Reebok has unveiled a pair of eco-friendly drops leading up to Earth Day on April 22.
A week before the sustainability holiday arrives, the brand plans to release the Floatride Energy Grow. The high-performance running shoe will belong to Reebok’s [Ree]Grow category, which guarantees at least 50 percent of the used materials are plant-based. Sustainable elements include a castor bean midsole, Bloom algae sockliner, eucalyptus upper and natural rubber outsole.
Joel Charley, chief operating officer at the Midnight Runners UK urban running club, said he didn’t observe any difference in performance wearing the shoe. “Running in the Reebok Floatride Energy Grow has been an eye-opener in seeing what’s possible when you switch from traditional materials to plant-based,” Charley said in a statement.
The Floatride Energy Grow is slated to debut April 15 on Reebok’s website. It will retail for $120.
The brand plans to begin releasing the Nano X1 Vegan a few days later. A sustainable update to Reebok’s new “ultimate training shoe,” the sneaker is made up of 100 percent animal-free materials and products, the brand said. Its eco-friendly features include a cotton- and wood-spun yarn upper, castor bean oil and EVA foam midsole and natural rubber outsole.
“We have a responsibility not just to design and create with our consumers in mind, but also planet Earth,” Tal Short, Reebok’s senior product manager, said in a statement. “Products like the Nano X1 Vegan are small, but important steps we’re taking towards our bold future sustainability ambitions as a brand.”
The Nano X1 Vegan, priced at $150, will become available first to members of Reebok’s Unlocked loyalty program on April 19. The shoe will become widely available less than two weeks later on May 1.
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Reebok focuses its sustainability efforts under two pillars: [Ree]Grow, which centers on the creation of products from natural materials, and [Ree]Cycled, which is dedicated to creating products using recycled or repurposed materials. All [Ree]Grow products are made with at least 50 percent plant-based materials, while all [Ree]Cycled products feature an upper made of at least 30 percent recycled materials. Reebok has previously committed to eliminating virgin polyester from its material mix by 2024.
Reebok partners with consumers on bold, versatile styles
Reebok’s latest installation of its Meet You There franchise draws its inspiration directly from the consumer.
The brand’s partner in the project, an immersive strategy and insight agency by the name of This Memento, selected a group of “determinedly independent consumers” to bring “their bold, unique styles and perspectives” to the MYT x Memento SS21 collection.
The resulting assortment of spring and summer pieces focuses on adaptability and versatility. Items include the a bralette with a back cut-out to keep the wearer cool in the warmer months, a graphic tee featuring Reebok’s sweat-wicking Speedwick technology and a bold, iridescent jacket.
The MYT x Memento SS21 collection launched Thursday and includes pieces in men’s, women’s and unisex sizes ranging from XXS to XXXL.