Timberland always sees footwear as a great opportunity to incorporate more recycled materials and reduce its environmental footprint. In 2008, the company introduced an innovative recycled outsole made with crumb rubber from discarded truck and car tires. But it couldn’t guarantee the quality of the recycled rubber as demand for the material increased.

Timberland forged a partnership with tire manufacturer, Omni United, who could build a line of premium performance passenger vehicle tires that could be recycled into Timberland shoes after their journey on the road was complete. Omni’s quality standards ensure Timberland Tires deliver traction, comfort and handling without compromise. Timberland decided it was worth the extra effort to get involved and create a tire line: to ensure the very best materials would be available for shoe soles at the end of the tire’s life cycle. After a long tweaking process, Timberland Tires were finally born.

Positioned at the premium end of the market, Timberland Tires are designed and created for superior performance and safety on the road. The tires will be made in the U.S. (using both domestic and imported materials) and feature a rubber formulation that is appropriate for the recycling of the tires at the end of their useful life into Timberland® shoes, rather than alternatives such as being used for tire-derived fuel or ending up in landfills.

The company launched Timberland Tires made in the USA that fit most cars in the country, with new tire sizes being added every few months.