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 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," 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, and started marketing Etnies to the United States as Etnies, U.S.A. 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 appeal, designing shoes for toddlers, as well as etnies Girl, a line for girls and women. - www.etnies.com