Brazilian football star Neymar will become the world's most environmentally-friendly football player this summer, when he wears the new Nike GS football boot - the lightest, fastest, most environmentally-friendly production boot the company has ever made - along with his Brazil kit, made using fabric derived from recycled bottles.
The shirt and shorts of the Brazil kit are both made from fabric that comes almost entirely from recycled plastic drinks bottles. The bottles are washed, chopped up into flakes and melted down into thread, which is then used to create the fabric. Each kit is made using a average of 13 recycled bottles. Since beginning this process for its club and national team partners in 2010, Nike has diverted over 115 million bottles from landfill sites.
The Nike GS boot is constructed using renewable and recycled materials, designed for explosive performance on the pitch and lower impact on the planet. Every component has been optimized to reduce weight and waste, creating Nike’s lightest football boot ever at 160 grams (size 9).
Conceived and engineered in Italy, the Nike GS features recycled and renewable materials throughout the upper and plate design. A bio-based traction plate made primarily from castor beans ensures strength and flexibility on pitch, alongside a sock liner made from 100% castor beans. The boot laces, lining and tongue are made from a minimum of 70% recycled materials. The toeboard and collar, feature at least 15% recycled materials.
“The Nike GS is the lightest and fastest football boot we’ve ever made and really defines a new era in how we create, design and produce elite football boots,” said Andy Caine, global design director for Nike Football. “When you can deliver a boot that combines high end performance and a low environmental footprint that’s a winning proposition for players and planet.”
Nike GS includes the following performance, recycled and renewable materials in the new boot:
Traction Plate & Stud Configuration:
Nike GS traction plate combines a high performance chassis with a strong responsive and agile form. The sole plate is made of 50% renewable Pebax® Renew (a plant derived material made with 97% castor beans) and 50% TPU, made from renewable materials. The plate is 15% lighter than a traditional plate composition.
The traction plate includes a minimalist diamond-silhouette spine, which provides optimal flex and agility in plate performance.
Anatomically positioned studs maximize speed in multiple directions to ensure responsive and assured movement on pitch.
Touch & Control:
A solvent-free Kanga-Lite synthetic upper provides zonal reinforcement for exceptional touch and control. The synthetic upper also supports lockdown on midfoot and arch area.
The lightweight and chemical-free sock liner is made of 100% castor beans and eliminates any layers for a snug fit and enhanced touch on the ball.
Stability & Support:
Anatomical and asymmetrical heel counter and heel bucket locks the foot down for stability and support. The counter is made of Pebax® Renew, derived from castor bean oil.
