Sustainable Running Shoes: 5 Best Eco-Friendly Options

Are you running round in circles looking for sustainable running shoes? That’s no surprise, – there’s a lot to take into account. Of course, you want a good quality pair of shoes, but they also need to be suitable for how and where you run. Add on top of that that you’re a planet-loving eco-warrior who wants to make conscious shopping choices, and it can be a lot to wrap your head around. Fear not – we at Beagle are here to help you out. Below you can find 5 running shoe brands that go the extra mile to make their shoes more sustainable.

Best for: a barefoot feel

Vivo Barefoot was set up by cousins Galahad and Asher Clark, part of the Clarks shoes family. They wanted to create shoes with a barefoot feel that would help people feel closer to nature when running and hiking. All their shoes are wide, thin & flexible to support the natural mechanics of the human foot in a non-invasive way.

And it comes as no surprise that such a nature-focused business goes out of its way to protect the natural world too. They are in the process of becoming a regenerative business and use a mixture of bio, recycled and natural materials to make their shoes.

Vivo Barefoot offer versions of their barefoot-feel shoes specifically designed for both road and trail running. Their Primus Lite III road running shoes for both women and men cost £91, while their Primus Trail shoes come in at between £98 and £145 depending on the model.

Best for: style

Allbirds have a larger range of running shoes so if you’re after something specific, this might be the place to look. Most of their shoes come in a range of colours too, from understated black or neutrals to pops of vibrant colour.

Allbirds use some pretty cool materials for their running shoes to avoid using virgin plastic. These include FSC-certified TENCEL (made from eucalyptus tree pulp), sugarcane-based EVA and insole foam made from castor bean oil! The company is also on a journey to reach net zero by 2030 and are fully transparent about their progress, which is super important. Their sustainability reports are publicly-available on your website so anyone can see how they’re doing.

Allbirds have various trail running and road running options for both men and women. Their Wool Dasher Mizzles are a particular favourite over at Beagle HQ, which are designed to withstand wet weather thanks to water-repellent technology and come in at £135.

Best for: animal lovers

Will’s Vegan Store sell vegan shoes in a range of styles, including a couple of pairs of running shoes. All their products are certified carbon neutral and delivered in plastic-free packaging (although some of their products do contain recycled plastic).

Keeping it simple, Will’s Vegan Store offer one model of running shoe and one model of trail running shoe. The road running pair are the WVSport Recycled Freedom Trainers, available for women and men. They were developed in the foothills of the Dolomite Hills in Italy using CAD technology and produced at an Italian plant powered with 70% solar energy. A pair will set you back £79.

The trail running offering is the WVSport Oakes Cross running trainers, again available for both women and men. The shoes were developed for 3-times world record holder Fiona Oakes and 10% of the proceeds go to her Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary. So they’re a great option for serious runners who love animals too! With 32x5mm deep outsole lugs for performance on all terrains, they’re suitable for a runner with a neutral gait, have a 10mm drop differential and D width fitting. The price is very reasonable for a shoe of this kind, at £97.

Best for: road running

Veja are a French footwear and accessories brand that was founded in 2004 with the goal of creating environmentally friendly and socially responsible products that are also stylish and affordable. Veja use materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and wild rubber harvested from the Amazon rainforest to create their products. The company also have a transparent supply chain and work closely with small-scale producers in Brazil to ensure fair wages and working conditions. Veja are a member of the Fair Rubber Association and have been awarded several certifications for their sustainable and ethical practices.

Veja are well-known for their distinctive, trendy style and their running shoes are no different. They offer a range of road running, hiking and training shoes in different designs. If you’re looking for serious trail running shoes, then another of the brands on our list might be better, but for functional yet stylish road running shoes, Veja is the place to go. Their running shoes cost around £155. We especially like the eye-catching CONDOR 2 ALVEOMESH PURPLE ULTRAVIOLET road running shoes.

Best for: running on different terrains

Salomon are a French brand who make outdoor sports gear and apparel, including running shoes. They’ve also partnered with organisations such as the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) and the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) to promote environmental conservation and responsible business practices within the outdoor sports industry. What’s more, they’re a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, which is working to develop a common index for measuring the environmental and social performance of apparel products.

Being outdoor experts, you can filter Salomon’s shoes by terrain, including rocky, muddy & soft and snow & ice, so you can find just the right shoe for you. You can also pick between low drop & regular drop for a better fit.

Salomon have even developed a fully-recyclable shoe! The Index 02 not only uses recyclable materials but is also constructed so it can be easily taken apart and recycled after use. Grab a pair for £160.

Would you like an easier way to discover more conscious and ethical brands? Then why not try The Beagle Button? Simply install the extension in your browser and next time you shop online, it’ll pop up with a notification if we know about a more sustainable option!

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