While once largely relegated to plastic and paper-based goods, the push to increase the use of recycled materials has exploded in recent times, with an ever-growing number of big-name businesses making efforts to upcycle materials, become more sustainable, and generally reduce their environmental impact. And one of the most straight-forward examples of this in recent months has been New Balance’s Test Run Project 3 (Multicolor) shoes.
Born out of a concerted effort to greatly reduce material waste in its manufacturing process, these limited edition Frankenshoes are almost entirely comprised of repurposed materials, with synthetic and mesh uppers in a range of bright colors, all borrowed from previously produced NB offerings. The shoe’s TRP3 midsoles are composed of leftover bits from NB’s Fresh Foam material, and even the Ecostep Vibram outsoles on the PRJ 3.0s are made from 30% recycled rubber. Created at New Balance’s Global Design Center and designed by Seth Maxwell, the New Balance Test Run Project 3 is currently on sale for $180.
