As a runner who's becoming more interested or conscious about ethical running shoes and eco-friendly running clothes, you might be wondering what actually makes running gear sustainable. Here are the key questions we have asked our team and hopefully our answers provide a guide for you when researching your next sustainable running gear purchase.

What materials should I look for?

When shopping for sustainable running gear, look for products made with:

• Recycled ocean plastics (many footwear brands now use these for their uppers)

• Organic cotton and hemp (especially in clothing)

• Reclaimed rubber in outsoles

• Bio-based materials that have a lower environmental impact

How can I tell if manufacturing is sustainable?

Check if brands are transparent about:

• Using renewable energy in their factories

• Water conservation efforts

• Reduced chemical processing

• Fair labour practices and worker conditions

• Brands use 3rd party organisations to verify what they are saying.

Does sustainable mean less durable?

Actually, no! Modern sustainable running shoes are engineered to be:

• Just as durable as traditional shoes

• Equally lightweight

• Performance-focused with energy return. Maybe not carbo shoes but for everyday running - absolutely. 

• Often designed to be repaired or recycled, using a reduced number of component parts or using single product composition so it can be more easily recycled or reused. 

What about end-of-life?

• The best sustainable brands offer take-back programs for used shoes

• Look for recycling initiatives, our friend and partner Jog-on is a great initiative we support : https://www.jogonagain.com/ 

• Clear brand guidelines on how to dispose of worn-out gear

• Options for repair rather than replacement

How can I make my running shoes last longer?

We’'ve found these practices most effective:

1. Rotate between two pairs

2. Repair when possible (soles, tears, insoles - get the gorilla glue out!)

3. Clean properly after runs

4. Track mileage (replace at 300-500 miles at the very minimum. Go on feel in your body)

5. Use running shoes only for running

Which brands are leading in sustainability?

This is a tough one. 

Many brands are stating claims that sustainability is a core part of their business model while maintaining high performance standards. We started Run Legacy to ensure what brands say they are doing is exactly that. 

This is why we partner with Compare Ethics - read more here: https://run-legacy.com/pages/brand-onboarding in our experience newer brands to the market, that actually established with sustainability at their core are the ones to look for: Zen Running Club are an example of this, or look for long established brands that have been championing sustainability for years, such as Veja. 

Remember: Every sustainable choice we make as runners adds up to significant environmental impact over time. You do make a difference with the purchases you make - remember its the sum of all our actions that will have the greatest impact

Thank you for being curious

The Run Legacy Team.