Asics and Mizuno, Japan’s top sports shoe brands, have announced plans to stop using kangaroo leather in their football boots. This follows similar moves by global brands like Nike, Adidas, and Puma.
Asics confirmed it will end production of kangaroo leather products by the end of 2025. The company said the decision was based on a push for “higher performance” materials, not pressure from activists.
However, it still markets kangaroo leather as a top choice for ball control on its website.
Mizuno also plans to phase out the material but has not set a timeline. The brand noted some backlash and said it would now focus on materials that balance performance and environmental impact.
Animal rights groups have long raised concerns about how kangaroos are hunted in Australia. About 1.5 million kangaroos and related species were harvested commercially last year, generating roughly $129 million and supporting 3,000 jobs they claimed.
Despite activist pressure, the kangaroo leather trade remains legal and regulated in Australia. It still has mixed reactions as many argue it’s more sustainable than synthetic alternatives and is simply a byproduct of the meat industry.
