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Performance and sustainability. When it comes to footwear these two characteristics make the best couple. Cushioned foot beds support your heels and envelope tired soles. Plant-based materials are sustainably sourced to pose less harm to wildlife and the environment. And, consumers like you and I feel confident that we’re purchasing products that have a positive impact. This month a few athletic brands are collaborating with organizations and eco-friendly brands to launch vegan sneakers that combine superior performance with sustainable initiatives like recycled materials. And, that is worth celebrating.
It turns out that a lot of performance-based sneakers are crafted from leathers, virgin-plastics and chemicals and solvents that can pose health risks. Greenpeace recently reported on the need for there to better regulation about the dyes, solvents and chemicals used in performancewear. Some companies like Adidas and Nike have taken these recommendations into consideration and have begun phasing out potentially hazardous chemicals and toxins from their products and opting for more recycled or plant-based materials.
Each of these collaborations are all about vegan sneakers crafted with safe, predominantly plant-based or recycled materials. Some will even give back to land conservation or other environmental programs. And, all of them promise to offer the same performance that you’d expect from leading footwear brands.
Veja x Sea Shepard
The BCorp shoe brand and environmentally-focused sea fleet have collaborated on a limited edition of Veja’s Dekkan sneaker to highlight their combined dedication to preserving habitats and stopping pollution. As the world’s only fleet dedicated to protecting marine life and conservation laws, the sneakers are built for tackling the outdoors with sustainable materials like recycled polyester, sugar cane-based materials, Amazonian rubber and rice waste. As one of the world’s most sustainable shoe brands, customers are guaranteed to enjoy the same level of high performance from Veja’s vegan sneakers crafted from recycled and plant-based materials.
Razer x Cariuma
The sustainable shoe brand committed to reforestation projects in Brazil has collaborated with the gaming company Razer to launch the #GoGreenWithRazer campaign. Each pair of vegan sneakers sold will ‘save 10 trees’ through a partnership with Conservation International. They’re handcrafted from a cotton canvas material, organic mamona oil, cork and a plant-based memory foam cushion that supports your feet in a more environmentally friendly way than traditional plastic-based materials would.
Allbirds x Adidas
In March 2021 Adidas and Allbirds unofficially launched their FutureCraft.Footprint collaboration. The two sportswear manufacturers crafted vegan sneakers with a carbon footprint of less than 3kg or 63% fewer emissions than a standard running shoe. Utilizing materials like recycled polyester, sugarcane based foam and tencel the lightweight shoes are low-carbon and natural. A year later, beginning in March 2022 the brands are holding their official launch for their vegan sneakers that will be released in four new colorways.
Read more about sustainable footwear:
How Do You Make Plant-Based Sneakers That Are Recyclable?
The Proper Way To Throw Out Your Favorite Old Sneakers
Nike or Adidas? Who Makes The Most Sustainable Sneaker?
10 Sustainable Sneaker Brands With Recycled Materials & Fair Trade Certifications