New Everlane Collection Is Changing the Way Sneakers Are Made

Everlane’s quest to continue pushing the envelope with style and sustainability has just hit a new frontier: your sneaker collection. The recent launch of the Tread by Everlane collection of versatile, go-anywhere sneakers couldn’t come at a more optimal time for your wardrobe — or for the planet.

New sneaker releases are hyped all the time, but they come and go, but Tread by Everlane is different. It’s the brand’s first footwear offering for men, and it’s made with 54% less virgin plastic than the typical pair of sneakers.

Everlane has long championed the idea of “radical transparency,” telling consumers exactly where and how its stylish, minimal goods (from tees to Oxfords and denim) are made; that same approach is what makes these sneakers so essential and welcome in the footwear community. 

“Of everything we wear, sneakers have one of the heaviest footprints. They require a ton of energy to produce, are made largely from virgin plastic, and never break down,” said Everlane Founder & CEO Michael Preysman. “So when we buy and replace them often, billions end up in landfills around the world.”

Everlane Tread The Trainer

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In fact, Everlane is on an even more ambitious venture. The brand is looking to remove the use of virgin plastic from its entire supply chain by 2021. On that note, the Tread by Everlane collection sneakers are 94.2% free of virgin plastic and that’s pretty remarkable when you consider the materials typically used to make sneakers (Hint: A heck of a lot of plastic). Even the carbon footprint of these sneakers is offset through work with NativeEnergy, and the leather used in crafting the minimal, clean collection comes from gold-rated tanneries. 

It only gets better when it comes to these sneakers, though. The silhouette itself is a classic trainer that’s wearable with nearly anything (but works especially well with dark Everlane denim and a classic Oxford from the brand). The brand also debuted the sneakers with a special Los Angeles pop-up, but they also have brick-and-mortar locations in New York City and San Francisco, so if you feel so inclined, you can take a pair for a spin yourself (we like the spring-friendly butter color, but other options include a crisp off-white and a dressy navy take).

Thanks to Everlane, sneakers are taking a stylish step in the right direction in terms of sustainability, form, and function.

If none of this collection’s colors strike your fancy and you’re feeling a little more minimalist, check out these all-white sneakers for that ultra-pure walk.