Ponto Shoes Are Taking On Cole Haan With A Sustainable Dress Sneaker
Ponto shoes are made from recycled materials and biodegradable plant-based soles.
ISABELLA BEHRAVAN
By Cassell Ferere originally published on Forbes.com
What pair of shoes look like work, but wears like leisure?
Ponto, a revolutionary, sustainably-focused footwear brand, is the best answer to that. This gender-neutral hybrid dress ‘sneaker’ is launching as the first of its kind. Boasting comfort and a minimalist silhouette, Ponto aims to help consumers buy less and own fewer pairs of shoes with its ‘Pacific’ model, designed for every occasion.
Ponto, who is a newcomer to the $215 billion footwear market, successfully launched its Kickstarter campaign just over a year ago. Founded by former Silicon Valley vets, Aaron Roubitchek and Joey Marquis, both operating as CEO and COO, they have aptly named their brand after Ponto Beach, in Carlsbad, CA, where they frequented as far back as their shared middle school days.
![Founders, Aaron Roubitchek [left], and Joey Marquis [right], both operating as CEO and COO of Ponto.ISABELLA BEHRAVAN](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5cd2555994d71a16b3b6ffc1/1610321926591-9SEFMYSJJHJZVG6RS9KR/Ponto-08172020-IsabellaBehravan-1267+%281%29+copy.jpg)
Founders, Aaron Roubitchek [left], and Joey Marquis [right], both operating as CEO and COO of Ponto.
ISABELLA BEHRAVAN
“We made Ponto for everyone. However, our mission is to build a community that has a global perspective and thinks about the implications their actions have on the broader environment,” Aaron says. Ponto is helping “people form better relationships with the products they buy - moving away from the fast fashion cycle many of us have become accustomed to.”
Taking on Cole Haan in the startup phase of a shoe company is a big task. In this case, Ponto is setting its sights on the premium comfort that a sneaker provides and the timeless style of dress shoes. The twist is they are doing it from almost 100% recycled materials and biodegradable plant-based soles.
The shoe upper is a water repellent recycled leather, sourced from leather tanneries around the world and finished in 3 different colors. The minimal silhouette leaves the flare behind and adapts an elegant style that can transcend your lifestyle. The inside lining of the shoe is Tencel™ fabrication with an anti-bacterial tree pulp. This regenerated fiber blends eucalyptus, oak, and birchwood that make the shoe sweat-resistant and odor eliminating.
Ponto shoes made from 100% recycled materials and biodegradable plant-based soles.
ISABELLA BEHRAVAN
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In most cases, you can throw on your safety gear, plan a route into the wilderness, and set off to locations unknown, and in most cases, be back in time for tea!