Asics is the Latest Brand to Drop Kangaroo Leather From its Footwear Production
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Asics has announced plans to end using kangaroo leather in its athletic footwear by the end of 2025, making it the latest sportswear brand to distance itself from the controversial trade. The move comes less than a week after adidas confirmed it had also exited the kangaroo leather market.
The news was shared directly with the Center for a Humane Economy, the organization behind the “Kangaroos Are Not Shoes” campaign, pressuring global footwear companies to adopt cruelty-free materials. In an email to Animal Wellness and the Center for a Humane Economy, Asics stated, “As we have successfully developed high-performance alternatives to kangaroo leather, we are moving toward ending the production of products using kangaroo leather by the end of 2025.”
For years, kangaroo leather was prized for its lightweight and durable properties, especially in soccer cleats. But mounting public scrutiny over the mass slaughter of wild kangaroos, which often leaves joeys orphaned or killed, has prompted leading brands to rethink their sourcing. Activists estimate the annual kangaroo kill has dropped from two million to around 1.3 million animals as corporate demand wanes.
“With the rapid-fire announcements from ASICS and adidas, we’re witnessing the dismantling of a supply chain built on bloodshed and the orphaning of kangaroo joeys,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center for a Humane Economy. “The foreign markets for kangaroo skins are collapsing, and that can only mean good news for the iconic marsupials of Australia.”
“Asics is setting an ethical standard other Japanese companies should follow. I hope Mizuno will be next,” said Victoria Garafola, the Center’s representative in Japan.
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Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts and catching the latest movies. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
