The Sneaker Edit Pt. 2: The Innovators
The global sneaker market was valued at approximately US$79 billion in 2020 and is predicted to reach US$120 billion by 2026. With such tremendous growth, it is unsurprising that this has been an area of innovation with fresh brands challenging vital players.
They are a promise of a positive alternative for the planet. And while more innovation is required, we can all step up our sneaker game for long-term eco-gains. And the success of these trailblazers will only mean more stress for category leaders to work harder and faster.
So what differs with each brand? Style and technology. There are questions if vegan leather is good for the planet; however, we have to look at the incremental improvements to meet what a consumer wants and what the earth needs. Hey, it's better than standing still.
Here is an aggregation of the brands to watch and their approach to capturing a slice of the market. Click on images to learn more about each style.
ACBC @acbc.official
"We founded ACBC in 2017 with a mindset of 2030 and the vision to transform the industry with green innovations. We aim to reverse climate change through better business by empowering brands and people to make better, more conscious decisions for themselves and the planet. We will change the world, one product at a time." The first Italian footwear company to be Certified B Corporation. ACBC has established three main goals to reduce its environmental impact and transform the fashion industry in line with the ambitions of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change:
To transform 1% of the footwear market by 2027, equivalent to 5,3 billion EUR, supporting companies in the luxury and sport sectors through ABC's know-how in terms of industrial practices, processes, and materials.
To ensure that all the products generated by the ACBC brand or produced in collaboration with ACBC contain a responsible input of at least 30% of the total weight of the product by 2023 and at least 60% of the total weight of the product by 2027.
To guarantee that all the products created or transformed in collaboration with ACBC have a CO2 impact that is at least 30% lower than standard products in the market by 2023 and at least 50% lower than traditional products in the market by 2027%.
ACBC has collaborated with brands such as Piquadro, Missoni, Save The Duck, Alexander Smith, Philippe Model, and EA7. They work with corn, apple, re-PET, hemp, vegan and organic cotton, and re-cotton materials, to name a few of their technologies.
Read More: ACBC / Anything Can Be Changed
Alexander Smith @alexandersmithlondon
"Alexander Smith is the story of a family that, starting from an ancient profession in the footwear industry, has been capable of evolving naturally over time, becoming an innovative brand aimed at achieving excellence. The passion for craftsmanship, attention to the environment, quality of raw materials, and attention to detail are the values of family tradition that have been handed down for three generations and have allowed this project to be realized. The meeting between creativity and know-how was achieved with the Alexander Smith brand in 2012 in London. The idea unfolds by being captured in the multicultural atmosphere and dynamism of the city and culminates in the Riviera del Brenta, where the past meets the future, tradition evolves into innovation, and experience and passion are driven toward the creation of new styles and new trends. To achieve the highest quality standards, we only rely on suppliers who ensure that the raw material they provide is certified according to European laws and that it guarantees the comfort and aesthetics of the product. We establish a long-term relationship with our suppliers, which is initiated after a careful selection process. The research and experimentation of new materials encourage us to always keep up with the present, without losing sight of the goals of the future and allowing us at the same time to establish collaborations with companies that develop highly sustainable materials."
The Eco-Wembley. The reference to the famous English stadium is clear: sportiness and elegance blend to give life to this model. The Wembley represents the balance between comfort, style, and sobriety, which adds modernity thanks to the unique details that make the difference. This iconic style has been developed from a green point of view in collaboration with ACBC.
Read More: Values
Cariuma @cariuma
Nurturing the planet is a cause that's very dear to us at Cariuma. That's why we decided to start our Reforestation Program in our founders' homeland, Brazil, where the rainforests are home to an increasing number of endangered plants & animals. For every pair of sustainable sneakers purchased, we plant a pair of trees in the Brazilian rainforest to directly aid in restoring and preserving these natural habitats. By embracing personal style over status-quo trends, we empower conscious consumers to buy quality over quantity (the only true answer to sustainability). That's why we source our materials responsibly and design timeless silhouettes. We also maintain ethical factories and employ a strict code of conduct in our day-to-day operations. And we believe in giving back to our conscious community and fellow eco-friendly organizations. At Cariuma, we practice a constant evolution mindset. Good things take time. (Fast fashion isn't sustainable.) Each sneaker style is designed to be high quality and low impact. We continually improve our products and practices with the earth and YOU in mind." Cariuma is a Certified B Corporation.
If the classic Vans aesthetic is the go-to choice, Cariuma will be a suitable choice. Each sneaker is developed with a combination of natural rubber, vegan insole, organic cotton, and recycled plastics.
Read More: Crafting Sneakers with a Green Conscience
Flamingos Life @flamingoslife
"Millions of animals are killed every year to make the shoes we wear. The livestock industry is the most polluting industry in existence, even ahead of transport. Moreover, this industry is associated with the deforestation of the planet. The fashion industry is the second most polluting and one of the most opaque sectors in existence. Several million people, including children, work and are exploited within the supply chain where our clothes are manufactured. Our philosophy revolves around three axes:
1. We use our company to solve the ecological crisis. Veganism is a vehicle for change; it is the key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our water footprint.
2. Animals are valuable in their own right and have the right to a life without suffering.
3. Make the fashion industry visible and transparent to the consumer and provide all the information to make excellent and conscious decisions.
We aim to make biodegradable sneakers. All our production centers are local, located in Elche (Spain), and are managed by families. We use materials developed by ourselves, such as corn, bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, grown only with water (no pesticides), and natural rubber extracted sustainably from the Hevea brasiliensis tree. Each of our sneaker collections has a social project associated with it, with which we balance our impact and improve the lives of the most vulnerable living beings."
If the Nike Air Force 1 is a staple, Flamingo Life will meet these head-on.
Read More: Spanish Plant-Based Shoemakers
Humans Are Vain @humansarevain
Humans Are Vain is a Swedish eco-deluxe brand that fuses the latest vegan, sustainable materials and innovative methods with contemporary design. Our sustainable and recycled materials define us, with products from such materials as apple leather and recycled plastic ocean trash. We've carefully developed our materials and designed the products to ensure we can operate a circular economy; therefore, all our products are recyclable at the end of their life. Humans Are Vain is a brand born out of a desire to rebel against the fast fashion industry. 'Recycle Projekt' is our circular economy system to ensure our Footwear and Clothing never have to see a landfill. Your unwanted Humans Are Vain items can be transformed into new products. Just send your end-of-life items back to us. We will then send you a 25% discount code which you can use on our wesbite. We are also collaborating with our partner stores to create drop-off points within their shops so you can hand them in, and we will collect them for you.
Clean in design like Common Projects, the band also offers a boot/sneaker hybrid.
Read More: Sustainability Without Compromise
Igwe @igwe.paris
GWE was founded in 2018 in France by Samuel Baruch, a specialist in industrial design, spent by Puma and Veja. The brand's name means Innovation Goes With Environnement: the Parisian label's priority is to protect the environment when designing its sneakers. IGWE is committed to a transparent and ethical approach, which it shares with its suppliers and manufacturers. IGWE sneakers are the result of long research to obtain the best shape, materials, and innovative concepts. Exclusively handcrafted in a small, family-run factory in Portugal, Igwe emphasizes the quality of its production. Each pair is only produced with responsibly sourced European materials using 100% recycled PET plastic bottles for the laces and eco-friendly, chrome-free tanned leather to achieve full circularity. For example, all of the footwear in the 'Specimen' collection is 100% recyclable, and clients are encouraged to bring back their old pairs to be recycled by the brand's stockists. Yet, for all of its achievements in sustainable terms, it isn't an aspect that Igwe wishes to brag about openly, believing responsible practice to be an essential part of a business and not a differentiating factor. For Igwe, sustainability is both the fundamental groundwork and the element of surprise at the journey's end.
The most forward of all brands, its distinctive lacing design is now a highly recognizable trademark.
Read More: Handcrafted & Made To Order Sneakers
LØCI @lociwear
"Marrying style and sustainability, LØCI Sneakers are designed with the increasingly savvy, discerning, and fashion-conscious consumer in mind. With a focus on premium vegan materials, the welfare of staff, and manufacturing standards, every pair is a celebration of the high artistry, intelligence, and world-renowned standards of Portuguese shoemaking. We still see vegan shoe brands which use unsustainable materials and produce too many shoes. Here at LØCI, we exist to eradicate the flaws in the sneakers industry.
We're here to make a difference. We have an on-demand production system to manage environmental impact instead of large-volume seasonal pre-orders, which can result in a surplus of products. This means no unwanted pairs are discarded in landfills. To help reduce the world's trash problem, we repurpose materials, including cork and plastic bottles, to create premium materials for our LØCI sneakers. Every pair of eco-friendly vegan sneakers is handmade with love by our artisans in Portugal."
The brand's distinctive logo and color blocking set it apart. Neutrals are a standout. Each pair recycles 20 plastic bottles, a measure that most brands should disclose.
Read More: Committed To A Different Future
MoEa @moea_sneakers
“We’ve launched MoEa to create sneakers that offer the same level of style and comfort you’d expect to see in your favourite leather pair, whilst ensuring that the planet isn’t some sort of a meaningless afterthought and that animals aren’t treated with cruelty. We founded MoEa all with one objective in mind: bringing people sustainable fashion without compromising on style. At MoEa we believe that diversity is our strength, we are proud to share different backgrounds and cultures but above all, we are proud to be European! We are based in Paris but our crew is very eclectic with people coming from Germany, Spain, Portugal, France and Switzerland. Using bio-materials and producing locally are the two main reasons why a pair of MoEa sneakers emit less carbon than an average pair of shoes. Considering an average sneaker emits 10.6kgCO2, a pair of MoEa sneakers emits -53% less carbon than the average.”
The selection includes AppleSkin, CactusSkin, CornSkin, GrapeSkin, PET Bottle, PineappleSkin.
Read More: MoEa Commitments
Nothing New @nothingnew
"We don't just want to make products that look good. We want to create products that do good. We always believed that if we could make products as good or better looking than legacy products on the market, more people would consider opting for the sustainable option. Clean lines, vibrant colors, and luxury quality all built with sustainable materials. It wasn't an easy goal, but after 15 months and countless prototypes, Nothing New was born. We want to positively impact our community, industry, and planet by helping develop best-in-class sustainable products and investing in programs to minimize our environmental footprint. Made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic with Global Recycle Standard (GRS) certification, each pair of Nothing New shoes comprises the equivalent of 5.6 plastic water bottles. In addition to helping clean up our world, over 160 gallons of water are saved per pair vs. normal canvas sneakers."
Some classic Converse and Common Projects styling, but past the standard whites - both in high and low tops. The Forest and Field Tan are our selects.
Read More: Better For Your Feet. Better For Our World
Puraii @puraai_official
“Puraai was born in 2018 merging the creative spirit of two young Italian designers, moved by a constant research for something that could have represented them thoroughly; finally, they found inspiration for the brand during a trip in Japan. At the end of a day spent discovering and studying the latest trends in Tokyo, they were attracted by a small detail on a recyclable plastic bottle. Indeed, ラ is part of the Japanese character used to identify a recyclable product, a very dear concept for both to which, today more than ever, everyone should care about. There arose the intuition of creating a line of products that had in common the exclusive use of sustainable and recycled materials. “Pura”, in fact, in Japanese means “plastic” and “ai” means “love”, because if used, recycled and reused properly, plastic can be an incredibly versatile material, to create any object respecting our beloved environment. Today puraai offers environmentally friendly products for a cultural change, captivating in aesthetic and practical for everyday use, a different approach to the use of materials.”
Saye @sayebrand
"We are determined to continue being part of the active change for a better future in which the fashion industry plays a positive role in the lives of all people involved. From the beginning, we partnered with suppliers that respect their workers, improve their living conditions, and provide them with a good working environment. That is why we focused much energy on finding suppliers in Europe that work under the same values. The M'89 Apple's red accent is made from apple waste from the food industry. The leftovers from making juices, jams, and other products are turned into powder which is then used to substitute oil derivatives (such as PU) and make a new material from 100% organic industrial waste."
The material choices here are impressive: apple, cactus, mango, and a general vegan selection. They also sell cleaning kits to extend the life of your kicks and organic cotton socks so you can keep your pair fresh.
Read More: +290,000 Trees Planted
Thousand Fell @thousand_fell
"Our name is rooted in our belief that a multiplicity of ideas and voices will effect change. In the past, fellmongers brought hides, materials or "fell" to market. As we move forward, our vision is to create new fell and, over time, a Thousand Fell library of modern sustainable textiles. We are on a mission to empower our community to step up. We are fueled by kinship, optimism, and hope to build the future we want to see. Join us and step out into the world supported by Thousand Fell. We're dedicated to pushing circularity and responsible design mainstream. Our team has over five decades of combined experience at the cutting edge of the footwear industry.
We spent the past two years combing material libraries and trade shows, working directly with textile mills and material innovators, and engineering recycling solutions with sustainability partners. Our unifying belief is that it is no longer acceptable for a brand's products to sit in a landfill for the next hundred years. Thousand Fell is committed to creating products with end-of-life in mind — beginning with the perfect white sneakers."
If color is your thing, Thousand Fell offers this in spades and a selection unavailable elsewhere. Bioleather fabric with a natural quartz coating to repel stains & liquid — while your toes rest comfortably on a recycled yoga mat insole. Check out their collaboration with Philip Huang for tie-dyed socks and a selection of multicolored recycled laces to customize your pair.
Read More: Join Our Closed Loop Future
Unless Collective @unlesscollective
"Fast fashion will continue to cover the world in plastic… - UNLESS. We are a collective of innovators, engineers, artists, and activists challenging the status quo to become a regenerative force for good.. UNLESS makes plant based streetwear designed to leave zero plastic waste. Every drop is created from the elements, for the elements, and designed to harmlessly return to the elements. UNLESS is for everyone who feels strongly that what they wear says a lot about who they are and who doesn’t want to compromise their style to do what’s right for the planet. We leave nothing and no one behind. All UNLESS products are made from plants. We source everything - fabric, threads, tags - from plant based materials. Even our buttons are made from corozo nuts. No plastic means no short cuts. Lux feel and durable quality means you can feel as good as you look knowing your choices are saving the planet.”
Read More: : All Plants No Plastic
Yatay @yatay
"Vegan sneaker brand Yatay was launched to create high-quality sneakers that are also kind to the planet. The company uses bio-plastics made from corn, alongside recycled plastic and rubber, to produce its trainers, which are manufactured in Italy by hand. Each pair comes with a unique code on the heel, which allows you to plant a tree to help offset the carbon footprint of your trainers." Yatay has since become part of the Golden Goose brand with limited variations of the Yatay Model 1B Sustainable Sneakers. As a subset of a more prominent non-eco-focused brand, we will wait to see how this partnership progresses past a Golden Goose marketing initiative. Based on our list, enough options in the category exist for consumers to discover.”
Read More: : A Responsible Vision
Veja @veja
"Since 2005, Veja has been creating sneakers in a different way, mixing social projects, economic justice, and ecological materials.
Veja uses Brazilian and Peruvian organic cotton for the canvas and laces, Amazonian rubber for the soles, and various innovative materials conceived in recycled plastic bottles or recycled polyester. Veja sneakers are produced in high-standard factories in Brazil. In 2020, 85% are considered environmentally 'preferred' raw materials from all the textiles and leathers VEJA used. VEJA considers recycled PET, organic cotton, ChromeFree leather, organic jute, C.W.L. as 'preferred' materials. Many people speak about the vegan trend, a trend of leather substitutes. Unfortunately, plastic is a 99% petroleum-based material and is often overused as a leather alternative. We follow an ecological purpose, so replacing it with polymer materials has never been an option. Finding an environmental alternative to leather was a primary objective for VEJA. This is why in 2019, VEJA launched one of its first models in C.W.L., a vegan and bio-based material back then produced in Italy. But if it was one step further at the time, we failed to trace the cotton used for this canvas-based material. The cotton used for the canvas was not organic. So we decided to reinvent the C.W.L. in 2020 and trace it even further. Months of research gave us a better composition now produced in Brazil, where VEJA sneakers are made."
If you haven't seen a pair of Vejas, you've been living under a rock. With the most extensive selection of styles and fabrications, the brand has made its way into mainstream consciousness. Our selects: the Veja X Marni collaboration, Minotaur, Roraima, and Recife are standouts.
Read More: The VEJA Project
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