Best Sustainable Running Shoes: Review and Buyers’ Guide

Allbirds Tree Dasher 2

Highlights: Extremely lightweight running shoe made using merino wool, which makes them very comfortable and breathable for athletes. 

Top of our list of most sustainable running shoes is the latest version of the Allbirds Tree Dasher. I was a big fan of the original version and was delighted to see that the company hasn't stopped developing new ideas. 

These eco-friendly running shoes now have an official green EVA certificate to show that they are carbon negative. And by using natural rubber and plant-based raw materials, the impact on nature is minimal. 

The upper parts are made from a combination of sugar cane, eucalyptus tree, and merino wool, and these natural materials are sourced from highly sustainable farms.

Overall, they have been certified to only produce 9 kg (about 20 pounds) of CO2, and Allbirds offsets that carbon footprint to turn it into a negative number, 

Not only are they highly sustainable, but they also offer exceptionally good support for your feet and ankles. 

What I also like about these sustainable sneakers is the upgraded heel collar that provides much better ankle support. 

It's not quite enough to make them suitable as trail running shoes, but if you sometimes run on slightly uneven ground, then these minimalist running shoes are a great choice. 

Currently, the color options are a bit more limited than what you had available with the original version. But I imagine that will change as the manufacturing processes ramp up for higher demand. 

There are seven color choices, from bright yellow to classic gray, so you can make as much of a statement with them as you want. 

Plus, there are both men's and women's version available.

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Merrell Moab Flight

Highlights: Excellent trail running shoes that have an amazing grip and water resistance using almost entirely recycled materials.

The Merrell Moab Flight running shoes are the first vegan running sneakers on this list. None of the materials is sourced from animal products, and the company has a cruelty-free certificate as well, which will be very important for any vegan athletes. 

The sustainable footwear company has pushed the boundaries for recycling with the laces made of 100% recycled materials, the upper mesh 70%, and the insole 50%. And the natural rubber sole also contains 30% recycled materials. 

One thing I found with many other trail running shoes made from sustainable materials is that they tend to be quite heavy. But Merrell has become a leader in the footwear industry by making these trail runners noticeably lighter than anything else you might find. 

I also like the higher-than-average heel support, which wraps nicely around the ankle joint as well. 

And then there's the grip. 

The sole design will give you plenty of grip, even on wet and slippery surfaces. It's great to see that the sustainable fashion industry still takes safety and practicality seriously and not only focuses on being carbon neutral. 

I've tried them on a few trail runs in warm and colder conditions. I love that my feet never feel cold or overly sweaty, which is always a difficult thing to achieve. The upper mesh doesn't saturate with water even when you step in puddles of water, which tends to happen a lot when trail running. 

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Adidas x Parley - Ultraboost 22

Highlights: This running shoe is made from recycled plastic bottles and Ocean plastic using manufacturing processes that minimize water and energy usage.

The whole idea behind the Adidas Parley range is to offer customers a wide range of style and design choices with the clear conscience of purchasing a running shoe that also cleans up the oceans. 

Adidas hasn't been known as one of the most sustainable brands, but the partnership with Parley to help remove and recycle plastic materials from the ocean is a great step in the right direction. 

What I found most surprising is that you can't actually tell the difference between these ethical running shoes and the regular ones using new synthetic materials. They look and feel exactly the same, which says a lot about how unnecessary all that plastic waste is that doesn't end up in the cycle economy. 

With the right processes, the company has recycled PET and managed to also create one of the best running shoes I've ever worn. 

The natural rubber soles are strong enough for pounding the hard surfaces while also providing the cushioning effect that Adidas is so famous for. 

I've used these now on a regular basis for a mix of long runs and also some interval training where I alternate between jogging and sprinting on a clay track. The comfort is excellent, and you'll also find plenty of grip on different types of surfaces. 

They are also water-repellent shoes with a breathable mesh. That means your feet will stay dry and comfortable even on tougher training days. 

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Hylo Athletics Men's Hylo Run 2

Highlights: These running shoes are made using production methods and offsets that result in a carbon-negative product that has one of the most comfortable soles for running.

Hylo Athletics has created these certified vegan running shoes with a clear focus on minimizing the impact on the environment. 

Each pair has a carbon footprint of less than 7 kg, which is half the industry average. But the company then takes it another step further by offsetting more carbon than it releases, making them effectively carbon-negative. 

And it heavily relies on plant-based raw materials for a more sustainable impact on the environment. And all that adds up to a running shoe that can be fully recycled when you've worn them out. 

The eco-friendly running shoes also come in fully recycled packaging, and you can send the box back to the company for further recycling. 

Equally impressive is the performance you get with these running shoes. 

First of all, you can hardly feel the weight of these, and that translates into a far better running performance. You'll also immediately notice that your feet stay cool even on long runs where you really don't want to experience extreme sweating. 

I also found that these running shoes were ideal for running on the road as the soles are perfectly cushioned to reduce the impact on your joints. If you've had aches and pains after running, then these should make a big difference. 

And finally, I love the great range of color choices. I actually bought one dark pair for running and a lighter color for casual wear and for going to work. 

Key Benefits:

Allbirds Women's Wool Dasher Mizzles

Highlights: These highly water-repellent running shoes are ideal if you exercise in all weather conditions and want to avoid wet and cold feet at the end of a run.

These Allbirds are my wife's favorite running and walking shoes. The wool upper is made from sustainably sourced Merino wool and then sprayed with a water-repelling shield made from environmentally friendly and biodegradable materials. 

The result is a warm and breathable running shoe that will keep your feet dry even when you go running in the rain. And the natural wool material doesn't make you excessively sweat either. 

The shoelaces are also made from recycled plastic bottles, which further reduces the environmental impact. 

The overall result is carbon-neutral running shoes that you can wear and an everyday sneaker. 

Apart from making great use of recycled materials and sustainable practices, these are also extremely comfortable for walking and running. 

Your feet stay at an ideal temperature to avoid getting cold or overly sweaty. And you'll immediately notice the grip you get in all weather conditions. There's simply no slipping, and that will help you avoid injuries. 

The ankle and foot arch support is also excellent, which makes them a lot more comfortable, and you feel that your ankles are a lot more stable. And they also have reflective details that you can instantly see in poor light conditions for added running safety. 

The only downside is that these running sneakers are only available in three colors, which might be a bit limiting if you're particularly fashion conscious. 

However, if you're buying these to go running in the rain or generally wet conditions, then I wouldn't focus too much on the color and stick with the darker tones available that won't show every speck of dirt. 

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