New sneakers made from coffee

German shoe brand nat-2 has created a means to recycle coffee into sneakers. The 100 percent vegan, unisex sneaker uppers are made from sustainable recycled coffee, coffee beans and coffee plants. The coffee is applied to a layer and retains its natural coffee scent. The material covers up to 50 percent of the shoe’s surface, depending on the shoe’s style, the company says. The patented material was developed in Germany; the final sneakers are handmade in Italy and produced under fair conditions in a new family-run, high-tech facility, according to nat-2’s website.

All shoes have a soft padded antibacterial cork insole, and the glue is free from animal ingredients. The outsoles are made from real rubber and the upper features nat-2 signature reflective glass details for visibility. Other parts of the shoe look like suede or napa leather and are made from recycled PET bottles, the company reports.

nat-2, a luxury footwear brand based in Munich, Germany, was founded by sixth-generation shoemaker and creator Sebastian Thies.