Designed with recyclability at its core, Asics’s Nimbus Mirai sneaker introduces a returns programme, urging users to contribute to the circular economy by returning their shoes through Asics stores or shipping in several markets around the world including the UK, Netherlands, and France for remanufacturing.
Asics's Nimbus Mirai sneaker features a uniform polyester upper devoid of overlays, facilitating seamless recycling. Employing an original Asics-created glue, the sportswear brand promises durability while enabling easy disassembly for recycling, with the upper and sole designed for easy separation.
Through testing, Asics confirmed that 87.3% of the upper material can be reclaimed as new polyester, ready for remanufacturing.
The shoe incorporates an FF Blast Plus Eco midsole, comprising approximately 24% renewable materials derived from sugar cane by-products.
“The Nimbus Mirai running shoe delivers the quality and performance runners would expect from Asics while prioritising sustainable design,” said Asics.
Fumitaka Kamifukumoto, project leader of the Nimbus Mirai product development, at Asics, added: “It has remained our focus not to compromise the product’s performance at all so that runners can wear the shoe as they would any other from Asics – protected and supported as they replenish their body and mind.
“We ask runners to take an extra step with this shoe, however, and bring it back to us once they have finished with it. That way, we can continue our mission towards creating a Sound Earth for future generations.”
The sportswear brand is also working with its partners to ensure the shoe’s sole has a second life as part of the recycling process.
This launch followed the heels of its Gel-Lyte III CM 1.95, which Asics claimed last year was the market's lightest CO2e-emitting sneaker.
