Fashion for Good has announced the launch of The Next Stride, a 12-month project aimed at accelerating sustainable and circular alternatives for footwear soles. The initiative focuses on testing and validating bio-based polymers as substitutes for fossil fuel–derived materials traditionally used in shoe soles.

The project unites leading global brands such as adidas, Target, and Zalando with material innovators including Algenesis Labs, Balena, Evoco, KUORI, and Yulex. Together, they aim to address one of the most impactful parts of footwear production, the sole, which accounts for nearly 40% of a shoe’s weight and is usually made from non-recyclable polymers like PU, TPU, EVA, and rubber.

“The Next Stride is a critical, collaborative intervention to de-risk the widespread adoption of high-performance bio-based alternatives for footwear soles,” said Katrin Ley, Managing Director of Fashion for Good. “By transforming the very foundation of the shoe, we address the most impactful component in its lifecycle and open the door to systemic change in the footwear industry.”

The initiative will begin with a thorough assessment of bio-based materials developed by innovators to ensure they meet the required performance standards of partner companies. Prototypes will then undergo rigorous testing in collaboration with SATRA, an independent research and testing organization, to validate both their durability and environmental advantages over traditional soles.