The first step is harvesting the bark from the cork oak tree. 

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. Cork harvesting is an environmentally friendly process during which not a single tree is cut down. 

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.

We’re proud to have partnered with a small family owned factory in Portugal. They maintain an extremely high standard of ethics, pay their employees fairly, and have lots of years of experience. 

Our factory gives maximum priority to quality work over quantity. They essentially produce products that stand out for the premium excellence of raw materials, the handcrafting production processes and the finishing touches with loads of care to maintain a perfect final product.

All our raw materials find their origin in Portugal and don't have to be shipped from the other side of the world. Sustainability and working ethics are of paramount importance to us.