Etnies was started in France in 1986, the brand’s original name was Etnics, derived from the word “ethnic,” which was a nod to the skateboarding sub-culture. It was later renamed etnies due to legal issues. In 1989, Pierre-André Sénizergues took charge, making it the first skateboard shoe brand 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.