Though there are plenty of canvas sneakers on the market, we had something better in mind for our Forever Sneaker. To make it high-quality, low-impact, and recyclable, we had to find a factory partner experienced with our specific materials and specialized construction techniques. The folks who make our Rain Boot knew just the right people.

Dae Yun Co., Ltd. stands out because they specialize in vulcanization, a method that durably fuses rubber components. Since their sister factory makes our Rain Boot and those have held up to wear so well, we were confident in their abilities. They produce for one large European brand and two smaller lines, and their smaller batches allow for more attention to detail.

To make the Forever Sneaker, they first mix the recycled rubber compound, pour it into steel molds, and press it into shape. The shoe’s upper is made with recycled cotton canvas, stitched together from pieces carefully cut to minimize fabric waste. Assembly is an impressive feat, with the shoe changing hands down the line as the lasted upper is attached to the midsole, which is then attached to the outsole and foxing. Once the foxing is trimmed, the shoe is ready to be vulcanized.

Vulcanization is key to making this shoe last for so long, rather than having the outsole separate as is so often the problem with other canvas sneakers. Dae Yun heats our Forever Sneaker at 130°C (266°F) for 65 minutes to create a lasting bond between the different rubber pieces and the canvas upper. It’s the same method used to create a totally waterproof seal when we make our Rain Boot. After the sneaker is vulcanized, it’s cleaned up, laced, and packed up to start its journey to you.