Sneakers Ny Gen 2 Women White

Welcome to the Gen 2 NY Sneaker.

The NY has been in our permanent collection since 2015. We have kept the classic silhouette the same, but rebuilt everything else as we learn and refine how to make the perfect vegan sneaker.

The sole runs unbroken from the stitched sidewall through to the ground. The cupsole is built as a single cup (100% TR) that the upper sits down inside, then stitched through the wall rather than glued to it, which holds the shape of the shoe over years of wear. Grippy underfoot and lightweight — 870g a pair in the men's, 680g in the women's.

That lightness comes from how the upper is built. Gen 2 is Strobel construction — the upper is stitched to a soft fabric base that runs the full length of the foot, then set into the cupsole. It's how proper sneakers and trainers are made, and it does two things: there's no rigid board underfoot, so the shoe flexes with your foot from the first wear rather than needing breaking in, and there's less weight in the middle of the shoe where you feel it most.

Inside you will find deep removable EVA contoured sports insoles that really cushion your feet, and a breathable sports mesh lining (100% recycled polyester) that helps move air through the shoe and keeps your feet cool. Wide woven laces (100% recycled polyester) with metal tips sit flat across the facing. A discreet WVS emboss is pressed into the tongue.

Above it, the shoe you already know. Our signature Italian bio-based vegan leather (62–66% plant-origin materials) in the matt finish we've moved to across all our white sneakers — a more luxe look than a high shine, and it wears in rather than out.

The stitching is where the making shows, and none of it has changed. The sidewall stitch running visibly right round the join, the seams through the upper, the topline turned and stitched flat so nothing rubs. Ten years of small adjustments and nothing left on it that doesn't earn its place.

Wear them with a long column skirt and a fine knit, with barrel-leg denim and a cropped jacket, with wide linen trousers and a vest through the summer. A slip dress and a heavy coat when it turns cold. They'll sit under tailored trousers on a Monday and take you through a weekend without a second thought. A totally classic sneaker, and the pair you'll reach for without thinking.

• Upper: Italian bio-based vegan leather (62–66% plant-origin materials)
• Lining: Breathable sports mesh lining in 100% recycled polyester (rPET) – an open mesh that keeps air moving to help feet stay cool and fresh
• Insole: 1cm deep removable EVA insoles
• Outsole: Side wall stitched cupsole (100% TR). The sole is built as a single cup that the upper sits down inside, then stitched through the sidewall rather than glued, which holds the shape of the shoe over years of wear. White throughout, running unbroken from the stitched sidewall to the ground. Grippy underfoot and lightweight.
• Laces: Long, extra-strong laces (100% recycled polyester), with metal lace tips (100% zamak — a durable zinc alloy)

• Clean: Wipe the uppers and outsoles with warm soapy water and a cloth or soft brush, then towel dry thoroughly.
• Polish: A synthetic polish can be used to bring back shine and refresh the colour — any synthetic product should work fine, applied as described in its instructions. If your footwear has a burnished effect on the toes and sides (we apply a darker polish to some of our brown vegan leather uppers for effect), this is best reapplied by a cobbler, or at home using a darker shade of polish worked around the toes and sides.
• Drying: You can dry your footwear on top of or near a radiator or other heat source. Depending on the heat, it can take a few days to dry out the insides fully. Never put your footwear in the washing machine.
• Deodorising: Don't let your footwear stay damp between wears, especially inside boots, as this can damage the water resistance and let microbes develop, causing a smell. If this happens, dry the footwear thoroughly and use a footwear deodoriser until the smell stops. In extreme cases, wash the insides out with warm soapy water, then dry fully and reapply the deodoriser.
• Waterproofing (optional): You can treat the uppers with a waterproofing spray to improve durability, stain resistance and water resistance. We recommend doing this every 2–3 months depending on use — most standard waterproofing sprays work fine on our vegan leather.

Source: Shop Like You Give a Damn

Will's Vegan Store launched in 2012 as a vegan shoe company. Since then, they've moved into fashion and other products as well.

The brand continuously reflects on it's operations to see where they can do better. 

Eco-friendly: The majority of items are made from vegan leather alternatives. Some are still plastic-based (PU/PE), but since 2017 they've introduced more biobased and recycled materials into their vegan leather. They have created a sneaker that's fully biodegradable and are certified carbon neutral.

Extra cool is that they have a take back scheme, where you can send back your old shoes to be recycled into outsoles for new Will Vegan's Shoes.

Vegan: As the name suggest, Will's is a completely vegan brand. It's PETA-approved.

Fair & local production: Will's Vegan produces in factories in Portugal and Italy, of which some are part of the Fair Wear Foundation.