At LRC we are very interested in sustainable steps – literally and figuratively. As part of that we are always happy to see standard products being re-imagined and re-designed with their carbon footprint in mind. One product in particular is the running shoe, the biggest, if not the biggest resource intense product a runner will ever need.
With the demand for eco-friendly running shoes increasing more and more companies are doing what they can to re-invent the production of a running shoe and develop new, sustainability-focused technologies. By combining different materials and new processes the same outcome can be achieved: the provision of support and cushioning to the runner.
We recently tested two new running shoes that fall into the category of ‘more sustainable’. Is there a 100% sustainable typical (modern) running shoe? The answer is simply no – it’s almost impossible due to the job of a running shoe and its natural wear and tear – it falls under the ‘take-make-waste’ banner. But Salomon have produced a new running shoe thanks to a more circular production system and the Index.01 can be fully recycled – its various components brake down for reuse in future products. However, something is always better than nothing and the shoes we took out for a spin are definitely making a difference in the world of running shoes.
1. The Allbirds Tree Dasher
Susie: The Allbirds Tree Dasher is a running shoe that was released in April 2020. I had been eager to test the Tree Dashers out due to their eco-friendliness and so when my former road shoes finally succumbed to their last mile, I decided to purchase a pair of the new shoes.
To introduce the shoe, Allbirds describe it as: “Our most technical shoe yet, the Tree Dasher reimagines the traditional running shoe with natural materials engineered for serious performance.”
But how is this shoe eco-friendly, and more sustainable than other running shoes?
- The midsole is made with SweetFoam™ a non-petroleum-based EVA made from sugar cane, which is carbon negative.
- The knitted upper is made from FCS Certified eucalyptus tree fibres, a renewable source.
- The insole is made from castor beans, a non-petroleum product with low emissions.
- The total carbon footprint of the shoe is 9.0 KG CO2e thanks to offsets and sustainable practices employed (a typical running shoe generates anything from 12-30 KG CO2e).
A few specs for the shoe:
- Heel drop 7mm.
- Neutral stability.
- Weight: 10oz (women’s US size 10.5).
How does the shoe perform when running?
So far, I’ve run 200miles in the shoes over bike paths and concrete pavement in dry conditions.
These are my take-aways:
- Great for easy runs up to an hour.
- Good for tempo runs.
- Not so great for speed workouts on road or track.
- Haven’t taken them on a long road run.
Overall, I really like this shoe. It’s fairly light weight, comfortable and great for every day running. The fabric of the upper definitely keeps your feet cool and the insole is proving very durable. I did wear the shoe for a speed workout on an asphalt/ tarmac track but did not enjoy the lack of support in the upper or minimal flexibility of the outer sole. In fact, it felt kind of wobbly! I’m not sure I would use these for long runs e.g. in marathon training, but for short easy/ recovery runs they are ideal and it’s good to support a company testing the status-quo and advancing more sustainable technologies.
2. Brooks Ghost 14.
Susie: Launched as Brooks first carbon neutral shoe I was really keen to test these shoes and learn about the sustainability processes behind the new Ghost 14. With only a few major updates such as Brooks’s signature DNA LOFT throughout more of the mid-sole and improved design for the overall fit it seems like it will keep die-hard Brooks fans happy. The biggest changes to the Ghost 14 come behind the scenes in the production, which is now assessed using standards set by the European Commission following a Product Environmental Footprint method. The carbon footprint of the new Ghost 14 is lower thanks to a set of new practices, as outlined below.
Sustainability points:
- Upper textiles contain a minimum of 30% recycled content and some components are constructed from 100% recycled content.
- The total carbon footprint of the shoe is 10.34KG CO2e thanks to offsets and processes such as low impact dyeing and the use of factories powered by renewable energy.
Specs for the Ghost 14:
- Heel drop 12mm.
- Neutral stability.
- Weight: 9oz (women’s US size 10.5).
How does the running shoe perform?
So far, I’ve only run 35 miles in the Ghost 14s along a bike path but overall I’ve been very impressed. You can see our first ever LRC YouTube shoe review of the Ghost 14 here (and if you subscribe to the channel you’ll catch more of our reviews and content coming soon, thanks)!
Main take-aways from running in the Ghost 14 so far:
- Great cushioning for easy runs.
- Light enough for tempo runs.
- Responsive for speed workouts on road (waiting to test on a track but already guessing they’ll be great).
- Supportive enough for long runs.
Overall, this is a great, more standard running shoe – especially when compared to the Tree Dasher. It’s light and responsive, especially when you consider the level of cushioning! I found it very comfortable, easy to wear and great for tempo and speed workouts on the roads/ bike paths. I feel very confident these shoes will hold up to marathon training, but they could also be used for 5k/10k training without any problem. The Ghost’s range and adaptability only add to it’s sustainability highlights since it could mean that you might not need a ‘light weight’ shoe for track or tempo workouts (unless you’re really going for that personal best time) and could just stick to having one workhorse type of shoe. With the commitment Brooks have made to lowering their carbon emissions to net zero by 2040, this shoe is definitely an encouraging sign that they are doing great things behind the scenes with regards to maintaining running shoe standards whilst aiming for better environmental standards at the same time.
Have you tried more eco-friendly running shoes? We’d love to hear which brands you’ve tried and what you think of shoe technology developments so far?
Thanks for reading!
Happy Trails!
