Zèta x Café Joyeux Velcro

Corn — A plant material designed to last

At Zèta, we don't select a material for what it looks like, but for what it can do. The corn we use is a solid plant-based alternative, suitable for your shoes, every day.

A plant-based material, but technical

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

Once harvested, it is transformed using a clean process: the dextrose extracted from corn is fermented, without petrochemicals, then transformed into a polymer. This polymer is then mixed with a small amount of PU to create a durable material with a clean and 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 crossed in the world of sneakers.

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

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

A solid foundation for everyday sneakers

Our Beta, Alta, Velcro, and Kids models are built around this material. It offers a good fit, withstands repeated friction, and retains its shape over time.

It's also breathable and comfortable to wear. A material that does what it's asked of it well, without trying to do more. That's often enough.

Your feet carry you, take care of them.

At Zèta, comfort isn't a detail; it's a starting point. Where many brands focus solely on style, we strive to combine aesthetics, ethics , and well-being at every stage of our sneakers' development.

Our styles are designed to fit naturally around your feet: flexible, lightweight, and breathable, they feel like slippers—and that's what over 90% of our customers say in their reviews. So it's not just us saying it, it's you.

The secret? We use Strobel construction, a high-end manufacturing technique that provides exceptional flexibility to the shoe. The result: natural cushioning, no feeling of stiffness, and unparalleled freedom of movement, even after hours of walking.

No more blisters and heavy legs: our sneakers accompany you everywhere, in the city as well as in the forest, from the first to the last step of the day.

Sneakers that last, without compromising on comfort.

Our materials are carefully selected to ensure they are comfortable to wear and durable. Before being launched, all our prototypes are tested at the CTCP (Footwear Technology Center in Portugal) for flexibility and abrasion tests. They are then tested in real-life conditions by our team and members of the Zèta club.

Each pair is hand-assembled by our Portuguese artisans and then undergoes rigorous quality control to ensure your comfort meets our standards – and yours.

Clothing workshop - Vizela, Portugal

We are proud to collaborate with partners who share our values ​​and are as committed as we are, both environmentally and socially.

It was at the age of 20 that Albano assembled his first pair of shoes, in the back of a garage.

His first pairs of shoes will then be sold in a few shops in the city and at the end of mass on Sundays. The shoes pleased with their quality and were quickly sold throughout the North of Portugal.

For more than thirty years, nearly 150 artisans have now perpetuated Portuguese craftsmanship by paying particular attention to details and finishes. They joined the adventure alongside us in 2022 and we have built very strong relationships over the months.

Labels

	ISO 14001 | Environmental management systems
	ISO 9001 | quality management
	SMETA | Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit