ISPO Award Winner 2025: Solk’s Fade 101 rethinks the sneaker lifecycle through biocircular design

In a footwear market still dominated by synthetic materials, complex constructions and hard-to-recycle components, the Solk Fade 101 takes an uncompromisingly different path. It is the debut model of a brand built entirely around biocircularity, a principle that defines the sneaker from first stitch to end of use. Fade 101 is designed to be worn for years, returned via Solk’s take-back system and processed through the brand’s own in-house composting facility. 

This lifecycle thinking is central to Solk’s mission. “We’re proud and grateful. This ISPO Award affirms our belief: make sneakers people want and make them harmless at end-of-life. It’s a welcome push to keep going,” says David Solk, Founder, Solk. The Fade 101 demonstrates what that belief looks like in practice — a sneaker engineered not only for comfort and longevity but for a clean, safe and traceable return to the earth. For retailers and consumers, it offers a modern aesthetic paired with material integrity rarely seen in lifestyle footwear.  

Every component of the Fade 101 is selected for its ability to compost safely within Solk’s controlled system. The upper is made from German chrome-free, heavy-metal-free leather, ensuring both comfort and biodegradability. Inside, the sneaker features a knitted compostable yarn lining designed to minimise offcuts and deliver a second-skin fit. The outsole uses natural rubber, while the laces are made of Tencel with certified compostable aglets. 

Solk’s take-back and composting system is the backbone of this approach. Since no industry-wide certification for compostable footwear exists, the company built its own infrastructure and testing protocols. Returned shoes are screened against 200+ hazardous substances, broken down under industrial-like conditions and evaluated for safe compost output. The brand reports that uppers decompose around 70% within 14 weeks, while midsoles exceed 90% degradation in under 45 days. Although the natural-rubber outsole takes longer, its purity ensures it will biodegrade without harmful residues. 

In a global context — where hundreds of millions of sneakers end up in landfills each year — this closed-loop model offers a clear alternative: controlled material cycles with verified safety and end-of-life integrity. 

Biocircularity alone would not be enough for a lifestyle sneaker aiming to replace conventional options. Fade 101 is therefore built to perform as a comfortable, durable everyday shoe. The brand draws on decades of shoemaking expertise to deliver a fit that feels familiar: secure in the heel, roomier in the forefoot and supportive throughout.  

Design-wise, the sneaker emphasises timeless styling rather than trend-driven detailing. Clean lines, a sculpted silhouette and soft tactility create a premium look and wearing feel. The signature squiggle stitch on the medial side serves both symbolic and functional roles: a reminder of Solk’s evolving circular journey and a structural element that anchors the lining to the upper without excess glue. 

Breathability, natural comfort and a low-impact construction support the idea of a favourite everyday sneaker — one that performs like a high-quality leather shoe during its life and becomes harmless compost once returned. 

A defining advantage of the Fade 101 is Solk’s ownership of its manufacturing facility in Vietnam, allowing the company full oversight over materials, production methods and working conditions. This vertical structure enables precision in material selection, reduced waste through AI-driven leather cutting, and a seamless link between production, customer and take-back-composting system.

This ecosystem is particularly valuable for retailers looking for transparency and traceability in an otherwise complex and opaque category. With a clearly communicated end-of-life solution and durable construction aligned with premium lifestyle sneaks, Fade 101 provides a compelling option for design-led, quality-oriented consumers across the DACH region, Scandinavia and the UK. 

For the ISPO Award jury, Fade 101 represents a remarkable step: a fully biocircular sneaker engineered from the ground up — aesthetically refined, built to last, and Made to Fade, without sacrificing comfort or credibility. 

• Fully biocircular construction
• Own factory and full material control
• High-quality comfort and timeless aesthetics
• Safe return to earth: Verified decomposition rates ensure end-of-life integrity and eliminate harmful residues.