How to Reduce Your Running Environmental Footprint: A Practical Guide

Running is the ultimate minimalist sport: a pair of shoes, shorts, and you're off. But that was before! The development of running and trail running in France is accompanied by an exponential growth of its entire industry. The downside is predictable: the ecological footprint of this sport is exploding. Smartwatches, travel, overconsumption of textiles with polluting production methods... Without realizing it, our carbon footprint rises very quickly, especially if we participate in a competition outside Europe. Fortunately, concrete solutions exist to adopt a more sustainable practice, without giving up performance or pleasure. From eco-friendly running gear to more sober consumption habits, discover how to reduce your ecological impact as a runner!

Choosing Committed Running Brands

 

Durable Running Clothes Made in Europe

Global textile consumption doubled between 2000 and 2014. With 1.2 billion tons of CO2 equivalent emitted each year, the clothing industry is one of the most polluting in the world (Fletcher et al., 2022). This exceptional (and worrying) explosion is explained notably by:

 

- the drop in article prices;

- the offshoring of producing companies;

- the era of fast fashion.

 

First victim: durability. The quality of clothes has sharply declined, to the point that their lifespan has been halved over the last 15 years (source: McKinsey & Company).

Sports textiles are no exception to this logic. As runners, we can act concretely, starting with the choice of our running gear: sportswear designed to last and produced locally.

 

This is the approach taken by Misool, with a strong commitment: producing in Europe, without compromising on quality and performance.

 

Our textile range then respects our commitments:

- short supply chain production: French fabrics, manufacturing in Portugal;

- robust and organic fabrics: OEKO-TEX® certified, and resistant to more than 30,000 washes;

- performance goal: ultra-light, comfortable and friction-free.

 

Producing consciously is no longer an option, it is a necessity. For runners concerned about their carbon footprint, favoring committed brands represents a significant first step towards a more ethical sporting practice.

Eco-designed Running Shoes

Today, we no longer choose running shoes only for their drop or cushioning. We also look at what’s hidden under the sole: their environmental impact. And on this point, some brands are really changing the game.

 

Veja relies on bio-sourced materials, such as wild rubber from the Amazon. Circle, a French brand, designs its eco-responsible models and manufactures them in Portugal, close by (like us 🇵🇹!). Allbirds, for its part, uses natural fibers like merino wool, while displaying a clear carbon footprint: 5.48 kg CO2e for the Women’s Tree Dasher, for example.

 

Other better-known brands are also getting involved (finally!). ASICS plays the transparency card: for their Trabuco 13, for example, 10.3 kg of CO₂ emitted, written black on white on the product sheet. Salomon and Millet now develop shoes partially made in France. Less transport, more coherence.

Consuming Differently for a More Responsible Running Practice

 

Escaping the Fast Fashion of the Running Industry

Every year, major sports brands launch a new collection.

Presented as ultra-innovative, the pieces often lack real technological innovation, simply restyled to reignite the desire to buy.

 

Faced with the siren song of marketing, it’s hard not to fall for the latest carbon plate shoe or the outfit supposed to improve performance. But this race for perpetual renewal, modeled on fast fashion codes, pushes us to consume far beyond our real needs. Result? Clothes still in good condition pile up, unused, at the back of closets.

 

To reduce your ecological impact, adopting the philosophy “buy less, but buy better” is a powerful gesture. It invites you to rethink your consumption and to ask yourself:

 

- Do I really need this new outfit?

- Is my current equipment obsolete?

 

These questions also concern some professional athletes. In 2025, Mathieu Delpeuch, a professional trail runner sponsored by Brooks, refused his annual equipment allocation, considering that the previous year’s clothes were still in perfect condition.

Investing in a quality, durable wardrobe from committed brands means adopting a concrete commitment: that of reasoned running, aligned with one’s values.

Buying Second-hand or Refurbished Running Gear

Reducing your environmental footprint is above all about avoiding overconsumption, to limit production and the use of new resources. In this perspective, here are three ways to limit the purchase of new products.

1. Buying second-hand

Lightly used shoes, almost new GPS watches, technical clothing in very good condition... All options that help reduce the environmental impact of purchases while saving money.

The best site for runners is Everide, although its running offer is less extensive than for outdoor sports (hiking, cycling...)

 

2. Buying refurbished

An excellent alternative to new, buying refurbished sports equipment is an economical, durable, and safe option. Indeed, GPS watches, earphones, or other electronic equipment get a second life after verification and refurbishment by professionals. Why miss out?

 

Refurbished sites:

- Rebuy;

- Alltricks.

 

Other second-hand or refurbished equipment solutions exist by searching the Internet. The best deals are sometimes right under your eyes!

 

Reducing Your Ecological Impact as a Runner by Limiting Travel

 

The main ecological cost of running and trail running events comes from the transport of runners. Recently, the UTMB shared its figures: 88% of its emissions come from travel.

Since transport weighs so heavily in the carbon footprint, our race selection becomes essential.

 

Choosing Local Races and Committed Events

 

You probably know the big national races... but have you explored the gems near you?

With no less than 11,000 races organized in 2024, running and trail events are booming across the country. On road or trail, from 5 km to ultra-trail, the diversity of formats is impressive. There is something for every profile, everywhere in France.

 

Running local means limiting travel, supporting initiatives in your area, and rediscovering the very essence of running: conviviality. It also means engaging in a sporting approach to energize the local fabric. Essential support as many races are canceled due to lack of sponsors or municipal support.

 

Moreover, many events today commit to eco-responsible approaches: zero waste refreshment points, reusable bottles, or partnerships with local producers. This is true for small events, but also races like the Rennes marathon, the Paris Ecotrail...

By choosing these more human races, we reduce our carbon footprint, participate in a local economy, and promote a more ecological sports model. In short, a simple commitment with concrete effects.

Favoring More Environmentally Friendly Modes of Transport

Of course, some races make us dream: the UTMB, the Paris marathon, the London marathon... Being a committed runner does not mean giving them up, but making more sober and informed decisions. Why not favor the train, public transport, or carpooling?

 

More and more organizers highlight alternatives to flying on their sites: shuttles, nearby stations, grouped trips...

 

The latest example, the UTMB wants to favor bib allocation to those who come by train, we’ll see how they materialize this initiative.

 

Carpooling among runners is also a great opportunity to share the road, pre-race stress, and passion. Platforms like Blablacar or Togetzer facilitate these arrangements.

 

Choosing a more sober mode of transport reduces your carbon footprint without sacrificing pleasure or performance.

Running sustainably means staying true to the values of running: respect, commitment, and self-improvement. Every small gesture counts.

Join the movement of committed runners. Explore a selection of running clothes designed according to these principles: short supply chains, high-quality materials, and uncompromising performance.