Gaia black

Corn — A plant-based material designed to last

At Zèta, we don't select a material for what it appears to be, but for what it enables us to create. The corn we use is a solid plant-based alternative, suited for your shoes, every day.

A plant-based, yet highly technical material

The corn used in our styles does not come from the food industry. It is sourced from non-food crops, which avoids competing with production intended for human or animal consumption.

Once harvested, it is transformed through a clean process: dextrose extracted from corn is fermented, without petrochemicals, then transformed into a polymer. This polymer is then blended with a small quantity of PU to create a durable material with a clean, consistent appearance. The result: a reliable, vegan, and breathable upper.

Designed for regular use

The corn-based material contains 73% Bio PU and 27% recycled polyester. Its plant content reaches 50%, a threshold rarely achieved in the world of trainers.

Developed in Milan, the material is certified by several independent bodies:

PETA, Animal Free, USDA (organic certification), FSC®, ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 45001.

A solid base for everyday trainers

Our Bêta, Alta, Velcro and Kids styles are built around this material. It offers good structure, withstands repeated friction, and holds its shape over time.

It is also breathable and pleasant to wear. A material that does exactly what is asked of it, without overreaching. That is often enough.

Your feet carry you — take care of them.

At Zèta, comfort is not an afterthought — it is our starting point. Where many brands focus solely on style, we commit to combining aesthetics, ethics and well-being at every stage of our shoe development.

Our designs are crafted to adapt naturally to your foot: supple, lightweight and breathable, they give you the feeling of walking on air — and that is precisely what more than 90% of our customers tell us in their reviews. So it is not just us saying it, it is you.

Say goodbye to blisters and heavy legs: our shoes are with you every step of the way, from the first to the last stride of the day.

Shoes that last, with no compromise on comfort.

Our materials are carefully selected to be comfortable to wear and long-lasting. Before launch, all our prototypes pass through the hands of the CTCP (Centro Tecnológico do Calçado de Portugal) for flexibility and abrasion testing. They are then tested in real conditions by our team and members of the Zèta club.

Each pair is hand-assembled by our Portuguese artisans, then subjected to a rigorous quality control process to ensure your comfort meets our standards — and yours.

Garment workshop - Felgueiras, Portugal

We are proud to collaborate with partners who share our values and our standards, both environmentally and socially.

Located in Felgueiras, Portugal, our family workshop brings together around forty passionate craftspeople who carry forward a unique expertise.

Since its founding, this workshop has made it a point of honour to preserve the tradition of Portuguese shoemaking, while integrating modern and responsible practices.
Every pair is handcrafted there with meticulous attention to detail, comfort and durability — in keeping with the spirit of Saudade.