“A new standard in sustainability, crafted in a classic silhouette. Because style and sustainability shouldn’t just go hand in hand, they belong on your feet.”

Adidas has revamped its iconic tennis-inspired sneaker giving it a sustainable makeover this time.

The Stan Smith range, which gets its title from the tennis star of the same name was first released in the late ‘60s, then renamed the Adidas Stan Smith in the early ‘70s.

The latest ‘Stan Smith, Forever’ capsule line features three iterations and is made from recycled materials.

The new range is part of Adidas’ commitment to reduce plastic and replace all virgin polyester with recycled polyester in their products by 2024.

‘New standard in sustainability’

The brand states: “Since 1973, they’ve more or less stayed the same. But now, Stan Smith sneakers need to change. Not in how they look, or in how they feel — but in how they’re made.

“It’s time the classic Adidas Originals shoe became more sustainable. Became truly timeless. Without sacrificing the infamous design, we’ve reinvented the Stan Smith sneaker with a recycled PRIMEGREEN upper to do right by it.

“A new standard in sustainability, crafted in a classic silhouette. Because style and sustainability shouldn’t just go hand in hand, they belong on your feet.”

Stan Smith, Forever

The PRIMEGREEN fabric featuring in all the styles is a virgin plastic-free material made of recycled polyester.

The first iteration of the range is a women’s Stan Smith style. It boasts of Earth-inspired graphics like drawn-on flowers, globes, and arrows. It differs from the traditional shoe’s color scheme with an ivory tongue graphic and a white heel tab.

The second one is a unisex number with a familiar green heel tab and embossed planets with gold eyelets.

The third sneaker also features a traditional green heel tab and is dressed in floral and Earth-inspired embroidery.

In addition, Disney and the Muppets fans can order the Stan Smiths greener than them all range, which along with PRIMEGREEN feature classic green characters like Kermit, Mike Wazowski, and the Hulk.

The sustainable iterations in the Stan Smith, Forever capsule range from $85 to $110 and available to buy on Adidas’ website. 

Adidas – global leader in sustainability

The revamped Stan Smith is the latest in a long line of eco-friendly releases. In 2018, the same silhouette was redesigned using vegan materials after Adidas and Stella McCartney collaborated for the design.

The next year, the duo followed up for version 2.0 adding punched-out stars, rainbow laces, and an image of McCartney herself on the tongue to the upgraded shoe.

Apart from ditching plastic, Adidas has taken on other targets as it competes to become a global leader in sustainability.

It has ‘renounced’ animal fur and committed to ‘Vier Pfoten’, an animal protection organization, to completely ban furs from the manufacturing of its products.

It is also developing plant-based leather, recycled cotton as well as a particularly climate-friendly running shoe and aims to achieve global climate neutrality by 2050.

“Sustainability is an integral part of the Adidas business philosophy,” Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted, said.

“We have continued to invest in sustainability initiatives during the coronavirus pandemic and we will significantly expand our range of sustainable products in 2021.

“To this end, for example, we have worked with our suppliers to create the structures that make it possible to process recycled materials on a large scale. Not only does our commitment make Adidas more sustainable, but it also drives the development of the whole industry.”

Share this story: Adidas revamps iconic Stan Smith sneaker using recycled materials as part of sustainability drive.

Mohsina Dodhiya

See author's posts