On the one hand, I think giving runners a place to toss their old shoes is great since it implies they will be somehow repurposed. But I’ve always wondered about where, exactly, the final resting place is for these sneaks. On top of that, avid runners go through shoes at Usain Bolt–level speed. Most experts recommend switching running shoes after 300 to 500 miles; much beyond that, they’ll lose their cushioning and could lead to injury. Depending on how much you run, this could mean you’re getting rid of a pair every four to six months. In response to this trashy problem, some sneaker companies are starting to sell runners that are easier to take apart for recycling. Another approach is to create shoes that are designed to stay in use for longer, like the Eliot Runner, the first sneaker from classic running brand Tracksmith. Beyond being nice to look at, this minimalist design gives the Eliot sneakers a functional advantage. They’ll look just as good running errands as they do running a 5k, so you can keep them long after that 500-mile running threshold has passed. Tracksmith spent five years tweaking the Eliot to find the right balance between comfort and support. Underneath the understated exterior, you’ll find an extra-thick Pebax® foam insole to give the shoe plenty of cushion. The midsole layer underneath is a bit firmer, which makes the shoe more responsive. Their goal was to emulate the feeling of jogging on a forest trail covered in moss or fallen leaves—springy, soft, and just the right amount of squishy. So, did they succeed? As a walking shoe, it also performs well. I’ve worn them on daily strolls around the neighborhood and weekend errands and found them to be comfortable and zippier than my other around-town shoes. My one concern with white sneakers is the dirt factor. When I asked the Tracksmith team for their cleaning tips, they said you can throw these sneaks into the washing machine. Just be sure to take out those precious foam insoles first so they don’t get damaged. You can also pack the shoe (again, sans insole) with paper when they get wet on a run. Overall, I’m looking forward to continuing to wear the shoe on runs and walks to come and hope that other brands take a page from Tracksmith’s book and design more muted and versatile, less flashy, sneakers. (Just don’t tell my pair of neon-red kicks!) Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
