OUR
RESPONSIBILITY
At Balagan, we design high-quality products with timeless designs, focusing on durability and multi-seasonal use. Our shoes, bags, and accessories are produced in Poland, as continuing the tradition of local craftsmanship is our top priority. We continuously seek eco-friendly solutions, carefully selecting materials backed by thorough research.
OUR
MATERIALS
The vast majority of our products are made from natural leather. It is durable, resistant to external factors, breathable, and ages beautifully over time. We choose soft leathers that provide comfort during wear. As a natural material, leather has its unique character and properties, meaning that the same models may vary slightly in texture, surface pattern, and fold patterns. With proper care, leather becomes even softer, more refined, and gains depth of color over time.
ALTERNATIVES
TO LEATHER
Natural leather is biodegradable and environmentally friendly. We consciously avoid using vegan leather, as it often contains plastics, consumes significant energy, and leaves a substantial carbon footprint. Shoes made from “vegan leather” can take up to 200 years to decompose, releasing harmful chemicals into the soil and water. Additionally, vegan leather is not recyclable, just like popular apple or pineapple leathers.
CONSTRUCTION
The quality of our shoes is evident not only in their appearance but also in what you can’t see. We do not use internal reinforcements; instead, we opt for natural leather toe caps that enhance softness and comfort. The soles of our shoes are both aesthetic and functional. Some of our moccasins and ankle boots are attached to soles made with a blend of natural rubber, while others feature vulcanized rubber soles, ensuring good traction and slip resistance even on slippery surfaces. The heels of our pumps are wrapped in leather for a cohesive look or made from mazonite, an eco-friendly material free from plastic. Our insoles are made from environmentally friendly materials, often featuring coconut fiber and natural cork. They are eco-friendly and antibacterial, making them ideal for summer wear.
VEGETABLE
AND CHROME-FREE TANNING
Natural leather undergoes a preservation process called tanning to enhance its durability and elasticity. Traditional leather tanning employs many harmful chemicals. We continually seek ways to implement more environmentally friendly production techniques; therefore, most of our leathers are tanned using vegetable methods or chrome-free processes, which means that natural substances are used without commonly used heavy metals and salts. Environmentally friendly tanning allows the leather to retain its character—flexibility, shine, and texture—with a decomposition time of up to six months for vegetable-tanned leathers and about 25 years for chrome-free tanned leathers.
PROPERTIES
OF SOFT LEATHERS
Soft leathers provide the greatest comfort. However, natural dyes are not as durable as chemical ones, making signs of wear more noticeable on such leather, particularly at the corners. Our choice to use leathers that conform to the body also results in a greater number of visible creases in its texture. At Balagan, we accept and understand these changes in the material's appearance as part of its aging process. However, for those who find scuffs and creases bothersome, we recommend choosing suede or embossed footwear and avoiding light smooth leathers, where creases will be more noticeable. We emphasize the importance of product care – cleaning, moisturizing, refreshing color, and renovating—to extend their lifespan.
ECO-FRIENDLY
PACKAGING
Our packaging is designed with the environment in mind, aiming to minimize our impact on the planet. The cardboard boxes are made from recycled wood paper sourced from certified, sustainable forests, with the addition of new wood. Once used, the boxes can be recycled again. They are sturdy and suitable for multiple uses. Eco-friendly products are not only recyclable but are also produced in ways that do not generate negative environmental impacts.
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