Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1533756
Mark Tingley, Recraing Supervisor at outdoor footwear brand Danner, states, "For anyone purchasing a new item with responsibility to the environment in mind, having the ability to repair it should be a must." Since Recrafting's start in 2012 Danner has maintained a quick turnaround year-round, sending back most repaired boots within two to three weeks. In 2023 the company launched a web tool that confirms if a customer's boot is Recraable, and helps improve and automate repair processing. "Our next step moving forward is to expand the service globally by working with interna- tional partners in Canada and Europe," says Tingley. Recraable product at a lower price point was introduced with the Mountain 600 Leaf and offerings are continuing to expand. Durability Matters NNormal, the brand founded in 2021 by mountain athlete Killian Journet and Spanish footwear company Camper, recently published a study that determines how many kilometers a pair of its Kjerag shoes can last, with the understanding that durability is essential to lowering the environmental impacts of the trail running industr y. Based on a sample of 511 runners of all levels, NNormal's Kjerag should last 1,350 kilometers before being completely worn out or before concluding their lifecycle. "Our data-driven approach introduces a new way of thinking about footwear impact by shiing the focus from total carbon emissions per pair to emissions per kilometer. By calculating distance x product lifespan, we create a tangible metric that helps in designing performance shoes with minimized carbon footprints over time. is approach not only informs our design choices but also sends a question to the industry to rethink how durability should be measured in the context of sustainability, Sito Salas, CEO, NNormal. e Durability Scale works by analyzing wear patterns across a sample of many run- ners of different levels and backgrounds. Sito explains, "By prioritizing durability, we ensure that our products stay in use for as long as possible, reducing waste and consumption while we work towards a truly circular future." Brooks has leaned into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with attention on people and planet to create an import- ant framework for corporate priorities and strategies, such as Sustainable Consumption and Climate Action, keeping Brooks focused and moving in the right direction, according to Kemp. Waste reduction, for instance, is being tackled from many different angles, ranging from downcycling into other industries' applications to strategies to recycle waste back into Brooks products. "Just last year we started a strategy with one of our toe box material suppliers where they take the cutting waste and recycle it to make more of that material again and then ship it back to Brooks' factories. It's a really interesting pilot that we are looking to scale, and hopefully accelerate to other suppliers," Kemp adds. Other sustainability strategies top of mind at Brooks are decoupling product from non-renewable resources and moving it towards a circular future. e Glycerin Max shoe has a bio-based EVA midsole and an upper made of 66.4% recycled materials. n Material Innovation / Circularity Vibram Repair if You Care Campaign educates about the value of shoe repair. The Brooks Glycerin Max features a bio-based EVA midsole and recycled upper material. "By prioritizing durability, we ensure that our products stay in use for as long as possible, reducing waste and consumption while we work towards a truly circular future." SITO SALAS, NNORMAL 14 • Footwear Insight ~ March/April 2025 footwearinsight.com