For decades, Adidas soccer boots have been prized for their performance, style, and innovation, earning a loyal following among players and fans alike.
Their reputation was built not only on design but also on materials that offered durability and comfort, making them a favourite choice for athletes across generations.
However, in a move that made waves across the sporting world, Adidas announced it would no longer use leather harvested from one particular animal in any of its products.
For decades, Adidas soccer boots have been valued for their performance, style, and a surprising ingredient: kangaroo leather. Adidas has announced that it will no longer use leather sourced from wild Australian kangaroos in any of its products.
The decision, which follows mounting pressure from animal welfare groups and changing consumer expectations, marks a significant shift for one of the world’s most recognisable brands.
Kangaroo leather, often called ‘K-leather’, has long been favoured by elite athletes and manufacturers for its unique strength, lightness, and flexibility. It was considered the gold standard for soccer boots for years, offering a snug fit and superior ball control.
However, behind the performance benefits, the use of kangaroo leather has been a source of controversy. Animal rights campaigners have raised serious concerns about how kangaroos are hunted in the wild.
Unlike farmed animals, kangaroos are shot in their natural habitat, and critics argue that the process lacks proper oversight.
The fate of joeys—baby kangaroos—has been particularly distressing for many: when adult kangaroos are killed, orphaned joeys are often euthanised, sometimes inhumanely.
Groups like the Center for a Humane Economy have led high-profile campaigns, highlighting these issues and calling for global brands to take a stand.
Adidas’s decision comes from similar moves by other major sportswear companies.
In 2023, Puma, Nike, and New Balance announced they would stop using kangaroo leather and switch to advanced synthetic alternatives that they claim are more ethical and perform better on the field.
Adidas Chief Executive Officer Bjørn Gulden announced at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Germany that Adidas had stopped buying kangaroo leather in 2023 and would end all production using the material by 2025.
Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center for a Humane Economy, addressed the meeting, urging Adidas to align its practices with modern animal welfare standards.
‘We don’t need to use kangaroo leather, it is completely unnecessary,’ he said, adding that the practice was ‘no longer justifiable’ in the 21st century.
Not everyone agrees with the move. The Australian Wild Game Industry Council argued that kangaroo harvesting is conducted sustainably and with minimal suffering, and that it’s better for the environment than farming cattle for leather.
They point out that kangaroos are not farmed, but wild-harvested under government quotas, and that the methods for euthanising orphaned joeys are based on scientific research.
Some also argue that the leather is a by-product of the kangaroo meat industry, much of which is used for pet food, and that banning its use could have unintended consequences for rural communities and the environment.
Alyssa Wormald from the Victorian Kangaroo Alliance said the writing is on the wall: ‘We know the reduced demand for kangaroo products is hitting the kangaroo industry hard.’
‘Very few processors are buying carcasses, so shooters are packing it in, and there is no incentive for new shooters to get involved.’
With Adidas, Nike, Puma, and New Balance all moving away from kangaroo leather, attention is now turning to other brands, particularly Japanese manufacturers like Mizuno and ASICS, as well as luxury fashion houses that still use kangaroo skins in handbags and boots.
Animal welfare advocates are vowing to keep up the pressure, and more companies will likely make similar announcements soon.
For consumers, this shift is part of a broader trend towards ethical and sustainable fashion. Synthetic materials have come a long way, and many now outperform traditional animal leathers in both durability and comfort.
As technology advances, the days of animal-derived sports gear may soon be behind us.
The decision has sparked debate here at home. Some Australians see it as a win for animal welfare and a sign that global companies are listening to consumer concerns. Others worry about the impact on rural jobs and the future of sustainable wildlife management.
Emma Hurst, Animal Justice Party Member of Parliament, called the move a win for ‘transparency, ethics, and global consumer expectations’. In contrast, others in the industry argue that kangaroo harvesting is already tightly regulated and environmentally sound.
Do you support Adidas’s decision to ditch kangaroo leather? Have you ever bought sports gear made from animal products, or do you prefer synthetic alternatives? We’d love to hear your thoughts—share your views in the comments below!
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There’s more roos than people in this country ffs
Another blow to the farmers in trying to control the kangaroo populations on their farms.
Once again inner city elites telling regional Australia how to live virtuously and through keyboard warrioring.
Apart from the fact that many kangaroos will still be harvested and the meat used for pet food, the hides/skins will either be repurposed, maybe into the pet food, or pet toys, or simply discarded.
Like to remind many of the objectors that their synthetic replacement will be made from oil and gas. Which many of the objectors already object to.