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 owned by Sole Technology, Inc. that specializes in shoes and clothing ostensibly for skateboarders, snowboarders, BMX and moto-x riders and 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 Moto-X. Some athletes it sponsors are Arto Saari, Ryan Sheckler, Bastien Salabanzi, Ali Boulala, Ronnie Creager, Eric Jackson, Chris Malloy, Ryan Campbell, Jamie Bestwick and Lee Dainton.