Sneakers Go Sustainable: 12 Pairs for Eco-Conscious Feet
As Earth Day approaches, check out these kicks — from Allbirds, Greats, Stella McCartney and more — made of everything from recycled plastic bottles to grape skins and algae foam.
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Vincent Boucher
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April 20, 2021 10:00am
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When Hollywood’s eco-conscious cognoscenti look to make a fashion move this season, the easiest way may be with a pair of sustainably produced sneakers — a category that has come into its own, led by hip designers like Stella McCartney and Rick Owens in his collaboration with Tinseltown fave Veja (whose fans have included Chloë Grace Moretz, Seth Rogen, Katie Holmes, Eddie Redmayne and Jennifer Garner.)
Long committed to an Earth-friendly approach, McCartney creates recycled polyester styles that use 50 percent less energy than virgin polyester. Veja makes its knit version in a material made from recycled plastic bottles with sole construction that includes sugar cane, banana oil, natural rubber and rice waste.
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Mr P. (the in-house brand of Mr. Porter) and Pangaia’s leather-like sneakers use an Italian biomaterial made from grape skins, stalks and seeds left over from winemaking. Indie brand Greats’ innovative footbed is made with algae foam from overpopulated ecosystems, while Saucony’s vegan sneaker incorporates cotton, jute, wool, rubber and even beet and gardenias. (Saucony’s shoes ship in a 100 percent recycled cardboard box and without paper stuffing to reduce waste.) Shoelaces are getting a makeover, too, in recycled cotton or from PET plastic bottles.
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1. Greats McCarren Sneakers
The McCarren sneaker with an algae-foam footbed and recycled cotton laces. One hundred percent recycled materials are used in binding and stitching. Ryan Reynolds, Emily Ratajkowski, Kaley Cuoco, Ben Affleck and Orlando Bloom have all worn the brand.
Greats McCarren Sneaker $149
2. Golden Goose V-Star Sneakers
V-Star distressed low-top women’s sneakers made from recycled canvas and leather.
Golden Goose V-Star Sneakers $530
3. Onitsuka Tiger Delegation Ex Sneakers
Delegation Ex sneaker with recycled leather upper and repurposed PET laces. Willow Smith has been a brand ambassador.
Onitsuka Tiger Delegation Ex Sneakers $140
4. Mr P. Larry Eco-Edition Sneakers
Larry Eco-Edition made from Vegea, a byproduct of Italian wine production.
Mr. P Larry Eco-Edition Sneakers $325
5. Rick Owens X Veja Pop-Pink Sneakers
Rick Owens’ Runner 2 in Pop-Pink with V-knit upper made from 100 percent fully recycled polyester from plastic bottles.
6. Saucony Calibre Jazz Court RFG Sneakers
Saucony’s Calibre Jazz Court RFG is made of completely plant-based materials, down to natural dyes from gardenias and beets.
Saucony Calibre Jazz Court RFG Sneakers $130
7. Stella McCartney Loop Lace-Up Sneakers
Stella McCartney Loop lace-up women’s sneakers made from recycled polyester and cruelty-free non-leather materials.
Stella McCartney Loop Lace-Up Sneakers $495
8. Allbirds Mizzle Runner
Mizzle women’s wool runner is carbon-neutral with an eco-certified water-repellent coating. Lana Condor, Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher and Emma Roberts have all worn Allbirds.
Allbirds Mizzle Runner $115
9. Adidas Originals Stan Smith Recycled Sneakers
Stan Smith recycled leather sneakers with perforated side stripes.
Adidas Originals Stan Smith Recycled Sneakers $100
10. P448 Luke White Recycled Sneakers
The Luke White Recycled is a version of the Italian brand’s chunky signature sneaker fashioned with at least 50 percent natural recycled leather.
P448 Luke White Recycled Sneakers $325
11. Clae Runyon Sneakers
Runyon running shoe with recycled mesh upper and lining and vegan suede panels.
Clae Runyon Sneakers $100
12. Pangaia Grape Leather Sneakers
Grape leather sneakers with part-recycled rubber soles from discarded products.
Pangaia Grape Leather Sneakers $195
A version of this story first appeared in the April 14 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
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