A leading outdoor brand like Salomon can launch a fully recyclable running shoe, yet still struggle to integrate recycled materials into even half of its broader product line. Salomon introduced its Index road running shoe in 2021, designed for complete recyclability, with materials repurposed into new ski boots. But despite such high-profile innovations, its broader product portfolio lags significantly in adopting recycled materials and achieving full circularity. The tension between high-profile innovations and lagging broader product portfolios reveals a slow, complex transition for outdoor brands, prioritizing headline-grabbing innovations over systemic change, which will delay widespread environmental benefits.
Salomon's Pioneering Recyclable Products
Salomon's commitment to circularity began with the Index road running shoe in 2021, designed for complete recyclability. Its materials can be repurposed into new products. The Brigade Index helmet followed in 2024, also engineered for recycling, according to Bettertrail. The launches of the Index road running shoe and Brigade Index helmet prove Salomon can achieve closed-loop design in specific categories, but the real challenge is scaling this across its entire range.
Incremental Gains in Material Sourcing
Beyond the fully recyclable Index line, Salomon is also integrating recycled and recyclable materials into other ski helmets and trail running shoes, according to Bettertrail. Salomon's integration of recycled and recyclable materials into other ski helmets and trail running shoes shows a gradual commitment to sustainable materials in core gear, even if not yet fully circular.
The Gap Between Ambition and Reality
The real challenge: fewer than half of Salomon products contain recycled materials. In 2024, recycled materials made up only 8% of soft goods, according to Bettertrail. The massive disparity between flagship innovations and overall portfolio sustainability, with fewer than half of Salomon products containing recycled materials and only 8% recycled content in soft goods in 2024, means Salomon's aspirational messaging currently outpaces its widespread material transformation.
Strategic Investment in Circular Leadership
Salomon is actively seeking a Circularity, Innovation & Eco-design Lead, requiring five years of experience in corporate sustainability within fashion or outdoor industries, according to Sustonmagazine. Salomon's active seeking of a Circularity, Innovation & Eco-design Lead confirms Salomon knows comprehensive sustainability demands specialized expertise. The high-level hire also reveals the company is still building the foundation for scaling circular initiatives, despite years of innovation.
The Long Road to True Circularity
By 2025, Salomon aims for 50% of its polyester and 12% of its nylon to come from recycled sources, according to Bettertrail. Salomon's 2025 goal for 50% of its polyester and 12% of its nylon to come from recycled sources seems ambitious, given the current 8% recycled content in soft goods. Salomon's modest targets for key materials, aiming for 50% recycled polyester and 12% recycled nylon by 2025, prove the outdoor industry faces a protracted, complex journey to full circularity. Missing these targets could fuel accusations of greenwashing, demanding sustained pressure from consumers and regulators.
Salomon appears poised for a slow, complex transition towards widespread circularity, likely prioritizing high-profile innovations over systemic change, which will delay significant environmental benefits if current material integration rates persist.
