REI stores accept worn hiking shoes and boots at their locations for recycling. The program routes footwear that no longer fits or functions into material recovery streams rather than landfills. Hikers who finish a season with shoes past repair can use this option without extra cost at participating stores.
Store drop-off steps
Bring the shoes to the customer service desk during regular hours. Staff accept most types of athletic and outdoor footwear, including trail runners and hiking boots. Remove any mud or debris first so the items process cleanly. No receipt or membership is required, though the process moves faster if you already carry an REI membership card for other returns.
Condition decides the better path
Shoes with intact uppers and soles that still grip can often be repaired or resoled instead. Local cobblers who handle outdoor boots extend life on leather models by replacing just the outsole. Recycling fits when the upper is torn through, the midsole has compressed flat, or the shoe no longer fits after foot changes. In those cases, keeping the pair only adds bulk at home without trail value.
Material outcome after drop-off
Collected shoes get sorted by type and sent to processors that grind rubber and fabric into new surfaces such as playground tiles or athletic tracks. The process recovers the synthetic portions that standard trash cannot handle. It does not return usable footwear to new owners, so the choice trades any remaining wear for guaranteed material reuse.
Limits of the program
Only footwear qualifies. Insoles, gaiters, and apparel go elsewhere. Some stores maintain a single collection bin, so large quantities may need splitting across visits. The service stays available only while the store participates, which current policy supports at most REI locations but can shift without notice.
Compare with donation or sale
Wearable shoes in good shape reach more value through local thrift outlets or trail-group swap events. Those routes keep the item in use longer than recycling does. Recycling becomes the clearer step once the shoe fails basic support tests on a short walk. Hikers who track mileage on their pairs can mark the point where tread depth drops below safe levels and schedule the drop-off on the next store visit.
Preparation that speeds handling
Tie laces together or bag pairs so they stay matched during transport. Dry the shoes completely to avoid odor issues in the bin. Label the bag only if you want to note size for staff, though most locations do not track that detail. These small steps reduce handling time once you reach the desk.
When to skip recycling entirely
If the shoes still match your foot shape and retain traction on wet rock, repair options usually cost less than replacement over multiple seasons. Check with boot repair shops near popular trailheads first. Recycling then serves as the final step once those repairs no longer make sense.