Canadian footwear and footbed manufacturer SOLE™ is rolling into stores and online this winter setting higher standards for authentically eco-friendly footwear that’s sure to please everyday adventurers, eco-conscious consumers and mother nature.
SOLE is known and loved for the signature dynamic support of their orthopedic insoles and footwear, offering pain relief and fighting fatigue in millions of satisfied customers.
The brand is beginning a new chapter in their sustainable, supportive footwear story with the launch of their most ambitious collection to date. SOLE’s winter 2019 collection includes fresh footwear styles that prioritize sustainability without compromising on comfort, function or durability.
SOLE CEO Mike Baker had the following to say: “The time for planning low-level incremental improvements is over. It’s simply not enough. People need drastically re-thought, innovative approaches to producing materials and products that satisfy consumer demand without costing the planet. Our winter 2019 line takes a huge step toward doing exactly that.”
At the heart of the line is a proprietary new midsole made from recycled wine corks, collected by SOLE’s cork recycling initiative ReCORKTM. As North America’s largest cork recycling network, ReCORK has collected and repurposed over 100 million natural wine corks. Working with this resource, SOLE’s scientists spent hundreds of hours developing the right formula to give recycled cork the flexibility, durability and cushioning needed for industry-leading underfoot comfort. The result is an entirely sustainable, comfortable and beautiful component that stands out from the crowd.
Many styles include a patented Australian merino-knit upper that is breathable, moisture-wicking, soft and durable. Made from ethically-sourced, natural and sustainable fibers, it’s as comfortable worn with or without socks, and will keep its ever-fresh feel throughout its long lifespan.
The insoles boast SOLE’s signature orthopedic shape and use algae-based Bloom Foam to partially replace petroleum-based materials. This reduces the environmental impact of the footbed while its manufacturing process returns filtered water to natural waterways. The footbed is treated with Polygiene® Stays Fresh Technology to ensure the shoe never has to be thrown away because of stink.
The natural rubber and rice rubber outsoles are made to endure any adventure while being gentle on the planet. Natural rubber requires far less energy and petrochemical input to produce than synthetic rubbers, while rubber tree plantations suck carbon from the atmosphere.
MSRP on SOLE’s revolutionary new winter 2019 range will start from USD$129/CAD$169.
To produce a game-changing headliner to their new line SOLE has teamed up with responsible apparel company United By Blue to create a shoe designed using sustainable materials in every aspect without compromising on quality, comfort or durability. The SOLE x UBB Jasper Wool Eco Chukka is designed to be the world’s most eco-friendly shoe, built around SOLE’s new ReCORK™ recycled cork midsole and United By Blue’s BisonShield™ insulation. BisonShield™ insulation is hypoallergenic and temperature-regulating just like the ethically-sourced merino wool that surrounds it. The chukka also includes SOLE’s signature-shaped BloomTM Algae Foam footbeds with natural cork top sheets, Polygiene® Stays Fresh Technology and natural rice rubber outsoles to give durability with a minimized footprint.
The idea behind the collaboration first sparked at the Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards in November 2018, where an early version of SOLE’s Jasper Wool Eco Chukka and United By Blue’s Bison Puffer Jacket were both recognized as finalists for their sustainable innovation, with the UBB Bison Puffer emerging as a winner.
While footwear is an exciting new venture for the company, SOLE hasn’t lost touch with its core customers’ need for their best-established and award-winning product line, their signature shaped aftermarket heat/wear moldable customizable footbeds.
$1 from every pair of Performance footbeds sold goes toward planet-protecting initiatives and charity organizations.
