The Index.03, the third generation of the fully recyclable running shoe, will be available this spring and, according to Salomon, offers more comfort, performance and style at a more affordable price. The Index.03, which at just 249 grams is 14 grams lighter than its predecessor Index.02, will be available on Salomon.com and at selected retailers at a lower RRP than its predecessors of €150.
A number of improvements have been made from the Index.02 to the new Index.03, including the use of a lighter midsole material, 100 percent recycled polyester for the tongue and a more efficient cutting process for the uppers, which means an improvement from 40 percent material waste to just 26 percent. The core concept remains – a fully recyclable shoe made from two key components: TPU for the lower part below the distinctive red line and polyester for the upper. This thoughtful design allows for easy disassembly at the end of the shoe’s life and promotes sustainability through a circular approach. The boot is disassembled, with the TPU being reused for ski boots and the polyester for fabrics.
How is the Index.03 recycled?
When consumers have used their Index boot long enough that they want to return it, they simply scan the QR code on the tongue of the boot to register their pair, print out a shipping label and drop the package off at the local post office or shipping center free of charge. To keep transport costs as low as possible, the shoes are received at collection centers in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. There, they are washed and disassembled before the individual materials are sent for local recycling.
To improve the performance of the Index.03, the shoe uses a lighter, re-engineered foam that retains the same geometry but has a better compound. The reduction in density and improved flexibility of the foam results in a softer and lighter shoe.
Index.03 continues the circular story of Index.02 by significantly changing the construction of the upper. The new upper of the shoe uses undyed materials and now consists of five different parts to improve cutting efficiency in the recycling process. “Thanks to the new construction of the upper, we were able to reduce material waste from 40 percent of the material thrown away or recycled during the manufacturing process to 26 percent, and we were able to increase the cutting efficiency from 60 to 74 percent,” explains Olivier Mouzin, Sustainability Program Manager at Salomon Footwear.
The first Salomon Index (Index.01) was announced, tested and field-tested in the fall of 2020 and after. The Index.02 followed in March 2023.
