Since 2015, the adidas and Parley partnership has developed fully functional and stylish product made with ocean plastic waste and debris as an alternative to materials like virgin polyester. The result has been innovative remixes of current classics and brand-new silhouettes utilizing high-performance recycled material as part of the sportswear brand’s overall pledge to end plastic waste. We’ve seen soccer kits in the past and recently announced design collaborations with Stella McCartney and Marimekko, all utilizing materials created by the partnership.

The latest drop includes a set of running shoes: the “Run For The Oceans” Primeblue UltraBoost 21 and the Parley x adidas Ultraboost 21. 

“More than a partner, adidas has been a true ally, the family member we so urgently needed on our side to prove that industry can be the key that scales and accelerates solutions to the massive environmental problems we face,” said Parley CEO and Founder Cyrill Gutsch in a recent adidas news post. 

Each shoe is created with Primeblue, the plastic alternative made in part with Parley Ocean Plastic, at varying degrees. Half of the “Run For The Oceans” Primeblue UltraBoost 21 upper is textile with 92% of the material being Primeblue yarn. The adidas x Parley Ultraboost 21’s upper is also half textile and combines mesh, woven material, and ripstop, all sourced from Parley Ocean Plastic, with 75% of the textile being Primeblue yarn.

Overall, the Ultraboost has been a cultural and performance mainstay for the brand. It’s a shoe that provides incredible energy return and cushioning as well as sleek style – now with more recycled materials. 

Coinciding with the drop of both shoes is the release of a limited-edition REBO smart water bottle. REBO’s technology enables users to track their water consumption as well as the amount of plastic bottles avoided, and it’s even synched with the Runtastic adidas Running app for on-the-go hydration recommendations. Plastic credits are issued based on water consumption through the water bottle for REBO and its sponsors to pay the cost of collecting discarded plastic bottles. Plastic collection then goes to the Parley Global Cleanup Network, an alliance of organizations that collaborate to remove plastic waste from beaches, remote islands, rivers, and mangroves in coastal communities

“We are running out of time to turn the tide on plastic waste and technology can help change the course. With the limited-edition REBO x adidas x Parley smart bottle, we can become foot-soldiers in the fight against plastic waste,” said RE-Company CEO and Founder Pierandrea Quarta. 

This year marks the fourth year of adidas and Parley’s Run for the Oceans initiative, where runners around the world document their miles in adidas Running App in an effort to raise awareness and money to help Parley collect plastic waste. To-date, Run for the Oceans has united over three million runners around the world, collectively clocking up 25.5 million kilometers and raising $2.5 million USD to help Parley develop its initiatives and educational programs in the fight against marine plastic pollution. Run for the Oceans 2021 ends June 8, World Oceans Day.

The end of plastic waste doesn’t just start what brands can offer, it’s also about what and how we consume. Pick up the “Run For The Oceans” Primeblue UltraBoost 21, Parley x adidas Ultraboost 21, and the REBO smart water bottle now via adidas.com.

If you’re curious to know how else the footwear industry can help minimize waste, check out our story on the need for brand’s to offer replacement soles for their running shoes.