Adidas Reveals Its First Sneakers Made Of Mushroom Leather To End Plastic Waste

By Alexa Heah, 16 Apr 2021

Image via Adidas

Adidas has unveiled a brand-new, eco-conscious concept sneaker: the Stan Smith Mylo. Made from ‘Unleather’, a lab-grown material crafted from the root structure of mushrooms, the sneaker uses the renewable material for its outer upper, stripes, heel tab overlay, and even the branding.

Although it is only a concept at the moment, Adidas has said it expects to launch a commercial version of the shoes in the near future.

The Mylo dons a white upper with a cream heel pad, with the sole in a “natural” light brown color. These kicks will be part of Adidas’ long-term goal to use natural materials in its shoes as part of its eco-friendly efforts.

Adidas’ head of future Amy Jones Vaterlaus said in a statement that the Mylo sneaker is “a major step forward in our bold ambition to help end plastic waste.”

Adidas’ Stan Smiths, named after the famed US tennis player, aren’t new to reinvention. Earlier this year, the brand launched Stan Smith with PRIMEGREEN, featuring the signature kicks in uppers made with 50% recycled materials.

According to Engadget, to create the sustainable sneaker, Adidas enlisted the help of Bolt Threads, a company that is developing alternative materials to supplement silk and leather. Bolt Threads, the creator of ‘Unleather’, has come up with an alternative that looks and feels just like leather, but requires far fewer raw materials and less energy to produce. The material is being explored by fashion labels by the likes of Stella McCartney and Lululemon.

If you’re looking forward to curating a more sustainable wardrobe with these eco-friendly shoes, you won’t have to wait long. Martin Love, Category Director for Adidas Originals, said the company is looking to sell the shoe “in the next 12 months,” as per Engadget.

Introducing Stan Smith Mylo. The upper is partially created from Mylo material. Crafted from lab-grown mycelium, the root-like structure of mushrooms. Harnessing natural technologies, billions of years in the making. #MadeWithNature #EndPlasticWaste #Mylo /// pic.twitter.com/LNjH3ebMfv
— adidas (@adidas) April 15, 2021