Labour Lens

La Sportiva

Lacks transparency

Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.

Clothing & footwear

Partly verified: what this means

Last researched 1 November 2026 · 5 sources

Italian maker of climbing shoes, mountain boots and trail running gear.

La Sportiva publishes no certification, independent audit or supplier list.

Also worth knowing

There's no proof it pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage.

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Why it's graded Lacks transparency

  • Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
  • Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
  • It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
  • Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.

How grades are decided

Good requirements 2 of 6

  • Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
  • Met: Respects worker rights
  • Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
  • Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
  • Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
  • Not met: High-risk raw materials (cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: cotton

Red flags 2

  • Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
  • Red flag: Hidden supply chain: no certification, independent audits or supplier list

Stars it would earn as Good

None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars

Where it's made

Italy has the largest share, 60%. China is next, at 28%.

Where it's made, share by country, and conditions there
CountryShareWorker rightsLegal minimum wageForced labour risk
Italy60%Strong protectionsClose to a living wageLow
China28%No guarantee of rightsBelow a living wageModerate
Vietnam12%Systematic violationsWell below a living wageModerate

Evidence

What we found

  • Makes part of its range in its own factories
  • Being made in Italy doesn't count towards a living wage or audit here: Italian fashion and leather goods, where Milan prosecutors have found luxury brands' subcontractors exploiting migrant workers. It would need to publish its suppliers or have them independently audited.
  • Doesn't show where its cotton comes from. Cotton is linked to forced labour in Xinjiang and Turkmenistan, and child labour in several growing regions, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.

Research notes La Sportiva says about 60% of its products are made in its own factory of about 250 people in Ziano di Fiemme, Italy, with 28% made in China and 12% in Vietnam (figures for products sold in North America). Its long-time Chinese footwear maker is Fulgent Sun, with which it formed a joint venture in China. It checks partners against the Outdoor Industry Association's Fair Labor Code using self-assessments, its own staff or third-party audits depending on risk, but publishes no factory list, audit results or wage information. It names no source for materials such as leather and fabrics in its Italian-made products.

Sources and actions

Sources 5

Show all 5 sources
  1. La Sportiva announces strategic agreement with Fulgent Sun (OI Compass) · search the archive · Fulgent Sun Group has been its Chinese footwear supplier for 13 years; joint venture Fujian La Sportiva Co. Ltd.
  2. La Sportiva, ecco il primo bilancio di sostenibilità (l'Adige) · search the archive · First sustainability report (2016 data): 258 staff, 94% permanent; two thirds of suppliers in north-east Italy
  3. La Sportiva - K2 Base Camp · search the archive · Current Australian retailer (Brisbane store) listing 271 La Sportiva products in AUD, in stock
  4. La Sportiva - Mont Adventure Equipment · search the archive · Australian outdoor retailer with a Canberra store selling La Sportiva

Published by La Sportiva or its owner

  1. Corporate Responsibility - La Sportiva North America · search the archive · Six factories in three countries; about 60% made in its own Ziano di Fiemme factory (about 250 people), 28% China, 12% Vietnam; risk-based audits against the OIA Fair Labor Code

Company details

Headquarters
Italy
Last researched
1 November 2026
Cite this page
Labour Lens, "Is La Sportiva ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/la-sportiva, last researched 1 November 2026, accessed [date].
Method
Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means

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Something missing or wrong?

Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent La Sportiva.

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