Dubbed the “Forever Floatride Grow,” the sneaker will be available to sneakerheads and eco-consumers in fall of next year. The midsole is made from castor beans, the upper is made from eucalyptus, and the sockliner is made of algae foam produced by Bloom. The natural rubber is used to make the shoe’s sole.
“The biggest challenge in making a shoe like this was developing plant-based materials that could meet the high-performance needs of runners,” Bill McInnis, Vice President, Reebok Future, said in a press release. “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. But those same runners felt just as emphatically that they would never compromise on performance. The Forever Floatride Grow is the result.”
Reebok also offers renewable casual sneakers with its Cotton + Corn line. The company aims to phase out virgin polyester from its manufacturing within five years.