New ‘weatherproof’ sneakers race past funding target
Barcelona-based travel gear brand Tropicfeel, which has been developed in line with an on-demand business model, recently launched a new sneaker design, Geyser, via a crowdfunding campaign.
The brand described the sprint-laced footwear, which will come in five colourways, as “weatherproof".
Featuring a sock construction and made with an upper created from a blend of Hyosung’s Mipan regen recycled nylon and creora regen recycled elastane, the shoes have been finished with an unspecified water-resistant treatment. A stretchy, recycled waterproof membrane by HDry has also been applied to the interior of the upper’s outermost layer.
Rounding out the design is a 20% merino wool lining, in addition to a castor bean-derived insole and a recycled ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) outsole.
Brand chief executive, Alberto Espinós, who co-founded Tropicfeel in 2017, said that he wanted the Geyser style to continue the company’s “legacy” of water-friendly designs. Singling out Hyosung’s recycled fibres, in particular, he praised the South Korean producer’s “sustainable textile solutions”. (Tropicfeel released the Nest backpack, which also incorporated recycled Hyosung fibres in its design, earlier this year.)
At the time of publication, the first batch of Geyser shoes had exceeded their €50,000 (around $56,500) funding target with 35 days left. The amount of financial support pledged during the crowdfunding campaign so far totalled €465,350 (roughly $525,000), suggesting significant demand.
Image: Tropicfeel's Geyser sneaker.
