Price Points: Eco-friendly trainers

Eco-friendly trainers

Last week, we shone a light on ethical sustainable jewellery. Today, we’re keeping on the green fashion theme with a selection of eco-friendly trainers.

Trainers – or sneakers if you prefer – can earn their green credentials in a few different ways. Firstly, via their business methods; fairly traded, no child labour used etc. Secondly, by their manufacturing & packaging materials; recycled, organic, sustainable, vegan, cruelty-free.

I love the idea that instead of getting chewing gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe… it’s what the bottom of your shoe is actually made of!

  1. Good News x H&M canvas sneakers: £39.00, H&M

    Good News x H&M. Together with British shoe brand Good News, we have developed a unisex collection of retro-inspired sneakers that leave a reduced environmental footprint. These sneakers are made from canvas containing some organic cotton and some recycled cotton. They have side panels in patterned twill, a tongue and lacing at the front, a padded top edge and contrasting colour heel caps. Linings and striped insoles in cotton canvas and chunky, fluted sole trims containing some BLOOM™ ethylene vinyl acetate, a material made largely from algae biomass. The bottom of the soles is made from patterned rubber, some of which is recycled.
    Composition
    Outer sole: Rubber 100%
    Upper: Cotton 100%
    Upper: Cotton 60%, Jute 40%
    Lining and sock: Cotton 100%
    Upper: Lyocell 100%
    More sustainable materials
    Shell: Recycled cotton 27%, Organic cotton 11%, Tencel™ lyocell 5%
    Lining: Recycled cotton 20%

  2. Stan Smith screaming pink leather trainers: £73.00, FarFetch

    This shoe uses an outsole made with a special material which contains 20% recycled industrial chewing gum waste. The material is developed and sourced by UK-based Gumdrop Ltd. adidas Originals supports Gumdrop’s mission to give a second life to the vast quantity of waste chewing gum that is not biodegradable. This product is made with Primegreen, a series of high-performance recycled materials. 50% of upper is recycled content. No virgin polyester. It’s also made with vegan alternatives to animal-derived ingredients or materials.

  3. LØCI x REED SEVEN vegan sneakers: £150.00, LØCI

    100% vegan sneaker. 100% recycled packaging
    Made with 100% recycled materials that give you a superior water-resistant upper, with a custom-made cork insole for a soft re-bounce to keep you charging ahead. Our sole is made with lightweight recycled rubber for extra durability in creating a no-slip rubber grip.
    Naturally elastic cork insoles provide both extreme comfort and ensure perfect weight distribution. Whilst cork midsoles mean less impact force and reduced joint stress.
    Breathable bamboo mesh lining, selectively sourced to be odour-resistant and help prevent moisture build-up.

shop eco-friendly trainers

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

LØCI x REED SEVEN vegan sneakers
LØCI x REED SEVEN vegan sneakers
£150.00
Stan Smith screaming pink leather trainers
Stan Smith screaming pink leather trainers
£73.00
Good News x H&M canvas sneakers
Good News x H&M canvas sneakers
£39.00
LØCI x REED SEVEN vegan sneakers
LØCI x REED SEVEN vegan sneakers
£150.00
Stan Smith screaming pink leather trainers
Stan Smith screaming pink leather trainers
£73.00
Good News x H&M canvas sneakers
Good News x H&M canvas sneakers
£39.00
LØCI x REED SEVEN vegan sneakers
LØCI x REED SEVEN vegan sneakers
£150.00
Stan Smith screaming pink leather trainers
Stan Smith screaming pink leather trainers
£73.00
Good News x H&M canvas sneakers
Good News x H&M canvas sneakers
£39.00
LØCI x REED SEVEN vegan sneakers
LØCI x REED SEVEN vegan sneakers
£150.00
Stan Smith screaming pink leather trainers
Stan Smith screaming pink leather trainers
£73.00
Good News x H&M canvas sneakers
Good News x H&M canvas sneakers
£39.00
LØCI x REED SEVEN vegan sneakers
LØCI x REED SEVEN vegan sneakers
£150.00
Stan Smith screaming pink leather trainers
Stan Smith screaming pink leather trainers
£73.00
Good News x H&M canvas sneakers
Good News x H&M canvas sneakers
£39.00

Auction alert: Sneakers: Collector’s & High Fashion sale

Jordan unisex 1 Retro High Off-White trainers, AQ0818-100, White

Today, we’re highlighting the Sneakers: Collector’s & High Fashion sale being held by Vernon Fox Auctions who are based in Folkestone, Kent.

The auction is timed, so lots are for sale online, live right now. The first of which will end from Sunday 6th Feb 2022, 5pm.

I’m a collector of things; vintage handbags, vintage coats, vintage jewellery. So I can appreciate people collect footwear – namely trainers, or as our American friends refer to them, sneakers. Some people are such fanatics that they’re willing to part with eye-watering amounts of cash to get their hands on a particular vintage pair.

There are only 57 lots, but include rare and valuable examples from brands such as Nike, Christian Louboutin, Dolce & Gabbana and DSquared2. The pair featured in the image above – Jordan Unisex 1 Retro High Off-White Trainers – already have a bid of £2,200.00 on them.

The buyer’s premium stands at 20% of the hammer price ex. VAT. If bidding via The Saleroom website, the charge incurred will be 28.80% inc.VAT. Additional charges are 24% ex. VAT if bidding via the i-bidder. Free UK delivery is offered to winning bidders.

Adidas Men's Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Trainers, Black and Red, CP9652

Lot 1: Adidas Men’s Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Trainers, Black and Red, CP9652, UK 9
Estimate: £100 – £120 (Current bid: £160)

Berluti unisex Shadow knit and leather trainers, navy

Lot 8: Berluti unisex Shadow knit and leather trainers, navy, UK 9.5
Estimate: £190 – £210 (Current bid: £190)

Christian Louboutin Louis Orlato suede high-top trainers, black

Lot 9: Christian Louboutin Louis Orlato suede high-top trainers, black, UK 9
Used, great condition, slight wear inside and bottom of soles.
Estimate: £190 – £210

Jordan unisex 1 Retro High Off-White trainers, AQ0818-100, White

Lot 21: Jordan unisex 1 Retro High Off-White trainers, AQ0818-100, White, UK 9
Box damaged
Estimate: £1,000 – £1,200 (Current bid: £2,200)

Moncler Men's trainers Emilien low-top, black

Lot 26: Moncler Men’s trainers Emilien low-top, black, size UK 9
Estimate: £80 – £90 (Current bid: £160)

Nike Air Jordan 1 trainers, Mid Swoosh Logo Grey Camo, White, Photon Dust and Grey Fog

Lot 29: Nike Air Jordan 1 trainers, Mid Swoosh Logo Grey Camo, White, Photon Dust and Grey Fog, DC9035-100, UK 9
Estimate: £60 – £70 (Current bid: £140)

Nike Air Jordan 11 retro trainers, black

Lot 30: Nike Air Jordan 11 retro trainers, black, UK 9
Estimate: £30 – £40 (Current bid: £110)

Nike men's Air Jordan 1 trainers, Black and Dark Mocha

Lot 34: Nike men’s Air Jordan 1 trainers, Black and Dark Mocha, UK 10
Estimate: £140 – £160 (Current bid: £260)

Nike men's Air Jordan 4 retro trainers, Taupe Haze

Lot 37: Nike men’s Air Jordan 4 retro trainers, Taupe Haze, UK 12
Estimate: £110 – £130 (Current bid: £190)

Nike men's Air Jordan unisex 11 retro 25th anniversary trainers, Black and White

Lot 38: Nike men’s Air Jordan unisex 11 retro 25th anniversary trainers, Black and White, UK 7.5
Estimate: £60 – £70 (Current bid: £110)

Nike men's SB Dunk Low Pro trainers, Blue Chilli, White and Safety Orange

Lot 39: Nike men’s SB Dunk Low Pro trainers, Blue Chilli, White and Safety Orange, UK 9
Box damaged
Estimate: £100 – £130 (Current bid: £140)

Nike Unisex Zoom MMW 4 trainers, Stone and Black Chrome

Lot 52: Nike Unisex Zoom MMW 4 trainers, Stone and Black Chrome, UK 7.5
Estimate: £190 – £210 (Current bid: £280)

Price Points: Walking shoes

Walking shoes

I had a pair of plain, black, minimalist Nike trainers for 20+ years, I absolutely loved them! I could dress them up or down and wore them with jeans or dresses, shorts or mini-skirts. They literally wore out, the soles became paper thin and began to let in dampness if I wore them on a rainy day. They’d reached the end of life.

I’d have loved to have been able to go out and buy the exact same pair again, but they stopped making them LONG, LONG ago. Instead of getting a new pair of trainers, I thought it better to get a pair of walking shoes that I could wear when taking the dog out in the often wet, often muddy, often stony hills and woods around here.

I didn’t know what to search for online; trail shoes, hiking shoes, approach shoes, walking shoes – it’s a minefield! Justin bought me the North Face shoes (#3 above) for Christmas – they’re amazing. The first time I wore them, it felt like the first time I wore a pair of Doc Marten’s; cushiony, lightweight and really comfortable. I’d really recommend them.

  1. Voyage waterproof mens shoes: £34.99, Mountain Warehouse

    The Voyage Waterproof Shoes are ideal for travelling and walking in the wet weather. A suede upper with an IsoDry membrane, flexible rubber outsole and comfortable EVA midsole for cushioning and a long-lasting finish.
    • IsoDry membrane – allows your feet to breathe and keeps them dry
    • EVA midsole – provides extra cushioning and comfort
    • Suede & mesh upper – durable and breathable, a lighter style of footwear for hiking and walking
    • Mesh lining – improves breathability to help keep your feet fresh, when you’re out and about
    • Rubber outsole – flexible, lightweight and long lasting
    • Heel & toe bumpers – added rubber reinforcement at heel and toe, for extra protection and make your footwear last longer

  2. Terrex Agravic TR trail running shoes: £70.00, Adidas

    The abrasion-resistant overlays and high-traction outsole allow you to move swiftly between smooth ground and rough, rocky terrain. Lightweight EVA cushioning ups the comfort levels, and the open mesh upper helps circulate airflow.

  3. Ultra Fastpack IV FUTURELIGHT™ shoes: £108.00, The North Face

    Now in their fourth iteration, the Ultra Fastpack Shoes just keep getting better. This mark IV version features a breathable-waterpoof FUTURELIGHT™ membrane. Springy, OrthoLite® X35™ Hybrid™ footbeds are cushioning, but also responsive and along with the FastFoam™ midsoles maximise energy return for a more efficient trek. The Ultra Fastpacks are engineered specifically for moving quickly over tough trails: the lug design is optimised for undulating, rocky terrain; the Vibram® Megagrip™ does exactly what the name suggests – grips on all surfaces, both wet and muddy and dry and loose – and the protective toe caps and heel overlays help prevent stubbed toes and bruised heels. If you don’t to be weighed down by overly robust and ridged hiking shoes, then the Ultra Fastpacks are for you.

shop walking shoes

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Ultra Fastpack IV FUTURELIGHT™ shoes
Ultra Fastpack IV FUTURELIGHT™ shoes
£108.00
Terrex Agravic TR trail running shoes
Terrex Agravic TR trail running shoes
£70.00
Voyage waterproof mens shoes
Voyage waterproof mens shoes
£34.99
Ultra Fastpack IV FUTURELIGHT™ shoes
Ultra Fastpack IV FUTURELIGHT™ shoes
£108.00
Terrex Agravic TR trail running shoes
Terrex Agravic TR trail running shoes
£70.00
Voyage waterproof mens shoes
Voyage waterproof mens shoes
£34.99
Ultra Fastpack IV FUTURELIGHT™ shoes
Ultra Fastpack IV FUTURELIGHT™ shoes
£108.00
Terrex Agravic TR trail running shoes
Terrex Agravic TR trail running shoes
£70.00
Voyage waterproof mens shoes
Voyage waterproof mens shoes
£34.99
Ultra Fastpack IV FUTURELIGHT™ shoes
Ultra Fastpack IV FUTURELIGHT™ shoes
£108.00
Terrex Agravic TR trail running shoes
Terrex Agravic TR trail running shoes
£70.00
Voyage waterproof mens shoes
Voyage waterproof mens shoes
£34.99
Ultra Fastpack IV FUTURELIGHT™ shoes
Ultra Fastpack IV FUTURELIGHT™ shoes
£108.00
Terrex Agravic TR trail running shoes
Terrex Agravic TR trail running shoes
£70.00
Voyage waterproof mens shoes
Voyage waterproof mens shoes
£34.99

On our radar: Jil Sander / Birkenstock sandal collaboration

Jil Sander / Birkenstock sandal collaboration

I’ve been a fan of Birkenstock sandals for decades. They’re versatile, they can be dressed up or dressed down. They’re available in so many styles and colours for men, women and kids. They were one of the first footwear companies, to my knowledge, that had a range of vegan shoes. Most of all though, they were hard-wearing and comfortable.

This week, I discovered that there’s to be a Jil Sander Birkenstock collaboration – a range of four styles in three colourways. Prices range from £320.00 to £500.00. According to Birkenstock:

The three existing models, now with a wider, rounded and higher profile in black, extend the grounding but sophisticated feel. Its reimagined thinner buckles in precious satin nickel contrast elegantly with straps in raw edged calfskin and suede. Accompanied by neutral black, the warm colour palette of cream and olive underlines the natural look.

As an addition to the collection, the newly designed model Velan, a reinvention of the Berlin closed-toe sandal, with a soft nappa strap to wrap around the ankles, is the ultimate flat strappy sandal for sophisticated world travelers.

BUY SANDALS HERE