sportstyle

PRODUCTS How important is your choice of INSOLES to your running experience? Not Important Somewhat Important Very Important 31% 38% 31% How important is your choice of SOCKS to your running experience? 4% Very Important Somewhat Important Not Important 40% 56% Do you regularly use fitness apps, FITNESS TRACKERS or a smartwatch in coordination when you go for a run? No Sometimes Yes 84% 8% 8% Would you be more likely to purchase from a running shoe brand that offered a "take back" program where they recycle your shoes for you after the shoes have reached their "end of life?" YES NO 84% 16% When purchasing running footwear or apparel, does the product or brand's sustainability story play a part in whether you purchase the item? SELECTED COMMENTS Not as much as I'd like, as I would rather just not be injured/have a good shoe that lasts. However, I do look for a corporate pledge to be more sustainable, but not greenwashing. Also, if a company is less green, but their shoe lasts longer, to me, that may off set the other company's sustainability practices. Female 41 Primarily I want durability and comfort. Performance comes next to ensure a safe and productive run. Sustainability is last. Male 56 Knowing a company works to minimize its footprint will always pull favor, but the shoes have to still perform. Female 36 Yes, but it's not near the top of the list. Male 37 Yes and no; first I need a pair that fits, feels good, that I can run in... if there are multiple options, I'll start looking at sustainability, price, and other factors. Female 35 I appreciate efforts toward sustainability but don't have time to look into this before making a purchase. Female 25 While commendable, it's not something that weighs on my decisions. Male 44 It is not the main factor but if I am choosing between two brands that are priced similarly I will go with the brand that is more sustainability focused/conscious. Male 41 While I would prefer to purchase more sustainable footwear sometimes this becomes cost prohibitive. I'm unsure whether this is a true increase in manufacturing costs or a greenwash way to extract higher pricing. Male 41 It's a small consideration for me. If a brand I am buying is conscious of that and makes an effort to lower their emissions and increase sustainability, that is a huge plus. But I don't go out of my way looking for it. Female 32 Forget politics and just get me my shoes, the less I hear the better. Female 55 I consider it but it's not what makes the purchase happen. I'm more concerned about the way the shoe fits and feels for me. Female 40 I buy brands that tend to be environmentally friendly or give back. Female 39 I'd love to say yes, but really the bottom line is I go with what works for my foot the best. Male 44 It can, but it won't stop me from buying an appealing shoe. Female 41 Yes but as a value added option, not the reason I would purchase them. Male 48 YES NO 63% 37% sportstylemag.com • sportstyle May/June 2023 • 49

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