{"id":3694,"date":"2021-02-05T21:40:54","date_gmt":"2021-02-05T21:40:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sincerelysustainable.com\/?p=3694"},"modified":"2021-10-06T19:53:59","modified_gmt":"2021-10-06T19:53:59","slug":"sustainable-running-shoes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/sustainable-running-shoes\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Best Sustainable Running Shoes to Kick-start Your Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You could look gorgeous putting on those eco-friendly jeans<\/a>, feel nostalgic vibes in those cozy ecological pajamas<\/a>, or live in those environmentally friendly leggings<\/a>, but there\u2019s something that is still missing\u2026 something you can\u2019t go out without under any circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What we\u2019re referring to is a pair of sustainable running shoes<\/strong> that give you the freedom to jump, jog, dance, or compete with your fellow joining them in a run in the morning\u2014and most importantly, the shoes that keep the atmosphere more eco-friendly and fighting fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there is an elegant and sustainable solution to the footwear\u2014eco-friendly sneakers<\/a>, they can\u2019t be used while breaking a sweat at the gym, biking, or running. On the contrary, these ethical<\/strong> running shoes<\/strong> will offer extreme comfort and provide enough air to your feet, hence breathable. No matter if you\u2019re willing to get these earth-friendly shoes for cool or wet runs, these shoes will, undoubtedly, make your day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you browse through the list, you\u2019ll also come across some vegan shoes<\/strong>; the shoes that have been thoughtfully designed\u2014without harming the animals in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret fashion industry is dirty<\/a>, and loads of brands, in this day and age, are producing a variety of running kicks<\/strong> at a large scale to fulfill customers’ needs\u2014all without thinking about the environment. Since shoes are closely allied with the fashion industry, that is something that jogs our memory about the famous \u2018Rana Plaza\u2019 tragedy, a fast-fashion disaster that shook the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainable Running Shoes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While shoes, especially the running ones, are intended to offer comfort, durability, breathability, and protection to your feet against harsh conditions, if they are made using toxic, eco-unfriendly fabrics (materials), they would do the opposite like cause itching or rashes on the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, sustainably made running shoes, quite the reverse, are made with organic materials, ensuring no impact on the environment. Plus, eco-friendly brands produce sustainable runners<\/strong> at their ethical factories where a proper code of conduct, as per the state law, is followed to ensure the health of the workers. And, since sustainable shoes are made with toxic-free materials, they\u2019re likely to survive in cold\u2013wet, and hot scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the shoe industry is huge and accounts for 1.4%<\/strong> of the global greenhouse effect, knowing what practices the companies are using while making shoes is really important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, we\u2019ve put together this list of the best sustainable running shoes that keep your feet as soft as butter even in harsh conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, without further ado, let\u2019s get into it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. ALLBIRDS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBreak a sweat, not the planet\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allbirds is a footwear company that is based in Australia. It came into existence in 2014. Tim Brown and Joey Zwillinger started the company with an aim to keep make their shoes as eco-friendly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allbirds\u2019 eco-friendly shoes have been designed from nature, for nature. To ensure sustainability, the company uses plant-based materials so the shoes don\u2019t have any negative impact on our atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allbirds\u2019 Beliefs about Sustainability & Ethics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Allbirds is committed to creating a world where people could run harder<\/em> and<\/em> tread lighter<\/em>. As discussed earlier, the footwear industry alone contributes to 1.4% of the overall gas emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evidently, this is a very serious issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Bret McKenzie\u2014an Oscar-winning comedian\u2014takes the podium to enlighten us about the impact and what it is in a footprint, it gets crystal clear that sustainability is the only option we\u2019re left with to ensure a cleaner, healthier, and safer environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See how Allbirds deals with the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainability:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Allbirds is open about what they do. They do admit that shoes emit CO2<\/strong> when we tread<\/strong>, however, what they emphasize is the fact that it can be brought down to a great extent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A regular sneaker emits about 12.5 kg CO2e<\/strong> which is affecting our planet and, therefore, something needs to be done about it thoughtfully. They\u2019re geared toward creating no carbon impact from the start\u2014it is all part of their plan as they say, \u201cWe\u2019re not at zero\u201d yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Materials:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is where things get interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allbirds is rooted in sustainability. They believe take the natural world<\/em> as the source of inspiration, and therefore, they make sure that nothing impacts it while making those tough, gorgeous, and long-lasting shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, if you\u2019re after the list of materials, here you are; Allbirds uses plant-based materials so as to sustain the atmosphere we live in, namely Wool<\/strong>, Tree<\/strong>, Sugar<\/strong>, and TRINO<\/strong>\u2122<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also depend on a renowned wood-based fabric called TENCEL<\/strong>\u2122 Lyocell<\/strong>, and in our sustainable fabrics guide, we\u2019ve already outlined the benefits of using lyocell (go check it if you haven\u2019t already).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ethics:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

What about the ethical practices carried out by Allbirds?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are they as ethical as they say, or they\u2019re just one of the so-called brands tricking people into buying something that goes against nature?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We appreciate that you\u2019re taking precautions, but Allbirds is an ethical brand and offers transparency to the people interested in buying products from them. Keeping track of the ethical factories and stores run and managed by Allbirds is a piece of cake actually\u2014find them all here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They believe in uniting people for the betterment of our environment. Said that, every single factory managed by them runs in line with the code of conduct governed by the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before doing the final checkout, you could look at where running shoes have been manufactured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top Pick!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Women's <\/picture>W<\/strong>omen’s Wool Dasher Mizzles<\/strong>Image Courtesy: AllbirdsShop Now!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why these shoes?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

These sustainable shoes from Allbirds are no-slip kicks that have been produced using merino\u2019s wool (just like the ones from Giess Wein). So, no matter how long you run, they will always keep your feet dry, thanks to the unmatched breathability. These have been made with renewable materials, are machine washable, and give you an odor-free experience, and that stability that you achieve is up to the mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop Allbirds!!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. VEJA<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As cool as their website looks, their sustainably made running shoes will have your heart at the first sight. Being a Fair Trade-certified<\/strong> shoe brand, Veja brings a lot to the table for the consumers by restoring balance in the worldwide trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They believe in working directly with the producers so that unnecessary steps required in the middle can be dispensed with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the existence, they\u2019ve been relying on sustainable materials<\/strong>. The producers who they take the organic cotton from are paid first, and then shoes are made later on. It depicts that people are always put first, then the product being made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They decided to manufacture in Brazil<\/strong> as this country offers robust opportunities and added social value, and being a B-Corp-certified<\/strong> brand makes them even more socially and environmentally responsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VEJA\u2019s Take on Sustainability & Ethics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t the first time Veja has managed to be listed on our website\u2014it has also been vetted by us in another article published by our team: sustainable sneakers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainability:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Given that the fast-fashion is a serious problem and impact every single soul on earth, how exactly does Veja deal with it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, Veja has embraced ecological materials, such as 100% organic cotton<\/strong>. Yes, it is also true that some running shoes are made with recycled fabrics, such as recycled plastics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of investing money in advertisements, Veja believes in fortifying its ethical practices so as to make this world a better place for all of us. To achieve this vision, they\u2019ve been taking advantage of the most ecological materials that help reduce carbon footprint<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Materials:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While the materials used in the shoes vary from shoe to shoe, Veja tries to use as many eco-friendly fabrics as possible. That\u2019s why most of the shoes have been designed using ecological materials, such as organic cotton<\/strong>, rubber<\/strong> (taken from Amazon rainforest), leather <\/strong>(100% vegetable-based), and recycled plastic bottles<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, each part of the shoe is made with different materials\u2014heels, uppers, insoles, laces, binding, eyelets, outsoles, and construction use different fabrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This has been best described by \u201cNothing New\u201d \u2014 another cool, sustainable brand that has found its place on this list (see below). So, in the case of Veja running shoes, the insole is made with sugar cane<\/strong>, r-PET, banana oil, natural latex, rubber, rice waste<\/strong>, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work & Ethics:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Among other fascinating things about Veja, their transparency also caught our attention. They keep their customers posted on where they manufacture the shoes, what materials they make use of, and how they do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the shoes are manufactured ethically in Brazil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since we\u2019re talking about the numbers, you\u2019d wonder to know that they have bought 390 tons<\/strong> of cotton that is FT certified, and they did that between 2004 and 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, they\u2019ve been joining different social programs actively to help people fight poverty and other major conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We Recommend!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\" <\/picture>Condor 2 Alveomesh White Pierre<\/strong>Image Credit: VejaShow Now!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why these shoes?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Well, these shoes have been listed as \u201cVegan Shoes<\/em>\u201d on the website which depicts that no animals have been harmed or killed in the process. Almost all parts of these shoes are made with recyclable materials, such as lining tech and upper, whereas, the insole uses 21% recycled plastic bottles. In the heels and logo, 100% Ricinus oil has been used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop Veja!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. SALOMON<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Salomon is another environmentally conscious brand that believes in accepting the challenges and make one-of-a-kind, sturdy, and comfortable trail\/road running shoes. It is one of those internationally known brands that always keep it real and awesome\u2014the eco-friendly shoe brands that don\u2019t keep the end-users in the dark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They have launched many recyclable running shoes<\/strong> in the past, and are planning to introduce all the outdoor lovers to another pair of cool and sustainable shoe that goes by the name \u201cIndex.01<\/strong>\u201d. They\u2019re going to release it in the spring of 2021. If you\u2019re interested in buying it, you could register yourself using this form<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Index.01 has been made with sustainable materials and designed to last. So, no matter if you wear the shoes while jogging in the morning or you put them on when going gets tough, these shoes will never let you down. To see more about how they\u2019ve reduced the environmental impact by using ethical practices, continue reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salomon\u2019s Sustainability & Ethical Practices<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Materials:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s talk about the textiles first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned earlier, different parts of a shoe take different types of materials\/fabrics. The same things apply to Salomon\u2019s sustainably made shoes. First of all, there\u2019s no toxic<\/strong> used while manufacturing kicks at their disciplined factories, meaning it is highly unlikely<\/strong> their shoes will cause you any kind of irritation<\/em> or allergic reaction<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming back to the materials, most shoes are made of recycled<\/strong>, bio-based materials<\/strong>. That way, once the end-user is done using the shoes, those kicks can be recycled<\/em> into a ski boot shell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It allows them to extend the lifetime of material by up to 10 times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work & Ethics:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In order to achieve the looked-for quality in the resulting product, the recycled material is thoroughly tested and blended in a systematic way, leaving no ifs and buts<\/em> behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they say, behind every successful person, there\u2019s an inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the case of Salomon, the scenario is kind of the same\u2014they get their inspiration from the workers who work tirelessly. The workers in return for their handwork get amazing benefits, such as competitive wages on time, leaves, transparency, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Objectives:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Salomon always believed in setting high goals and working hard to achieve them. They have some plans for the 2025 year like they\u2019re looking forward to being listed among the top 25%<\/strong> companies in the employee engagement. Also, to create products more sustainably, they\u2019ve dedicated themselves to increasing the percentage of recycled material up to 70%<\/strong> by 2025 and reduce carbon emission to a larger extent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Pick!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Index <\/picture><\/strong>Index.01<\/strong>Image Courtesy: SalomonShop Now!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they say \u201cGood things come with patience\u201d \u2014 the same assumption can be drawn in this regard for the fact these Index.01 shoes are yet to be launched (most likely to be out in spring this year). Anyway, these shoes are a mixture of many recyclable materials, such as polyester, TPU, rubber, EVA, etc. However, if you\u2019ve already made up your mind to buy these shoes, it\u2019s about time you register them<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop Salomon!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Native Shoes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Native Shoes\u2014a.k.a. NS\u2014got received an honorable mention in another editorial that was about eco-friendly sneakers<\/a>. So, it\u2019s apparent, this isn\u2019t the first time we get the pleasure to furnish the plusses you\u2019ll be getting if you consider investing in these shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These eco-friendly shoes<\/strong> give you the freedom to step freely on the sidewalk, or even on concrete places. To make sure that nothing harms our environment, future fibers have been used to produce this pair of shoes (see in the materials segment).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their shoes are lightweight<\/strong>, shock-absorbent<\/strong>, and most importantly they\u2019re sustainably and ethically made, doing no harm to the atmosphere (air and water). Plus, no matter how long you take a run in the shoes designed by them, you won\u2019t be suffering from that odor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, shoes are odor-resistant and can be hand washed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Native Shoes\u2019 Beliefs about Affordability & Ethics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So, how does “Native Shoes” deal with the issue that exists in the fashion industry and make those eco-friendly shoes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eco-friendliness:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you take a glimpse at the \u201cRemix\u201d project, you\u2019d get your head around that they\u2019re planning to make their shoes 100% recyclable<\/strong>\u2014and, they\u2019re willing to achieve this goal by 2023, which is not very far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their shoes are made using solvent-free production, allowing them to use up to 70% less water<\/strong>, which results in the overall reduction of carbon emissions\u2014i.e. up to 35% less CO2<\/strong> as compared to the conventional practices used in the fashion industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customers, from different parts of the world, are falling head over heels in love with their environmental-friendly shoes. The good news is that if you wish to have your old<\/strong> shoes recycled<\/strong>, you could do that straightforwardly using a step-by-step process available on their website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Materials:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

What type of fabric does Native Shoes use to ensure the eco-friendliness in the shoes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having dug deep, we came to know that their shoes are made with non-solvent materials,<\/strong> which implies that they\u2019re completely safe for all outdoor lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Apollo 2.0, they have used future material \u2014 Clarino Tirrenina<\/strong>\u2122, a future fiber that is solvent-free. When compared to other traditional microfibers, Clarino is clearly a winner as it is capable of saving up to 70% water, and avoids up to 35% CO2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, since we\u2019re talking about a pair of shoes, and not a T-shirt or activewear, you have to understand that shoes require different materials for different parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping that in mind, we got enlightened that NS also takes advantage of other materials, such as recycled elastane<\/strong>, perforated vamp<\/strong>, partial microfiber lining<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for the insole, it is made with recycled elastalite<\/strong>, whereas, the outsoles are made using light high-traction<\/strong> rubber<\/strong>. To make the shoes study, the company has also used suede leather. Don\u2019t worry, there is no animal glue that has been used in the making nor has there any animal been harmed during the manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re also having one-of-a-kind, top-of-the-line men\u2019s shoes<\/a> that you could gift your much-loved friend and make his day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work & Ethics:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s first talk about the factories where the products are made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, the shoes are made in Vietnam<\/strong> and China<\/strong> and they\u2019re proud to have embraced ethical practices. That means behind every shoe, a code of conduct has been followed by the company, ensuring safe and working conditions for the workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No worker is forced to work more than the required working hours, nor is there any child labor that the brand supports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Native Shoes has been making waves<\/a> ever since they accepted the challenges and turned out to be geared toward sustainability. The fact that they\u2019re a PETA-approved <\/strong>brand makes them even more vegan-friendly<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expert\u2019s Choice!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Apollo <\/picture><\/strong>Apollo 2.0<\/strong>Image by Native ShoesShop Now!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why these shoes?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Well, to be frank, these Apollo shoes will let you run hard and tread lightly. Choose any color you love\u2014black or white\u2014and experience the lunar landing every time you step in them. These sustainable shoes require 70% less water and let you avoid up to 35% of CO2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop Native Shoes!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. HYLO ATHLETICS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This brand made me question myself: why didn\u2019t I find their shoes earlier or they\u2019d have been on the top of this or probably would be having someone\u2019s attention in our other articles. Their environmental-friendly shoes<\/strong> have been rated \u201cup to the mark\u201d by the people who decided to with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From people who are on the lookout for everyday running shoes to the ones who are in search of training ones, they\u2019ve got a huge selection of shoes that are made for different purposes in mind. In addition to using natural materials in the shoes, they can be recycled like a charm. If you\u2019re looking for ways to recycle your shoes<\/strong>, please head to the guide segment on their website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HA\u2019s Approach to Sustainability & Ethics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no wonder that HA\u2019s shoes are carbon negative \u2014 they don\u2019t contribute to the CO2; rather, they reduce the impact of the greenhouse effect. What\u2019s also impressive is that these shoes are very lightweight, and that\u2019s the reason you won\u2019t feel anything while wearing them\u2014like you\u2019re walking or running barefoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Need to shop for gym shoes at the same time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, there\u2019s no need to purchase gym shoes separately as these will keep you satisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainability: <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Since they are carbon negative<\/strong> brand, their shoes reduce up to 7.83 kg CO2e<\/strong> which is achieved at different phases through which a pair of shoes goes. The carbon footprint is reduced using sustainable materials, ethical manufacturing, etc. Not just that, the place where they source the materials is within a 100km radius<\/strong>, avoiding the carbon that is produced through the transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HA makes use of the following materials to make those sustainable, lightweight, durable, and stylish shoes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n