Sneakers Made From Cactus?
Meet YY Nation, the Comfortable, Plant-Based Shoe Now at Brown’s
Most sneakers start life as petroleum. The foam, the glue, the synthetic upper, and even the laces usually trace back to oil. YY Nation, a footwear brand from New Zealand, decided to start somewhere else: a cactus field, a New Zealand sheep farm, a pineapple harvest, and a pond of algae.
The result is a lineup of clean, everyday sneakers that look like a classic court shoe, feel good from the first step, and leave a carbon footprint about a third the size of the average pair. Here is the story behind the brand, what the shoes are made of, how they fit, and which style is right for you.
YY Nation at a Glance
| Founded | 2019, by Jeremy Bank |
|---|---|
| Home | New Zealand, with a growing team in the United States |
| What the name means | Two questions: “Why is this happening?” and “Why can’t I do something about it?” |
| Signature materials | Cactus leather, New Zealand merino wool, pineapple husk leather, Tencel, algae and sugarcane soles, recycled bottle laces |
| Carbon footprint | About 4.9 to 6.9 kg CO2e per pair, compared with an industry average of about 14 kg |
| Certification | Zero Carbon certified by Ekos |
| Styles at Brown’s | Derecho Cactus (men’s and women’s), Stratus Cactus (men’s), Yimbus Cactus (men’s), Nimbo Wool (unisex) |
| Where to buy | brownsshoefitco.com and select Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. stores |
The Story Behind YY Nation:
Two Questions on a Maui Beach
In 2018, Jeremy Bank was on vacation in Maui when he noticed plastic washing up on the beach. He could not stop asking himself two questions. Why is this happening? And why can’t I do something about it?
Bank was not a newcomer with a big idea and no experience. He grew up in Wellington, New Zealand, and spent more than 25 years in footwear retail and manufacturing. He comes from a family shoe business. He knew exactly how much plastic goes into a typical sneaker, and he knew it did not have to.
Those two “whys” became the name YY Nation. The company launched in late 2019 with one blunt goal, in Bank’s words: “Our goal is to eliminate oil-based plastics in the footwear industry.” The brand describes its mission as making the most sustainable footwear on earth, and then to keep going.
Why we wanted you to meet YY Nation
Our team met Levi Bank, Sales Manager at YY Nation, at the August 2026 Atlanta Shoe Market. We handled the materials, tried on the shoes, and heard the story firsthand. We walked away convinced our customers needed to know about this brand.
“After meeting Levi Bank at the Atlanta Shoe Market, we knew we had to tell our customers more about YY Nation. This is a family shoe business that is rethinking what a sneaker can be made of, without giving up comfort or style. That is exactly the kind of quality new brand we want to share on brownsshoefitco.com, and I am excited to see it starting to show up in some of our stores.”
— Mark Toms, eCommerce Manager, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.
What Are YY Nation Shoes Made Of?
YY Nation builds each part of the shoe from a renewable or recycled material wherever it can. The brand calls it Kiwi ingenuity. Take pineapple husks: they are farm waste that usually gets thrown away, and YY Nation turns them into a leather alternative.
| Part of the shoe | YY Nation material | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Upper (Cactus line) | Cactus leather made from shaved nopales cactus fibers | A smooth, leather-like look with no animal hide, and free from toxic chemicals, phthalates, and PVC |
| Upper (Wool line) | Ethically sourced New Zealand merino wool with pineapple husk leather accents | Soft, temperature-regulating, odor-resistant, and machine washable |
| Lining | Tencel, made from wood pulp fibers | Wicks away moisture and keeps feet cool and dry |
| Sole | Bio-based compound made with algae or sugarcane, plus rubber grip inserts | Lightweight cushioning with traction where you need it, without oil-based chemicals |
| Laces | Recycled post-consumer plastic bottles | Plastic already in circulation gets a second life |
| Box | FSC-certified cardboard | Packaging from responsibly managed forests |
“Materials are what separate a sneaker you tolerate from one you reach for every morning. A stiff synthetic upper traps heat and fights the natural flex of your foot. A cactus leather upper over a Tencel lining breathes, stays dry, and moves with you, which is why these feel comfortable on day one with no break-in.”
— Mark Toms, eCommerce Manager, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.
What is cactus leather?
Cactus leather is a plant-based alternative to animal leather made from the nopales cactus, the paddle-shaped cactus common across Mexico and the American Southwest. The fibers are shaved and processed into a flexible material with the look and feel of a smooth leather sneaker. YY Nation’s version is made without PVC, phthalates, or toxic chemicals.
How Sustainable Are YY Nation Shoes?
The average pair of sneakers produces about 14 kg of CO2e over its life. YY Nation measured the footprint of every style from raw materials to end of life using ISO standards, had the method independently verified, and published the results. The YY Nation styles at Brown’s come in at roughly one third to one half of that industry average:
| Style | Carbon footprint per pair | Compared with the 14 kg industry average |
|---|---|---|
| YY Nation Yimbus Cactus | 4.89 kg CO2e | About 65% lower |
| YY Nation Derecho Cactus | 4.9 kg CO2e | About 65% lower |
| YY Nation Stratus Cactus | 4.99 kg CO2e | About 64% lower |
| YY Nation Nimbo Wool | 6.86 kg CO2e | About 51% lower |
The remaining emissions are offset through carbon removal projects, including indigenous forest restoration, which is how every YY Nation shoe earns its Zero Carbon certification from Ekos.
YY Nation also thinks about what happens after you wear a pair out. Its circular program focuses on minimal-waste design, collecting old shoes, restoring pre-loved pairs for resale or donation, and recycling worn shoes. Sole offcuts are already being reused in flooring.
Which YY Nation Shoe Is Right for You?
Every YY Nation style at Brown’s is lightweight, needs no break-in, and is built for real life: errands, travel, a casual office, and the weekend.
“The biggest shift we are seeing in footwear is customers moving away from oversized, chunky athletic soles for everyday wear. People still want comfort, but they want a cleaner, lower profile shoe that works with jeans, chinos, or a dress. The YY Nation Derecho and Stratus hit that sweet spot. They look like a classic court sneaker and wear like a comfort shoe.”
— Mark Toms, eCommerce Manager, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.
YY Nation Derecho Cactus: best all-around everyday sneaker
If you only buy one YY Nation shoe, make it the Derecho. It is a clean, modern low-top with a cactus leather upper, a moisture-wicking Tencel lining, and a bio-based sole. It comes with two pairs of laces, so you can dress it up or down, and the fit feels relaxed and easy from the first wear.
- Women’s Derecho Cactus in Cream | Stone | Black | Gum
- Women’s Derecho Cactus in White | Green | Clay | Gum
- Women’s Derecho Cactus in Black | White | Gum
- Men’s Derecho Cactus in Cream | Stone | Black | Gum
- Men’s Derecho Cactus in White | Green | Clay | Gum
YY Nation Stratus Cactus: best for business casual
The Stratus is the sharpest shoe in the lineup. Its crisp, court-style profile moves from a Saturday morning coffee run to a Monday meeting without looking out of place. Cactus leather upper, Tencel lining, and recycled bottle laces. Shop the Men’s Stratus Cactus in White | Navy | White.
YY Nation Yimbus Cactus: best for a relaxed fit and a pop of color
The Yimbus has the roomiest, most accommodating fit of the Cactus styles and a sporty mix of white, red, navy, and natural. Rubber inserts in the bio-based sole add grip and stability. Shop the Men’s Yimbus Cactus in White | Red | Navy | Natural.
YY Nation Nimbo Wool: a unisex option, best for travel and all-day slip-on comfort
The Nimbo is a super-soft merino wool slip-on with pineapple husk leather accents. YY Nation’s patented wool spinning technology helps it mold to your foot, and when it needs a refresh, you can put it in the washing machine. Shop the Unisex Nimbo Wool in Black | Black.
“Merino wool is one of the most underrated comfort materials in footwear. It keeps your feet warm when it is cold and cool when it is warm, and it naturally resists odor, so you can wear the Nimbo without socks. For travelers and anyone on their feet all day, that combination is hard to beat.”
— Mark Toms, eCommerce Manager, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.
How Do YY Nation Shoes Fit?
“A sneaker can have the best materials in the world, but if it is the wrong size, it is the wrong shoe. Length is only half the story. We look at your arch length, width, and where your foot flexes, because that is what tells us whether a shoe will feel as good at 5 p.m. as it did at 9 a.m.”
— Mark Toms, eCommerce Manager, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.
- Width: The YY Nation styles at Brown’s come in a medium (M) width.
- Overall fit: The Cactus styles have a relaxed fit, with the Yimbus the most accommodating.
- Unisex sizing: The Nimbo Wool uses dual sizing, such as men’s 8 / women’s 9.5. If you are between sizes, reach out before you order.
- Orthotics: If you wear a custom or over-the-counter orthotic, bring it with you and a Brown’s fitter will check how it works in the shoe.
Why Brown’s Carries YY Nation
Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. has been fitting feet for more than 115 years, and we are known for trusted names like Brooks, HOKA, New Balance, and Birkenstock. We are not a chain where one office buys for every location. Every Brown’s store is locally owned, and every owner is their own buyer, choosing the brands that fit their community.
That means a new brand like YY Nation, or Lems before it, has to earn its place on its own merits:
- Quality first. The shoe has to be well made, comfortable, and built to last. Clever marketing is not enough.
- Seen in person. Brown’s owners and team members meet brands face to face at events like the Atlanta Shoe Market, where we handle the materials and ask hard questions.
- A real need. YY Nation gives shoppers who care about what their shoes are made of a stylish, comfortable option that does not rely on plastics.
- Local owners decide. A new brand often starts online and in a few stores, then grows as customers discover it.
There is a natural connection between our two companies, too. YY Nation was built by a shoe man from a family shoe business who chose the harder path because it was the right one. Brown’s has grown for generations by developing our own people into owner-operators who serve their hometowns. Different hemispheres, same belief: do it right, and take care of people.
Local Anywhere:
A Real Shoe Fitter Behind Every Online Order
Buying shoes online is easy. Buying the right shoes online is not. That is the problem Local Anywhere was built to solve. Brown’s connects brownsshoefitco.com with our locally owned stores, so shopping online never means shopping alone.
- Get measured for free: Stop into any Brown’s store for a foot measurement before you order YY Nation online, and know your true size and width.
- Talk to a person: Our online team will help you choose a size or compare styles by email or phone.
- Ship it or pick it up: Have your pair shipped to your door, or choose store pickup where available.
- Keep it local: Brown’s stores are owned by people in your community, and Local Anywhere keeps them part of every online order.
“Online shopping made it easy to buy shoes, but it did not make it easy to buy the right shoes. Most feet change size and shape over the years, and many people are wearing the wrong size without knowing it. Local Anywhere lets you shop YY Nation online and still have a trained Brown’s fitter in your hometown to measure your feet and stand behind the fit.”
— Mark Toms, eCommerce Manager, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is YY Nation?
YY Nation is a New Zealand footwear brand founded in 2019 by Jeremy Bank. It makes sneakers and slip-ons from plant-based and natural materials such as cactus leather, merino wool, pineapple husk leather, and algae or sugarcane soles, with the goal of eliminating oil-based plastics from footwear.
What does YY in YY Nation stand for?
The two Ys stand for two “why” questions founder Jeremy Bank asked after seeing plastic on a Maui beach in 2018: “Why is this happening?” and “Why can’t I do something about it?”
Who founded YY Nation?
Jeremy Bank founded YY Nation. He grew up in Wellington, New Zealand, comes from a family shoe business, and has more than 25 years of experience in footwear retail and manufacturing.
Where can I buy YY Nation shoes?
You can buy YY Nation shoes at brownsshoefitco.com, with shipping or store pickup where available, and in select Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. stores. Each Brown’s owner buys for their own store, so in-store selection varies by location.
What is cactus leather?
Cactus leather is a plant-based leather alternative made from nopales cactus fibers. YY Nation’s cactus leather is free from toxic chemicals, phthalates, and PVC, and it gives sneakers a smooth, leather-like look without animal hide.
Are YY Nation shoes vegan?
The YY Nation Cactus styles use a plant-based cactus leather upper, a Tencel lining, and a bio-based sole. The Wool styles use New Zealand merino wool, which is an animal fiber, so they are not vegan.
Are YY Nation shoes comfortable?
Yes. YY Nation shoes are lightweight, need no break-in period, and have breathable, moisture-wicking linings. The Nimbo Wool slip-on uses soft merino wool that molds to the foot.
Are YY Nation shoes good for walking?
YY Nation shoes are built for everyday walking, errands, travel, and casual work days. They are lifestyle sneakers rather than running or performance walking shoes, so for long fitness walks, a Brown’s fitter can recommend a supportive athletic shoe.
How sustainable are YY Nation shoes?
YY Nation styles at Brown’s have carbon footprints of about 4.89 to 6.86 kg CO2e per pair, compared with an industry average of about 14 kg. Remaining emissions are offset through carbon removal projects, and every shoe is Zero Carbon certified by Ekos.
Can you wash YY Nation shoes?
The YY Nation Nimbo Wool is machine washable. For the Cactus styles, spot cleaning with a damp cloth is the safest approach.
Do YY Nation shoes come in wide widths?
The YY Nation styles Brown’s currently carries come in a medium (M) width. The Cactus styles have a relaxed fit, and the Yimbus is the most accommodating. Visit a Brown’s store for a fitting if you need help with a wider foot.
Find YY Nation In Store Or Online
A sneaker made from cactus, wool, and algae sounds like the future. At Brown’s, you can wear it today. Shop the full YY Nation collection at brownsshoefitco.com, or stop into your local Brown’s store for a free fitting. Questions about sizing or an order? Email onlinesales@brownsshoefitco.com or call 515-328-6444.
Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. Local Anywhere.
