Ubac Vision

Inspired by nature, designed for the future

Inspired by nature,
designed for the future.

Since its inception in 2018, Ubac has been offering sneakers made of natural and recycled materials.

The word Ubac designates the side of the mountain least exposed to the sun, and therefore the most preserved from the human footprint. Ubac then becomes a symbol of a preserved and still wild nature that must be taken care of. It aspires to a feeling of freedom and protection that high mountain landscapes can provide.

All Ubac products are manufactured by craftsmen in France or in Portugal in order to produce sustainably and value local industries.

The most ecological materials are used, giving preference to natural and recycled materials for their exceptional qualities: recycled wool, hemp, recycled cotton, linen. It is also the promise to get out of a too strong dependence on the oil industry.

Because we believe that a good deed is better than a long speech, we donate 1% of our turnover to the LPO, a French environmental protection association

Recycled wool
Recycled wool
Mesclat
Mesclat
Linen
Linen
R-SKIN®
R-SKIN®
Cobois™
Cobois™
Hemp
Hemp
Recycled cotton
Recycled cotton
Green EVA®
Green EVA®
Recycled rubber
Recycled rubber
Extra Grip™
Extra Grip™

Recycled wool

Advantages: Anti-bacterial, comfortable, resistant, breathable, thermo-regulating.

And your sweaters become sneakers

The recycled wool used at Ubac comes from French and European wool sweaters. No resources are taken from nature. Recycled wool has the same characteristics as new wool: it is light, comfortable, thermoregulating and breathable.

A recycled wool, spun and woven in France

Our recycled wool comes from used sweaters, collected from various recycling networks. They arrive sorted by color in our partner spinning mill located in Brassac (81), France, before being defibered and then blended to create new colors of yarn.

The yarn is then sent to Pierre, still in the Tarn (81). We then obtain the final material that you find on our sneakers, a soft, supple material but dense enough to be strong and waterproof.

Mesclat

Advantages: natural, thermo-regulating, insulating and anti-bacterial.

Mesclat (meaning "mixture" in Occitan) is made up of exactly 50% wool and 50% hemp.

Saving wool from destruction

For years, wool has been destined for destruction due to a lack of textile outlets. Virgocoop (our partner cooperative) collects wool from farmers in Lozère. This provides additional income for the producers, and adds value to a highly valuable material.

Restoring hemp to its former glory

Hemp grows without pesticides or irrigation, and cleans the soil. With its partner farmers, Virgocoop produces textile hemp, which is then processed into short fibres.

100% french fabric

By using short-fibre hemp mixed with wool, it is possible to carry out all the processing stages in carded spinning mills, a traditional Occitan industry. The result: a 100% French fabric, 100% natural and 0 dyes, which enhances the value of an entire industry.

Linen

Advantages: Anti-bacterial, comfortable, resistant, breathable.

A responsible fiber

Linen is one of the most ecological fibers in the textile world. It grows perfectly in France and requires almost no irrigation, pesticides or other chemicals.

French from field to fabric

With 80% of the world's production, France is the world's leading flax grower. However, it has been 25 years since the last spinning mills in the country closed and 90% of the flax production is sent to China and India for processing due to much lower labor costs.

A textile sector to be upgraded

After the loss of almost all the textile know-how in France in the last century, some people are now fighting to bring it back. This is the case of Emmanuel Lang, weaver, with whom Ubac has developed a resistant linen fabric cultivated in Normandy and woven in Alsace.

R-SKIN®

Advantages: Waterproof, comfortable, resistant.

Recycled rubber

R-SKIN® is a material made of 30% recycled rubber and 70% rubber. It is a strong, comfortable and easily recyclable alternative to leather.

From production waste

R-SKIN® reuses old soles and production scraps. The rubber elements are finely ground, devulcanized and mixed with new rubber to obtain a less impactful material.

Recyclable

When your sneaker reaches the end of its life, it can be sent back to us for recycling. It can be reintegrated into the circuit from which it originated to be part of future productions.

Cobois™

Advantages: Light, comfortable, resistant, breathable.

A zero plastic alternative

While most knitwear are designed with plastic, Cobois™ is made of organic cotton and wood pulp. The goal is to work with nature, which offers fibers with properties of excellence such as lightness, flexibility, comfort.

Knit made in Portugal

Most knitwear is not only made of plastic, but also manufactured in Asia, where the know-how is. To be able to work with a Portuguese knit is extraordinary! It is also the proof that a more responsible fashion is possible.

Hemp

Advantages: Anti-bacterial, comfortable, resistant, breathable.

The most ecological natural fiber in the textile world

Hemp is a plant that grows locally, almost without water and without pesticides. This fiber, in addition to being ecological, is one of the strongest, it is 8 times more resistant to traction than cotton. Used for military clothing and marine ropes, hemp textiles are unwearable!

It was therefore the best ally to offer you resistant, healthy and ecological sneakers.

A textile industry to be upgraded

At the beginning of the twentieth century and despite all its applications, hemp was abandoned in favor of cotton and polyester, easier to work and industrialize but also because of lobbies. Today, hemp is produced again in Europe but the textile know-how has left for China. Most of the fabrics come from this country.

We are committed to relocation

We participate in its textile relocation with hemp grown, spun and woven in Europe. We are also committed to Virgocoop, an organization whose objective is to put France back at the center of hemp production in textiles. Virgocoop is developing a hemp spinning mill in France: we support their project to hope one day to offer you French hemp!

Recycled cotton

Advantages: Anti-bacterial, comfortable, resistant, breathable.

Cotton

Conventional cotton is one of the most used materials in the textile world (50% of our clothes). However, this very fragile plant requires a lot of water and pesticides and has a heavy environmental impact. This is why we have chosen to turn to its recycled version, available in large quantities and locally.

The recycled alternative

Recycled cotton is preferred. The advantage is threefold: we limit the use of water, we use materials that have already arrived in Europe and are destined for the trash, and we create jobs with the sorting and recycling industries. And of course, we obtain a material as qualitative as the conventional version: flexible, resistant, soft and comfortable!

Cotton recycling

Cotton clothes are collected by organizations such as the relay. The pieces are sorted by color before being shredded. As the recovered fibers are not long enough to create a strong yarn, new ecovero cotton is added. The fibers then go through a conventional spinning process, to be spooled and woven.

Green EVA®

Advantages: Light, comfortable, resistant.

An alternative to the classic EVA

Green EVA (made from 70% sugarcane ethanol) is a natural and sustainable alternative to traditional EVA, a petrochemical-based polymer used in running shoes. While having a better footprint, it retains excellent technical properties such as lightness, resistance and cushioning.

The manufacturing process of Green Eva

Sugar cane is crushed and the liquid and molasses are extracted from the plant. These components are fermented and distilled to become natural ethanol.

This ethanol is then dehydrated to make bio-ethylene, which will replace the conventional, non-renewable ethylene. This substance is polymerized with vinyl acetate.

Recycled rubber

Advantages: Waterproof, comfortable, resistant.

From production scraps and old soles

At Ubac, we use recycled rubber to make the soles, but also for our RSKIN material.
Natural rubber is a material that is widely used in the footwear industry and can come from natural sources such as rubber trees. Recycling factory offcuts avoids wasting this precious resource: we use what was going to be thrown away.

Recycling rubber into soles

All unused rubber scraps are ground extremely fine and then mixed with natural rubber to give a new material of very good quality and less demand for "new" raw material.

With this mixture, we form our soles or RSKIN strips.

Extra Grip™

Advantages: Light, resistant, shock absorbing, anti-slip

Made from 35% recycled materials

Extra Grip™ is made of TR Extra Light and 35% recycled TR. This material is produced in Portugal, as close to our manufacturing facilities as possible. Its cushioning technology gives you the best comfort.

Recyclable

In addition to being partially recycled, Extra Grip™ is very easily recycled. The soles can be reused to reintegrate our future productions.

Learn more

Local manufacturing

Our partners

All Ubac products are manufactured in Portugal and France.

The maximum distance travelled between Ubac's processors and customers is 1750 km.

RECYCLED WOOL YARN

Brassac (TARN)

Located 30km from Castres in the Tarn (81), this family business is the European leader in carded yarns. After more than 10 years of research, it has succeeded in developing a unique process for recycling wool from sweaters coming from clothing relays.

Since 1956

44 people

WOOL SNEAKERS

WOOL ACCESSORIES

InterviewÉric Sales Manager

It was during a summer job with his father, a printer, that Eric discovered spinning. He learned everything about his job on the job.

What he is most passionate about is discovering countries, people who are passionate about their profession and particularly those committed to Sustainable Development with recycled products like Ubac!

RECYCLED WOOL WEAVING

Castres (TARN)

At the head of a textile manufacturing company created by his father in 1950, Tissus A. Calvet, Pierre Calvet, 53, is a man for whom weaving holds no secrets. A fan of the circular economy, he helped Ubac develop its innovative fabric made of recycled wool. This famous fabric is the one found on sneakers and thanks to this know-how, it is soft, solid, water resistant and flexible.

Since 1950

7 people

WOOL SNEAKERS

WOOL ACCESSORIES

InterviewPierre Weaver from father to son

Pierre's passion for weaving was passed on to him by his father, who founded the company in 1950.

He is most passionate about creating new fabrics, as the art of weaving is only limited by his imagination. After 35 years of experience, he still loves to take on new challenges.

MANUFACTURING WORKSHOP

Guimares (LIXA)

Located 40km north of Porto in the region of Guimarães, where the best European footwear know-how can be found. This workshop is specialized in the manufacture of high quality shoes and already works with big names. Thanks to a state-of-the-art equipment, this manufacturer guarantees high technicality and durability.

Since 1989

110 people

VOLA, VOLA-E & VOLA-H SNEAKERS

KOTO, AXOLO LIN & AXOLO RSKIN SNEAKERS

InterviewJoão Director of the design office

João enjoys the challenges of technical fashion, which he finds inspiring and ever-changing.

What he is most passionate about is developing new products while ensuring perfect quality.

LINEN SPINNING MILL

Hirsingue (HAUT-RHIN)

This 150 year old spinning mill has been on the verge of closure several times. In 2013, thanks to its employees who fought hard to save the company, it was taken over by Emmanuel Schmitt. Today, it is the only flax, hemp and nettle spinning mill in France. Emmanuel Lang is the only one to have invested in a spinning mill of this type in France since the 1990s.

1856

20 personnes

AXOLO LINEN SNEAKERS

KNITTING WORKSHOP

Roanne (LOIRE)

This knitting workshop is located 1600 meters from our offices. There the needles clash, the hands repeat precise gestures mastered by years of apprenticeship and craftsmanship to make our hats of impeccable quality.

Since 1984

9 people

BEANIES

InterviewKarine Factory rescuer

Karine Renouil has been running the Jean Ruiz workshop since 2018, when she took over the struggling company to gain recognition for its historical expertise.

Born into a family of weavers during the decline of textiles in France, Karine Renouil spent part of her life advising companies. In 2016, Karine is looking for a new direction. She then changed her path and returned to the textile industry by buying this workshop in decline.

KNITTING WORKSHOP

Les Cars (HAUTE-VIENNE)

Located in a small village in the Limousin, this workshop has become an institution, the story of three generations of enthusiasts who have been passing on their know-how for over 80 years. This beautiful company combines the tradition of sock manufacturers and the search for innovation.

Since 1940

44 people

WOOL SOCKS

COTTON SOCKS

InterviewAlexandra and Aymeric Sock specialists

Aymeric was almost born in the factory, his grandfather who founded the company always told him that he should take over, so it was natural for him. Alexandra, on the other hand, fell in love with the business.

What motivates them the most are the new production challenges and the well-being of their team which represents a real family (with all the stories and diversity of each one).

MANUFACTURING WORKSHOP

Amarante (BRAGA)

Located 60km north of Porto, in the region of Guimarães, where you can find the best European footwear know-how. This family-run workshop cultivates the art of constant reinvention with an emphasis on comfort and irreverent design.

Since 1991

90 people

TERRA, TERRA-E & TERRA-H SNEAKERS

TERRA - V SNEAKERS

GREEN EVA SOLE

Pedroso (PORTO)

With more than 45 years of know-how, this partner is the only one in Europe to master the Green EVA to manufacture low impact soles.

With the most advanced technologies, associated with the best raw materials, it also offers us today the best solutions in terms of design and quality

Since 1976

300 people

VOLA & VOLA-E SNEAKERS

VOLA-H SNEAKERS

RECYCLED RUBBER SOLE

Felgueiras (PORTO)

This company has specialized for over 25 years in the transformation of natural rubber into soles. Involved with its environmental impact since its creation, it works to reduce its footprint. In just a few years, it has managed to reduce by half the waste inherent in the production of soles by reintegrating it into the production process.

Since 1991

116 people

TERRA SNEAKERS

KANA & KOTO SNEAKERS

RECYCLED COTTON MILL

Alicante (ALICANTE)

This spinning mill is a family business with over 65 years of experience in the sector. For 30 years they have specialized in the production of ecological yarns with recycled materials. They are pioneers in cotton recycling.

Since 1956

150 people

COTON CAP

RECYCLED COTTON - HEMP & LINEN WEAVING

Alicante (ALICANTE)

This company is specialized in weaving for the shoe and leather goods industry. It masters all natural materials such as cotton, linen and hemp.

Since 1957

35 people

KANA SNEAKERS

MANUFACTURE OF CAPS

Vila Boa (BRAGA)

This small workshop was recommended to us for its know-how. It is not for nothing that many luxury brands work with them.

Specialized in the making of caps and hats, with a perfectly integrated embroidery service, this workshop ensures perfect finishes.

Since 1971

40 people

COTTON CAP

WOOL CAP

MESCLAT WEAVING AND SPINNING

Cahors (LOT)

Virgoocop is a cooperative that invests in the development of local, ecological and ethical textile chains, from fibre to fabric. It produces our Mesclat fabric, which recycles shorn wool and hemp in France.

Since 2018

VOLKAN MESCLAT

AXOLO MESCLAT

Actions

We donate 1% of our turnover to the League for the Protection of Birds

LPO

The first environmental protection association in France

Founded in 1912, the first fight of the LPO, and from which it draws its emblem, was to prevent the massacre of puffins in Bretagne.

More than a century after its creation, the LPO continues its fight: according to the last studies, on the 277 species of breeding birds counted in France, 73 are currently threatened on the French territory. That is more than one species out of four. One bird out of six has disappeared in Europe since the 1980s

With 57 000 members, 8 000 active volunteers and 400 employees on the national territory, the LPO has a strong power and is recognized of public utility.

It is also necessary to know that the LPO widened its fight, originally concentrated on the birds, to defend the biodiversity in its whole with three missions: the protection of the species, the conservation of the spaces as well as the education and the sensitization.

LPO AND UBAC

A strong bound since 2018

Since 2018, Ubac has always been committed to supporting the LPO. We regularly visit the actors at the headquarters in Rochefort, whether for meetings or visits.

Recently, a part of the team went to the field, in one of the numerous nature reserves of the association. And it is in Moëze Oléron that the appointment was made. Located in Charente-Maritime, between the island of Oléron and the mainland, it covers 6,400 hectares and protects coastal environments, wet meadows and salt marshes. It is one of the five most important sites in metropolitan France for the reception of water birds in winter with nearly 90,000 migratory water birds.

We also follow closely their fights and their victories, as the definitive stop of the hunting with glue obtained thanks to numerous legal actions of the LPO. Each year the LPO leads many actions in front of the courts aiming at stopping practices endangering the biodiversity.

WHAT ARE UBAC DONATIONS FOR?

1% of our turnover is donated to the LPO

At Ubac, we have decided to let the LPO allocate our donations freely. We believe that this is the best way to protect biodiversity rather than favouring a particular species. Our donations can therefore be distributed in favor of :

-Species protection: The LPO participates in national action plans for threatened birds such as the black vulture, the royal kite and the Amsterdam albatross. It also acts for the reintroduction of endangered species (Griffon vulture in the Grands Causses or Kestrel in the Aude) and participates in national surveys to draw up an inventory of bird populations in France. Finally, the LPO manages rescue centers to collect and help fauna in distress, before releasing, when possible, the specimens into the wild.

-The conservation of spaces: The LPO is one of the main managers of natural spaces in France, with 10 national and five regional natural reserves. In all, the LPO manages more than 27 000 hectares of natural environments, mainly wetlands.

-Education and awareness: Guided tours, workshops, conferences... Through its actions of sensitization, the LPO touches each year some 200 000 persons. It also happens that the LPO constitutes civil party in case of environmental offence (shooting of protected species, poaching, traffic of birds, destruction of protected environments...).

Transparency

Price breakdown

Here you will find the full breakdown of our expenses, from our latest balance sheet (2020-2021). This allows you to know in detail where our money goes.

Product and stock 52.49 %

External expenses (advertising, office, logistics, etc.) 30.97 %

Salaries & Charges 13.03 %

Operating income 3.51 %

Our certifications

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Impact & end of life

We take into account the carbon impact and the end-of-life issue of our products from the design stage in order to always do better. All our products are also recyclable.

Carbon impact

Recyclability

Review

7kg CO2e

Carbon footprint.

The average carbon impact of our products.

70%

Biosourced & recycled materials

Average percentage of bio-sourced and/or recycled materials on all our products.

100%

Of our products are recyclable

We can recycle all our products at the end of their life.

Ubac Vision

Inspired by nature, designed for the future.

Materials

Local manufacturing

Actions

We donate 1% of our turnover to the League for the Protection of Birds

Transparency

Our certifications

Impact & end of life

We take into account the carbon impact and the end-of-life issue of our products from the design stage in order to always do better. All our products are also recyclable.

Review

Inspired by nature,
designed for the future.