emphasises that conscious purchasing decisions are one of the best ways to act more sustainably. Despite this message, there is still room for improvement in terms of transparency and disclosure of the brand’s commitment.
The company recognises that the journey towards sustainability is a long one and COSH! looks forward to future actions and ideas.
Conclusion
Gola has already taken the first small steps towards sustainability, for example by sourcing leather from LWG-certified tanneries and by working with JogOn and Evri to make the shoes more circular.
To be able to recommend Gola with a clear conscience, further clarity and transparency regarding production practices is needed. COSH! is looking forward to future measures with which Gola can make both its production fairer and its communication with customers more transparent.
Discover where to find Gola’s stylish trainers below.
