Nike Considered 2007: Take 'Em Outdoors
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 01.25.07
Nike has unveiled two new designs for their 2007 Considered line of shoes (see our previous posts about them here and here, along with this post about the company's efforts to be more sustainable), which the company has integrated in to its All Conditions Gear (ACG) group. The new designs are pared down, less experimental and more active than previous versions of the shoe; according to the designers, they are looking at a younger mindset and "want to target those who are more focused on having fun in the outdoors." The integration of Considered into ACG is the first step in designing all shoes in the line with the Considered approach, a move which will be completed by summer 2008. As for these two models, the "Water Cat" (above left) is a water shoe made with minimal materials while still maintaining proper heel, ankle and toe support (it's not supposed to be a sandal). The Soaker (on the right) is also a water shoe, but is designed with streetwear in mind as well. It uses fewer layers than many conventional shoes (the upper is a single layer of mesh, for example) and is built with "snap together tooling" which reduces toxic adhesives. Prices or availability is yet to be announced; to learn more, check out this interview with two Nike designers at Sneaker Freaker, and see Considered's site at Nike. ::Considered via ::Cool Hunting
Gorilla Composting at McGill University
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2007 According to Alex Pasternack: Social Consciousness, Mapped
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nike´s "efforts to be more sustainable"?
even in the green dimension of sustainability i don´t see real efforts - just greenwashing
not to mention social issues. yes, nike has a code of conduct. but it doesn´t complies the ILO-Conventions in respective to minimum compensation and maximum hours of work (even thought nike does a good job to suggest it does).
AND THE COMPLIANCE IS ONLY CONTROLLED BY NIKE ITSELF AND PAYED PRIVATE MONITORS
http://www.nike.com/nikebiz/nikebiz.jhtml?page=25&cat=code
i get along with treehugger reporting about small reactive steps of big pigs but please:
DO IT CRITICAL and DON`T MOTIVATE READERS TO BUY FROM THEM
If the company suddenly found 20% of their income came from sustainable shoes, they might reflect it in their products. Just saying, buying a water cat might not necessarily be hurting the cause.
Please.
If Nike reduces materials it will have nothing to do with sustainability. It'll simply be an opportunity to reduce material costs and then market the flimsier shoe to gullible yuppies at the same or higher price.
The Nike like appears to be broken, and I cannot find any info about these shoes on the Nike website. Is it possible that this line was discontinued?
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Author's comment:
Cincinnati,
Try this link -- they are still in production
-CD
I understand the skepticism of Nike, it comes with the big brand and years of labor problems, but they have made some outstanding technical contributions to sustainable footwear in recent years.
They were the first major shoe company to commit to water-based adhesives and have largely eliminated VOC emissions because of this.
They were the first major shoe company to commit to phasing out PVC.
They were the first to reformulate their rubber to eliminate toxic ingredients in the standard formulations used in shoe soles.
No one has yet figured out how to close the loop on shoes, but Nike's lifecycle thinking on this is actually far more advanced than many eco-shoe companies who just have some recycled rubber in their shoes which gets to the landfill a bit later than originally scheduled.
they are ugly