Boss Works Towards Eliminating the Use of Polyester With Latest Sneaker Launch

The knitted upper of the new shoes are made of 85 percent HeiQ AeoniQ.

As the Hugo Boss Group works towards its goal to eliminate the use of polyamide and polyester by 2030, the company’s Boss brand has released a new sneaker that could help achieve that target.

On Wednesday, the German fashion brand has revealed its new “The Change” sneakers. Boss said in a statement that what makes this model special is the use of HeiQ AeoniQ – a cellulosic filament yarn made from wood pulp engineered to substitute oil-based filament yarns, such as polyester and nylon.

The knitted upper of the new shoes are made of 85 percent HeiQ AeoniQ, with laces and labels made entirely from the yarn. The Change sneaker also features Boss’s TTNM EVO outsole, designed for stability and cushioning.

The new shoes are part of the company’s long-term strategic partnership with HeiQ AeoniQ, LLC. The deal, which was inked in 2022, came to life when Boss presented its first polo shirt using HeiQ AeoniQ yarn, worn by brand ambassador and Italian tennis star Matteo Berrettini, at the Australian Open in early 2023. A second, limited-edition drop of the collarless polo shirt was later presented at the Boss Open in Stuttgart in June 2023.

The two companies then launched its first capsule together at its fall/winter 2023 fashion show in Milan in September with a see now, buy now collection featuring the yarn.

This new sneaker marks another step for Boss’s footwear assortment, as the brand makes its intention to gradually increase the presence and share of HeiQ AeoniQ in its overall product range. This will evolve as research and development is carried out in other product categories, the company said.

The Change sneakers are priced at 250 euros and are now available on Boss.com.