Nike’s Flyleather Shoe is a Sustainable Way to Strut
In these modern times, sustainable design is one of almost every manufacturer’s main concerns, whether it’s in respect to electronics, architecture, or clothing. As one of the biggest names in athletics manufacturing, Nike is responsible for the mass production of a staggering amount of footwear, clothing, and accessories, so it’s no wonder that it’s constantly looking for new ways to increase the sustainability of the items it produces. There are, of course, a number of ways to do this: by reducing the amount energy required to manufacture its goods, by incorporating recycling processes into its manufacturing, and by using more sustainable materials in the production of its footwear and clothing. Enter Nike’s Flyleather shoe.
Nike reportedly sells an incredible 120,000,000 pairs of shoes each year, so you can imagine the amount of material and manufacturing processes required to successfully produce, ship, and sell such vast amounts of footwear. In an effort to make some of its shoes’ most essential aspects more environmentally-friendly, Nike got a British eco-manufacturer on board to create a new sustainable material for them. The company claims that it’s “the greatest advance in leather, since leather.”
“Flyleather” is made up of 50 percent recycled leather fibers and 50 percent synthetic fibers, and it uses 90 percent less water in its production than regular leather does while leaving a carbon footprint one-fifth of the size of that left by traditionally-manufactured materials. These stats are already a significant win for Flyleather on the sustainable front, but this leather alternative also succeeds in terms of its durability. It’s 40 percent lighter than real leather and five times more abrasion-resistant, meaning you’re guaranteed to get more wear out of Flyleather in the long run.
Nike’s Director of Materials Technology says that Flyleather is the brand’s most sustainable leather to date — a pretty bold statement coming from a company that prides itself on being at the vanguard of creating innovative materials in the athletics industry. Flyleather is currently being used in the production of Nike Flyleather Tennis Classic, which is retailing at $85. Some other limited edition Flyleather sneakers may also be lurking online, including the Air Force 1, Air Max 90, Cortez, and Jordan 1. Who knows, Flyleather might just be the future of all new Nike sneakers.