Woollen runners could be the next best thing
400 hours of running and the woollen shoe still looks and smells as if it has just been pulled out of the box.
Four hundred hours of wear and the woollen running shoe still smells brand new.
Science impact leader for AgResearch Andy Cooper has been working hard on the development of the snazzy new woollen running shoe.
The Wool Runner was created by Three Over Seven, working closely with the AgResearch team in Lincoln.
It is a woollen shoe specifically designed for sockless wear; made from 100% New Zealand wool, the shoe controls odour, regulates temperature, repels water, wicks away moisture, and resists stains and dirt. It’s also machine washable.
“We were here last year with different products but with nothing as fascinating as this one,” Cooper said.
“People think ‘wool and shoes: how does that work?’”
AgResearch was approached a couple of years ago for a design that could work for the upper side of a shoe.
“Now that’s a real technical challenge, because you need something that is going to be comfortable, durable, and at the same time water resistant,” Cooper said.
They have a shoe on display this year that has endured 400 hours of running, and a couple of wash cycles, and it still looks brand new – no questionable smells or wear and tear.
The shoe is a whole new market for a sector of New Zealand wool called ‘mid-micron’, and Cooper couldn’t be happier.
“This is a real success story for New Zealand wool and New Zealand science.”
