A running shoe made from carbon emissions now exists – and it looks good too
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If you’re looking for some of the best eco-friendly running shoes, Swiss sportswear brand On Running has released the Cloudprime shoe, the first running shoe with a midsole made using carbon emissions.
Sportswear companies are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their clothing and footwear, and the average pair of athletic shoes is responsible for around 13kg of carbon dioxide, taking into account production and disposal in landfill.
Asics like ASICS and Lululemon have made sustainability promises, pledging to ensure that more (between 75 and 100%) of the materials used in their shoes will be sustainable, but On Running seems to be leading the pack with this new shoe – but how exactly do you make a shoe from CO2 emissions?
On Running partners with companies including LanzaTech, which uses its technology to capture carbon monoxide emitted from industrial sources such as steel mills or landfills. This is then converted to liquid ethanol, which is dehydrated to produce ethylene, before being polymerized to produce CleanCloud™ EVA foam – a lightweight foam material, which is a durable version of the materials used by other athletic shoe brands.
We think the result is very appealing – the white show, decorated with pink and blue swirls, also features a chunky heel and a loop design on the midsole, giving them a sporty yet progressive design.
Only the midsole is currently made this way, but On says it’s also working on making the outsole and upper more durable. And it looks like On Running won’t stop there either, with the brand saying it’s excited to “unlock the potential of alternative carbon sources” in the coming years.
Sounds great, but how will they perform?
We know what you’re thinking: they may look good and make us feel lasting smug, but can these new shoes from On Running really compete with the best running shoes money can buy?
The midsole, where the CleanCloud™ EVA foam is used, can be one of the most important parts for any running show. This is because the midsole provides cushioning for the foot – especially for long-distance runners – while also being important for shock absorption, meaning hitting the ground instead of your foot. It is also a lightweight material, which is essential to the design of any running shoe.
Sustainable materials are increasingly being used in athletic footwear, with AllBirds and ASICS being some of the leaders in eco-friendly footwear, and feedback on their performance and durability has been positive so far.
On Running doesn’t currently have a sales date for the Cloudprime shoe, so we’ll have to wait to see if a show made using carbon emissions can compete with some of the top brands, but we’re excited to see where this new development leads.