I first noticed the style of this new pair of running shoes before its specs. Ok, I admit it, it’s not true, I confess it (I hope you have” With class » by Corneille in his head now). It’s just that this is the third generation of VEJA’s Condor model. The French brand founded in 2004 constantly improves its offering qualitative, efficient, aesthetic and above all ethical sports shoes. It is precisely this last dimension that is often overlooked by traditional sports equipment manufacturers. So when the VEJA Condor 3 came out on March 28, 2024, I literally ran to test them. This is my story.
Anatomy of the new Condor 3 racing car from VEJA
From a technical point of view, the VEJA Condor 3 weighs 287 grams (for a size 42, so it’s even lighter than the Condor 2), with a 8 mm dropand cut for a neutral pitch profile (which can be suitable both for pronator feet, i.e. which lower inwards, and for supinator feet, which lower outwards), rather on the road. Wide and voluminous, the sole features a stack (i.e. a thickness) of the sole, i.e its stack is 29 mm in the front and 37 mm in the heel, for very comfortable cushioning.
In terms of raw materials, the Condor 3 from VEJA consists of a stainless steel upper recycled polyester. The insole, midsole and outsole are made mainly of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) of biological origin sugar caneFrom Amazon rubberand recycled polyester. Enough to combine bio-based materials and technical innovations in the service of comfort, performance and durability. All produced in Brazilwhere VEJA buys the rubber and some of the cotton from.
My first impressions of the VEJA Condor 3
As someone who runs 10km every Sunday, I clearly felt this immediate comfort as soon as I put on the Condor 3 for my first steps. I was also able to easily remove the insole to slip on my orthopedic insoles. These new VEJA sneakers are definitely a little heavier than running shoes from traditional equipment manufacturers. But it is the weight of the quality of the raw materials, including rubber from sustainably managed Amazon forests, that constitutes the sole. It is more sustainable than intensive farming in Asia which causes a lot of deforestation. And more resistant than synthetic rubber (coming from polluting hydrocarbons, therefore a form of plastic). Lab tested and runner approved, the pair can easily tackle 1000km, making that clear the best ecological and ethical alternative to traditional running shoes. And this helps you feel lighter.
This also explains this concern for well-sourced materials to be as ethical and sustainable as possible the price of this working Condor 3 from VEJA: €180. A sum that is used to pay the workers behind these materials, their transformation and their assembly, rather than paying marketing costs and juicy contracts as most traditional sports equipment manufacturers do.
In terms of style, their look is also colored cream to wear them every day with everyday outfits, and not just for running.
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
