Sustainable sneakers and trainers have become increasingly popular as more and more people are considering their impact on the environment — especially when it comes to the products they buy. Sustainability has become a bit of a buzzword in the last year or two, and it can be hard to know if what you’re buying truly passes the test and has a positive impact on the environment. We spoke to a few experts at the forefront of the sustainable sneaker industry, and this is what they had to say. Colin Vernon is the founder of Slow Factory Foundation, an educational institute and research lab specialising in climate and culture. A large part of the foundation’s research in this space centres around raw materials. “Most raw materials used in most footwear are extremely toxic and d...
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Bernard Smalls / ANTA x HyperX Athletic wear and gaming have gone hand in hand as of late, so this latest collaboration between ANTA and HyperX makes all the sense in the world. The two companies have one thing in common, they both work with Boston Celtic forward Gordon Hayward, so the decision to work together on this limited-edition box was a no-brainer. It brings together the two things that Hayward love’s to do, and that is playing basketball and gaming. Source: Bernard Smalls / ANTA x HyperX Inside the box is a limited-edition pair of Hayward’s signature basketball sneakers from ANTA, the GH2 “HyperX” and HyperX Cloud Alpha gaming headset. The sneakers feature some unique gaming-inspired details that help them easily stand out from other shoe silhoue...
Image Source: Titi Finlay I’ve always felt intimidated by the sneaker industry, despite having worked for two major sneaker brands in my life. As a humble shoe size four, there are immediately limits to what sneakers I can and can’t wear, and I’m not alone in that exclusion. The industry has predominantly favoured the needs of men over women, and it’s a problem that has existed for a long time. “The reasons for the sneaker industry not being inclusive stems right back to women’s sporting history,” Angelee Kholia, the founder of Sheaker Magazine, told POPSUGAR. “Sneakers were primarily made for sport, and of course, it was frowned upon for women to participate in sports, unlike for men. So the sneaker industry has always favoured men’s n...
Once again, Nike Air Max Day (aka 26 March) is almost upon us and frankly, there’s only one way to celebrate it in style. Buying a new pair of Air Max is an annual tradition at this point, so why should 2021 be any different? It shouldn’t, and we’re here to help. For those who don’t know, the Nike Air Max was designed by the American designer Tinker Hatfield in 1987, after he embarked on a trip to Paris and visited the Centre Pompidou for the first time. As explained by Sneaker Freaker, “Hatfield, who was trained as an architect, was taken by the building’s inside-out approach — with its structure wrapped around the building’s exterior. From this, came the idea to expose the inner workings of the shoe, and the visible Air window was born.” In...
Sportswear legend Adidas has announced an all-new era for its iconic Stan Smith silhouette, with the release of three new editions. Back in 2020, Adidas announced its commitment to end plastic waste by 2050 through innovation and partnerships. “Stan Smith, Forever” is the brand’s new sustainable range, which aims to provide a new generation for the shoe and acts as a new touchstone for the brand in its sustainability journey. It was first released as a tennis shoe, named the “adidas Robert Haillet”, and then later renamed to Stan Smith, after the American tennis player. Since its release, the Stan Smith has exceeded all expectations and quickly became one of the brand’s most popular models. For 2021, Adidas is revamping the iconic shoe in order to furthe...
After three months of lockdown, it’s safe to assume trainer collections everywhere may be in desperate need of a refresh. Our trusty Adidas Superstars have most definitely seen us through our one prescribed walk a day, but as the time comes for life to begin again, so does the time for new kicks. If, like us, your once-shiny and white Air Force Ones have officially turned grey, we’re afraid it’s a sign that changes need to be made. That said, buying new trainers can be overwhelming (especially when new collaborations drop on the daily) and expensive, so we’re here to help you find the perfect new pair. Whether it’s a clean and classic Club C from Reebok, a platform high-top from Converse, or a chunky dad trainer from New Balance, we’ve got exactly what y...