BASF has introduced a new polyurethane (PU) concept shoe, co-created with the design studio The Directive Collective and global footwear brand Clarks for its TRIEASE collection.

This project brings together BASF’s latest PU innovations in a unified material system, demonstrating how advanced materials can support future footwear development.

BASF, Clarks and The Directive Collective collaborated in a new PU concept shoe.

BASF will demonstrate its material innovations in multiple applications, including footwear, at CHINAPLAS 2026 on April 21-24 in Shanghai, China.

Combining comfort, aesthetics and environmental sustainability in one footwear

With a focus on enhanced cushioning, construction, and materials, the PU concept shoe explores design-led material possibilities. Clarks’ TRIEASE model for Spring/Summer 2026 applies the same principles to a comfort-focused walking collection. These parallel developments show that extreme comfort, refined aesthetics, and responsible production can coexist.

Built on a one-material PU platform, the athlete recovery concept shoe integrates transparent Casting PU (CPU), spray PU, and synthetic leather made without the use of organic solvents into a unified system, addressing the growing market demand for athletic recovery footwear:

• PRISM transparent CPU outsole delivers both visual clarity, outstanding anti-slip performance and long-lasting durability, setting a distinctive foundation for the design.

• Elastopan spray PU midsole and upper provide lightweight cushioning while enabling more intricate geometries than conventional foams, underscoring the shoe’s advanced material engineering.

• The heel uses Haptex, BASF’s innovative PU synthetic leather made without the use of organic solvents, offering formability, comfort and a lower environmental footprint.

The concept shoe integrates different BASF solutions into a unified system.

BASF x Clarks: Modern walking solution

For Spring/Summer 2026, Clarks and BASF extend their joint commitment to advancing comfort focused footwear. Built on the principle of ‘comfort shoes made for walking’, the collaboration combines Clarks’ design and biomechanics expertise with BASF’s material innovation and data driven insights.

More than a product launch, TRIEASE reflects a strengthened connection between data driven insights, material development, and manufacturing. Under the theme “Walking, Evolved,” Clarks and BASF introduce a modern walking solution that brings together high performance, streamlined design, and responsible material choices.

The TRIEASE collection represents a new convergence of Clarks’ shoemaking expertise and BASF’s material science, demonstrating that comfort, minimalist design, and responsible production can coexist.

The concept shoe was designed by Richard Kuchinsky of The Directive Collective, whose creative direction shaped the aesthetic narrative and material expression of the concept. The Directive Collective’s collaboration with BASF ensured the prototype demonstrated both the intended design vision and real-world manufacturability.