Why we need to talk openly about material quality
Vegan sneakers represent a conscious approach to resources. This has been an important topic for us for many years. At the same time, we are witnessing a development that is rarely discussed openly. Many vegan upper materials have noticeably declined in quality. They tear more easily, crack at flex points or lose their surface coating. A shoe that lasts only a short time is not sustainable, no matter how eco-friendly it is marketed. We have experienced this decline as well. Materials that used to perform reliably have become significantly more fragile. Suppliers rarely address these issues clearly. This is why we test every vegan alternative in independent laboratories and only use materials that withstand stress, temperature changes and abrasion over the long term.
What we see in the market
Many vegan materials currently show:
- low abrasion resistance
- weak flex stability
- fast surface wear
- short lifespan in real-world use
These problems are rarely addressed in marketing, but customers feel them very quickly once they start wearing the shoes.
Why we do not use so-called fruit leather
Terms like apple leather or grape leather sound natural and environmentally friendly, but they rarely reflect the actual composition. Most of these materials consist primarily of plastic, usually PU or PVC. Small amounts of organic fibers are added and often serve more as a marketing element than a functional one.
What we found in testing:
- low durability
- rapid cracking at flex points
- hardly any recyclability, because biomass and plastic are permanently bonded, which makes disposal difficult
We have tested these materials multiple times. They look appealing at first, but they lose their structure very quickly during real wear. This is why we do not use them. For vegan models, we prefer high-quality recycled microfibers or recycled PET, which are more stable and longer-lasting.
How we work at ekn
- all materials are tested in independent laboratories
- we examine abrasion, movement, temperature resistance and long-term behavior
- only safe and durable options enter our production
- we continuously test new material recipes to improve our vegan range
- ekn is PETA certified
Why we use leather
Leather is often viewed critically, especially conventional leather, which is mostly tanned with chrome or other heavy metals. This process leads to contaminated wastewater, chemical residues and heavily coated surfaces that behave more like plastic and lose their natural breathability.
Our approach:
- we use only chrome-free and metal-free tanned leather, produced without toxic heavy metals
- it contains no substances that would be problematic for skin contact or the environment
- it remains breathable, flexible and repairable
- it develops a natural patina instead of cracking or peelin
- the hides are a by-product of the European meat industry and would be discarded otherwise
- the small leftover substances from tanning can be used as natural fertilizer
- our leathers come from Europe, often from the same region as our production, keeping transport distances minimal
This creates a material that is durable, safe, and responsibly processed. A shoe made from such leather lasts for many years and can be repaired, which strengthens true sustainability.
Vegan models remain part of ekn
We will continue offering vegan models that meet our quality standards. And we aim to expand this part of the collection once we find vegan materials that are reliably strong, safe and long-lasting.
Our stance:
Vegan is not a marketing strategy for us. It is a responsibility.
And that responsibility means:
- vegan only when a material truly holds up
- vegan only when we can stand behind its ingredients
- vegan only when it is sustainable in the long run
We continue working on vegan alternatives that meet these expectations. Until we find materials that are stable, safe and resource-efficient, we choose solutions that align with our values, whether vegan or made from chrome-free leather.