Nike Ends Use of Kangaroo Leather in Soccer Cleats

Nike has officially announced that it will stop using kangaroo leather (k-leather) in soccer cleats this year, following a similar move by Puma. The decision primarily affects the Tiempo line, with a new synthetic version set to launch this summer.

Official Announcement

Nike stated that it will launch a new boot innovation in its Tiempo franchise this summer. The Tiempo Legend Elite will debut with a new Nike-only, proprietary synthetic upper that replaces kangaroo leather. The company describes the new material as a better performance solution. Additionally, the Tiempo Premier, also launching this summer, will move away from the use of kangaroo leather.

Reasons Behind the Decision

Two key factors may have influenced Nike’s choice.

Animal Rights Campaign

Last year, a short film titled “Nike profits. Kangaroos die” was released as part of a global campaign to end the slaughter of wildlife for sports. Produced in partnership with animal-rights group The Center for a Humane Economy (CHE), the film traces the life of Nike’s soccer cleats in reverse order—from the soccer field to the production factory and back to the killing of wild kangaroos and their joeys in Australia.

Oregon Legislation

Earlier this year, a significant bill passed in Oregon that will soon prohibit the sale of any kangaroo parts or kangaroo-based products. This is similar to a bill already enforced in California. Since Nike’s Beaverton headquarters are located in Oregon, the new mandate may have played a major role in the final decision.

Impact on the Footwear Industry

With Nike and Puma both switching away from k-leather, adidas remains the only major brand still using kangaroo leather in soccer cleats. This could increase pressure from animal activist groups on adidas to follow suit.

Mizuno and New Balance also face difficult decisions. Mizuno is particularly well-known for its signature Made In Japan (MIJ) k-leather uppers.

Kangaroo Population and Conservation

The kangaroo population in Australia is currently very high, estimated at around 43 million kangaroos to 26 million humans. While kangaroos are an unmistakable symbol of the country, they are also considered a pest species. The Australian government has sanctioned commercial harvests, or culls, to limit population growth. It remains to be seen whether the reduced demand for k-leather will impact the Australian authorities’ decisions on culls.

What This Means for Players

If Nike’s decision leads to the reintroduction of a synthetic kanga-lite material similar to what was used in the CTR360 range, many players may welcome the change. That earlier synthetic material was widely regarded as a success, giving Nike a solid foundation to develop upgraded kangaroo leather alternatives.

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