Adidas Developed Potentially Revolutionary Leather-Free Upper Material
Feb 3, 2023, by Chris
In July 2022, we exclusively reported that Adidas would not be using kangaroo leather for the next-generation Adidas Copa Pure football boots. Now, former Adidas designer Marc Illan has revealed something very interesting - he and his team had developed a potentially revolutionary leather-free material for the boots that was ultimately not used.
Adidas Use No Calf Leather Instead of Kangaroo Leather for Next-Generation Copa Pure
Adidas has made the decision to no longer use kangaroo leather for their Copa line of football shoes, opting instead for calf leather. This change mainly came as a response to concerns surrounding the environmental impact and animal welfare issues associated with the production of kangaroo leather.
However, the Three Stripes were close to stopping using leather completely.
Adidas Designers Found "Suitable Alternative" to Stop Use of Leather At All
Marc Illan, a former Adidas designer, claims that he and his team had developed a leather-free alternative, but the company decided not to use it in the end.
Marc Illan says that their "team was able to find a suitable alternative to kangaroo leather that not only meet the performance requirements of a football shoe but also has a lower environmental impact and is humanely produced".
Marc Illan also showed off some early virtual prototypes of the leather-free next-generation Adidas Copa Pure football boots.
Unfortunately, this material was not used on the shoes, and instead, the shoe uses calf leather.
In the end, opted for calf leather. Marc Illan does not completely agree with the decision to still use leather but shows his satisfaction that Kangaroo leather is no longer used.
I am not here to defend this material choice, but still is a great achievement that Adidas has STOPPED USING KANGAROO LEATHER IN THEIR FOOTBALL SHOES. And that is something we should all celebrate.
It remains to be seen if Adidas will stop using leather for their Copa football boots in the near future.
What do you think of Adidas still using leather for their football boots? Let us know in the comments below.
Adidas Germany 2026 Farewell Kit Debuted on Pitch
Germany officially debuted their special edition Adidas farewell kit during their UEFA Nations League clash against the Netherlands. The release marks the final chapter of a legendary 72-year partnership between the German Football Association (DFB) and the Three Stripes, which began in 1954 and will officially come to an end on December 31, 2026, ahead of Nike taking over as technical supplier from 2027.
The tribute shirt features an elegant, predominantly black base decorated with vertical gold diamond pinstripes running down the front. Adidas has opted for the heritage Trefoil logo on the right chest alongside the classic DFB crest used between 1978 and 1996, both rendered in white. A retro-inspired crossover V-neck collar is trimmed in white and gold, mirrored on the sleeve cuffs, while a commemorative "1954" jock tag sits on the bottom hem to honor the historic year the partnership began.
Completed with black shorts and black socks featuring gold detailing, the on-pitch ensemble arrived just days after its official unveiling. Following its high-profile match debut, the Germany 2026 farewell jersey is scheduled to go on general sale via official Adidas channels starting September 26, 2026.
Nike Phantom 6 Haaland Chapter 5 Boots Revealed - Reactive Nike Hydra Upper
Through its partner stores, Nike has officially revealed Erling Haaland's fifth signature edition, the Nike Phantom 6 Haaland Chapter 5 from his Force of Nature collection. Finished in a Baltic Blue colorway with cloud-inspired graphics across the rear, the low-cut boot introduces Nike's Hydra treatment, which uses reactive white ink that vanishes when wet to uncover additional details of the graphic beneath. Engineered for lethal finishing in the 26-27 season, the boot combines a Gripknit upper with a Cyclone 360 soleplate and is scheduled to launch on October 1, 2026. Huge thanks to Pro Direct and Unisportsore for images and the video.
Fortuna Sittard 26-27 Cup Kit Released - Sponsorless 1957 Tribute
Dutch Eredivisie side Fortuna Sittard and technical supplier Robey have officially revealed a special cup kit for the 26-27 campaign. Created in collaboration with design agency 51North, this release marks the very first dedicated cup kit in the club's history. It serves as a direct tribute to predecessor club Fortuna '54, who won the 1957 KNVB Beker with a memorable Bram Appel hat-trick against Feyenoord.
The Robey Fortuna Sittard 26-27 cup shirt faithfully revives the historic look with a white base highlighted by broad horizontal red and blue stripes across the chest, completing the Dutch tricolor. In true vintage fashion, the jersey comes with long sleeves as standard and features a retro polo collar. Club sponsors voluntarily stepped aside to allow a completely clean, sponsorless front, while the Robey branding and club badge are subtly embroidered in tonal white to maintain the authentic aesthetic.
Additional bespoke details round off the historic tribute. A heritage Fortuna '54 tag sits near the bottom hem, and an embroidered depiction of the KNVB Cup sits neatly below the back collar, added with official federation approval. The shirt is worn with matching white shorts and socks, completing a timeless look for Fortuna's cup run.
FIFA ASEAN Cup Features Same Left-Sleeve Kit Badge as in 2026 FIFA World Cup Final
The opening match between Laos and Brunei provided a full reveal of the sleeve patch pairing for the inaugural FIFA-organized Southeast Asian tournament.
Moving away from the previously expected navy blue, the official tournament patches feature a clean white base. Most notably, the "Football Unites the World" sleeve patch on the left arm is the exact same design that made a single, exclusive appearance at the recent World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina.
Big thanks to @What The Kit for spotting and making the collage.
