Carbon footprint of a pair of sneakers

The median pair of sneakers in our catalogue has a carbon footprint of 13.6 kg CO₂e over its whole life, from growing or making the materials to disposal. Half of the 98 sneakers we have footprinted, from 13 brands, fall between 13.0 and 14.9 kg CO₂e.

13.6kg CO₂e, median whole life
13.2kg CO₂e, median cradle to gate
13.0–14.9kg CO₂e, middle half
98sneakers in the catalogue

Where the footprint of a pair of sneakers comes from

In the typical split, production makes up about 70% of the total, followed by raw materials at about 24%. The split shows where a maker's own data changes the result most: replacing published averages for the largest stages with your own figures moves the footprint far more than refining the small ones.

The split is the median share of each stage across the catalogue's sneakers, rescaled to add up to 100%. Read cradle to gate versus cradle to grave for what each stage covers.

  • Raw materials 24%
  • Production 70%
  • Packaging 3%
  • Distribution 1%
  • End of life 2%
Typical split by stage for a pair of sneakers, whole life

What sneakers are made of

The main material is the biggest single choice in a pair of sneakers's raw-material footprint. These are the main materials of the sneakers in our catalogue, by share of products:

  • PU synthetic leather23%
  • Polyester, recycled (rPET)21%
  • Cotton, organic18%
  • EVA foam7%
  • Cotton, conventional7%

What lowers it

For each product, our calculator tests common changes and reports the one with the largest saving. For sneakers, the changes that come out on top most often are:

  • Run the factory on solar electricity100%

Share of sneakers for which each change gives the largest saving.

Sneakers in the catalogue

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Men's Tree Runner, product photo
Allbirds · sneakers

Men's Tree Runner

13.59kg CO₂eEstimate · medium confidence

How these figures are made

Each product's footprint is a screening estimate: we read the materials and weight from the product listing, apply emission factors from cited public sources, and follow the ISO 14067 method with every source shown. Without the maker's own energy and supplier data, these are typical values, not measurements of a particular factory.

To footprint your own pair of sneakers, start with a free estimate from a product link, or enter your own factory data. See our methodology for the method and sources.

Questions

What is the carbon footprint of a pair of sneakers?

Across 98 sneakers in our catalogue, the median footprint is 13.6 kg CO₂e per item over its whole life, and half fall between 13.0 and 14.9 kg CO₂e. These are screening estimates from product listings; your own product's figure depends on its materials, weight and factory.

Which stage of a pair of sneakers's life has the largest footprint?

In the typical split, production is the largest stage at about 70% of the total, followed by raw materials at about 24%.

What is the cradle-to-gate footprint of a pair of sneakers?

Counting only raw materials, production, inbound transport and packaging, up to the factory gate, the median is 13.2 kg CO₂e per item. Buyers often ask for this figure for their Scope 3 inventory.

How can a maker lower the footprint of a pair of sneakers?

The change our calculator most often finds with the largest saving for sneakers is “run the factory on solar electricity”. The best change for your product depends on your own materials and energy.

Can I use these figures for my own pair of sneakers?

Use them to see the size of the footprint and where it comes from. For a figure to send a buyer, footprint your own product with your materials, weight and factory energy, so the result describes what you make.

Get buyer-ready product carbon footprintsISO 14067 method, a PACT v3 data file and a PDF report with every source. Join the waitlist for launch prices in your region.
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