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Reformation and New Balance Just Teamed up to Drop Sustainable Sneaks That Couldn’t Be Cuter

Allie Flinn

October 3, 2019

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Photo: Reformation | Graphic: Well+Good Creative

I am notoriously bad at emails. At the time I am writing this, there are upwards of 38,000 emails in my inbox, and I have no doubt that is giving many of you anxiety....sorry. Obviously in this sea of newsletters, work deadlines, and chains I've been on since the better part of 2009, it's hard for a message to stand out, but New Balance managed to do just that. The sneaker behemoth just announced that they'd be partnering with Reformation on a line of sustainable sneaks.

This gets me going for two big reasons: The first is that I live to know things, well, first, and the second is that I can't get enough dad sneakers in my life. Nothing makes me want to use ten exclamation points in a row more than the fact that these two things came in one glorious package. The collection, which contains three sneaker styles in five exclusive color ways, is New Balance's first sustainability-led collab and Reformation's first foray into sneakers (the brand launched a sustainable footwear line earlier this year).

The sneakers are made from chrome-free suede, and the tannery they tapped uses a chrome-free tanning method (chrome can become carcinogenic when not handled properly). The tannery also has a Leather Working Group gold status, the highest level for environmental compliance a sustainable practices in the leather industry. The linings, laces, and labels of the sneakers are made from post-consumer recycled polyester, and the shoe inserts are a combo of EVA foam and BLOOM algae foam, which, according to BLOOM's website, is made from algae biomass, and actually helps clean the environment.

Oh, and also the shoes are incredibly cool and I want every single pair. They are available for purchase from Reformation (online and in stores) and New Balance (online) starting October 10, but the waitlist for the shoes is currently live. Prices range from $80 to $110. Check out the collab below.