WAVE NEO – Mizuno’s First Running Shoes to Balance Carbon Emissions

Mizuno Set to Launch Wave Neo Collection

The Wave Neo collection will be Mizuno’s lowest environmental impact collection in its history. The Wave Neo collection features the Wave Neo Wind and the Wave Neo Ultra. These running shoes were manufactured using environmentally friendly materials such as recycled polyester and plant-derived materials to reduce CO₂ emissions.

The Wave Neo collection also features non-dyed knit upper materials which uses less water, ultimately reducing environmental impact. Furthermore, the carbon impact during the product life cycle of the Wave Neo Collection, which will be sold worldwide this fiscal year(about 50,000pairs), will be balanced by the amount of CO₂ absorbed through afforestation, making this the first product in Mizuno’s history to balance CO₂ impact.

Wave Neo Wind

The shoes are highly functional and are designed for performance runners as well as performance minded marathon runners. The Wave Neo Wind is engineered for both beginners and advanced runners who are environmentally conscious and prefer a propulsive feel for their run. The shoes are equipped with Mizuno’s core function “MIZUNO WAVE,” which provides both cushioning and stability, as well as Mizuno’s proprietary “MIZUNO ENERZY,” a highly resilient sole material. In addition, the outsole features a “G3 sole” which is lightweight and has high grip. The “MIZUNO WAVE Plate” sole is equipped with Pebax® Rnew® , a plant-derived material made from castor oil.

Wave Neo Ultra

The Wave Neo Ultra is targeted for beginner and intermediate runners with a environmentally conscious and preference for softer underfoot feel. These running shoes are also equipped with Mizuno’s core function “MIZUNO WAVE” (a foam wave structure that provides a softer feel). The sole thickness at the heel is 39 mm, pursuing unprecedented cushioning properties. The midsole is equipped with a combination of three types of Mizuno’s proprietary highly resilient sole material^*1 “MIZUNO ENERZY” for the first time, and with the “G3 sole” which is lightweight and has high grip.

Mizuno partnered with the U.S. National Forest Foundation, and planted approximately 100,000 long pine trees in Chattahoochee, Georgia, U.S.A., for the purpose of absorbing CO₂ emitted during the product life cycle of these running shoes.

Sustainability Theme Poised to Make Mainstream

Many brands have started their sustainability themed. Mizuno is certainly not the first. Nike, Adidas, On Cloud, Allbirds, ASICS have all dip themselves green. Targeting the Green Consumer will increasingly be crucial for any brands looking for growth. Afforestation is a wonderful way to help offset the carbon emissions from the products but it is not the only way.

For brands, going green is not always just about planting more trees or buying carbon credits to offset their emissions. This has been shown by brands such as Allbirds, Adidas, On, Salomon where they attempted to re-work the entire process. Adidas’ Made-To-Be-Remade initiative. ON’s Cyclon subscription service, Salomon’s Index 1.0, and Allbirds choosing new materials and redesign their products ground-up. Sustainability will be a critical part of the footwear market in the coming future.