Levi’s is shifting its focus to a new category: sustainable footwear. The jeans behemoth collaborated with The Woolmark Company to produce, of all things, the Torsten Quilted, an eco-friendly boot.
The lining of the boot is made of merino wool, which is biodegradable and recyclable, as well as robust, in keeping with Woolmark’s experience. Merino is also naturally odor-resistant and moisture-wicking.
Aside from the wool inside, the Torsten Quilted features a midsole constructed of 20% recycled materials and a leather upper sourced from “from factories certified by the Leather Working Group.” Levi’s already sells footwear, primarily ultra-casual designs of sneakers and sandals that aren’t exactly “fashion-forward.” The Torsten Quilted is a step in that direction.
Levi’s has previously taken steps to reduce the environmental effect of its denim, so it only makes sense that its footwear will follow suit. The brand provides a repair service that may restore worn-out jeans or upcycle them into something completely new, minimizing the need to purchase new products.
Levi’s SecondHand, which debuted in 2020, buys and sells vintage and used denim.
Furthermore, Levi’s intends to convert all of its owned and operated operations to 100% renewable energy by 2025. The choice by Levi’s to debut a boot — an option outside of their wheelhouse — is surprising.
