Allbirds & Adidas creates the world’s lowest carbon footprint sneaker

Adidas and Allbirds launched an alliance focusing on a sustainable vision for performance sneakers in May, and the first model from the relationship was released on May 12: the Futurecraft.Footprint is a low-carbon running shoe that emits less than 3 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (CO2e) per pair.

This is a personal best for both labels and a significant accomplishment: According to Allbirds, a normal pair of running shoes emits around 12.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide — a 2013 MIT report showed that a “typical pair of running shoes” emits “30 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions,” which amounts to 13.6 kilograms.

The shoe is part of the partnership’s 12-month target of reimagining production and supply chain systems to produce a carbon-neutral commodity. The manufacture of the Futurecraft.Footprint running shoes resulted in 63% fewer carbon emissions than Adidas’ Adizero RC3 running shoes.

The shoe’s lightweight, sustainable design has a new upper material consisting of 70% recycled polyester and 30% natural Tencel, which is made from wood pulp. While the Futurecraft.Footprint isn’t yet readily available, 100 pairs will be given away to Adidas Creators Club members in an initial launch. 10,000 pairs will be included in a 2021 update later this year, and a wider release will come in 2022.

Executive board member of global brands at Adidas, Brian Grevy, said it is a call to action for other brands, and a landmark in the sports industry achieving carbon neutrality, by genuinely co-creating and having open access to information and services — such as Allbirds’ knowledge of carbon measurement and experience of natural materials, and Adidas’ capabilities in manufacturing and performance footwear.

Over the years, both brands have played a significant part in ensuring sustainability. To – its carbon footprint, Allbirds claims to use recycled and renewable materials such as wool, tree fiber and sugarcane. The corporation has since pledged to become carbon-neutral, which means that with any tonne of carbon it consumes, it will pay to “take” a tonne out of the environment by buying credits from third-party pollution control products, also known as “carbon offsets.

Adidas’ Futurecraft range, which combines new innovations and technologies to shape the future of sportswear, includes the Futurecraft.Footprint. TheFuturecraft.Strung initiative, which incorporates 3D printing with robotic robotics, and the completely recyclable Futurecraft.Loop initiative are two other Futurecraft initiatives.