Cole Haan and Slack sneaker collaboration prompts mixed reactions

Sneakers are available in four Slack-themed colours

Cole Haan unveils new Slack sneaker collaboration (Cole Haan)

Slack has teamed up with Cole Haan to release a limited-edition collection of colourful, $120 sneakers.

After teasing a collaboration on Saturday, Cole Haan released the Slack "Generation Zerøgrand" shoe, which retails for $120 and comes in four styles, online and in select Cole Haan stores today, 7 October.

“Keep your notifications on for Cole Haan x Slack: The limited-edition collab between two brands redefining how the world works drops 7 October,” the brand captioned a dark photo of the sneakers on Instagram ahead of the release.

The all-white shoe, which features “luxe cushioning in the outsole, footbed, and sockliner” and a “springy arched outsole” is available in either turquoise, yellow, green or red details - the colours featured in the messaging platform’s logo.

If the Slack colours weren’t recognisable enough for people working remotely amid the coronavirus pandemic, the shoes also feature the platform’s logo on the side. 

According to Cole Haan, the unlikely collab “isn’t just two great brands coming together” but rather it’s a “vibrant example of how Slack is everything you need to get your work done.”

In a press release, the brand said the collaboration was designed entirely through communication over Slack.

"Slack's innovative capabilities have proven to be a valuable tool and asset for our company," David Maddocks, president of Cole Haan, said in a statement. "Our teams can communicate around the world as we continue to revolutionise performance lifestyle products that transition from work to workout to weekend - even if that's happening wherever you might be right now."

As for whether Slack-users will purchase the new sneakers is hard to say, as the shoes were met with mixed reactions on social media.

“When it comes to work life balance, I draw the line at putting Slack on my shoes…” one person joked on Twitter.

Another said: “Can you imagine anyone buying this (that isn't affiliated with Slack)? What software tool do you love so much that you would buy their shoes?”

“Ah yes, Slack shoes. Just what I've always wanted,” someone else sarcastically tweeted.

Others were more open to the sneakers, however, if there were some minor changes.

“I know this is a bad take, but the Cole Haan x Slack shoes would lowkey be cute if they didn't have the Slack logo on them,” one person tweeted.

You can purchase the Cole Haan x Slack sneakers here.