Zen Running Club Launches FUTUREOne: the world’s leading high performance bio-based running shoe

Zen (Zen Running Club), the high-performance running shoe brand creating a future for running that puts performance and the planet first, has announced the launch of the FUTUREOne; a high performance running shoe with industry leading bio credentials.

The FUTUREOne harnesses the power of plants to make it the most sustainable performance running shoe in the market today – with 68% bio-content in the foam, significantly more than any other eco running shoe.

Bio-content refers to materials that are sourced from the earth, in contrast to many major sports brands who are still choosing to use recyclable materials, many of which contain oil based and finite materials.

The durability of Zen’s unique Project 68 foam is also unmatched for a shoe of this kind and will deliver more than the recommended 500km wear period, and the responsiveness and resilience of the foam provide exciting levels of performance.

The sleek design means it’s light underfoot with the weight of the shoe at just 298g, and a heel-to-toe drop of 9mm and a stack height of 24mm in the forefoot and 33mm in the heel. The foam’s responsiveness makes it perfect for anything from 5Km to Long Sunday Runs.

Zen’s Founders Andy Farnworth and Richard Rusling, have put their decades of experience working in some of the biggest sports brands in the world to good use – with performance, sustainability and community as the core pillars that form the foundations of Zen. In creating their very own technology they have crafted a shoe that has significantly more bio-content than competitive products.

Richard Rusling Co-founder of Zen Running Club says that: “High performance, comfort and durability are all essentials in a running shoe – but we wanted to create a brand that also added the environment as a priority.  We see a new generation of runners who demand the best levels of performance, but who are disappointed with products that aren’t as sustainable as they should be.  We set out to build a brand based on an uncompromising combination of high performance and bio-based innovation, and are honoured to be the first sustainable brand to be included in the prestigious Runner’s World shoe awards for 2024 – flying the flag for a running revolution.”

The knitted and seamless upper of Zen’s shoe is made from responsibly sourced eucalyptus fibres which are biodegradable and the cultivation of the raw materials relies on natural rainfall, which uses 95% less water than conventional cotton and has a carbon footprint that is one-third lower than virgin nylon.

The midsole is created from a base of rapeseed oil to create a high performing unit with industry leading bio-content, and even has enzymes in the formulation that help to expedite its end-of-life breakdown in landfill. This midsole formulation has been thoroughly tested and refined with athletes to provide impressive levels of rebound and resilience.

Andy Farnworth, Co-Founder of Zen, said: “We know that the first thing a runner will look for when buying a new shoe is the cushioning and responsiveness underfoot – especially now where the running community has become more performance-led. We always develop products for performance but with an added focus on how innovation and materials science can minimise the impact on our supply chain and the products that we produce. Having worked for some of the biggest sports brands in the world, we know what it takes to create a fantastic running shoe. When people try our shoes they can’t quite believe how good they are – we want to take people on this journey with us to understand there is now a better way to do things.”

Zen’s FUTUREOne provides a smooth and responsive run with the right balance of cushioning, rebound, and support. Its Project 68 foam is highly resilient, meaning it has exceptional energy return, giving you great performance every step of the way. The outsole is made from FSC-certified natural rubber, covering the heel and forefoot for maximum durability. Its high abrasion resistance means you can enjoy hundreds of kilometres of happy running.

The FUTUREOne will be priced at £180 and you can sign up to receive updates on product availability at https://zenrunningclub.com/gb

Please contact hello@zenrunning.club for any stockist enquiries.

Check out the Zen Running Club RIA Foundation Member profile here  .