More often than not, sustainable sneakers are like salad or getting an early night – probably a good idea, but far from sexy. Compostable soles and hemp uppers? Great. But style... that tends to fall by the wayside. With that in mind, Thousand Fell, a relatively new name in the increasingly crowded field of eco-conscious footwear, is doing things differently. And, crucially, doing them well.
Founded in New York, Thousand Fell has one clear aim: to eliminate waste. Its trainers are made with a closed-loop system in mind – which is to say, they’re designed to be fully recyclable. You wear them, wear them out, send them back, and the materials get broken down and reused. Simple in theory, rare in execution. Most brands flirt with sustainability, but Thousand Fell actually builds it into the business model.
The brand’s core silhouette is clean and familiar – think classic court shoe with a conscience – but what sets it apart is the choice of materials. Instead of leather, you get a slick, leather-like upper made from food waste and plastic bottles. The lining is recycled rubber and the insoles are made from castor beans, which sounds faintly medieval, but in practice means breathable and surprisingly plush underfoot.
But this isn’t a crusty Birkenstock-adjacent, hemp-heavy proposition. These are minimal, crisp, easy-to-style, minimalist trainers that look at home under pleated trousers or selvedge jeans. They don’t shout about being sustainable, which makes them all the more apealling.
The best part? When the soles start to go and the upper begins to show its age, you send them back and get credit towards a new pair. In a world where sustainable is often a byword for stuffy, Thousand Fell is one of the rare brands injecting some style.
