Tread by Everlane: New Sneakers With A Lighter Footprint

Further expanding their range of high-quality, sustainability-focused wardrobe basics, Everlane have recently released their first ever sneaker with the launch of new sub-brand, Tread by Everlane. Their debut style, The Trainer, is almost entirely free from virgin plastic, as well as made with clean leather that uses less energy and water, and completely carbon offset.

Determined to continue on their ‘path to zero impact’, Everlane have made a commitment to eliminate all virgin plastic from their supply chain company-wide by 2021. The brand states they’re currently working on finding alternatives for the few remaining parts of The Trainer that are made from new plastic.

It’s still far from perfect. But it’s the first step on a long path to changing an industry.

Michael Preysman — Founder & CEO, Everlane

As it stands, The Trainer has a sole that’s 94.2% free of virgin plastic—developed by blending natural rubber and post-industrial recycled rubber. The leather—chosen for its durability, comfort and aesthetic—is sourced from a gold-certified tannery, ISA TanTec. A responsible leather supplier, ISA TanTec use 42% less electricity and 56% less fresh water than those considered the best in the industry, and emit 20% less greenhouse gas than conventional leather finishing.

A typical sneaker uses a lot of hidden plastic, so Everlane have incorporated renewed plastic into the design where possible for things such as laces and linings, with 9.5 renewed plastic bottles being utilised per pair. To further reduce their impact, the brand is offsetting 100% of the carbon emissions from their sneaker production.

For more information on the production behind Tread by Everlane, head to everlane.com/tread. The Trainer is available now in seven colourways, with Off-White and Grey showcased here in imagery shot by HEY GENTS.

everlane.com

---

Words and photographs by Nick Vodicka.