Benefits of using 100% vegetable-tanned leather in Wayz Footwear

 

Did you know our eco-friendly sneakers are crafted with 100% Vegetable-tanned Leather?

100% vegetable-tanned leather is a type of leather treated using natural, plant-based tannins.

The leather we use to craft our sneakers relies only on natural tannins from organic materials, such as oak, tree bark and chestnut. Hence, our products are biodegradable and eco-friendly while preserving a premium and distinct finish.

To value traceability and promote high-quality garments made in Portugal, we have partnered with Curtumes Aveneda. So, this small local tannery located 30km south of Porto sources the full-grain veg-tanned leather, certified by CTIC, used in every pair of our sneakers.

Our partners use an ancient method to produce the material that takes longer. In that way, the leather develops a rich, warm color that matures over time.

Due to its characteristics and process, vegetable-tanned leather is considered the industry's benchmark, accounting for only 10% of worldwide leather production.

The unique benefits of the vegetable-tanned leather used in our eco-friendly sneakers

There are many reasons for choosing this fantastic natural material in our eco-friendly sneakers. Below, we’ll glimpse the benefits of the veg-tanned leather.

Chemical-free and eco-friendly

Unlike conventional leather, often treated with harmful polluting chemicals, the vegetable-tanned leather used in the production of all sneakers is chrome-free, greatly reducing the impact of its environmental footprint.

Smooth Texture

This natural tanning process gives the leather a rich, smooth texture that improves with age. As you wear our sneakers, the leather develops a beautiful patina over time, adding a distinctive natural look shaped by your lifestyle.

It's like having a pair of shoes that tell your personal story in every step you take!

Strong and Durable

Moreover, we all know this material for its strength and durability. That's why our sneakers can withstand daily wear and tear for several years while maintaining their stylish vintage appearance.

Safe

Since the leather we use isn't tanned with toxic chemicals, all our sneakers are hypoallergenic-safe. Therefore, they are suitable for people with sensitive skin.

Breathable & Comfortable

Vegetable-tanned leather is also incredibly breathable, which ensures your feet never get sweaty, providing a comfortable wearing experience.

Sweet fragrance

As a result of the thousand-year-old techniques used in its manufacturing, veg-tan leather has a wholesome, sweet, earthy fragrance exclusive to good leather products, opposite to the harsh smell characteristic of chrome tanning.

Lasting colors

Because veg-tanned leather is an entirely organic material, it can retain deep colours without having a synthetic coating. Looking closely, you can see the individual collagen fibres the leather is made of. This is an indicator of its superb quality.  Moreover, vegetable tanning requires lots of hours of work by highly skilled artisans, contrary to the leather mass-produced by the chrome tanning industry.

Best price

We source all the leather used in our footwear locally without needing an intermediary. That's how we can offer our eco-friendly sneakers made with 100% full grain and suede veg-tan leather at an affordable price.

 

How to take care of your veg-tanned leather sneakers?

Even though we design our sneakers to be long-lasting, they require proper care and maintenance.

We advise you to take the following precautions:

• To prevent damage to the leather and suede, store your pair of Wayz in a dry, airy space away from a direct heat source.
• Be sure to clean your sneakers quickly. We advise gently brushing your Wayz sneakers with a dry cloth and/or a brush to avoid dust buildup and remove light stains.
• Suede leather should only be cleaned with water if it is too dirty.
• Clean your pair of Wayz thoroughly at least two or three times per year. Check the proper steps in our sneaker guide.
• Never wash your Wayz on a washing machine.

Step into a pair of our eco-friendly sneakers

Vegetable-tanned leather is essential to ensure the durability and sustainability of every pair of shoes. Also, the natural material perfectly blends style, comfort, and sustainability in our footwear.

Every time you step into one of our pairs of sneakers, you feel the quality of our Portuguese full-grain leather and the expertise of the people who handcraft the products in family-owned small businesses.

Discover our exclusive collection of sneakers made ethically with locally sourced materials.

Don’t take our word for granted. Try them now and Walk your Way!