TEXTILES.ORG
German sneaker brand nat-2, which has turned milk, plastic bottles, and coffee grounds into sneakers, recently presented sneakers made with cannabis leaves.
The unisex sneaker’s uppers are made from sustainably grown, chemical-free recycled cannabis leaves, which cover up to half the shoe’s surface, depending on the style. The leaves are layered into a green surface and applied to a natural eco-flax layer, keeping the natural flower scent.
To ensure the sneakers are vegan, they are equipped with an antibacterial real cork insole. The lining is made from an antibacterial and antiseptic bio-ceramic, to promote natural ventilation. Parts resembling suede are made from recycled PET bottles. The glue is free from animal ingredients and water-based and the outsoles are made from real rubber.
The patented material was developed in Germany and Austria. The shoes are handmade in Italy and produced under fair conditions in a new family-run facility.
The company reports that only industrial hemp plants are used, containing no drugs or THC. Neither nat-2™ nor its retailers support drugs and the use of drugs. The intention of using cannabis leaves is to show alternatives to animal ingredients and the wide range of possibilities in the use of hemp plants, finding new, more sustainable materials.