Zèta x Café Joyeux Kids

Maize — A plant-based material designed to last

At Zèta, we do not select a material for what it appears to be, but for what it allows us to do. The maize we use is a solid plant-based alternative, well-suited for your shoes, for everyday wear.

A plant-based, yet technical material

The maize used in our models 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 processed using a clean method: dextrose extracted from maize is fermented, without petrochemicals, then transformed into a polymer. This polymer is then blended with a small quantity of PU to create a resistant material with a clean, consistent appearance. The result: a reliable, vegan and breathable upper.

Designed for regular use

The maize-based material contains 73% Bio PU and 27% recycled polyester. Its plant-based 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 foundation for everyday trainers

Our Bêta, Alta, Velcro and Kids models 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 trying to do more. That is often enough.

Your feet carry you — take care of them.

At Zèta, comfort is not a detail — it is a starting point. Where many brands focus solely on style, we take the challenge of combining aesthetics, ethics and well-being at every stage of our trainers' development.

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

The secret? We use Strobel construction, a premium manufacturing technique that gives the shoe exceptional flexibility. The result: natural cushioning, no sensation of stiffness, and unparalleled freedom of movement, even after hours of walking.

No more blisters or heavy legs: our trainers go everywhere with you, in the city or in the forest, from the very first to the very last step of your day.

Trainers built to last, with no compromise on comfort.

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

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

Garment workshop – Vizela, Portugal

We are proud to work 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, at the back of a garage. 

His first pairs of shoes were then sold in a few shops in the city and after Sunday mass. The shoes were appreciated for their quality and were quickly sold throughout the north of Portugal.

For more than thirty years, nearly 150 artisans have been perpetuating Portuguese craftsmanship, bringing particular care to every detail and finish. They joined us on our journey in 2022 and we have built very strong bonds over the months.

Labels

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