FIBER SNEAKER
Sneakers or shoes in general are mostly made of plastic and are not recyclable – mainly due to material mixtures and its gluing. The Fiber Sneaker concept was based on vulcanized fiber, a 100% recyclable plastic made from cellulose fibers. Due to the natural spring effect and high abrasion resistance the material became the focus for use as a sole material, based on the principle of sports prostheses.
2021 exhibited in:
https://mikrofaktur-vulkanfiberfabrik.de
Process
From the very beginning, Vulcan Fever was specified as the material and the design process began with an analysis of the material, its advantages and disadvantages, and its properties.
Because of the suspension effect of Vulkanfiber the idea was to create a sustainablesneaker with natural materials and using their properties. So I started from scratch byscribbling some ideas with the inspiration of sports prostheses to implement thefeatures of Vulkanfiber.
What are the options for a sustainable and comfortable sole? The decision was made in favor of a combination of vulcanized fiber for the outsole and cork for the midsole. The upper is built up with a hemp canvas and then additionally supported by vulcanized fiber in the most important places, for example: in the toecap, the heelcap, and the inside of the lacing element.
