Sports brand Nike has unveiled an ultra-light football boot featuring components made from beans and recycled plastic (+ slideshow).
The Nike GS boot weighs just 160 grammes and features a sock liner made entirely from castor beans while the laces, lining and tongue are made of 70% reused plastic including recylced plastic water bottles and polyester.
The sole plate is made from 50% Pebax® Renu - a renewable material made largely from castor beans.
Here's some info from Nike:
Nike has unveiled its Nike GS football boot in London today, the lightest, fastest, most environmentally-friendly production boot the company has ever made.
Due to be worn this summer, designers were challenged to create a new football boot stripped down to include only the essential elements that deliver lightweight performance and high speed control in game situations. The resulting boot is constructed using renewable and recycled materials and designed for explosive performance on the pitch and lower impact on the planet.
Every component of the Nike GS has been optimized to reduce weight and waste, creating Nike’s lightest football boot ever at 160 grams for a size 9.
Conceived and engineered in Italy, the Nike GS features recycled and renewable materials throughout the upper and plate design. A bio-based traction plate made primarily from castor beans ensures strength and flexibility on pitch alongside a sock liner made from 100% castor beans. The boot laces, lining and tongue are made from a minimum of 70% recycled materials. The toeboard and collar, feature at least 15% recycled materials.
“The Nike GS is the lightest and fastest football boot we’ve ever made and really defines a new era in how we create, design and produce elite football boots,” said Andy Caine, global design director for Nike Football. “When you can deliver a boot that combines high end performance and a low environmental footprint that’s a winning proposition for players and planet.”
Nike GS includes the following performance, recycled and renewable materials in the new boot:
Traction Plate & Stud Configuration:
Nike GS traction plate combines a high performance chassis with a strong responsive and agile form. The sole plate is made of 50% renewable Pebax® Renu (a plant derived material made with 97% castor beans) and 50% TPU, made from renewable materials. The plate is 15% lighter than a traditional plate composition.
The traction plate includes a minimalist diamond-silhouette spine, which provides optimal flex and agility in plate performance. Anatomically positioned studs maximize speed in multiple directions to ensure responsive and assured movement on pitch.
Touch & Control:
A solvent-free Kanga-Lite synthetic upper provides zonal reinforcement for exceptional touch and control. The synthetic upper also supports lockdown on midfoot and arch area.
The lightweight and chemical-free sock liner is made of 100% castor beans and eliminates any layers for a snug fit and enhanced touch on the ball.
Stability & Support:
Anatomical and asymmetrical heel counter and heel bucket locks the foot down for stability and support. The counter is made of Pebax® Renu, derived from castor bean oil.
Nike GS will be available through Nike.com and selected online retailers from August 15th. The price will be $300.