Our design philosophy is based on two pillars: versatility (city/outdoor) and sustainability. MEEKO works hard to offer you sneakers that you can wear (almost) anywhere, every day, for a long time. We do all this while being mindful of the environmental impact associated with our production activities, which we strive to make as clean and sustainable as possible.
Versatility
Our unique designs combine the technical features of outdoor shoes with the urban aesthetic of your favorite everyday sneakers. MEEKO sneakers are the only ones you'll ever need, no matter where your adventures take you. You can go from the city to the wildest trails without changing your shoes. Especially handy when traveling, you'll never have to go to a restaurant in your hiking boots again. You're welcome.
Sustainability and impact
We strive to take a holistic approach to sustainability, which we address through five areas: animal welfare / exploitation of natural resources (primary forests, water) / pollution (carbon emissions and waste) / energy footprint / lifespan. MEEKO sneakers are 100% vegan and made from recycled and/or bio-based materials. We favor sturdy materials repurposed from the outdoor sector to ensure our sneakers are built to last. All our models undergo mechanical resistance testing at the Centre Technique du Cuir (in Lyon). Versatility is also our (humble) response to overconsumption and the ubiquity of little-used products in our closets. Like a traveler's backpack, we seek to lighten your wardrobe with beautiful, multifunctional products.
While our approach is still far from perfect, our sneakers remain much more environmentally friendly than the vast majority of models on the market.
Production sites
MEEKO sneakers are manufactured in Portugal and China, depending on the technical complexity of the model. Our Portuguese partner is located in Guimaraes (near Porto). Their factory is unique in that it is powered by 80% solar panels. The goods are then transported by truck. Our Chinese partner is located in Quanzhou. They have the expertise and tools necessary to meet our standards of quality, durability, and technical complexity. We have therefore chosen to produce some of our products in Asia, but in a supervised and demanding manner. We have chosen a partner whose social and environmental audits are rigorous and comply with our standards. There is still room for improvement (particularly in terms of the energy mix), but the factory is committed to addressing these issues. Production is currently transported by ship (we refuse to use air transport) and will soon be transported by train (when the situation in Russia allows).
Not everything is perfect, and probably never will be, but we are doing our utmost to strike a balance between product performance, affordability, and environmental commitment.