Eco-Friendly Hiking Boots
How to Keep the earth in mind when purchasing new hiking gear
Image: Song_about summer, Adobe Stock
When thinking about sustainability and outdoor gear, there is a difficult balance between buying for technical performance and cost, and finding an eco-friendly option . It is somewhat challenging to find a great hiking boot made from sustainable materials, but there are a few brands that are doing better.
Before setting out to buy a new pair of shoes, consider if your current pair could be repaired or if buying a used, lightly worn pair could suit your needs. Using gear that already exists helps reduce emissions and resource use from manufacturing new items.
If you are ready for a new pair of hiking boots, keep durability at the top of your priorities list.
3 Brands that are Making More Eco-Conscious Hiking Boots
On
While admitting they are not perfect, On has made a commitment to remove virgin polyester from their supply chain, reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, and create circular products. On has created the world’s first zero waste running shoe and is a member of the the CEO4Climate initiative.
The On Cloudrock Edge Raw hiking boot is made without dye from 50 percent recycled materials.
Keen
Keen makes durable hiking boots that are highly functional. They have a transparent commitment to sustainability efforts, which include over 95 percent PFC-free waterproofing, LWG-certified tanneries, and pesticide free deodorizers.
Vivobarefoot
Vivobarefoot is committed to sustainability. They use some sustainable materials, create a durable product and revive used shoes through their revivo program. Vivobarefoot makes a hiking boot from naturally scarred leather and recycled waterproof plastic lining and membrane. They also make a vegan trail option for women that is made from recycled materials.
It is estimated that the apparel industry accounts for up to 10 percent of global greenhouse emissions and 20 percent of wastewater. On the quest for new hiking gear, the most sustainable option is to revive the pair that you already have. If you need a new pair for your adventures, it is a meaningful decision to purchase from a company that is dedicated to environmental stewardship across their entire supply chain.
