With, quite rightly, global concerns now regarding the impact of plastics and other synthetics on the environment, plus what seems to be a range of innovations regarding recycling, packaging and the alternative use of more 'eco-friendly' materials, I wonder if manufacturers such as Inov-8 have an eye to a greener, more sustainable, less polluting future?

I probably get through a pair of running shoes every 12 to 18 months with several pairs 'on-the-go' at any one time. I do feel a pang of guilt when I eventually have to consign these complex, supposedly hi-tech, compound materials to the bin.

Patagonia seem to be an outdoorsy manufacturer who are particularly thoughtful about these issues (or is that just marketing hype?). Some way of recycling these shoes would be great, or better still the use of eco-friendly natural materials in the first place? I know my old running pumps (circa 1960s!) were made of canvas for the uppers, but even those had rubber soles!