A Club for Everyone Vegan shoe company, Zen Running Club, meets Malibu

A Club for Everyone

Zen Running Club— the first vegan sneakers made from plants!

By Deb Bianco, CEO/President of The Cornucopia Foundation

When Zen Running Club first reached out to me in November 2021 with a request to become part of the Malibu Farmers Market, which I have organized over the past 24 years, I didn’t know if they would be a good fit since the market is all about the freshest produce. However, I was instantly intrigued when I learned that this new brand from Europe is making the first plant-based, vegan sneakers.

What I learned took my breath away, because our motto has always been: The future of our planet is not by chance, but by choice. That’s why this partnership is the perfect fit.

Please let me introduce one of the founders, Dominic Sinnott, who aims to revolutionize the sneaker industry for the better.

DEB: I was very excited when you requested to soft launch your new brand at the Malibu Farmers Market last year. Please tell me why you thought this was a good idea.

DOMINIC: We were equally excited at the opportunity to present a running shoe in such a unique setting as the Malibu Farmers Market. All our products, including our ZR 01 shoes are plant based. We’d heard from our friends in the canyon about this amazing market— with the best range of fresh organic produce, where you’d always bump into neighbors and friends—a real Malibu institution.

The shared idea of good living, sustainability, and community resonated with us. We learned that getting a spot at the market was no easy feat, but thankfully your support has been amazing.

So, as strange as it might seem, being among the green and organic produce at the Malibu Farmers Market was a perfect fit for our story!

DEB: What is the idea behind Zen Running Club?

DOMINIC: Zen Running Club is a place to breathe, to enjoy running, to look good, and to rest easy about your impact on the planet. In Malibu, there are runners and non-runners, all with a healthy mindset that encompasses sustainability, with a real world view on innovation and style. They are first in on new ideas and express a real joy in being a part of “what’s coming next.” Within the running lifestyle, there is a positive, progressive approach that we wish to fulfill.

DEB: How was this idea born?

DOMINIC: COVID and lockdown offered many of us a space to think differently. I had the chance to sit down with friends from the running shoe industry to debate the question: “If the biggest brands were starting out today, what would they do differently?” The short answer—a focus on sustainability and community.

A Club for Everyone

The sportswear and fashion industry has a huge problem with sustainability and plastic waste, and we wanted to be a part of a solution and cultural change. We wanted to produce an innovative performance running shoe made from plant-based materials, and to be better than competitors. From this idea of doing things in a responsible and considerate way, came our mantra ‘Made from good decisions.’ The name Zen Running Club encapsulates our idea of the mindfulness and community we want to bring to both the product and the act of running. Everybody is welcome in our club.

Zen Running Club seemed the next logical step to take in my career that integrates running shoes, fashion and design, both in-house and with my creative agency. My co-founders, Richard and Andy, together with our brand director, Nina, bring a wealth of overlapping knowledge and skills, and share that same passion for design, innovation, creativity, culture, sustainability and, of course, running. We all have our own reasons to run, but for me, it’s finding that magic flow and speed that transcends or inspires everything else in my day.

DEB: Why did you choose these natural ingredients: eucalyptus, sugarcane and cotton for shoes?

DOMINIC: Our mission is to create vegan approved running products that prioritize sustainable, plant-based materials. For those small details where plant tech can’t yet provide the answer, we seek out the best recycled and sustainable alternatives.

The shoe’s one-piece sock-fit upper is constructed from eucalyptus tree fibers, specifically positioned for comfort, support and breathability. Sugarcane-based foam is used to engineer our ‘rocker’ design midsole, to cushion and glide you into your next stride. The outsole, made from FSC-certified natural rubber, keeps you moving with the right blend of durability, grip and rolling motion. Our signature pop-colored pull tabs are 100% organic cotton and cut to length with nothing wasted. Rainwater-fed, these materials give us a carbon negative start to the process of building the ZR 01 running shoe. By listening and learning, we move even closer to our goal of 100% plant-based products that leave nothing behind.

DEB: Your brand is based in The Netherlands and Berlin. What are your plans to come back to LA and Malibu this year?

DOMINIC: We’re busy working on new products and stories from our bases in Amsterdam and Berlin, but we’re super excited to be returning to LA and Malibu in the spring. Another day at the Malibu Farmers Market is a must—this time engaging with the local running community. Having supported the Malibu Half Marathon in a small way in 2021, we’re excited to grow our involvement this year. It’s also a great honor for us to be given the opportunity to be working with the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu. In LA, we’ll be running with some crews, presenting a pop-up store downtown, and hosting a VIP Vegan Dinner Night. It seems the more we do here, the more friends we make and the more we feel at home. ▪

Follow the Zen Running Club @zenrunningclub and don’t miss their next event at The Malibu Farmers Market, scheduled to be held on May 15, 2022.