Veja Running

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• Brazil 

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES 

The brand states that they work closely with all their factories, assuring their consumers of ethical practices. They have worked with the same facilities for many years, and have invested more money into Brazilian production as compared to average shoe brands who produce in Asia. 

Veja states that their rubber is purchased directly from producers in Brazil and Peru. They sign 1 year contracts with them and set a market-decorrelated price to help ensure more equitable and dignified commercial transactions. 

MATERIALS 

• Synthetic rubber
• Natural rubber
• Recycled rubber
• EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) 
• Recycled polyester

An ecological running shoe is still hard to find. In fact, 99% of running shoes are made of plastic, a non-renewable material that causes damage to people and the environment. It took Veja four years of research to develop their more environmentally friendly running shoes.

The soles of Veja Running shoes are primarily made from wild rubber, recycled rubber, or synthetic rubber. Part of the middle sole is made from natural materials including banana oil, sugar cane, and rice hull; a waste product of the food industry. The rest of the sole is composed of soft plastic EVA, which has the same qualities as rubber. Compared to other plastics, it is more resistant to heat, cold, and UV radiation. 

For the main body and the lining of the shoes, Veja uses 100% recycled polyester. 100% recycled polyester is also used for the laces. 

PACKAGING 

Veja uses cardboard boxes, and state that they limit the use of inks and printing to reduce their impact and ensure recyclability. Today, all their shoeboxes are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, ensuring that they are sourced from responsibly managed forests. 

The brand states that they are actively seeking more sustainable options for 100% plastic-free packaging. 

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS 

Veja has a strict chemical policy, the details of which they have published on their website. They state that EVA is produced without the addition of harmful chemicals, such as BPA, chlorine, or phthalate. 

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

This line of shoes uses a lot of recycled materials, supporting improved circularity. However, the complexity of these shoes means that unfortunately they will be barely recyclable after use. 

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS 

In June 2020, Veja started a project called ​‘Clean, Repair, and Collect’ to make sneakers last longer. They started in Darwin, Bordeaux, by launching their first cobbler station; repairing sneakers from all brands and collecting shoes to be recycled. In July 2021, they set up a shoe and sneaker repair space at Galeries Lafayette in Paris. 

In July 2022, Berlin became the first Veja store to offer in-store shoe repairs. They’ve now expanded with in-store repairs offered in Berlin, Madrid, and Brooklyn. They also launched a repair station inside a movable container in partnership with Log’ins; this container repairs 1000+ sneakers every month! They even have a General Store in Paris where cobblers will repair shoes, no matter the brand. 

This shows a dedication to looking after the things we already own; caring for the environment by reducing our use of raw materials and reducing waste. 

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN 

Production locations: 

• Brazil 

While the brand is headquartered in Paris, they aim to source their materials locally to their production facilities. This keeps the length of their supply chain as short as possible. They source their organic cotton from Peru, and natural rubber and recycled polyester mesh from Brazil. The final products are manufactured in Brazil too. 

However, some additional length is added to the supply chain as Veja’s headquarters are located in Paris, and the brand has stores in France, the United States, London, Berlin, Copenhagen, Madrid, and Sao Paulo. 

TRANSPORTATION 

Veja states that they keep air transport to a minimum, only using it for urgent shipments. Their transportation-related emissions are consequently reduced. 

This particular line of shoes does not contain any animal-derived materials. 

PRODUCT DESIGN 

Through a combination of innovative techniques, fabrics, and combinations, Veja has managed to successfully launch their very first running shoe. Veja has found the perfect balance between using more sustainable materials and optimising your running performance. 

The shape of the shoe is inspired by the bone structure of the South American bird the condor, hence their name ​‘Condor’. The shoe has a biometric design, flexibility and lightness suitable for running. The brand’s new ​‘Condor 3’ also features a dynamic plate that gives the shoes extra stability and dynamism. 

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES 

Veja has only released a small line of their Condor running shoes, in just 8 different colours. At the time of writing (Summer 2025), the ​‘Condor 3’ is available, with some shoes from their ​‘Condor 2’ available for a discounted price in the outlet section of their website. It is not clear how often Veja releases new styles, although the relatively small size of their collection suggests that their business model aligns with slow fashion principles. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT 

The product pages carefully break down what materials were used for each component of the shoe, helping consumers know exactly what they are buying. They also state where they were made, so you’ll always know where your specific purchase was produced. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES 

The brand is very transparent in most aspects. They provide a zip folder of all their certificates- a rare thing to see that COSH! really commends. They also provide a map of all their manufacturing and supplier facilities, and publish their chemical test results online.