Our Sneakers
Retro. Ruthless. Relaxed.
This isn’t just fashion. It’s a flashback — with a future.
Retro
We draw from the bold, playful energy of the ‘80s — when expression mattered more than perfection, and sidewalks felt like runways.
Ruthless
When it comes to sustainability, we don’t cut corners. Every material, process, and partner is chosen with radical care. No greenwashing, no shortcuts.
Relaxed
We do the heavy lifting on ethics and impact — so you can step into a pair and feel chill of doing good without trying hard.
Thank you!
What you guys say
“I used to only buy vegan, but when I learned that 'vegan' usually means 'plastic' —Zenzais actually felt more honest than other vegan alternatives.
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“I hesitated on the price, at first. But once they arrived? It all clicked. The quality is genuinely luxury-level. And knowing they're super sustainable? Worth every cent. Plus free shipping!
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“This is my first sustainable sneaker, but I have to say: they're super comfortable!
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“I assumed biodegradable meant flimsy, but these things are tanks. They wear like regular rubber, but break down only when exposed to industrial compost conditions. It’s genius.
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“I've been wearing the prototype for 6 months—still crisp. No loose stitches, no worn out soles. They’re made like sneakers used to be: solid and built to go the distance.
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Sustainability
The sole is the soul of a sneaker
At Zenzai, we skip recycled and vegan rubber. We go further: fully biodegradable soles. Not just one more loop through recycling plants just to end up on a landfill like their virgin cousins. Ours are made for industrial composting and disappear in 12 months. Poof. Clean exit. No trace (and no, they won't dissolve on your feet).
Sustainability
Vegan usually means plastic
We could tell you how amazing vegan leather is—but the truth is: most of it’s just plastic with a PR team. Apple leather? Usually 20% fruit, 80% plastic. Check the fineprint.
We could tell you how we’re better. And we are. Our cactus leather: 82% real cactus, with just 18% plastic to keep it together. Peta certified and all that.
We will tell you though, that that's still not good enough for us. Every pair of Zenzai 1.0 helps us move closer to the v2.0—fully biodegradable, zero plastic, no compromise.
Retro yes, but we learn from our mistakes.
With every purchase you support our first step before the breakthrough.
Our plan to dominate the sustainable sneakers market
(Without being boring)
May 13 2025
Launch day
Our first step
Our initial Zenzais 1.0 already boast a bio-compostable sole, vegan (cactus) leather and organic cotton, GOTS certified. These shoes are already way ahead of some of our opponents (cue the Rocky song, da da daaaa, da da daaaa).
Early 2026
Phase 2
Bio-degradeable
Zenzais 2.0 will be fully biodegradable. It's all about sniffing out the right suppliers and experimenting with those materials. But rest assured, we'll wrap it up pronto, we've already seen the light!
Mid 2026
Phase 3
Circular
The best materials are useless if they still end up on a landfill. So we will set up the infrastructure to take back your sneakers (for free), have them professionally decomposed and give them an honest eco-friendly send-off (cue Titanic music)
Can't get enough of Zenzai?
Listen to our podcasts
Plaudereien aus dem Gehkästchen (German) is our Behind-The-Scenes Founder' podcast where we, the founders, chat about our journey on constructing Zenzai. Fresh episode each tuesday.
Zenanigans (English), our Netflix-Style sneaker documentaries, reviving the raddest sneaker stories you've never heard of.
