The Cole Haan Change Forward™ initiative represents our goals and our efforts to better ourselves — and the world around us.
In the nearly 100 years we’ve been here, much has changed. Now, it’s time for us to change too. We are advancing our Grand.36Ø Design & Engineering System—and focusing on finding innovative ways to make our products more sustainable, without compromising our reputation for performance, function, and craft.
It’s a process, but all great change starts with a few first steps to move forward.
Sustainable Innovation in our products.
The mechanics of the human body is the central focus of our Grand.36Ø Design & Engineering System and we are always looking for new ways our products can complement natural human performance. We call this “Natural Design.”
Now, our goal is to give “Natural Design” an enhanced meaning by actively seeking environmentally conscious naturally derived or recycled materials for many of our product components. And, for leather components, we are prioritizing responsible leather sourcing.
Every day at Cole Haan is a work in progress. We’re learning—and unlearning—with each step we take. We’re integrating this thinking into our everyday work. We’re actively seeking partners and suppliers who share our mission. And, we’re making breakthroughs as well as correcting any missteps along the way.
The steps we’re taking to Change Forward.™
When you see the word SUSTAINABLE next to Cole Haan products, you’ll know there’s a minimum of 25% naturally derived or recycled content by weight in that product.
There are four primary benefits we seek to deliver in our products:
Natural Motion
Responsive Cushioning
Energy Return
Breathability
We will start by asking ourselves how we can bring thoughtful simplicity to our design practices—making streamlined products with less ingredients and less impact in the first place.
Next, we will go to nature—seeking to include solutions and materials made or adapted from nature.
When we include leather, we use responsible leather sourcing —seeking tanneries that are gold-rated by the Leather Working Group.
Our SUSTAINABLE products will also include some features made from recycled or reconstituted materials that will deliver upon the needs of our consumers.
From recycled yarns in our shoes to post-consumer waste in our packaging, we will continue to look for additional ways to reduce waste and reuse existing materials.
For other materials—which we use to ensure that our products meet our exacting performance standards and endure long-term wear — we will seek to minimize waste wherever possible.
Generation ZERØGRAND II
WITH FLOWERFOAM™
When we set out to design our first SUSTAINABLE shoe, we started from the ground up, innovating a revolutionary sole with dandelions. Yes, dandelions.
Our patent pending FlowerFoam™ sole is made with a minimum of 25% natural dandelion rubber. Here’s to a little Flower Power.
To go even further, we infused recycled content throughout to create a shoe with over 25% recycled content by weight.
Flower Power
The Generation ZERØGRAND II pioneers
the revolutionary use of our lightweight,
360˚engineered FlowerFoam™ sole.
Our patent pending FlowerFoam™ outsole is made from a minimum of 25% natural dandelion rubber.
Made with dandelions. Yes, dandelions.
Our FlowerFoam™ sole is made from a minimum of 25% natural dandelion rubber and provides lightweight cushioning to keeping you going and growing all day, every day.
