Materials

We try to make material choices that balance function, durability, and lower impact. Sometimes that means using recycled materials. Sometimes it means prioritizing long product lifespan so shoes can be used for longer. Often, it means navigating complex tradeoffs where no perfect solution yet exists.

Reducing the use of virgin fossil-based materials

The footwear industry still relies on fossil-based materials. One important part of our work is therefore reducing the need for virgin fossil raw materials by increasing the use of recycled and biobased alternatives where performance allows it.

This includes:

– recycled polyester,

– recycled nylon,

– recycled wool,

– algae-based foam materials,

– and biobased polymers.

But reducing fossil dependency is not always straightforward. Recycled and biobased materials also come with environmental impact and technical limitations.

Focus on durability, function, and long-term performance

We prioritize materials with long lifespan and proven real-world performance.

The durability of a shoe is one of the most important factors behind its overall climate footprint, since a longer product lifespan reduces the need for new production. That’s why we choose materials and constructions that can withstand frequent use and varying Nordic conditions while maintaining their function over time.

In some cases, this means combining materials to improve durability, lifespan, and long-term performance.

Balancing performance and lower impact

Shoes need to perform in the real world. Materials must handle wet conditions, abrasion, cold, movement, and long-term wear.

That creates difficult tradeoffs. Lightweight foam materials improve comfort and performance but are often fossil-based. Waterproof materials improve usability but can make recycling more difficult. Synthetic materials can, in some environments, be significantly more durable than natural fibers.

That’s why our material choices are continuously evaluated based on both functionality and environmental impact.

Traceability and certifications

Traceability and third-party certifications are important tools when evaluating materials and suppliers.

We use certifications and standards such as:

– Responsible Wool Standard (RWS),

– Leather Working Group (LWG),

– Global Recycled Standard (GRS),

– FSC®,

– Bluesign®,

– OEKO-TEX® Standard 100,

– and OBP certification.

These do not make materials perfect, but they help improve transparency, chemical management, and accountability throughout the supply chain.

Why material choices are complicated

There is no material that solves every challenge

Natural materials come from renewable sources but still require land, water, energy, and chemicals. Synthetic materials can provide high durability and long lifespan but are often fossil-based and difficult to recycle. Recycled materials reduce the need for virgin resources, but recycling systems are still limited across large parts of the footwear industry.

Even materials long considered better alternatives can reveal new challenges over time.

For example, recycled polyester made from PET bottles has long been seen as a better alternative to virgin polyester. At the same time, the beverage industry has pointed out that once bottles are turned into textiles, the material often becomes significantly harder to recycle again.

That’s why sustainability work is never static. What may be the best available option today may need to evolve further tomorrow.

Our materials

Biobased materials

Susterra®

What it is

– A polymer made from corn.

Why we use it

– Replaces fossil-based EVA in midsoles while providing lightweight, durable cushioning with lower climate impact.

BLOOM®

What it is

– A biobased foam material made from algae biomass.

Why we use it

– Blended into EVA to reduce dependence on fossil raw materials. The algae are harvested in areas affected by harmful algae blooms, helping clean water environments while reducing emissions.

Current formulations still contain large amounts of EVA, but development is moving toward increasing the algae-based content over time.

Recycled materials

Milspeed

What it is

– Recycled nylon and PET, partly sourced from fishing nets and other plastic waste.

Why we use it

– Provides strong and durable reinforcements while helping remove plastic waste from circulation. Contains approximately 60% recycled material, including recycled nylon from fishing nets.

Ocean RePET / Ocean Bound

What it is

– Polyester yarn made from plastic waste collected before it reaches the ocean.

Why we use it

– Reduces the need for virgin fossil plastics while helping collect plastic waste before it reaches marine environments.

Calculations from Worldly (Higg) indicate 20–50% lower emissions compared to virgin polyester.

Cordura® RE/COR™

What it is

– 100% recycled nylon 6 from Cordura’s own production.

Why we use it

– One of the most durable textile alternatives used in footwear — highly resistant to abrasion and built for long-term use.

Ortholite® insoles

What it is

– Polyurethane-based insoles containing 15–43% recycled PU foam and 5–7% recycled rubber.

Why we use it

– Provides lightweight, airy comfort that lasts over time. Some versions also contain biobased components derived from castor oil.

Links

https://www.ortholite.com/technology/hybrid/

https://www.ortholite.com/technology/hybrid-plus-bio/

https://cordura.com/sustainability

Natural and recycled materials

Woolpower

What it is

– Recycled wool leftovers from Swedish production that are needle-felted and blended with synthetic fibers for increased durability.

Why we use it

– Wool naturally provides warmth, moisture management, and odor resistance. Recycled wool reduces resource use and removes the need for new dyeing since the material retains its original color.

There is strong traceability within Woolpower’s own production, although traceability for recycled wool can vary globally.

Wool

Why we use it

– Wool helps create a comfortable foot climate by naturally regulating temperature and transporting moisture away from the foot.

The benefits

– Wool is naturally temperature regulating, moisture managing, and resistant to odor. We also use recycled wool to reduce resource use compared to virgin wool production.

Tradeoffs

– Wool is renewable, but not without impact. Wool production still requires land, water, energy, and chemicals. In some products, wool is blended with recycled polyester or synthetic fibers to improve durability and lifespan.

Animal welfare and traceability

– We only use wool with animal welfare requirements and guaranteed mulesing-free wool. Some wool padding is Responsible Wool Standard certified and sourced from New Zealand.

Waterproof materials

PFAS-free GORE-TEX ePE and BUGdri®

What it is

– Waterproof membranes made without PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.”

Why we use it

– Provides long-lasting protection in wet conditions with lower environmental impact compared to traditional fluorocarbon-based membranes.

Leather

Why we use it

– Leather is valued for its durability, comfort, and long lifespan. It is also a byproduct of the meat and dairy industry.

In footwear, leather can create products that age well and remain functional over many years of use.

The challenges

– Leather is also one of the most debated materials in the footwear industry.

Animal welfare, tanning chemicals, water use, and emissions are important concerns. That’s why traceability and supplier selection are crucial.

How we work with leather

– We use leather certified according to Leather Working Group Gold Standard, except in certain technical models.

We also collaborate with suppliers such as ECCO to improve traceability and reduce environmental impact.

ECCO’s DriTan™ process reduces the use of water, energy, and chemicals compared to traditional tanning.

Technologies

SuperC Foam™

What it is

– A nitrogen-injected foam material used in the midsole.

Why we use it

– Enables lower weight, a more responsive feel, and longer lifespan thanks to a more homogeneous cell structure. The technology replaces chemical blowing agents and reduces climate impact by lowering material weight.

Solution dyed

What it is

– A dyeing process where pigment is added before the yarn is spun.

Why we use it

– Reduces the use of water and chemicals compared to traditional dyeing methods.

DriTan™

What it is

– A tanning technology that reduces water, energy, and chemical use during production.

Why we use it

– Significantly lowers the climate footprint of leather production compared to the global average according to Worldly (Higg MSI).

Certifications and standards

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100

What it is

– A certification ensuring textiles are tested for harmful substances and considered safe for both people and the environment.

FSC®

What it is

– A certification supporting responsible forestry and biodiversity.

How we use it

– From Autumn 2024, our outsoles contain 23–61% FSC-certified natural rubber.

OBP certified

What it is

– Ocean Bound Plastic certification ensuring collected plastic waste is properly traced and recycled.

GRS certified

What it is

– Global Recycled Standard verifies and traces recycled materials throughout the supply chain.

LWG Gold Standard

What it is

– A certification within the leather industry focused on environmental performance and responsible production.

How we use it

– All Icebug leather, except certain technical models, comes from tanneries with the highest environmental rating according to Leather Working Group.

Bluesign®

What it is

– A standard focused on responsible chemical management and safer working conditions in textile production.

Vi bruker virksomheten vår til å gjøre godt

Hos Icebug ønsker vi å lage skikkelig gode sko som hjelper deg ut hver dag, uansett vær og årstid. Målet vårt er å endre skobransjen ved å ta ansvar for vårt klimaavtrykk. Vi lager sko som varer lenge, med lave utslipp og respekt for både mennesker og natur. En del av det du investerer i oss gir vi tilbake til planeten – for eksempel ved å støtte organisasjoner som jobber for å bevare urskog.