Don't Be Fooled By This Sneaker's Minimalist Look: It Delivers Maximum Comfort

At the entrance of my local running shop, you'll find a sneaker graveyard. The collection bin is piled high with once-bright running shoes that have been dulled and dirtied with mud and miles logged.

On the one hand, I think giving runners a place to toss their old shoes is great since it implies they will be somehow repurposed. But I've always wondered about where, exactly, the final resting place is for these sneaks.

It turns out that if they're not donated, parts of our old sneakers can only really be "downcycled," or repurposed as lesser-value items like rubber flooring. And here's the tricky thing about shoes—running shoes in particular: Since they're made using a couple of different materials, they're hard to take apart. As such, most of them don't get a chance at a second life and are destined to (very, very slowly) decompose in a landfill after we're done with them.

On top of that, avid runners go through shoes at Usain Bolt–level speed. Most experts recommend switching running shoes after 300 to 500 miles; much beyond that, they'll lose their cushioning and could lead to injury. Depending on how much you run, this could mean you're getting rid of a pair every four to six months.

Named after Tracksmith's hare mascot, the Eliot Runner epitomizes the brand's clean, classic aesthetic. While most performance shoes these days come in bright, loud colorways, the Eliot is a crisp white sneaker with just a touch of color in the navy side sash.

Beyond being nice to look at, this minimalist design gives the Eliot sneakers a functional advantage. They'll look just as good running errands as they do running a 5k, so you can keep them long after that 500-mile running threshold has passed.

Most importantly, they're super enjoyable to run in. I've worn the shoes—designed to be everyday training sneakers; not race-day kicks—on both long runs and quick track sessions. Most of my runs are on concrete, and the plush foam layer provides a nice cushion that my joints appreciate. But the firmer midsole means that they still have enough support to propel me forward during speedier workouts.

As a walking shoe, it also performs well. I've worn them on daily strolls around the neighborhood and weekend errands and found them to be comfortable and zippier than my other around-town shoes. My one concern with white sneakers is the dirt factor.

When I asked the Tracksmith team for their cleaning tips, they said you can throw these sneaks into the washing machine. Just be sure to take out those precious foam insoles first so they don't get damaged. You can also pack the shoe (again, sans insole) with paper when they get wet on a run.