If you’re looking for a pair of the best eco-friendly running shoes, the Swiss sportswear brand On Running has released Cloudprime, the first running shoe to feature a carbon midsole.
Apparel companies are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their clothing and footwear, and an average pair of sports shoes accounts for around 13 kg of carbon dioxide when it comes to landfill production and disposal.
Companies like ASICS and Lululemon are committed to sustainability by promising more (75 to 100%) of the materials used in their shoes will be durable, but On Running seems to be leading the way in these new shoes – but how exactly do you make a shoe out of carbon? ?
On Running has partnered with companies including LanzaTech, which uses its technology to capture carbon monoxide emitted from industrial sources such as steel mills or landfills. It is then converted into liquid ethanol, which is dewatered to produce ethylene and then polymerized to produce CleanCloud ™ EVA foam – a lightweight foam material that is a sustainable version of the materials used by other sports footwear brands.
We find the result very attractive – the white show, adorned with pink and blue swirls, also has a chunky heel and a loop on the midsole, giving them a sporty yet forward looking design.
Only the midsole is made this way at the moment, but He says he’s working to make the outsole and upper feel more balanced as well. It looks like On running is not going to stop there either, and the brand says it is excited to “unlock the potential of alternative carbon sources” in the next few years.
Sounds great – but how will they work?
We know what you are thinking: they can look good and make us feel permanently satisfied, but can these new On Running shoes really compete with the best running shoes you can buy?
A CleanCloud ™ EVA midsole can be one of the most important parts of any running show. This is because the midsole cushions the foot – especially for long-distance runners – and at the same time is important for shock absorption, which means it hits the ground, not the foot. It’s also a lightweight material that is key to the design of any running shoe.
Sustainable materials have started to be used more and more in sports footwear, and AllBirds and ASICS are among the top runners in eco shoes, and feedback on their performance and durability has been positive so far.
Currently On Running doesn’t have a sales launch date for Cloudprime shoes, so we’ll have to wait to see if a program made using carbon can compete with some of the top brands, but we’re excited to see where this new development is leading.