footwear

primal soles' founder holding a pair of 100% recyclable shoe insoles made with cork

© PRIMAL Soles
Shoes

PRIMAL Soles: World’s First 100% Recyclable Shoe Insoles Created from Cork

PRIMAL Soles, a startup based in the Netherlands, claims to be the first company in the world to create 100% recyclable shoe insoles made from natural Mediterranean cork and recyclable memory foam.  The company was founded in 2021 by David Even to create alternative shoe insoles that could be recycled and reused to reduce the amount of non-recyclable landfill waste produced by the footwear industry, specifically the insole industry. “Sustainability is at the core of our business model,” says Even. With maximum comfort and a minimal ecological footprint as the company’s goal, a team of experts designed an insole collection that offers wearers a soft, supportive base for the foot while also providing breathability, flexibility, and durability.   Responsibility for the entire product life-cycle According …

more

LOCI Red Sneakers

©LØCI

Fashion, Design & Beauty

LØCI Raises £4M From Leonardo DiCaprio and More for Ocean Plastic Sneakers

British sneaker brand LØCI announces it has raised a £4 million seed round from high-profile investors including actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio. According to the fashion label, the investment from DiCaprio will help amplify its mission of making sustainable fashion more accessible and affordable.  Founded in April 2021, LØCI (pronounced “low-key”) produces vegan, biodegradable shoes that are crafted from certified recycled ocean plastic. Upon its launch, the brand achieved seven figures in sales in its first year, and has since expanded into 26 global markets, partnering with top retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.  LØCI counts Mila Kunis, Ben Affleck, Olivia Wilde and Eva Longoria among its celebrity fans, which has helped propel the 15-month-old brand to global fame and popularity. LØCI says …

more

Doghammer vegan bike shoes

©Doghammer
Shoes

Doghammer Launches the “World’s First” 100% Vegan Mountain Bike Shoe

Doghammer, the outdoor brand from Germany, has launched what it claims to be the first ever vegan mountain bike shoes. Called the Bike Graveler, the technical shoes are made from vegan materials including alt leather, natural canvas, and cork.  Available with the clipless pedal system, the Bike Graveler from Doghammer makes use of a Vibram sole made of recycled rubber as well as vegan glue to hold the shoe together. Vegan leather is used, as well as a removable insole made from cork which the brand claims is quick drying and odorless.  Vegan athletes More and more sports and outdoor brands are now opting for sustainable and animal-free footwear. Vegan athletes often struggle to find suitable options free from conventional leather, suede, or animal-based glue, …

more

Nike Piñatex

©Nike
Fashion, Design & Beauty

Nike Reveals Happy Pineapple Collection Made from Piñatex Pineapple Leather

Nike has unveiled its latest range of sustainable footwear with its Happy Pineapple Collection. Featuring seven new editions, the range is made with the latest generation Piñatex, a sustainable plant-based alternative to leather made using pineapple leaves. “Design is a connecting tool between people, economics and the environment” The collection comprises seven sneaker editions across five styles; the Free Run Trail Premium, the Air Max 90, the Air Max 95, Air Force One, and the Air-Zoom Type. Complete with an embroidered pineapple graphic as a nod to the range’s sustainable credentials, the move is part of Nike’s Move to Zero initiative with the aim of becoming carbon neutral. Made from pineapple leaves which are the byproduct of existing agriculture, Piñatex is a natural, sustainably sourced, …

more

Organisations and brands: