Since 2020, the Centre for a Humane Economy has urged companies to phase out kangaroo leather through its “Kangaroos Are Not Shoes” campaign. The group has organised protests and conducted investigations to highlight the cruel practices involved in sourcing the material, shedding light on the ethical concerns surrounding its use in footwear.

Kangaroos Are Not Shoes

The “Kangaroos Are Not Shoes” campaign is an animal welfare initiative launched in 2020 by the Centre for a Humane Economy, a nonprofit organisation focused on promoting humane economic practices.

Image source: Animal Wellness Action

Kangaroo leather, known for its lightweight and durable properties, has traditionally been used in high-performance athletic footwear, particularly soccer cleats. However, concerns over the ethical implications of sourcing this material have grown.

The discontinuation of kangaroo leather will notably affect iconic products like the adidas Copa Mundial soccer cleats, which have been made with kangaroo leather since their debut in 1979. These cleats are among the best-selling football boots of all time and have been worn by legendary players such as Zinedine Zidane and Diego Maradona.

Image source Animal Liberation

Since the campaign began, several major brands — including PUMA, Nike, and New Balance — have committed to ending the use of kangaroo leather in their footwear. According to the Centre for a Humane Economy, these shifts have already contributed to a decline in kangaroo-related deaths, dropping from 2 million to 1.3 million since 2020.

Animal Welfare Concerns

The change follows the pressure from animal welfare organisations, including the Centre for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action.

Wayne Pacelle, president of the Centre for a Humane Economy, personally appealed to adidas at their annual general meeting in Fürth, Germany, urging the company to end its use of kangaroo skins.

Animal welfare advocates have highlighted the inhumane aspects of kangaroo hunting practices, which often involve the killing of adult kangaroos and the subsequent death or abandonment of their babies.

A press release earlier this May 2025, revealed that the sportswear brand reduced reliance on Kangaroo skins in 2024, but aims to stop the use of "k-leather" in 2025. This was later confirmed by adidas CEO, Bjørn Gulden.

“The mass killing of kangaroos has been driven by exports mainly for kangaroo skins,” Pacelle said in the release. “With adidas exiting the trade, we have shut down sourcing of skins by the world’s top five athletic shoe brands.”

adidas Commitment to Environmental Responsibility

adidas’ decision to eliminate kangaroo leather from its products marks a significant step forward in the brand’s broader commitment to environmental responsibility and ethical sourcing.

Image World Animal Protection

By moving away from materials linked to wildlife harm, adidas not only aligns with growing consumer expectations for cruelty-free fashion but also reinforces its position as a leader in sustainable innovation.

This move reflects the brand’s ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, support animal welfare, and embrace more humane and future-forward production practices.

Paving the way for the Industry

The decision has caused a domino effect in the footwear industry. Footwear brands ASICS, PUMA and New Balance have also announced their discontinuation of the use of "k-leather", making it a win for sustainability and animal rights activists alike.

adidas’ commitment to ending the use of kangaroo leather reflects a growing consumer demand for cruelty-free products and sets a precedent for other companies to reevaluate their material sourcing practices. As the sportswear industry continues to evolve, such moves are likely to influence broader changes toward ethical and sustainable production methods.