Is anyone else turned off by recycled materials in running shoes?

Maybe either/or is not applicable. I can see the reasoning and sense in looking more carefully and scientifically into the minute details and dynamics of recycled materials re performance and safety…but I see an and/also in this and many related issues *in the larger matter of recycling and wiser use of resources.* I’ll accept the label of “woke” whacko every time I see any opportunity to re-use or recycle in the interest of at least slowing the pollution of the planet.

Yes, you are wrong, especially if you mistakenly believe that recycled materials in shoes will significantly contribute to anything that might result in a running related injury.

If you are worried about injury, there are so many other
factors that could result in injury that you should be more concerned about. As examples, your running form, surfaces you run on, how you train, warm-up techniques, muscle strength/flexibility, etc. to name a few.

Buying shoes that contain recycled materials is good, but it is only the third and last option for those concerned about their impact on the environment. It is more important to reduce
and reuse rather than to recycle. Purchase as few pairs of shoes as possible, and use the ones you purchase as long as possible. Buy durable shoes, and only wear functional running shoes for running. Keep your shoes clean. Use minimalist shoes when running on soft surfaces when you do not need the cushioning. Use older shoes for shorter easier runs. Extend the life of shoes with Shoe Goo or similar products.

Don’t believe the marketing hype of companies that want youto consume and purchase as much as possible so they will profit more. They do not want you to reduce and reuse as
that means less $ for them. While purchasing products that contain recycled materials is good, companies love to market the inclusion of recycled materials as its their best option to profit from environmentally aware consumers.

99.9% of success in running and reducing environmental impact is dependent upon the time and effort you put into it. You can't buy many of the best achievements in life.

Claiming shoes are made from "recycled materials" is a marketing technique. If they can make them cheaper (by using thrown away, recycled junk) and get you to pay more for them, by convincing you that "buying them allows you to help save the planet," then they're going to do it. Lots of people get sucked into this and other marketing gimmicks.

Ultimately, this and other marketing techniques are created in a board room to improve profits. It has nothing to do with saving the planet. Shoe and other companies will use whatever techniques they can get paying customers to allow themselves to be manipulated with. "Recycled shoes" is one of many

I don't want recycled anything in my high performance gear.

no. it's not like they go into the recycling bin to find some foam and rubber and glue a shoe together. recycled item is mixed back into form and checked for the proper cushioning, weight, durability, etc. it wouldn't matter if it was new material or recycled

Precisely ⬆️

there is a company recycling carbon fiber (bikes, windmill blades, massive aeronautical lay-up waste) that is profitable and creates virgin quality materials. Certainly that can be done with foam and fabric

No I’m upset about shoes like hoka that might need to be retired at 250 miles.

👍+++

Republican? Republicans hate recycled materials and anything green. There is also no such thing as climate change. Just keep your head stuck in the sand. You'll run fine.

I don’t worry about quality. In fact, I have a recycled version of a shoe that is holding up better than the original. BUT they smell awful. Odor began after just one week. I love the shoes but I have to stuff them with dryer sheets and seal them in a bag to take them with me.