There are a lot of ways to be a responsible outdoor enthusiast: practicing Leave No Trace principles, telling someone where you鈥檙e going, carrying enough water. But how does a responsible trail user choose the right footwear? Many of the standard manufacturing processes used to create products like hiking and running shoes produce excessive amounts of waste. So, to get outdoors responsibly, you should build out your wardrobe with responsibly made shoes.
No matter the season, Rossignol has been making great strides to innovate with an eco-conscious mindset via its program, embracing its role as a steward of the environment. By partnering with (ACBC), a leader in applied sustainability, Rossignol created the 鈥攁 light hiking and trail running shoe that raises the bar on eco-friendly footwear. And there鈥檚 no compromise on everyday comfort. Here鈥檚 how it works.
Sustainability
As a change-maker partnering with brands in the outdoor industry and beyond, ACBC uses scientific data on the sustainability process to help create products with smaller environmental footprints. The SKPR 2.0 is the output of one of its many successful collaborations. This shoe integrates responsible materials with the comfort and cushion necessary for light day hikes and trail runs, or just everyday use around town. The upper is made of a breathable mesh, providing a light, airy fit that doesn鈥檛 hold sweat or moisture. But most importantly, it鈥檚 made with a recycled material: 100 percent recycled polyester that is, in part, created from recycled water bottles. Plus, the midsole is 45 percent bio-EVA based on food industry waste. Even the outsole does its part in creating Rossignol鈥檚 most eco-conscious active shoe yet. Made with 25 percent recycled rubber, the outsole integrates pre-consumer factory waste material like that from automotive tires. All of these strategic choices result in a shoe that鈥檚 made from 50 percent bio-based and recycled material.
Performance
A sustainably made shoe wouldn鈥檛 be worth anything if it didn鈥檛 fit and perform well. As an expert in alpine and Nordic ski boot engineering, Rossignol has spent decades studying foot mechanics, providing a nice head start when moving into active footwear. And the brand鈥檚 expertise shines in the SKPR 2.0 Active Shoe. The outsole features a lugged, multi-angle tread to give you solid grip on steep terrain and loose gravel. Rossignol also employs Sensor 3 technology, which bolsters comfort and shock absorption. It works by using three different densities of sole material that are overlaid against the three pressure points of the foot. The result is a supremely cushioned ground feel that will keep your feet comfortable on short-and-fast hikes or runs. And an 8-millimeter drop between the heel and forefoot encourages an ergonomic posture that propels you forward with every step.
Responsibility for protecting the environment falls to both the consumer and the gear maker. Outdoor recreation shouldn鈥檛 be a paradox鈥攖he gear you choose can help protect where you use it. With ACBC methodology and Rossignol鈥檚 industry expertise, the SKPR 2.0 promises the no-compromise, environmentally conscious gear that all brands should aspire to.
Born in the French Alps, is an iconic mountain sport and lifestyle brand with more than 115 years of technical innovation and competitive success. Intrinsically linked with the history of skiing, Rossignol today offers year-round access to the mountains through a comprehensive range of winter sports equipment, mountain bikes, technical soft goods and footwear.