For years, many companies and researchers around the world have been working to find a solution for the problem with the huge amounts of trash. We produce litter every day, and the mountains of trash are getting bigger and bigger. But no one has yet been able to solve this problem properly. Instead, well-known companies are trying to solve the problem somehow differently. In Nike's case, this solution even looks really good.

The Beaverton-based brand has been dealing with trash even more intensively since 2020. And we don't mean that in a negative sense. We need to reduce waste or at least recycle it. Recycling is not the future anymore, as it has already long been the present, and Nike shows us that quite well with its new shoes, which are partly made of trash.

It all started back then with the commitment to the procurement of renewable energy. Even before the Olympic Games, Nike has been working on new collections that live out the new concept and practically use trash for new sneakers. It also saves not only energy, but also important resources. Now, it's 2021, and Nike continues to recycle leftovers from production to make these futuristic sneakers. Next up, we present the Nike Space Hippie 04 "Iron Grey".

The four futuristic sneakers quickly found favour in the sneaker community. Those among the first "This Is Trash" proposals found their way into the sneaker game and even displaced other silhouettes for a short time. The Nike Space Hippie 04 became an early fan favourite and has been released in numerous colourways since its June 2020 launch — many more models than the other Space Hippies.

The Nike Space Hippie 04 "Iron Grey" features an "Iron Grey/Photon Dust/Black" colourway with graduated grey tones that are not new to the silhouette. They have the traditional sock-like upper, which is made from "Space Waste Yarn" and has contrasting Swooshes. Further up, round black laces then lace up the Space Hippie 04, with the eyelets made of Flywire cable and running along the tongue.

The other outstanding highlights include the orange details on the tongues and inside the sneaker. The colourful brandings shine on the dusky background. Further down, you'll find the Crater Foam midsole, which uses excess material from the NEXT% line, while the forefoot and heel reinforcements match the dark aesthetic of the upper.

Trash now has a shape. From upper to outsole, the Space Hippie is made of at least 25% recycled material. Furthermore, the Nike Space Hippie 04 has the smallest carbon footprint and is the lightest sneaker in the entire collection. Additionally, we should also talk about the futuristic "Space Waste Yarn". The upper made of the new material consists of approximately 75% recycled material in terms of weight. For this, Nike uses plastic bottles, t-shirts, and yarn scraps for the sneakers.

And why does the sole look so strange with all the coloured dots? The ultra-soft and comfortable midsole is made of Crater Foam, a unit that combines Nike Grind with a mixture of different foams. It is very stable and comfortable to wear.

We love the minimalist design of the Nike Space Hippie 04 "Iron Grey". The sock-like entry is especially comfortable, while the light and breathable upper always keeps your feet cool. However, we advise you to go half a size smaller for a better fit.