Etnies

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The correct title of this article is etnies. The initial letter is shown capitalized due to technical restrictions.

etnies is an American footwear brand based in Lake Forest, California and owned by Sole Technology, Inc. with roots deeply embedded in skateboarding. Etnies is primarily a maker of footwear designed for skateboarding, but in more recent years etnies has also created shoes and clothing ostensibly for snowboarders, BMX and motocross riders as well as surfers.

Started in France in 1986, the brand's original name was Etnics, derived from the word "ethnic", a nod to the skateboarding sub-culture. It was later renamed etnies due to legal issues. In 1989, Pierre André took charge of the company, making it the first skateboard shoe company owned by a professional skateboarder.

etnies is considered to be the most accessible of Sole Technology's brands. While its other brands, éS Footwear and Emerica, focus more narrowly on skateboarding shoes, etnies has a broader focus, designing shoes for toddlers, as well as "etnies Girl", a line for girls and women. [1]

etnies sponsors many professional action sports athletes in sports such as skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, and motocross. Some athletes it sponsors are: Arto Saari, Rune Glifberg, Jason Dill, Ryan Sheckler, Ali Boulala, Ronnie Creager, Kyle Leeper, Elissa Steamer, Lauren Perkins, Eric Jackson, Chris Malloy, Ryan Campbell, Jamie Bestwick, and Lee Dainton.