The fashion industry is culpable for an estimated 10 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions. It generates one-fifth of the world’s industrial water pollution and is guilty of the overproduction of items with the use of non-recyclable synthetic fibres.
It’s time for change and the best way we can do this is to vote with your feet… well, what you put on them.
The sneaker world has listened and, notwithstanding some of the more sinister ‘greenwashing’ marketing polluting our (social media) channels, some genuine contenders have emerged.
Sustainability comes in many different arenas. The trailblazers are making strong efforts to reduce their carbon footprints, in the sourcing of sustainable materials and rethinking each step of the production process, from the suppliers to the cardboard box the shoes are delivered in. Many even consider afterlife and have put measures in place to send old models back to the brand for recycling at no extra cost.
From both the established brands who are retrospectively adding a sustainability spin to their product range, to newer labels who have organically grown from the seeds of an emerging market of eco-friendly consumers wanting to tread more lightly on the planet, innovation has come.
Okay, so that’s enough cheesy play on words, let’s take a look at the sneakers that really can minimise your impact on the planet and have put their heart and soul into their soles (damn, did it again…).
LØCI Eleven
From time to time a brand comes along and encapsulates the mood of a market like no other. Not only do LØCI ‘get it’, but they own it. Its organic rise in popularity (Eva Longoria was recently snapped sporting a pair) is all down to the label’s commitment to combining the highest standards in shoe quality with the most sustainable methods possible. The result is an effortlessly timeless, handmade vegan shoe that’s crafted from recycled ocean plastic, bamboo, natural rubber, recycled foam and natural cork.
What’s more, they pair with any style you feel like wearing and are suitable for either kicking around the house or heading out into the evening. We opted for the basketball sneaker-inspired mid-top LØCI Elevens for that clean classic look and as they provide additional support and comfort now for the colder months.
- Sustainable highlights: Durable, vegan recycled rubber sole. The brand donates 10 per cent of its profits to charity partners who work to save sea life. It’s claimed that for every pair bought, 20 plastic bottles are saved from polluting our oceans.
- Trialled: Office by day, bars by night
- Comfort: Optimal comfort
Buy now £105.00, LØCI
ON Cloudneo
‘The shoe you will never own’ – a canny statement from Swiss brand ON Running as it introduces its first subscription-based running shoe, the Cloudneo. This represents a massive step forward for a brand embracing a more circular product system.
Not only are they made from beans (beans!), but they are also fully recyclable. Once you have worn out your Cloudneos after endlessly pounding the pavements, simply request a fresh pair and send your old ones back to be fully recycled and used for new products. So, no – you never ‘own’ them, but you do get to enjoy box-fresh trainers that not only function impeccably as a running shoe, but you’ll also benefit from plant-based power.
Rilsan is an exceptionally strong-performance bio-based plastic engineered from the beans of a castor plant that can be recycled again and again as it’s the only material used. They also grow in dry, sparse landscapes where little else can survive so that land isn’t taken away from agriculture-dependent communities. Highly regarded as a tough and durable material, Rilsan is used in the breathable knit, the highly responsive foam underfoot and even the eyelets. To add the cherry on top, no dyes or bleaches are used in the process.
ON has a long-standing association with innovative sustainable processes and recently introduced the first-ever shoe to be made entirely out of carbon emissions (the CleanCloud) as well as a line of shoes that removes the step of colour dyeing (the Undyed collection). Therefore the amount of water used is vastly reduced as is the dyeing pigments that would be washed into our water systems.
- Sustainable highlights: Run. Recycle. Repeat
- Trialled: 10k run along the Thames
- Comfort: Like walking on clouds
£25/pm subscription
Buy now, ON
Hush Puppies The Good Shoe 2.0
Hush Puppies’ most sustainable shoes are made entirely from recycled plastic water bottles (uppers) and include the latest in Bloom algae technology in the ultra-lightweight EVA outsole. Even the footbeds are made with a bio-based formula that removes poly-chemicals by replacing them with plant-based additives.
Rest assured that the delightful comfort and style we expect from Hush Puppies hasn’t been compromised in any way, in fact, these could be mistaken for slippers. The lace-up trainer is created with an on-trend mesh knit keeping your feet airy and fresh, while the recycled lining ensures natural odour prevention. I especially enjoyed the extra spring in my step due to the Bounce technology that’s incorporated into the sole.
- Sustainable highlights: rPET
- Trialled: Lazy Sunday morning coffee walk
- Comfort: 10/10
Buy now £34.99, Amazon
VEJA X BA&SH
Veja is going from strength to strength and has gained cult status with its line of vegan and highly sustainable shoes for the fashion set. The brand has recently collaborated with fellow French label BA&SH to create a distinctly vintage 70s design-looking trainer.
Using Alveomesh, a technical and highly breathable fabric made out of recycled polyester that gives a flexible and lightweight aspect to the shoe, along with BA&SH’s favoured suede and Veja’s ecological Vibram technology sole, it’s a partnership made in shoe heaven. Sugar cane, Gold-certified Leather Working Group leather, Amazonian rubber and rice waste make up the remainder of the trainer.
Comfort is at a premium and the BA&SH logo proudly adorns the rear heel whilst the now iconic ‘V’ strikingly sits on the outer side. These trainers are focussed on women, but sit alongside an impressive array of other models which are all equally as sustainable for both sexes.
Available in two colourways – both of which evoke a winter sunset with the triple wavy layers on the heel.
- Sustainability highlights: Veja running outsoles are made of around a third of Amazonian rubber which claims to increase the economic value of the forest and helps fight against deforestation. The brand uses a plant-based Pebax, which is a high-end material used in performance footwear. The offering is 62 per cent bio-based, vegan and uses recycled plastic bottles, Ricinus Oil, sugar cane and rice waste.
- Trialled: Evening out to a comedy club and a walk along the Thames.
- Comfort: 10/10
Buy now £160.00, BA&SH
VEJA Dekkan Alveomesh
With an upper created with Alveomesh - a technical fabric made entirely from recycled polyester - and an insole, midsole and outsole made up of Amazonian rubber, rice waste and sugar cane, vegan shoemakers VEJA has blended its running technology expertise with VIBRAM’s know-how to produce an outdoor shoe that is ideal for exploring great landscapes without leaving your carbon footprint.
They’re comfortable, supportive and function particularly well on more technical terrain with the Alveomesh providing a breathable and flexible upper that’s also lightweight – a rare trait amongst outdoor shoes. The whole of the shoes’ perimeter is also waterproof so no soggy socks as you enjoy the views. Available in ten colourways.
- Sustainable highlights: Use of Alveomesh, a fabric made of 100 per cent recycled polyester
- Trialed: 5k Boxhill hike
- Comfort: 10/10
Buy now £155.00, Reiss
Adidas Ultraboost Light
‘Designed in balance with the planet’ – Adidas is making great strides in turning its attention to swapping out finite resources for renewable materials whilst using natural processes, as the name of this Ultraboost model suggests.
Despite the switching up of more sustainable, recycled materials, don’t expect the performance that you’ve come to associate with the Ultraboost line of running shoes to be compromised. You’ll still benefit from the enhanced energy return from the sole, the supportive fit and responsiveness that the Primeknit upper wraps offer, and the all-round comfort you’re used to. Also, look out for the new ‘Made To Be Remade’ line of Adidas apparel that is designed to be returned and remade.
- Sustainable highlights: Renewable materials without compromise on performance and comfort
- Trialled: Richmond Park 10k
- Comfort: 10/10
Buy now £170.00, Adidas
VivoBarefoot Primus Asana II
‘Train hard while treading lightly on the planet’ is the Vivobarefoot overarching ethos. The minimalist design strips away unnecessary materials and lets your feet move in the most natural way. The shoes are crafted to ‘connect’ you to the ground, offering a very sensory experience.
The brand believes that we as humans need to rediscover our relationship with our planet and be at one with it. They have even been given the seal of approval by lifestyle physician Dr Rangan Chatterjee. The latest offering – the Primus Asana – encapsulates the ethos perfectly with its second sock-like form that is wide to enable natural stability, thin to feel more connected to the environment and flexible to ensure natural movement.
The shoe is made up of recycled materials and reused post-consumer plastic waste and sports a Woolmark knitted sock collar (certified merino wool) with wildhide leather quarter panels for natural flexibility. Even the Ortholite Performance Insole is made of recycled PU foam which reduces waste and the need for virgin plastics. Available in indigo or limestone.
- Sustainable highlights: Vivobarefoot reuses post-consumer plastic waste which helps to reduce waste. The shoes are free from animal products and ‘Revivo’ is Vivo’s recycling facility for once you’re finished with your footwear.
- Trialled: Sunday walk through the woods.
- Comfort: A very natural feel with a thin Active Sole (just 4mm) that helps you to ‘connect’ to the ground. Mindful.
Buy now £105.00, VivoBarefoot
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7
This fresh model from the wondrous brand New Balance meets the label’s Green Leaf Standard. This means that the upper is made of a minimum of 50 per cent environmentally preferred materials and that bio-based or recycled materials are used in the midsole/outsole. These preferred materials can include organic cotton, TENCEL (a fibre made from wood pulp), or surplus materials left over from production. The supportive leather is also responsibly manufactured through the Leather Working Group initiative.
Aimed for off the beaten track, the Hierro v7s offer all the support you’ll need with a Vibram Megagrip outsole that creates a durable protective shell around the signature Fresh Foam X cushioning in the midsole for a mega-comfortable offroad run. All with the assured Vibram firm grip. The upper is breathable, lightweight and offers protection from the elements you’ll encounter along the way.
Available in black or mindful grey.
- Sustainable highlights: Meets NB’s Green Leaf Standard
- Trialled: 10k trail run
- Comfort: Like having your feet wrapped in layers of green leaves
Buy now £145.00, New Balance
Allbirds Tree Dashers
No sustainable trainer review would not be complete without the mention of at least one pair of Allbirds. It really is a ‘take-your-pick’ from their offerings and you’re guaranteed one of the most eco-friendly trainers on the market.
I opted for their Tree Dashers based on an ultra-runner friend’s recommendation and was genuinely blown away by the comfort. The flexible, cushioned midsole offers a really smooth and padded tread. e one-piece upper not only makes for an easy-on-the-eye design, but it wraps snugly and supportively around your foot. I have quite a wide foot gait but these allowed for movement and freedom without constraint.
- Sustainability highlights: The brand uses Eucalyptus tree fibre uppers, sugarcane-based midsoles, FSC-certified natural rubber outsoles and shoelaces made from recycled plastic bottles. The Tree Dasher is carbon neutral thanks to Allbirds’ ongoing sustainable practices from using natural materials and buying offsets.
- Trialled: Park runs with a bit of gentle parkour thrown in.
- Comfort: Allbirds’ signature Merino wool along the heel counter offers delightfully cushioned support.
Buy now £125.00, Allbirds
Adidas x Allbirds Futurecraft Footprint Shoes
The numbers don’t lie and at 2.94kg, Adidas has created its lowest carbon emission running shoes to date – and it’s printed on the outer edge of every one. This makes you aware of the impact your purchase will have and the way products should go. Being aware of your carbon footprint is one step closer towards change.
While the Futurecraft Footprint uses 63 per cent less emissions than its predecessor, there is no compromise on performance. They’re crafted with natural, recycled materials that form an incredibly ultralight running shoe. The footwear is also the result of a collaboration with Allbirds who know a thing or two about reducing carbon footprint (see above). A marriage made in heaven.
- Sustainability highlights: The shoes are made with cellulosic fibres regenerated from sustainably grown wood. The midsole is partly plant-based (sugarcane) and there’s no dye. Even the packaging design is considered to save weight and emissions and the sea freight is switched to biofuel (refined cooking oil to be exact).
- Trialled: 5k road run.
- Comfort: Very lightweight and uber-comfortable. Secondary use as house slippers, they’re that comfy.
Buy now £151.99, StockX
Puma Fuse First Mile Utility
Putting your best foot forward is always the optimal way to approach any issue and Puma’s ‘First Mile’ range does just that. By focusing on those initial steps in the creation of its product range, the brand has transformed production from start to finish. They use recycled plastics found on the shores of Taiwan, Haiti and Honduras. It’s an impressive process that turns plastic waste into yarn that is woven or knitted.
So when you take that first step back into the gym, you can do it with a clear conscience knowing that your gym shoes are contributing to a cleaner planet. When it comes to performance, there is no compromise – these trainers combine stability and functionality with aplomb. A 4mm drop with an internal midsole provides shock support for heavy lifting workouts and Puma’s iconic ‘PUMAGRIP’ offers traction for maximum grip. These really are a genuine all-rounder in the gym. According to the brand: “It’s a shoe that doesn’t shy away from any workout. It shows off” - I’ll vouch for that.
- Sustainability highlights: Puma’s ‘First Mile’ label works with waste collection communities in the three countries mentioned above with a mission to create jobs and support positive social impact. The yarn in FM is made from post-consumer plastic collected in the regions: “Empowering people, cleaner planet – from the first mile forward”. Puma is also piloting an experiment with a new version of its most iconic sneaker, the SUEDE… the RE:SUEDE aims to make it biodegradable and will address the challenge of waste management in the footwear sector.
- Trialled: Resistance and weight-training gym session.
- Comfort: These proved to be especially comfortable throughout my gym session. The wide toe box facilitated enhanced toe strength and support which was appreciated during those dreaded back squats. Overall, an incredibly snug and supportive sneaker.
Buy now £45.45, Amazon
Hylo Corn Runners
These shoes have a carbon footprint of 7.84kg (nearly a 50 per cent reduction compared to the average running shoes at 13.6kg). As the name suggests, they are primarily made of corn - more specifically ‘CornSpring’ technology that incorporates locally sourced cornstarch. This is combined with a renewable and bio-based natural rubber for the outsole. The carbon emissions are also offset by the brand’s commitment to funding a Biogas Digester installation project in Sichuan that decomposes organic waste and naturally turns it into a clean fuel that replaces the need to burn coal or wood.
From a performance perspective, these runners are very lightweight (245g) and pleasantly comfortable with a flexible and soft upper that moulds around your foot. With a neatly knitted design look, there is nothing corny – other than the materials used - about these trainers…
- Sustainability highlights: Made using seven renewable materials - Corn Spring, Algae Bloom, organic cotton, corn fibre, natural rubber, water-based glue, and bioform. The production minimises the use of petroleum-based materials. Use Hylo’s recycling service once you’re finished with them.
- Trialled: Gym cardio session.
- Comfort: Lightweight and comfortable via its anatomical footbed shape.
Buy now £110.00, Runner's Need
Novesta Itoh
Not only are these shoes handmade. but they are built to last with longevity in mind. So many of the trainers manufactured today simply do not pass the test of time, which results in more trainers in landfills and more materials and energy used. Not Novestas.
The brand aims to “bring to the world a product that is sustainable in the most possible way” throughout the supply chain. They use a natural rubber in their soles that is naturally durable. They also have an iconic and timeless look about them. I refer to them as evergreen trainers - ones that I can put on regardless of my activity (or non-activity) and for whatever purpose. Whether you’re lounging around the house or heading on the record shop trail on a Sunday morning, you can rely on these.
- Sustainability highlights: Longevity and a sustainable supply chain.
- Trialled: Sunday record shop trail.
- Comfort: The chunky natural rubber sole adds a spring to your step and cushions your feet on a long trek out.
Buy now £145.00, Novesta
Superdry Vegan Basket Lux Low Trainers
Registered with the Vegan Society, these trainers have passed up to 172 checks to ensure no animal products have been used. The glue used is water-based and the colours are made of both natural and vegan inks. With uppers made from high-grade recycled polyurethane (an artificial leather that makes trainers easy to clean), Superdry really is stepping up in its mission to have ‘one foot on our ecological future and the other at the forefront of fashion’.
This particular style has that timeless classic look about it. Given that the focus is on shooting hoops on the basketball court, the low-cut silhouette is super protective and supportive - and a joy to wear. No hoops were shot at during the making of this review)
- Sustainability highlights: Superdry is aiming to ‘become the most sustainable listed global fashion brand by 2030’. The shoes are also vegan.
- Trialled: A day commuting into the office.
- Comfort: Snug and supportive.
Buy now £64.99, Superdry
Aspect Climate Projects ‘SUBER’
With each of the 54 elements that make up this new unisex and vegan shoe being considered for their impact on the climate and biodiversity; their claim of being ‘the most responsibly designed shoes on the market’ is highly commended.
All materials are plant-based (for example, the uppers are made with Pinatex – a hard-wearing alternative to leather made using discarded pineapple leaves) and have been chosen for their natural properties and their ability to be easily replenished. Discarded coconut husk fibres and cork make up the internal components such as the footbed and all materials have durability, breathability and elasticity.
But they don’t just perform well – they’re aesthetically stunning and offer support and comfort in abundance. Developed by founder Alex Ward – a self-confessed shoe nerd – the launch ‘Suber’ range sees the birth of ‘The gold standard in sustainable shoe design’, according to ‘Biodiversify’ founder Dr Mike Burgass.
To avoid over-manufacturing and waste, pre-orders are collated before shoes are batch-produced and delivered – another notable sustainable initiative that has been implemented.
- Sustainable highlights: Where to start? Aspect also offsets a ton of carbon for each pair sold -that’s over a fifth of the average person’s annual carbon footprint.
- Trailled: A day in the office.
- Comfort: Who’d have thought pineapple leaf, coconut husk and cork could be so comfortable?
Buy now £128.97, Aspect Climate Projects
Bahé Recharge
Sometimes two great minds with a shared passion come together and question the status quo. The result, in the case of running enthusiast Kishan and sustainable footwear designer Alex, is a truly remarkable eco-friendly ‘grounding’ vegan shoe that’s aim is to ensure you ‘reconnect with nature’ and ‘rebuild your relationship with the earth’.
By using conductive grounding technology, the Bahé Recharge shoe (Bahé is the Hindi word for flow) reconnects you with the earth without being barefoot, therefore not only enhancing you physically through running but mindfully restoring you mentally too. On my trial run, I found the Recharge’s not only super comfortable, but functioned impeccably with the grip, their response to varying terrain and were well-ventilated. I also noted that I consciously slowed down my pace to enjoy the moment with a peaceful state of mind. Sometimes it’s not about finishing, it’s about enjoying the journey and these shoes support that ethos. They are also ideal for wearing leisurely around town or to the office.
All materials used have been considered for both performance and its impact on the earth. They are made up of natural rubber, corn polymer, recycled polyester mesh, graphene-infused footbed lining, sugar cane and organic cotton. There’s also an EcoElite PFC-free finish that is water-resistant to boot. To further reduce the label’s impact on the planet, all sales are made to pre-order to reduce waste. Available in four natural colours for both men and women.
- Sustainable highlights: Reconnecting you with earth both physically and philosophically to improve our relationship with our environment.
- Trialed: 5k trail run
- Comfort: 10/10
Buy now £145.00, Bahé
Verdict
This is a difficult one to call as each of these trainers has highly commendable sustainability credentials as well as high performance and aesthetic ratings. But, for me, LØCI with the timeless design and the fact you’re literally walking on cork are in pole position.
Close runner-up goes to ON Running for its continuous and innovative approach to involving new sustainable methods and processes to the shoes without compromising on performance or style, and the fact that once you’ve got the most out of your existing pair via their Cyclon subscription service, you can simply send them back to be recycled and in return then receive a fresh new pair.
