Specialty coffee brand Subko Coffee Roasters and Bakehouse has partnered with sustainable footwear label Thaely to launch Everyday Arabica, a limited-edition sneaker created using spent coffee grounds and recycled materials. The collaboration reflects the shared sustainability philosophies of both brands and highlights innovative approaches to waste reduction and circular design.
Known for repurposing coffee byproducts into value-added products such as cascara and artisanal tonics, Subko has long advocated for a circular approach to specialty coffee. With the launch of Everyday Arabica, the company is extending that philosophy beyond food and beverages into fashion.
At the core of the collaboration is the use of spent specialty coffee grounds generated through Subko’s daily operations. Working alongside Thaely, a sustainable footwear brand recognized for transforming discarded plastic waste into premium materials, the companies have incorporated the coffee grounds into the sneaker’s sole along with recycled rubber and plastic.
According to the brands, developing the material required extensive experimentation to ensure the visible coffee particles remained intact without affecting the shoe’s durability or performance. During the manufacturing process, the teams also discovered that the high concentration of coffee grounds retained a subtle aroma of freshly brewed Arabica coffee. The feature, initially unintended, was ultimately retained as part of the final design.
The sneaker’s design has been developed by Studio Substance, Subko’s in-house creative studio, drawing inspiration from the heritage of coffee culture across the Indian subcontinent.
The upper is crafted from Thaely’s signature recycled plastic material and features Subko’s diamond insignia. A multilingual design element highlights the word “Specialty” in Devanagari, Nastaliq, and Latin scripts, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the region. Additional design details include an illustration hidden beneath the tongue that traces the journey of a coffee bean from cherry to green bean.
Further reinforcing the sustainability narrative, the laces are made entirely from recycled plastic bottles, while the packaging has been created from recycled paper dyed using spent coffee grounds. The shoebox is also embedded with seeds, allowing consumers to plant it after use.
The Everyday Arabica sneaker will be released as a limited edition of 250 pairs across India and Dubai. Priced at Rs 8,500 in India and AED 450 in Dubai, the collection will be available exclusively through Subko’s official website for Indian customers, while Dubai consumers can purchase it in-store.
To showcase the craftsmanship and material innovation behind the collaboration, the sneakers will also be displayed at Subko’s Mary Lodge space in Bandra, Mumbai, and at Alserkal Avenue in Dubai.
With Everyday Arabica, Subko and Thaely are bringing together specialty coffee, sustainability, and contemporary design, transforming everyday waste into a collectible fashion statement that reflects both brands’ commitment to conscious consumption and material innovation.