Asics Zooms In With Sneakers Made From Recycled Toyota Airbags, Steering Wheels

When creating circular fashion, all cards on the table and anything that can be further recycled into different items are pretty much a win. For example, Asics’ pursuit of sustainable shoes has led it to partner with Toyota’s Toyoda Gosei for a pair of sneakers with some speedy origins.
 
The Gel Sonoma 15-50 may look like an ordinary pair of sneakers, but they derive from old airbags and steering wheels.

Toyoda Gosei has been known for creating trusted safety equipment that touts durability. As such, customers can rest assured their kicks will not only be the most fashionable but, possibly, the sturdiest pair on the block.
 
Scraps of fabric from airbags give the sneaker a tough yet breathable finish. On its side is Asics’ typical stitching, this time in red to represent the standard airbag designs in a Toyota car. For its sole, the team used old steering wheel leather.

According to Motor1.com, Toyota does note that airbag fabric and leather are notoriously hard to recycle. The partnership with Asics aims to be an avenue where both companies can turn these materials into something useful. Toyoda Gosei has also been taking these scraps and turning them into bags, pen cases, and other products.

The Gel Sonoma 15-50 will be a part of Asics’ Sportstyle line and will be sold for JP¥16,500 (US$123).
 
 
 
[via HiConsumption and Motor1.com, images via Asics]