Salomon introduces recyclable performance running shoe

French outdoor brand Salomon as unveiled Index.01, a performance running shoe made to be recycled. The result of three years of research and development at Salomon’s Annecy Design Center in the French Alps, the shoe has been constructed to reduce material waste by using circular life cycle principles. 

By using recycled polyester for the upper and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for the bottom unit, the Salomon team ensured that both parts of the Index.01 would be recyclable. At the end of the shoe’s life, the recycled insole is removed so the upper and bottom units can be separated for recycling. Once separated, the bottom unit will be ground down into tiny pellets and then combined with virgin TPU to make Salomon alpine ski boots and other products. The Polyester upper can also be reused in the creation of fabric. 

Blending performance, style and values, the Index.01 features a clean, innovative appearance. At just 285 grams, it‘s designed for daily training and features a 9 mm drop and a molded sock liner that is made from recycled EVA foam and a recycled polyester cover. 

The shoe will be released in the spring of 2021.