Canada Goose

Model wearing Journey Boot in Dark Cedarwood/Black / Source: Canada Goose

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Mayer Nissim

WHAT WE SAY:

Canada Goose is not the first brand that we rush to support, given its heavy use of synthetics. But one thing it does have as a brand, is a reputation for being uncompromising when it comes to durability and performance in extreme conditions.

Which is why we are encouraged to see it choose Terracare leather for its everyday Journey Boot (even if unfortunately the heavier duty Snow Mantra boot is still very plastic-heavy). Fully traceable and produced exclusively in Germany, Terracare leather is a great solution for any designer looking for premium low-impact leather that also delivers top performance.

KEY FACTS:

Canada Goose has entered the footwear market for the first time with its Journey Boot and Snow Mantra Boot, launched in December 2021.
The Journey Boot is handmade in Italy from Terracare Leather, which promises reduced carbon emissions, water use and a more efficient supply chain.
The Canada Goose Journey Boot is priced at USD 750. It is available globally in-store and online, in men and women's designs, in a range of colours.

Women's Journey Boot in Black / Source: Canada Goose

Men's Journey Boot in Tan/Fossil / Source: Canada Goose

DIVE DEEPER:

Hiking shoes are usually made primarily from synthetic materials or Leather. The former is a non-starter for those looking to reduce their plastic footprint, but the market is also awash with poor quality leather with weak environmental standards.
Canada Goose has been a leading name in heavy duty outwear for over half a century and has now entered the footwear market. Its specialist Snow Mantra Boot is a nylon-heavy design, but its Journey Boot is primarily made from Terracare Leather, a responsibly manufactured high performance leather, made in Germany, by Josef Heinen.
Josef Heinen uses hides sourced exclusively in Germany and offers 100% transparency and traceability of its raw materials. Due to a shorter and more efficient supply chain with extensive recycling of any waste byproducts, as well as generating its own electricity and using as much renewable energy as possible, the company claims its leather produces 30% lower CO2 emissions and uses 40% less water than the industry average.
The fur-free Journey Boot is inspired by classic hiker boots worn in the Alps. It has a squared-off toe design with an added stabiliser in the midfoot for comfort and scratch rubber bumper for protection from water or rock.
The upper is made from three pieces for increased flexibility, allowing the boot to mould to the wearer’s foot over time. Seams have been eliminated to reduce pressure points and rubbing. The upper interior is directly laminated to a waterproof HDry membrane, reducing the need for treatment with PFCs.
The Journey Boot is available for women in Black, Military Green/Black, Limestone/Snowcap, White/Snowcap, Tundra Clay/Camel, and Bordeaux/Camel, and for men in Black, Dark Cedarwood/Black, Military Green/Black, White, Mid Grey/White, and Tan/Fossil.
The Journey Boot has been graded at TEI2 on the Canada Goose trademarked Thermal Experience Index, corresponding to core warmth, comfort, and versatility, and is well suited for a temperature range of between zero and minus 15 degrees centigrade.

"Canada Goose Footwear has been years in the making...something that our consumers have long been asking us for. This collection exemplifies the Canada Goose lifestyle, standing the test of time and the elements."

Dani Reiss - President & CEO, Canada Goose

Key Design Considerations:

How much plastic is still present in the Journey Boot?

While the Journey Boot’s outer is made of responsibly produced leather, the boot’s waterproofing system involves an inner ‘bootie,’ which is directly laminated to the upper. This HDry system reduces the need for DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatment, which often contains PFCs, however the inner is still synthetic. While HDry claims this approach reduces the amount of material required and extends the product’s lifespan, eliminating fossil fuel-based elements completely would be preferable. It will not be easy, but can you come up with creative new designs to drive every last piece of plastic out of your products?

How can you design your products to ensure correct end-of-life treatment?

The laminated inner highlights another key challenge – complex, multi-material products are less likely to be efficiently recycled. If it is not possible to design for easy disassembly by customers (and you should always aim for that), then you should consider a return or buyback scheme, to ensure your products do not end up spending decades in landfill.

Could genuine, plant-based leathers deliver the required level of performance?

Terracare leather is like the Tesla of the leather world – combining performance and sustainability, but with a premium price tag to match. That might be acceptable for high-end brands like Canada Goose selling USD 750 boots, but true disruption will happen until there are cheaper, authentically plastic-free leather alternatives. Natural Fiber Welding’s Mirum does not claim to be a substitute for leather that requires this level of durability yet, but it has found favour with premium sustainable fashion brand Pangaia’s customers and will reach price parity with mainstream animal leather in the near future.