The world's much-awaited first regenerative sneakers have been launched by Unless Collective in partnership with plant-based material innovation company Natural Fiber Welding (NFW). The line is called Degenerate.
- The Unless Degenerate is made with 100% plants and minerals and zero plastic and has been created to harmlessly decompose at the end of its life to birth something entirely new.
The Sneakers: The Unless Degenerate is the first product to feature all of NFW’s revolutionary plant-based material technologies that are durable enough for outsoles and soft enough for cushioning goals.
- The Degenerate combines NFW’s Pliant for the outsole, Tunera foam for the internal midsole, Clarus for the vamp and quarter, and Mirum for the eyelet and mudguard, along with low-impact textiles like linen, cotton embroidered lace tips, coconut husk, tencel and thread.
- Everything about this regenerative sneaker, from the plant-based leather to the natural rubber outsole to the tips of the laces, is made entirely from plants and minerals.
- The skate-inspired statement sneaker is durable, comfortable and, unlike conventional sustainable footwear, contains zero plastics or petrochemicals.
- The Degenerate features a cleaned up, stripped down upper with a deep cup-sole to create a strong, simple silhouette inspired by Unless’ birthplace: the Pacific Northwest.
- The Unless Degenerate is available in off-white and black colourways for $139 at unlesscollective.com.
- The first drop of this limited-edition sneaker is expected to sell out quickly; customers can sign up for the email list on unlesscollective.com for future restocks.
Being Responsible: Unless is taking responsibility for everything that it makes and ensures all their products can be repaired, recycled or harmlessly decomposed at the end of their useful life.
Tackling a Problem: The Degenerate is the latest offering from Unless designed to tackle the problem of plastic waste in the fashion industry.
- More than 24 billion pairs of shoes are made every year and 300 million pairs are thrown away.
- The vast majority of shoes are made with plastics and other petrochemicals, which break down into harmful micro-plastics that find their way into our rivers and oceans, our food and even our bodies.
