Reebok to launch plant-based trainer made from eucalyptus and algae
Sportswear company Reebok has just announced its first ever plant-based performance shoes, which will be available from late 2020.
Previously, the brand released a plant-based shoe as part of the Cotton + Corn collection it launched earlier this year.
The Forever Floatride GROW will be its first ever performance running shoe, made of castor bean oil, eucalyptus tree, algae, and natural rubber, and is a reincarnation of the Forever Floatride Energy running shoe.
The new design will arrive next autumn, in line with Reebok’s continuing sustainability efforts.
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The Forever Floatride GROW is a lightweight shoe, with lots of cushioning and a flexible mid-sole. It’s best suited to runners who easily wear out their shoes.
For the past three years, Reebok has been investigating materials for it’s plant-based running shoe.
Reebok Future's vice president Bill McInnis said: "We're replacing oil-based plastic with plants, the biggest challenge in making a shoe like this was developing plant-based materials that could meet the high performance needs of runners. During the three years we spent developing this product, we heard loud and clear that the idea of a plant-based running shoe resonates strongly with serious runners."
The trainer’s sole is made from sustainably grown castor beans and was designed bespokely by Reebok in Japan.
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The upper part of the shoe is made from eucalyptus tree, and the sockliner is made using Bloom algae foam.
The sole is created from natural rubber, from rubber trees.
This combination of sustainable materials means its durable and breathable. The sockliner is made from algae foam, so its a natural odour repellant.
Visually, the shoes are a neutral palette lover’s dream, featuring a chic blend of beige laces and stripes.
The footwear giant has also “committed to reducing virgin polyester from its material mix and eliminating it altogether by 2025.”
In 2019, the plant-based protein industry was estimated to be worth £9.2 billion and will reach an estimated £22 billion by 2025.
