What Makes a Sneaker or Trainer Sustainable?
What Makes a Sneaker Sustainable? We Asked the Experts
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Sustainable sneakers and trainers have become increasingly popular as more and more people are considering their impact on the environment — especially when it comes to the products they buy. Sustainability has become a bit of a buzzword in the last year or two, and it can be hard to know if what you're buying truly passes the test and has a positive impact on the environment. We spoke to a few experts at the forefront of the sustainable sneaker industry, and this is what they had to say.
Colin Vernon is the founder of Slow Factory Foundation, an educational institute and research lab specialising in climate and culture. A large part of the foundation's research in this space centres around raw materials. "Most raw materials used in most footwear are extremely toxic and damaging to the Earth and its inhabitants. All fossil-fuel-based plastics come at an extremely high environmental cost, including synthetic rubbers, polyester, nylon, or other plastic-based fabrics for uppers and laces, not to mention the toxic glues that usually hold it all together. Plastic can be an incredible material, but the ways we extract and produce it and the scale at which these systems operate is simply more than the actual planet can sustain in the long term," Vernon explained.
In terms of moving forward, Vernon believes that "anything a company can do to produce with less negative effects on planet and people is better than if they made no efforts. Environmentally speaking, the materials used are the biggest single factor in overall footprint. Generally, natural plant-based materials are less harmful overall than synthetic materials, but even then how materials are harvested and processed can make a big difference on overall impact."
Three sneaker brands taking this message on board within their design and manufacturing process are Allbirds, Cariuma, and Elliott. Allbirds prioritises designing footwear that has the lowest carbon footprint possible — because for them, the single most important thing is reducing the amount of carbon emissions. "We think that carbon is the ultimate metric as this is the single most important lever to tackle climate change. Every decision we make is guided by how much carbon we can drive down as a company," the brand explained.
Allbirds's focus on sustainability begins at the raw material stage, as the brand believes that is where it has the biggest opportunity to make a positive impact, much like Slow Factory Foundation. "We're on a mission to move away from petroleum-based synthetics, which the footwear industry largely relies on, and instead we look to nature for inspiration. That's why we source renewable and natural materials such as merino wool, eucalyptus tree fibre, and sugar cane, that all have the potential to reduce our carbon footprint," the brand stated.
For the Brazilian brand Cariuma, designing sustainably starts with prioritising the people behind the product. "Not just internally, but all people who work with and are part of Cariuma's ecosystem. It's our belief that sustainable practices begin with work conditions and a safe, healthy environment for every single person who works with us," brand cofounder Fernando Porto told POPSUGAR. As well as the people involved in the process, the duration that the product lasts is hugely important. For Cariuma, "true sustainability stems from creating a longer-lasting product," which is what leads the company to work with materials like natural rubber, organic cotton, and bamboo — a carbon-negative material.
Elliott, a company that prides itself on being the world's first "climate positive" sneaker brand, believes that true sustainability requires going beyond achieving net-zero carbon emissions, and instead focuses on actively reversing the existing impact on climate change. "We create an actual environmental benefit by removing additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. With every pair of Elliott's made, they reverse the carbon footprint with a climate-positive offset of one tonne of CO2," the brand explained.
So when it comes to sustainable sneakers, there are three core aspects of their design and manufacture process that set them apart from regular sneakers: the type of raw materials and how long they last, the working conditions, and the ability to positively impact the environment. Keep reading to discover some of the best sustainable sneakers to shop today.
Elliott Low Classic Recycled Canvas
These Elliott Low Classic Recycled Canvas (£110) sneakers are available in a classic white silhouette with a bold green stripe. Made with high-grade recycled canvas, the shoes are handcrafted and actively offset your carbon footprint with every pair you purchase.
Hush Puppies Aqua Recycled Good Shoe Lace
These Hush Puppies Aqua Recycled Good Shoe Lace (£60) trainers are a brand-new addition to the brand's sustainability offerings. The range itself is made from recycled water bottles with a 100 percent recycled upper and recycled lining, and all the shoes feature a cushiony footbed for extra comfort.
Veja Rio Branco Alveomesh
The Veja Rio Branco Alveomesh (£105) trainers are the perfect addition to any sustainable sneaker collection. Made in Brazil, the sneakers feature an Alveomesh upper (made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles), a midsole made out of sugar cane, and a sole made of rubber from the Amazon rainforest.
Allbirds Wool Runner
The Allbirds Wool Runner (£95) is machine washable and made from renewable materials. Ethically designed with ZQ Merino wool, the ultraflexible sneaker is soft moisture wicking and minimises odour.
Cariuma OCA Low
These Cariuma OCA Low (£80) sneakers are made from high-end raw materials and feature lightweight cushion technology, complete with a perfectly weighted rubber sole. Available in 10 different colourways, the sneakers feature 100 percent vegan insoles made from organic mamona oil and cork to ensure optimal comfort and fit.
Vivobarefoot Geo Court II
The Vivobarefoot Geo Court II (£125) silhouette is a sustainable reinvention of the classic court sneaker. The shoe's upper is made from naturally scarred leather that comes from free-roaming cattle, sourced from small-scale farmers.
Nike Air VaporMax 2020 FK
The sleek new Nike Air VaporMax 2020 FK (£190) is designed with sustainability at the core. Despite the fact that a majority of Nike's existing sneakers are not entirely sustainable, the VaporMax 2020, along with other select styles, is a step in the right direction. Made from at least 50 percent recycled content by weight, and a Nike Air-Sole made from at least 75 percent recycled thermoplastic polyurethane, this silhouette is a small step in Nike's wider journey to zero carbon and zero waste.
Adidas Stan Smith Shoe
Adidas has announced an all-new era for the Stan Smith, starting with three new sustainable silhouettes. While a majority of the brand's productions are not entirely sustainable, the new and improved Adidas Stan Smith Shoe (£75) aims to support the brand on its wider sustainability journey and features a recycled Primegreen upper and recyclable sole.
Nike Cosmic Unity
The Nike Cosmic Unity (£130) was originally designed as a basketball shoe, but its funky colourways and cushioned sole make it the perfect option for everyday wear. Made from at least 25 percent recycled material by weight, the shoe's midsole and outsole are partially recycled.
New Balance Vision Racer
The New Balance Vision Racer (£130) features a partially recycled insole (made from six percent castor-bean oil and 15 percent recycled foam) and contains a minimum of 30 percent surplus textile waste. Though a number of New Balance's existing productions aren't wholly sustainable, the brand is making a conscious effort to start creating more sustainable products.
