Material School
XC & EP leather
Leather
Most of our shoes are made of lather – nature's own technology. The leather gets different properties through different tanning techniques, treatments, and coatings. Here you can read more about our qualities to pick the leather that suits you best!
Read more about leather
Care & Prepare
How do I take care of leather?
Leather can require a little extra love in order for it to retain its fine properties. In addition, different types of leather require different types of care. Generally, you should always start by cleaning the shoe. Read more about what applies to the different leather qualities.
Read more about shoe care
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What is what?
All shoes marked with this symbol are made of chrome-free leather. After the chrome-free tanning process, the leather is separated from other skins at the tanneries and warehouse. Machines used for tanning must be thoroughly cleaned or used only for chrome-free leather. The skins are inspected annually by independent laboratories. Shoes made of our EP leather (Eco Performance) are always chrome-free. We have also developed a new chrome-free version of our popular XC leather (Cross Country) which is gradually being implemented in our collection.
Cross Country Suede
Suede
The inside of the leather has a velvet-like surface and is called suede. Shoes made of suede are easiest to clean with a soft brush and, if necessary, with a mild detergent evenly distributed over the entire surface of the shoe.
Cross Country Nubuck
Nubuck
Nubuck is an incredibly soft and lovely leather quality. It is similar to suede in texture, but unlike suede, where you turn the inside of the leather outwards, you sand the surface so that it gets a matte and soft finish.
CARE & PREPARE
Taking care of suede and nubuck?
To protect the fibers, we recommend that you impregnate the surface regularly. Remove dirt with a soft brush and, if necessary, a mild detergent. Let the shoes dry at room temperature and impregnate them, preferably with a water-based spray. To restore the luster and texture of worn suede, use a suede brush to lift the fibers gently.
Discover our shoe care!
CONCIOUS COTTON
Cotton
Some of our shoes are made from textiles, in part or the whole shoe. Regardless of material, we choose suppliers with care for people and the environment and are constantly looking for the most sustainable alternatives. For example, Conscious Cotton is a cotton fabric made from organic, environmentally certified cotton.
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Certified Cotton
Kavat Conscious Cotton is a fabric made from organic, environmentally certified Cotton. The certification means stricter requirements for, among other things, the cultivation and what chemicals are allowed in the process. Organically certified Cotton has a lower carbon footprint than traditionally grown Cotton. The material we use is dyed in a process where the water from production is cleaned and used to irrigate 15.000 palm trees in an environmental project.
Wool
Wool Blend
Wool fibers are naturally delicate, and through experience, we’ve learned that a pure wool lining would wear out far quicker than the shoe itself. That’s why we created Wool Blend – a durable lining material that combines the natural warmth of wool with the strength of polyester. This innovative combination extends the lifespan of the shoes, making them sturdy enough to be passed down from one generation to the next. Wool Blend also offers exceptional breathability and temperature regulation, keeping your feet warm and dry in all weather conditions. And of course, all the wool we use is 100% mulesing-free.
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SEBS Rubber
Our rain boots are made of light and durable materials. We use two types of materials – both of them are PVC-free and washable in a washing machine. In 2019 we launched the world's first rain boot made from partially renewable resources that come from waste from the food and wood industry (Bioplastic)
Material School
Bioplastic
Shoes marked with this symbol are partly made from Bioplastic that comes from renewable resources. The raw materials are waste that comes from the food and wood industry. Bioplastics contribute to reduced carbon footprints compared to fossil plastics, which are produced from 100% fossil raw materials such as oil.
Synthetic Materials
PU & Polyester
Our lether-free materials are synthetic materials that can resemble leather. They are made from polyester and PU and use an impregnation guaranteed free of fluorocarbons. They are durable materials that can withstand wetness and give excellent shoe comfort. The materials are flexible and soft. It's easy to clean! Just use a damp cloth and mild soap. We recommend impregnating the shoe regularly to maintain the water repellent properties.
Waterproof Membrane
Waterproof
Kavat Waterproof has a waterproof membrane made from polyester that is laminated between the upper, lining, and sole. The membrane is biodegradable. Both the membrane and the outer materials are free of fluorocarbons, and the outer materials have a waterproof treatment with Bionic Ruco Eco Dry.
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Recycled Materials
Shoes marked with the Recycled Materials symbol are wholly or partly made from recycled materials that come in part from PET bottles used to manufacture polyester. All recycled materials that do not come from our own production are GRS certified. We also use waste materials from our own production to manufacture new products.
Material School
Our Soles
The soles are one of the most important parts of the shoe. Having a shock-absorbing and durable sole is essential for both comfort and durability. We use several materials for the soles in our shoes since they have different properties and are suitable for different weather and situations. Here you can read more about our sole materials.
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