Camper Runner K21 Mirum

Camper Runner K21 in Black made with Mirum / Source: Camper

BambooCorkCottonLeatherMirumNorth AmericaTextiles

4 MINUTE READ

Mayer Nissim

WHAT WE SAY:

It is estimated that an astonishing 24 billion pairs of shoes are produced globally each year, but given the mix of materials very few will be efficiently recycled. And while people are increasingly looking for sustainable sneakers, they are massively under-served by the current solutions, which too often tout their ‘vegan’ leather, while conveniently overlooking their fossil fuel-based plastic elements.

Which is why we are excited to see the first footwear using Mirum – one of our favourite solutions, reinventing the entire language of material science – using nutrients to bake and mould into useful formats, entirely plastic-free and toxin-free. However, this Camper sneaker still has multiple other plastic components – it is not perfect by any stretch. But it is a step in the right direction.

KEY FACTS:

Camper has launched the Runner K21 Mirum sneaker in its A/W 22 range, with its uppers made with Mirum – a nutrient Leather from plants, not plastic.
Mirum is one of the few alt-leathers that is 100% plastic-free, made from blends of natural rubber, corn or rice husk and upcycled agricultural sidestreams, such as coir and Cork powder, with no synthetic elements being used to bind or coat the material.
By reducing the volume of plastic in its sneakers and also incorporating recycled material, Camper aims to reduce plastic waste from its shoes at end-of-life.
The shoes also feature other lower impact materials, including XL Extralight Organix outsoles, an Ortholight Recycled Footbed and a lining made from Bamboo fibre, recycled polyester and Cotton.
Part of the brand’s A/W 22 range, the Runner K21 Mirum is available direct from Camper in-store and online. It comes in two colours – black and white – for men and women, and retails at USD 245.

Camper Runner K21 in White / Source: Camper

Camper Runner K21 Mirum white detail / Source: Camper

DIVE DEEPER:

The production of plastics for sneakers emits large volumes of greenhouse gasses and leaves you with a shoe that cannot be recycled at end-of-life. Nearly 22 billion shoes are thrown into landfill worldwide every year, while 77% of consumers think the industry should do more to reduce its level of waste.
As well as its Mirum upper, the Runner K21 features XL Extralight Organix outsoles, (which feature 30% bio-based sugarcane), an Ortholight Recycled insole (featuring post-production waste material and recycled natural rubber).
Beyond the use of non-plastic and recycled materials in its sneakers, including Mirum, innovative lyocell, recycled hemp and mushroom-derived fibres, Camper also promotes its Second Life programme. Used shoes can be dropped off at participating Camper stores, in exchange for a USD 12 voucher. Returned shoes are either recrafted into new editions, by artisans in Mallorca, repaired and donated to local organisations and communities, or processed and converted into green energy or materials for the creation of new products. Camper also suggests that “by wearing your shoes even a few months longer, you can reduce the overall carbon footprint of your shoes by up to 30%.” To encourage extended wear time, selected stores offer a shoe care service for EUR 10 (USD 9.72) per pair; self-service guides are also published online.

"...In Mallorca, we witness the irreparable damage that plastic pollution has on our seas, marine life and ecosystems. By seeking out plastic-free materials like Mirum, we aim to reduce plastic waste by shrinking our reliance on unsustainable synthetics."

Camper

Key Design Considerations:

How much of a sneaker can actually be made plastic-free using this technology?

While the upper – often made of leather or synthetics – has been replaced in the Runner K21 Mirum, it is only part of the shoe. The rest still uses plastics, including EVA and polyester, albeit some recycled. Where else might you be able to use Mirum in a sneaker? Which other plastic free materials like natural rubber or cotton could you use? The Runner K21 Mirum feels more like a stepping stone on the way to a sustainable sneaker, rather than the endpoint.

How scalable is Mirum as a solution for a mass market shoe?

The Runner K21 Mirum is priced at the upper end of Camper’s range. It is also only a single design, in two colours. Investment is in place for Mirum to scale up fast, through its parent company Natural Fibre Welding. For Mirum to revolutionise the footwear industry, it will need to both fall in price and offer more options.

Can you create wider systems to ensure your products have as positive an impact as possible?

Camper is doing far more than just considering the materials in its shoes. We love the shoe care service options, both do-it-yourself and in-store. Similarly, the buy-back scheme shows a real commitment to sustainability, though there is little transparency as to the relative volumes and impacts of the various end-uses (recraft, reuse, and repurpose). For example, Camper engages artisans near to its Mallorca HQ, to recraft its shoes. Could you propose something similar, but on a more local level to reduce emissions?