ASICS announces the NIMBUS MIRAI™ running shoe - its most circular shoe ever
ASICS announces the launch of NIMBUS MIRAI™, a cutting-edge performance running shoe engineered to be remade at the end of its lifecycle while maintaining the high-quality standards associated with GEL-NIMBUS™ products. Translated from Japanese, 'MIRAI' means future, reflecting ASICS' commitment to positively influence future generations of runners by proactively considering environmental impact.
Crafted with recycling in mind, the NIMBUS MIRAI™ introduces a new returns program, urging runners to return their shoes at the end of use to support the circular journey. This release marks another stride in ASICS' endeavor to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, following the success of the GEL-LYTE™ III CM 1.95, recognized as the market's lightest CO2e-emitting sneaker last year.
The NIMBUS MIRAI™ stands as one of ASICS' most sophisticated shoes to date. Its uniform polyester upper, devoid of overlays, simplifies recycling sorting at the shoe's end of life. A specially formulated ASICS adhesive facilitates easy recycling by ensuring a durable bond that can withstand wear yet readily disassemble for the next lifecycle. The shoe's design allows for effortless detachment of the upper from the sole, streamlining the recycling process. Following testing, ASICS confirmed that 87.3% of the upper material recycled yields new polyester material, poised for remanufacture into running shoes.
ASICS' circular initiative with the NIMBUS MIRAI™ addresses a significant issue in the footwear industry, where billions of shoes end up in landfills or incinerators annually. The launch aligns with ASICS' ethos of fostering a Sound Mind in a Sound Body, contingent upon a Sound Earth for present and future generations.
In a first for ASICS, runners can return the NIMBUS MIRAI™ at select ASICS stores or via shipping in various markets globally, including the UK, Netherlands, and France. This move reflects ASICS' commitment to making circular sportswear commonplace.
