No K-Leather: Next Gen Nike Tiempo to be Made with Synthetic Materials
- Nike K-Leather Change: Nike will stop using kangaroo leather in their Tiempo and Premier football boots, switching to a proprietary synthetic upper material.
- Puma K-Leather Change: Puma is also phasing out k-leather, replacing it with a synthetic material called "K-Better," which is made with recycled material and is said to perform better than the previous K-leather.
- Reasoning Behind Change: Both Nike and Puma are moving away from k-leather due to a combination of factors, including a bill passed in Oregon banning the sale of kangaroo products, animal rights concerns, and the development of improved synthetic alternatives.
Nike have announced that they will stop using k-leather in their football boots from this year onwards, with the Tiempo and Premier lines to be affected the most.
Nike and Puma to Stop Using K-Leather
Nike and Puma are to stop making football boots from kangaroo leather. K-leather has been used for years in the production of football boots thanks to several qualities that make it particularly well suited to the purpose. It's lightweight, durable and has more give than traditional cow leather, allowing for better fit and comfort. Although Nike now use synthetic materials in many of their models, their Tiempo Elite and Premier boots are still crafted from k-leather. That will all change this year, as Nike elaborated in a statement sent to footwearnews.com.
“The Tiempo Legend Elite will debut with a new Nike-only, proprietary synthetic upper. The upper has a new material that is a better performance solution and replaces the use of kangaroo leather. In addition, the Tiempo Premier, also set to launch this summer, will move away from the use of kangaroo leather. Nike divested of its only kangaroo leather supplier in 2021 and will stop making any product with kangaroo leather in 2023.” - Nike statement.
A couple of weeks before Nike's statement, Puma also announced that they will be phasing out the use of k-leather this year. Their new Puma King model uses a synthetic replaced called "K-Better". Puma say that K-Better is "a completely new, non-animal based upper material that contains at least 20% recycled material as a step toward a better future." It has also apparently outperformed the previous KING K-Leather in testing for touch, comfort, and durability.
Soccer Bible say that Nike's move may have been encouraged by a recent bill that was passed in the state of Oregon, where Nike is headquartered. The new bill prohibits the sale of any product containing kangaroo parts, so Nike would have faced legal problems down the line had they decided to move away from k-leather. The use of the material has also long been criticised by animal rights groups.
How do you feel about this change? Do you think synthetic materials can surpass kangaroo leather in terms of quality, comfort and performance? Comment below.
Helmond Sport 26-27 Home Kit Released
Dutch Eerste Divisie side Helmond Sport have officially revealed their new 2026-27 home kit, produced by Saller. Themed 'De rode draad die ons verbindt' (The red thread that connects us), the new shirt is designed to represent the story of the club's life, its supporters, and its history. The Saller Helmond Sport 2026-27 home kit will be available for pre-order starting July 1, 2026.
DOAF x Nike Total 90 Beautiful Game Shoes Revealed
The DOAF x Nike Total 90 "Beautiful Game" Sneakers have been revealed, a highly limited collaboration.
Celebrating the iconic Total 90 football boot lineage, these special edition lifestyle sneakers are restricted to a strict production run of just 300 pairs worldwide. The DOAF x Nike Total 90 "Beautiful Game" shoes will be officially released on July 14th and will be available exclusively via GOAT.
FC Barcelona 26-27 Kit & Font Revealed
FC Barcelona's new kit for the 2026-27 season has been just revealed, including an all-new kit typeface.
Sheffield Wednesday Announce Umbro Kit Deal
Sheffield Wednesday and Umbro have officially announced a multi-year partnership, reuniting the two British football brands. Starting from the 2026-27 season, the famous Double Diamond logo will once again feature on the club's home, away, and third kits, replacing previous supplier Macron.
The reunion brings a heavy dose of nostalgia for the Owls. Umbro previously supplied Sheffield Wednesday's kits during a highly successful period from 1984 to 1993, an era that included memorable cup runs and the club's historic 1991 League Cup triumph at Wembley Stadium.
Meyba Willem II 26-27 130th Anniversary Home Kit Released
The new Willem II home shirt was released today to celebrate the club's 130th anniversary. Made by new supplier Meyba, who replace Robey, the Willem II 2026-27 home kit will be worn in the Eredivisie.
The Meyba Willem II 2026-27 home jersey features the club's classic tricolor design with red, white, and blue vertical stripes. In a nod to the club's heritage and to keep the design as pure as possible for the 130-year milestone, the kit does not feature a main sponsor on the front.
This release marks the first kit produced by Meyba for the Dutch club following the announcement of their partnership in March 2026.
Bochum 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
The new VfL Bochum 2026-27 home and away kits were officially released today. Made by Mizuno, the new kits will be worn in the upcoming 2. Bundesliga campaign. The launch is centered around the theme "Du trägst es in dir" (You carry it inside you), celebrating the deep connection between the club, its crest, and the fans.
The Mizuno VfL Bochum 2026-27 home shirt features a gradient design transitioning from dark floodlight blue to royal blue. The focal point of the design is the club crest, which represents the heart of the team and connects generations of supporters.
The Mizuno VfL Bochum 2026-27 away shirt offers a contrasting look in light blue with a unique graphic design and a patterned collar.
Shrewsbury Town 26-27 Away Kit Released
Shrewsbury Town's new 2026-27 away kit was officially released today.
The Oxen Sports Shrewsbury Town 2026-27 away shirt introduces a vibrant look, featuring an amber base combined with blue trim on the collar and cuffs. Subtle stripes are incorporated directly into the fabric to give the shirt a textured finish.
