How this former Adidas executive is tackling the biggest problem in footwear with biodegradable sneakers
Athletic footwear is inherently tough on the environment. Most sneakers are made withEric Liedtke, a former Adidas brand president, who is perhaps best known for launching Kanye West's partnership with the brand nearly a decade ago and before recent controversies, is on a mission to remove those pollutants from apparel.
The sneaker solves one of the hardest problems in athletic footwear — creating a shoe that completely biodegrades — and puts pressure on industry giants to ramp up sustainability efforts. Even"sustainable" sneakers from brands like Nike tend to include polyester, which is made from plastic. The Degenerate doesn't include any plastic or petrochemicals.
The Degenerate includes four of Natural Fiber Welding's materials. While other brands, including Allbirds and Camper, have worked with Natural Fiber Welding, Unless is the first to build a shoe from top to bottom with its materials. For instance, since the shoe doesn't include glue, it sinks lower into the sole, so it can more easily be sewn together with linen thread. Unless hired cobblers in Northern Italy to do the sewing. And instead of plastic tips for the shoelaces, Unless figured out a way to cross-stitch the ends of the laces.
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