Our Story

Tarkine was founded by Australian runners Sam Burke and Ross Johnson alongside a team of experienced industry veterans.

We were fed up with the state of the shoe industry. Full of fads and disinformation, highly wasteful to the environment, and dominated by multi-billion dollar stock listed companies. We decided it was time to show that a startup out of Australia was capable of changing the game, setting new standards, and creating shoes that rival and exceed those of its massive competitors.

Our focus on eco-friendly materials and a comprehensive recycling program is designed to force the industry to step up, cease its wasteful practices, and take real responsibility for its carbon footprint.

(Photo - Co-Founder, Ross Johnson. Fremantle, Western Australia)

We are confident that we have created truly high-end running shoes and apparel, and done so in an eco-friendly way. Our products are built for:

Serious and elite runners. Everyday joggers and walkers. Lifestyle wear. Those who want to support a small Australian company instead of multinational stock listed corporations. Those who care about the environment and only want to wear eco-friendly products.

(Photo - Co-Founder, Sam Burke in takayna/Tarkine, Tasmania)

Importantly, we hope the success of this business will help to protect many of the world's most wild places, including Australia's largest temperate rainforest, the Tarkine. It is a special place, a wild place, full of old growth Gondwanan rainforest. We owe at least that much to the next generation.