Brazilian-founded, Portugal-based footwear startup Undo For Tomorrow is gearing up for the release of its new four-piece Nuven sneaker collection. Designed as an everyday sneaker with unisex appeal and vegan sensibilities, the Nuven’s core focuses are conscious design and comfort that rivals that of performance shoes – as evidenced by its name, which literally translates from Portugese as “cloud.” 

The suede-like uppers are crafted from recycled plastic bottles, and rubber from the Amazon is used on the toe and heel for reinforced support. The durable sole, though it looks just like the soles of most other sneakers, is actually crafted from a clever blend of recycled tires and balloons – yep, the kind you’d normally see at a birthday party. 

Other details include an Ortholite™️ insole made of castor oil, and a smooth, antibacterial 100% bamboo lining. Importantly, the Nuven is also weather-resistant, just as any good “everyday” sneaker needs to be in order to hold its own against the elements. 

Back to the comfort factor; it was seriously considered when the Undo For Tomorrow team developed the Nuven. The secret lies in the SmoothFoam™️ midsole layer, which is ultra-lightweight, even when compared to some of the best performance running shoes (it weighs in just 6.5 oz in standard women’s sizes.) There’s also the added benefit of those Amazonian rubber details on the upper, which are thin, flexible, and mold to your feet with wear for the ultimate fit.

Of course the notion of sustainable design goes beyond just using recycled materials; you have to consider conscious and ethical production processes too. Undo For Tomorrow works closely with a family-owned factory in Franca, a long-renowned hub of footwear production in São Paulo, Brazil. By partnering directly with this factory, Undo For Tomorrow can ensure both a high standard of materials and finishes in its products, but also good working conditions and wages for those who actually make the shoes. 

The brand is also embracing a preorder model by using crowdfunding platform Indiegogo to fund — and gauge interest in — the Nuven collection. As we’ve previously noted, there are numerous benefits when it comes to direct-to-consumer preorder systems.

In Undo For Tomorrow’s case, it cuts out unnecessary overproduction and the risk of excess stock. It also reduces the brand’s carbon footprint by allowing it to ship directly to buyers, rather than retail stores. For the consumer, it offers a chance to secure a pair of Nuven sneakers at a reduced price, as part of an “early bird” deal. Clearly, the demand is there: the campaign has already surpassed its goal by over 700%, with just one day before it ends. 

Find out more about Undo For Tomorrow’s Nuven release and Indiegogo funding campaign here.