Barefoot Bêta B2 Burgundy

Corn — A plant-based material designed to last

At Zèta, we do not choose a material for how it looks, but for what it delivers. The corn we use is a solid, plant-based alternative suited for your everyday footwear.

A plant-based yet technical material

The corn used in our models does not come from the agri-food industry. It comes from non-food crops, avoiding competition with crops grown for human or animal consumption.

Once harvested, it is processed using a clean method: the dextrose extracted from the corn is fermented without petrochemicals, then transformed into a polymer. This polymer is then blended with a small amount of PU to create a durable material with a clean, smooth finish. Result: a reliable, vegan and breathable upper.

Designed for regular wear

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

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

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

A solid foundation for everyday trainers

Our Bêta, Alta, Velcro and Kids models are built around this material. It offers good support, withstands repeated friction, and keeps its shape over time.

It is also breathable and comfortable to wear. A material that does exactly what is asked of it, without overdoing it. It is often all you need.

Comfort begins by letting the foot move.

At Zèta, comfort is not a detail; it is our starting point. With our barefoot collection, we wanted to go further: give the foot more room and support its natural movements, without compromising on aesthetics, ethics or comfort.

A wider toe box, a thin, flexible sole and zero drop: every detail has been designed to recreate the feeling of walking barefoot. The foot can move more freely, the toes have more room and contact with the ground feels more natural.

The secret? We use Strobel construction, a manufacturing technique that gives the shoe exceptional flexibility. Combined with a thin, flexible sole, it allows the shoe to follow the foot’s movements rather than restrict them.

Durable craftsmanship, with no compromise on comfort.

The barefoot collection is lightweight, flexible and breathable, designed to support you every day. A different approach to footwear, created for those who want to rediscover more sensation with every step.

Our materials are carefully selected for their comfort and long-lasting durability. Before launch, our prototypes are tested at the CTCP (Footwear Technology Centre in Portugal), particularly for flexibility and abrasion resistance. They are then tested in real-life conditions by our team and members of the Zèta Club!

Finally, each pair is assembled by hand in Portugal in our partner workshops, then subjected to rigorous quality control.

A different way of thinking about footwear. More room for the foot, more freedom with every step.

Manufacturing workshop - Vizela, Portugal

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

At the age of 20, Albano assembled his very first pair of shoes in the back of a garage. 

His first pairs of shoes were then sold in a few local shops and after Sunday mass. The shoes proved popular thanks to their quality and were quickly sold all across northern Portugal.

For over thirty years, nearly 150 artisans have been keeping Portuguese craftsmanship alive with meticulous attention to detail and finishes. They joined our journey in 2022, and over the months we have forged very strong relationships.

Certifications

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