Thanks to Etnies for sponsoring this post and inviting us to come and tour HQ, check out the Skate Park and learn more about the brand. All opinions are my own. 
Several years ago I had a chance to tour Etnies HQ and I was so impressed with the brand, the founders, and the shoes that they have remained top shelf for my kids ever since. Recently we went back to learn about their fall shoe line up (we like the new Maranas!) and interview Ryan Sheckler . I came away with a coupon code to share with you, as well as an amazing op to win a $250 shopping spree. Scroll down to see both.
Read on to see why I love Etnies so much.
It’s hard not to love a brand that is driven by true passion and a desire to get it right. Etnies is, first and foremost, a brand that is dedicated to the special footwear needs of skaters. Skaters tear through shoes like nobody else. The sandpaper like decks on their boards are constantly scraping at the shoes and when it’s not the deck, it’s the pavement as they drag a foot or flub a landing. The shoes have to be durable, but they also have to be comfortable. They have to perform in all sorts of outdoor conditions, reliably.
Etnies are created extra tough and flexible to withstand the abuse that pro skaters dish out. So it’s only natural they should also make kids shoes too.
Raise your hand if your kids have worn through the toes of cheap sneakers by dragging a foot off a bike or crawling around on the playground. Ever seen a sole detach from your kid’s week old inexpensive shoes? I have. This is why we stick to better brands like Etnies now.
Etnies founder Pierre-André Senizergues (pictured above with his son) is a parent now too. He wisely recognized that the durability demanded by skaters is something that parents need for active kids too. Etnies shoes wear like iron. So much so that in their smaller sizes they have a grow-with-me- system that allows the shoes to fit for longer. Your kids simply won’t wear them out. As bad ass as your kids are, they don’t dish out shoe abuse worse than a skater.
Even Etnies non-skating shoes are impressively durable. We reviewed these Scouts last spring. My 10 yr old brought them to summer camp, along with a pair of Nikes that I was resigned to never seeing in use again. Summer camp is all about the ocean, dirt, hiking, and more dirt.
The Etnies Scouts came home from camp intact. After a toss in the washing machine, they look good as new. They are the first pair of sneakers to survive summer camp for us, ever. RIP Nikes.
As much as I already loved Etnies, I love them a little more after our recent visit. I had the chance to bring my kids along and they got to meet with the founders and company designers and learn about the shoe design process. We looked at a pair of shoes sliced in half and discussed the merits of marshmallows as padding. Then the kids came up with their own shoe designs, which were mocked up on the computer for them. My sons really loved this – they were excited to see their sneaker designs come to life.
But the highlight of the day for all was heading over to the Etnies Skate Park where the kids got to test the shoes while receiving a skating lesson and got to meet a superstar – Ryan Sheckler.
Etnies heart and soul is in the skating community but they don’t just make shoes for skaters, they give back in many ways – supporting budding athletes and giving back to the community with clothing and shoe donations to local charities.
It was nice to see this come full circle, and hear from Ryan Sheckler about how Etnies support of him has led to his current pride in his own foundation. Ryan has been working with Etnies for over a decade. My daughter spoke briefly with Ryan about this experience , about working with the Make a Wish foundation and about his own foundation, which is now giving back to kids in need.
I pretty much love everything about Etnies, from their design philosophy, to their community commitment to their product – for the kids and for ME. I have two pairs of Etnies myself that I wear all the time!
Back to School is the perfect time to order a pair of Etnies. Get them a little big! These are the shoe that might make it through the entire school year. Use code ETNIESKIDS4U and save 25% (excluding sale items) and be sure to enter to win a $250 shopping spree while you are on the site!
Get ready to go back to school with Etnies & a ton of style!
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