photo d'un arbre dans un champ entouré par des montagnes

SAOLA: Behind the name, a whole philosophy

The Saola, or “Asian unicorn,” is one of the rarest animals in the world. Mysterious, fragile, and recently discovered, it embodies everything that deeply touches us at SAOLA: the beauty of nature and the urgency to preserve it. This is the name we chose to convey our mission.

By creating eco-designed, stylish, and comfortable shoes, we're moving toward a more sustainable future with you. And with every pair of our best-selling Cannon , 1% of our revenue is donated to conservation projects through 1% for the Planet .

Want to know more? Discover the full story and our environmental commitment here:
👉 fr.saola.com/pages/preservation-des-especes

"But... what does SAOLA mean?" This is THE question we get asked a lot. And honestly, we could talk about it for hours—a bit like when you come across an old photo album. But we'll try to keep it short. We promise.

The Saola is a rare animal. Very rare. So rare that it was only discovered in 1992, in the Annamite Mountains, between Vietnam and Laos. It's also called the “Asian unicorn.” Not bad, eh?


It was WWF biologists and members of the Vietnamese Ministry of Forestry who stumbled upon a pair of unknown horns. Then a skull. Then a carcass. And there it was: a new species. A shock in the world of zoology. Since then? Only a few sightings, a population estimated at 250–300 individuals, and none in captivity. That's how precious it is... and how vulnerable it is.

This story spoke to us. Because it is full of mystery, hope, and awareness. It's a reminder that our planet is full of treasures worth preserving, and that urgent action is needed to ensure these wonders don't disappear.

That's why we chose this name.
Not just because it sounds good (although it does). But because it embodies what we stand for. In our own way.

At SAOLA, we create sleek, comfortable, and eco-designed shoes to help you take every step toward a more responsible lifestyle. And because we believe in taking concrete action, we donate 1% of the revenue generated by our best-selling Cannon model (all versions combined) to environmental projects through our commitment to 1% for the Planet .

Every pair of Cannons you wear supports organizations that protect our biodiversity. What if 1% doesn't seem like much? Multiply that by thousands of steps. That's when the magic happens. 🌍✨

Want to know where these funds go and which charities we support? We'll tell you everything here: fr.saola.com/pages/preservation-des-especes

Because together, we walk for a #BIGLIFE with a #smallfootprint.