Ross Klein, Nike’s Senior Creative Director of Men’s Footwear Performance, has been quoted in interviews as saying that “the team and our decisions are really inspired by and the continuing notion of what this means.” Suggesting more energy in this direction, Ross added, “This is a journey.” Just look at this year’s selection of All-Star kicks for LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving as an example: each pair features Nike’s recycled Grind material on various parts of the shoes. FUTUREVVORLDĪlthough we have yet to see or hear an NBA star make a public demand for more sustainable, or even vegan/plant-based footwear, the potential of Nike’s Cosmic Unity, coupled with the rise in environmental awareness, may lead to the change we need. Will their lifestyle changes begin to translate to their on-court kicks? Time will tell. Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan are also investors who eat plant-based diets in an effort to turn back the clock on aches, inflammation and recovery, and increase overall energy.

If you’ve been watching the sidelines and reading headlines around the NBA lately, you may have noticed Kyrie Irving’s affinity for Beyond Meat, not only through his investment portfolio and by rocking a branded T-shirt, but as an official ambassador appearing in brand advertisements. Just as long as consumers are aware of its performance and durability, and continue to demand more sustainable alternatives.īeyond what lies on the surface of a sustainable performance basketball sneaker entering the market, this shoe also suggests that we could be on the verge of an early level of critical mass within the NBA. If Nike can prove that not only can it make a high-performing athletic sneaker with recycled material, but that recycled material can also meet and exceed the demands of sport, then we imagine other brands should be inspired to follow suit. Whether you’re an avid runner beating the pavement five days a week or a regular at the neighborhood tennis courts, athletes can cycle through multiple pairs of shoes a year, and that’s not even considering different pairs for changes in weather and terrain. Be that as it may, any athlete will tell you, performance footwear just doesn’t last forever.

Overconsumption, and even overproduction, are two of the biggest challenges we face in establishing a more responsible footwear industry. Which only leaves us to wonder: how far can we go, and how soon can we get there? Built on the pillars of reducing waste and transforming trash, the Cosmic Unity features a handful of true innovations in sustainability. With the release of the Cosmic Unity, the first performance-driven sustainable basketball sneaker under its “Move to Zero” initiative, Nike reaffirms its goal in supporting athletes and their shared playing field, Earth.

Nike unity basketball shoes