Christopher Raeburn’s studio has been busy recently. A couple days ago, we reported on its partnership with Wizard Works, and the capsule of cycling bags they made from police protective gear. Today, we’re talking about its latest collaborative effort with Timberland: the Earthkeepers® by RÆBURN Men’s Timberloop Utility Boot.
The Earthkeepers® by RÆBURN line has been in action for a couple years now. The original Earthkeepers® boot was developed in 2007 by Timberland with the aim of creating its most responsible product yet. Today, the line includes more than the boot but it’s still guided by that original goal. Recycled rubber, eco-conscious leather and organic cotton all feature in Earthkeepers® apparel, accessories and footwear.
“The Timberland Earthkeepers by RÆBURN collection is really our pathfinder,” says Christopher Raeburn. “An always evolving experiment to bring together responsible design, innovation and a unique archival approach to product creation.”
Once again, RÆBURN has waded into the deep archives of its London lab to find the inspiration for these hiking boots. In a video, embedded below, Raeburn explains that anti-gravity fighter pilot pants were taken apart and remade into footwear. This resulting hikers are made with sustainably-sourced materials like the removable stretch knit sock bootie made from 100 percent ReBotl (recycled plastic) fabric, the natural rubber outsole and the Better Leather upper, sourced from a tannery rated silver by the Leather Working Group for its water, energy, and waste management practices. As always, we’re anti-animal derived products at FUTUREVVORLD for numerous reasons, so we would have loved to have seen this boot use a plant-based leather instead.
The hikers are made with the Timberloop mindset. Timberloop is Timberland’s take-back program, whereby products are easily disassembled, recycled and remade once used. The pieces that make up these boots can be peeled apart after use thanks to its unique sole construction. Less chemical bonds are used meaning recycling and reuse is more efficient.
The boots are a chunky beast, built to withstand stomps and rambles across mountains, forests and more. They come in a forest green with contrasting orange webbing and insoles, or an all black version. Hopefully it’ll be a while before you need to replace them but it’s good to know that when you do, they’ll be recycled and remade into something else.
Also available as a part of the release, are two bags: a backpack and sling waist bag. Both are made with Cordura® ECO fabric which is water-resistant and highly durable. Perfect for holding extra layers and extra snacks whilst out on those hikes.
Shop the Earthkeepers® by RÆBURN range on timberland.com and raeburndesign.co.uk now.