US brand Cole Haan launches dandelion-rubber sustainable shoe range

New York – US footwear and accessories brand Cole Haan has launched a sustainable shoe range as part of its ‘change forward sustainable innovation’ initiative.

The outsole of Generation Zerøgrand II features patent-pending FlowerFoam made from “a minimum of 25% natural dandelion rubber,” said Cole Haan in a 10 Feb statement. 

The lightweight FlowerFoam outsole helps absorb impact while delivering responsive cushioning and energy return, it added. 

The shoe’s upper includes vegan microfiber suede made with 21% recycled content and reconstituted felt fabric made with 85% recycled plastic bottles (rPET). 

The laces are also made from 100% rPET, Cole Haan added.

The shoe’s footbed is made of Ortholite Hybrid patent-pending formulation, which includes 5% recycled rubber, and 15% production waste foam.

The footwear also features a fabric topsheet made from 100% rPET, the statement added. 

"This is a significant step for the Cole Haan brand,” said Scott Patt, chief creative officer.

“With FlowerFoam technology and our charter to create products with more naturally derived and recycled components, we are expanding our natural design philosophy,” he added.