Casca Footwear Partners With Volvo To Launch BC-built Shoe

Vancouver’s Casca Footwear has teamed up with Volvo to celebrate World Car Free Day on September 22nd with a limited-edition sneaker inspired by the pure electric Volvo XC40 Recharge.

Incorporating considered, long-term sustainable, and circular approaches to design, the shoe is in recognition of the brands’ shared vision for a carbon-neutral future.

The goal was to create a shoe rooted in conscious design. Scandinavian influences of the XC40 Recharge were purposefully integrated for a collaborative new interpretation of Casca’s trademark clean lines.

• The Sole – 10% of each sole is made from recycled car tire, the first time this material has ever been used in a Casca shoe as part of an intentional repurposing and recycling of materials.
• The Upper – 7 recycled plastic bottles are used to make the yarn for each breathable, flexible knit upper.
• Heritage – The Swedish flag is represented on one shoe tag, while the classic Casca yellow can be seen on the other, honouring the collaboration between the two brands as well as minimalist, Scandinavian design.
• Influences – The Thor hammer headlight influence can be seen in the linework and paneling, delivering a more performance-inspired aesthetic to Casca’s popular Avro silhouette.

“The Volvo XC40 Recharge was designed to reduce environmental impact, so it was the perfect inspiration for the shoe,” said Kevin Reid Lead Director and Co-Founder, Casca. “Through this collaboration we’re also celebrating many design firsts – our first shared design, our fastest production to market, and new recycled materials we’ve never used before.”

Two years ago Casca raised a $4 million venture funding round led by Khosla Ventures that included Shopify founder Tobi Lütke.

“We know that being advanced isn’t just about great design and technology, it means implementing ethical and sustainable practices,” said Braden Parker, CEO and Co-Founder, Casca. “This is just one of many similarities we see between our brand and Volvo Cars, we both want to create something with intention that lasts.”

The shoe will be available for $198 on September 22nd.