Sustainable Hiking Shoes Made From Recycled Materials

FAQs

What are the benefits of sustainable hiking shoes?

• • By repurposing recycled materials to make new products, sustainable hiking shoes help reduce plastic pollution and energy consumption while also decreasing the amount of waste in landfills.
  • Sustainable hiking shoes made from recycled plastic and rubber can be extra abrasion resistant, durable and supportive.

Why make hiking boots and shoes from recycled materials?

Hiking boots and shoes can be made from recycled materials to reduce the environmental impact of shoe production. According to the BBC, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. In response, an increasing number of brands are making new products like hiking shoes made from post consumer waste that ends up in landfills and oceans. This also reduces the need for new materials to be extracted from the earth

What is used to make hiking shoes from recycled materials?

A variety of recycled materials can be used to make sustainable hiking shoes from recycled materials, including fishing nets, tires, plastic bottles, algae foam, and fibers from discarded fruits and vegetables like apples, mushrooms, and pineapples.

What material are hiking boots traditionally made of?

Synthetic materials or animal-based leather material is typically used to make hiking boots, including polyester, nylon, artificial leather, plant-based materials, full grain leather, nubuck leather.

• • Synthetic Materials: Polyester, nylon, and other synthetic materials like artificial leather are used to create hiking shoes. In most cases, a blend of components are used. Boots made of synthetic materials lack the inherent waterproofing of leather, making the waterproof membrane used in their construction all the more critical. However, synthetic materials are lighter and more flexible than leather, which could be more comfortable for long hikes.
  • Plant-Based Materials: Natural rubber, bio oil sourced from organic cereal crops, Tencell Lyocell sourced from wood fibers.
  • Genuine Full Grain Leather: Abrasion- and water-resistant leather with excellent breathability and durability. Used most effectively in rainy or mountainous areas. It is possible to get hiking boots in a variety of various thicknesses, depending on the kind of trekking you want to do.
  • Leather with a nubuck finish: Nubuck is full-grain leather that has been buffed to have a smooth finish. It’s waterproof, breathable, and abrasion-resistant, but also less durable than full grain leather. Durability suffers compared to full-grain leather, but flexibility increases.

What are hiking shoe soles made of?

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane, thermoplastic rubber, natural rubber, leather, vibram are common hiking boot sole materials.

• • Polyurethane shoe soles: Constructed from an organic polymer, these soles are long-lasting, slip-resistant, shock-absorbing, and water-resistant. They are also low density, inexpensive and can be created from recycled plastics and other materials.
  • EVA shoe soles: Made with Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), these soles are shock-absorbing, flexible and lightweight. EVA can be created from recycled material like plastic bottles and one of the most popular materials used for hiking shoe soles.
  • TRP shoe soles: Constructed of thermoplastic rubber, these soles are well-known for their outstanding shock absorption and slip resistance. TPR soles are also lower in weight and more flexible than PVC soles.
  • BPU shoe soles: Composed of eco-friendly polyurethane materials, these soles are one of the most dense, hard soles available and also have excellent weather resistance.
  • Natural rubber shoes soles: Used for centuries, rubber soles are tough, weatherproof and water-resistant, so no worries about rain getting into your shoes. Natural rubber is also a biodegradable, sustainable material.
  • Vibram shoe soles: Created in the 1930s and named after Vitale Brahmani, an alpinist and outdoor pioneer. These soles are robust, slip-resistant, and waterproof, making them a popular choice for hiking shoes.
  • Commando shoe soles: The thick lugs and rugged shape of commando soles make them good for all kinds of weather. The thick lugs also provide grip and traction. Commando soles are also thick and heavy, so use a different kind of sole if you want your shoes to be lighter.
  • Leather shoe soles: Leather soles are breathable, durable and can withstand harsh conditions as long as they are properly maintained.
  • Lug shoe soles: Thick soles constructed of rubber to provide great grip and traction. The drawback of lug soles is that they collect a lot of dirt and hence need frequent cleaning.

Are there biodegradable shoes?

Shoes made completely from plant-based and natural material are biodegradable and will naturally decompose over time. This includes shoes like vegan hiking boots, eco friendly sandals and vegan shoes made of algae foam, bamboo, cotton, hemp, Tencell Lyocell wood-based fibers, sugarcane, apple or pineapple fibers, natural rubber and cork.

Footwear brands that make biodegradable shoes include Allbirds, Cariuma, Native, and Rothy’s.

Can shoes be made from recycled plastic?

Yes, shoes can be made from recycled plastic, with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) being the most common form. Recycled plastic is used in shoe production to create various components, including the upper, sole, and laces.

What is a polyurethane midsole?

Polyurethane is a durable, stable midsole material that is often used in trekking and mountaineering boots. When new, polyurethane (PU) is thick and heavy, and it normally takes a break-in time before it becomes flexible and comfy to wear.

Polyurethane midsoles will have a longer lifespan than EVA midsoles and provide better support. However, because polyurethane is usually heavier and more expensive, it is most often used for hiking boots. EVA is most often used for running shoes, where lightweight cushioning is important for speed and agility.

What is EVA and PU?

Eva foam is a soft foam derived from Ethylene-vinyl acetate. It is often used in both traditional and vegan shoe construction. EVA is great for cushioning your feet which is why is it frequently used in shoes and sneakers.

Polyurethane foam (PU foam) is a kind of foam that is denser and often heavier than EVA foam. It is created from polyurethane. PU foam is more long-lasting and delivers durable support over an extended period of time.

Where can I find resources to learn about sustainable footwear?

• • According to Statista, the use of sustainable materials in Nike’s footwear and apparel segments increased from 19% in 2015 to 62% in 2020. This indicates a growing trend towards sustainability in the industry.

  • Caleres, a major footwear retailer, has developed its own sustainability index, on which shoes must rate a 51% or above to be considered sustainable.

  • The Higg Index is a tool developed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition to measure the environmental and social impact of apparel and footwear products.