If you know me, two things I love are running and nature. I believe that they are often beautifully intertwined in a way where if you begin to one, you may find yourself taking a liking to the other. That is why I was so excited to try the new Hylo Impacts from Hylo Athletics, a newer Eco-conscious brand that is still newer to the table. I ordered them from my favorite small-business running shop in Walnut, Run Republic, and started racking up the miles!

Honestly, my first impressions of the shoe had me skeptical due to the extreme squish of the foam, and the interesting-looking grip on the outsole. But that skepticism quickly diminished, and once I started to log some miles in them, the Impacts showed their true colors. The shoes are extremely comfortable thanks to the squishy foam, but also very stable and responsive. Runners know that running shoes that are too squishy with little or no responsiveness can negatively impact your speed while making you more tired. The Impacts gave back a great response, especially for being a more bulked-up trainer. The grip on the outsole is also surprisingly super strong and holds up well on the street or dirt. I took them out for a run in the rain just days ago, and I never slipped once in the soaking wet trail or puddled up street.

“Deceptively good trainer.” said my Uncle Ian Enriquez, who coaches both cross country and distance track at ERHS.

“Thought they would be too soft/squish, giving no return, but the shoe performed well at moderate to slightly faster paces. Overall good option for an everyday trainer.”

I have been loving the shoes on recovery days, and like my uncle said, even on days when I want to pick the pace up a bit.

The shoe being environmentally friendly was the cherry on top for me as well. Hylo’s mission is to be as green as possible. They have a big focus on reducing their carbon footprint as much as they can, something that I think all people can admire. Shoes are typically not environmentally friendly,

and according to Trailrunner by Outside, “a typical pair of running shoes generates a whopping 30 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions…”,

and while the Impacts may not be 100% clean, they are made up from recycled materials and more natural materials than the typical running shoes, proving that this company is heading in a good direction.

I feel that this shoe is not just a good environmentally friendly running shoe option, but a good running shoe option period, and it does live up to Hylo’s slogan “Proof that nature can perform.” If you’re a runner in the market for some new shoes, check out the Hylo Impacts, they’re pretty freaking awesome.