The nylon sneaker has been a wardrobe staple since the mid-20th century, and VEJA's Rio Branco II Lite is the most responsibly built version of it you can buy today. The upper is constructed from Nolyn — VEJA's modern reinvention of the iconic nylon fabric, first developed in 1935 for its strength, elasticity, and resistance to heat and water. Re-engineered as a blend of 54% polyester and 46% recycled polyester, it retains every high-performance quality of the original with a considerably more responsible material footprint. Leather and suede panels add structure and a premium finish to the clean Black Grafite colorway, while the construction underfoot follows the same rigorous eco-material standard VEJA applies across its entire line. The midsole is bio-based E.V.A. composed largely of sugarcane, the insole incorporates Amazonian rubber and organic cotton, the outsole blends Amazonian rubber with mineral silica, and the laces are 100% recycled polyester. Made in Brazil, backed by VEJA's in-house cobbler repair program, and sized to go with everything from technical pants to raw denim, the Rio Branco II Lite is the rare sneaker that earns its place in the rotation on both aesthetic and ethical grounds.