Activist and artist Jaden Smith and New Balance debuted the latest release of the New Balance Jaden Smith Vision Racer collection that is partially crafted with recycled and surplus materials: The Vision Racer ReWorked.
As part of the continued collaboration, the sneaker reinforces both Smith’s and the brand’s enduring commitment to sustainability.
“In our commitment to contributing to a healthier planet, we’ve continued to think bigger in terms of unconventional innovation and the Vision Racer ReWorked is a great example of that,” said Alex Carlson, Sr. Designer, Materials Innovation and Sustainability for New Balance.
“We approached this launch with Jaden Smith, a leader in environmental activism, through the lens of reducing waste long term and created a product that uniquely transforms recycled materials as a result while maintaining the style and trend-forwardness for which the Vision Racer is known.”
The Vision Racer ReWorked is consciously crafted with a mix of recycled materials including a midsole that contains a 5% EVA regrind, alleviating a potential waste stream. The material used in the upper and the tongue contains 74% Spinnex fiber (Spinnex includes at least 30% textile waste), 16% polyester and 10% Spandex. New Balance’s Spinnex material incorporates factory waste cut offs into a new usable material.
“Whether it’s starting JUST water or collaborating with New Balance – I’m energetically interested in bringing more sustainable options and features into everyday lifestyle items and everyday culture,” says Smith. “These items act as a lens into ways more people can participate in better global health with simple choices while learning and becoming smarter, more aware of the solutions that are out there. We just need to demand them and choose them.”
