Chrome-Free Leather
No heavy metals. Tanned in Germany. Biodegrades naturally.
The SOLK System
A SOLK is more than the shoe we design. It includes a system of what comes after. From the time it is worn to the moment it is returned. This is its journey.
01
Wear
Designed for everyday life. Comfort, movement and durability come first. Biocircularity is built on top of that.
02
Send back
When your SOLKs have reached the end of their journey with you, send them back to us. Their return is where the cycle continues.
03
Shred
We shred the returned shoe into small fragments. The smaller the pieces, the faster nature can break them down. This is where the shoe ends and the raw material begins again.
04
Compost
The fragments are blended with organic matter and placed into our dedicated controlled composting system.
Over time, natural microbial activity transforms the materials into nutrient-rich compost.
Why it can be composted
Materials are screened against more than 200 substances, subjected to ecotoxicity testing and evaluated against our strict biocircularity requirements.
Natural Rubber
Tapped from trees. Returns to the earth the way it came, as a natural material.
Fade Foam™
Developed in-house to be both cushioning and compost-safe. Engineered to break down.
Plant-Based Fibers
Lining and laces are made from natural or biobased sources.
THE TRANSFORMATION
When ‘Made to Fade’ becomes visible
The shredded shoe fragments are blended with organic matter like grass clippings, coffee grounds, and natural waste. This mix is fed into a composter where heat builds, microbes multiply, and tough fibers slowly break down. Over weeks, the temperature rises above 60°C, hot enough to destroy pathogens and accelerate decomposition. What happens here is not left to chance: both the process and the result are monitored and tested to ensure our compost is safe for plants.
Returning your SOLKs
When you are ready to part with your SOLKs, here's how to send them back so we can complete the cycle.
Request a return
Visit our return page or contact us. You’ll answer a short questionnaire and we will send you a return label.
Ship them back
Pack your worn SOLKs in any box. Attach the label. Drop them off at any postal point.
We do the rest
We grind, compost, and return the materials to the earth. You'll get a confirmation when it's done.