Salomon Index.01 Review: 100 Days in Recyclable Running Shoes

Last year, Salomon shook up the footwear market and dropped a fully recyclable shoe (which it will even recycle for you). But the Salomon Index.01 offers a lot more than just sustainable construction.

All runners have their absolute favorite shoes, and that may never change. But I’d also venture a guess that all runners wish their shoes — whether road runners, trainers, or trail runners — were more sustainable too.

In short: Last year, Salomon dropped a shoe that boasted big features in terms of sustainability. The fully recyclable shoe, the Index.01, wasn’t meant to be a one-off “eco-friendly” launch, but rather a product that could help shape Salomon’s entire approach to circularity as the brand knew it.

Now, we’ve finally taken a deep dive into what makes this shoe so sustainable — and so great in other ways too.

Salomon Index.01 Road Running Shoe Review

The Salomon Index.01 is more than just a shoe with recycled components. The shoe is fully recyclable. And, Salomon ensured that making the shoes, getting them on your feet, and getting them disassembled at the end of their lifespan is as simple as possible.

This shoe, a great running shoe with a sustainable design, is also a huge step forward in circular product initiatives. In terms of recycling, the bottom TPU portion and one-piece synthetic upper are made to separate nearly instantly.

This means not only is the material itself recyclable, but the design ensures that all parts are separated and recycled correctly, and quickly.

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100-Day Test: Performance, Durability, and More

I’ll be honest, when these shoes were delayed launching in 2020, I was bummed. So when they finally launched in the spring of 2021, I was so ready. I spent much of April and May road running and walking in only these shoes. Out of the first 100 days since the shoes launched (at least, since I got my pair in hand), I spent over 70 days walking/running/moving in these shoes.

Now to the nitty-gritty of performance and quality: I love how this shoe feels. For me, the toebox isn’t too wide or too narrow — the width and height feel just right. Whether I’m running on roads, sidewalks, paved or gravel trails, the shoe’s TPU foam (cushioning) has provided a comfortable, supportive feel.

It should be noted, though, that our male tester — 6’3″ and size 13 shoes — found them comparably snug in the forefoot. With that in mind, anyone with larger or wider feet should try them on before committing to a purchase.

I also liked the rocker design on the Index.01 (reminiscent of some of our favorite HOKAs). It’s responsive and springy without feeling clunky. This shoe feels — and moves — fast. Though that’s probably also thanks to the shoe’s lightweight materials.

This pair still has some miles left. But when it comes time to recycle the Index.01, owners can visit Salomon’s return page and print a shipping label to send the shoes to the closest collection center free of charge.

Since my initial test, I’ve probably logged 100 or so more days running in the Index.01s. And I’m looking forward to many more — almost as much as I’m looking forward to ultimately recycling them.

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