We already ensure during the development of our collections that above all our leather linings meet the VIOS® standard. This means that they have been tanned chrome-free, that they contain far fewer chemicals than the legally defined threshold values and that the material tests that are carried out go far beyond the industry standard.

In combination with premium-quality upper materials, GORE-TEX products ensure a perfect foot climate inside a shoe. The GORE-TEX membrane worked into the lining is made from expanded polytetrafluorethylene (free from PTFE) and is wind- and waterproof, but also vapour permeable and therefore breathable. It is important to remember that care products may impair the way GORE-TEX works on shoes that are equipped with this functional feature. You should therefore refrain from using products with a high grease or oil content, as these restrict the breathability of the upper material. However, we recommend regular waterproofing to ensure that they remain fully waterproof.

We have a clear opinion on PFAS.

Increasingly often, you hear and read about “PFAS” – however, what exactly are these, actually?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances. It is a term that is applied to a whole range of substances that make products waterproof and dirt-repellent. PFAS are used almost everywhere: from cosmetics and medical products to household appliances, car parts, outdoor jackets…and even in shoes. The good thing about them is their water-repellent properties: it makes products durable. The downside is that they don’t really biodegrade in the environment, or if they do, they do so only very, very slowly. They are therefore also often referred to as “forever chemicals”.

However, their benefits can also be achieved differently: with alternatives such as silicones or waxes.

We not only care about the health of our customers and their feet, but also about protecting the environment. Our strategy has therefore already included focusing on the sustainability of our collections for decades, and we are consistently pursuing this for all of our brands on the basis of our legero united sustainability agenda, or luna, for short. That is also why a large part of our collections is made from leather, as it is a natural product.
To ensure that it can withstand wet weather, we use leather in combination with non-toxic silicones or waxes. However, fabric shoes that can withstand even the wettest rainy weather need a special coating to make them water-repellent and durable. Wherever possible, we use PFAS free material components. At the same time, we are continuously increasing the proportion of water-repellent shoes whose hydrophobic finishes are based on silicones, waxes or paraffins, or thermoplastic coatings.

Strict quality audits to protect people and the environment.

We stand for transparency and sustainability standards that are leading in the industry. We therefore manufacture our shoes in line with the legal requirements and regularly subject them so strict quality checks before they are sold, because we genuinely care for people and the environment.

Do you have further questions related to PFAS? Please do not hesitate to contact us!

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Recycled synthetic fibres are made from waste plastic that is turned into reusable fibres with the aid of innovative processes. This reduces the amount of new raw materials required and therefore the impact on our environment. In this way, recycled synthetic fibres make an important contribution to sustainable production – without any compromises when it comes to quality and design.

Recycled leather consists of waste leather that is first shredded and then upgraded with a premium-quality PU coating. The result: a robust, durable material – created by recycling the premium-quality raw material leather.

Shoes with Sympatex are also equipped for any weather. The Sympatex membrane, which is made from hydrophilic polyether and hydrophobic polyester, ensures that no moisture can get into the shoe from the outside, but that sweat is able to get out in the form of water vapour. This keeps the feet dry and ensures a comfortable foot climate. Good for the environment: the membrane consists partially of recycled materials and can even be recycled at the end of its useful life. This membrane, too, is free from perfluorinated substances.

VIOS® leather is manufactured according to the strictest criteria in a particularly resource-saving way and without the use of harmful dyes and chemicals: it is chrome-free, dyed with natural dyes, and only eco-friendly materials are used for its production. We source materials that meet the VIOS® standard only from partner companies, as well as production sites, that have committed themselves to the strict criteria of the VIOS® Restricted Substance List (RSL), whose threshold values go far beyond the legally required minimums. We also pay attention to particularly eco-friendly production methods and transport distances that are as short as possible along the entire supply chain.

You can find out more about our VIOS® standards here.

Zeology is an innovative, patented leather tanning agent based on zeolite. This leather is particularly environmentally friendly, as it is free from chrome, heavy metals and aldehydes, which improves the biodegradability of the finished, tanned material.

We not only use fabrics to line our shoes but also like to use them as upper materials. For our leisure shoes, for example, we find materials such as linen, loden, cotton or viscose as well as polyamide or polyester particularly exciting. The pictograph inside our shoes instantly shows you what fabric the upper material is made of.

Foil leather is an innovative process for refining and reusing old leather and stock. With the help of special foils, previously unused leather surfaces can be visually enhanced and functionally redesigned. This creates a high-quality product with a modern look from existing material – in line with sustainability principles.

A particular advantage is that the same base material can be used in different designs. Creative prints, glitter effects or individual motifs make each piece unique. Foil finishing also gives old materials a new lease of life.

Microfibres are synthetics that are increasingly used to replace leather. This material consists of extremely fine fibres that have been woven together into a three-dimensional mesh. This material is above all characterised by its particularly good abrasion resistance, breathability and flexibility. Compared to real leather, microfibre materials have an even texture and are often lighter.

Nappa leather or nappa is a generic term for soft leather made from the hides of various animals that is processed with the hair side, i.e. the grain, on the outside. It is a full grain, premium-quality smooth leather. Nappa leather is particularly breathable, supple and perfectly follows the shape of the foot. It absorbs perspiration and regulates the foot climate in a natural way. The term nappa leather was originally only applied to leather that was used for gloves and clothing; it was named after the Napa Valley in the USA. This leather is known for its particular softness. However, it is now a generic term that is applied to particularly supple smooth leather made from the hides of all animal species and used for a wide range of purposes.

Full grain leather that has been rubbed a little on the grain side is called nubuck. The grain side of nubuck leather has been rubbed a little to give the leather a velvety character with a napped surface that you can “write on” with your fingers. It is particularly fine and sophisticated, but also gets dirty much easier. If the side facing the animal’s body (the flesh side) is used, it is called suede. Suede has no visible grain texture. Good to know: it is sometimes also called rough leather. However, this term is deceptive, as it only refers to the hides of animals that live in the wild, such as elk, stags and does. In English-speaking countries, this leather is called „Suede“.

Cotton and viscose (bamboo) are our most important representatives. Cotton is not only breathable but also keeps its shape, even when the shoes are worn regularly. Viscose, again an important lining fabric representative, is particularly absorbent and odour regulating, just like cotton. This results in a high level of hygienic comfort for the feet. We use these fabrics as a basis for the lining material above all in our summer shoes, as their breathability ensures that moisture is released quickly, which has a cooling effect on the feet.

We not only use leather as an upper material. Its many positive properties are also impressive when it is used as a lining. For example, leather is skin friendly, breathable, supple, flexible, keeps its shape and robust. It also excels at absorbing sweat and moistures and transports them away from the feet without any damp collecting inside the shoe. By the way, leather is the only material that can absorb up to 30 percent of water. However, leather that has already become wet should be thoroughly dried. Leather is the best material for preventing sweaty feet. It also counterbalances the temperature: it keeps you warm when it’s cold and keeps you cool when it’s hot outside.

We use polyester-based synthetic linings especially for our casual product groups, as these materials are particularly robust, dry quicker and are very easy to care for. In order to save resources, we are continuously increasing the proportion of recycled polyester.