‘Back to School’ collection goes plant-based

As we try shift to a more sustainable world, we continue to explore and trial materials made from plant-based materials. We’re working towards expanding our plant-based collection of shoes and offering alternative materials.

In 2022 we introduced a Vegan leather alternative range, made up of 23 of our best-selling styles. The upper material itself is made from 75% plant-based sources including a mix of corn and cereals. These are grown for non-food purposes and is 100% GMO free with FSC certified Viscose, while the remaining 25% is synthetics (which ensures durability in footwear).

This makes the range 100% Vegan and this is PETA and Vegan approved. This includes the glues which are either a water based adhesive and its made up of water & latex PU or a solvent and its made up of man-made chemicals such as polyurethane (PU) – no animal products are in either.

Image of the monochromatic PETA logo

As this upper material is responsibly sourced and bio-based, it has lots of environmental benefits. Check out some of the key highlights below:

ENERGY: It reduces the energy needed for production from non-renewable sources by 44% than that of materials that aren’t plant-based*.
CARBON EMISSIONS: Compared to other synthetic materials, this material reduces emissions by 15%.
CFC EMISSIONS: Chlorofluorocarbon emissions are harmful to the ozone layer. Producing this material reduces these emissions by 32%*.

*based on material tests only

Image of four schoolchildren on a playground wearing Kickers school shoes

How does it compare to leather?

SATRA is an independent research and testing organisation established in the UK in 1919. SATRA is considered a leading technical authority for footwear and leather. Companies from these industries can become members of SATRA to gain exclusive access to SATRA test methods, accreditation, consultancy, research facilities, technical training and factory production management systems. A number of SATRA systems are recognised in the supply chain as setting industry standards for quality and production efficiency.

As part of our testing process we are really happy to say that our plant-based leather’s durability passed to the same industry standards as standard leather products. Whilst compared to traditional PU products, this upper material lasts four times longer.

We’ve also kept the prices the same as our existing range as we don’t believe you should have to pay more if you want a different choice.

How can I tell the difference?

We’ve made really subtle changes to our best-selling styles and quite frankly we didn’t want to change them too much. You love them and we love them as they are, we just wanted to offer them in a plant-based leather alternative.

Instead of our famous red and green branding details like our side tabs and sole plugs, we’ve updated these to be all green. For youth and adult styles the sockliner has a subtle ‘vegan’ deboss and for Infant and Junior styles we’ve added the vegan call out to our feature and benefit design as seen below.

All green branding vs our classic red and green help differentiate the vegan product vs it’s leather twin.

We want our product offering to give consumers more choice, without compromising on quality, price or accessibility.

Industry Recognised

We’re happy to say our Vegan range has been recognised by Drapers in their annual Drapers Footwear Awards, taking home the ‘Best sustainable initiative award’.

Footwear Awards 2025

Expanding the range

We set ourselves a target of expanding our Vegan range in 2023 and we’re happy to say that you can now get a Vegan leather alternative in our Iconic Red, Navy and White Kick Hi’s and also now in a Vegan patent leather alternative range.