Sports innovation: the sensor that will revolutionize running shoes

Watches, wristbands, sunglasses… There’s no shortage of connected devices in the world of running, but a newcomer is set to make its mark starting in the summer of 2026. In September 2025, Arkema and the startup Movmenta announced a partnership to develop a sensor that will soon be embedded in the soles of running shoes: a truly disruptive technology capable of measuring wear and tear. It’s the moment when running shoes become smart!

What if your shoes could tell you when to replace them?

Some say every 4 to 6 months, others after 400 to 600 kilometers of use. There are plenty of theories about how often to replace your running shoes. “It all depends on how often you use them, the type of terrain, and the shape of your foot. There’s no hard-and-fast rule. That’s precisely why we came up with this sensor: a runner who invests a certain amount in their sneakers wants to know their wear and tear and when they’ve reached the end of their life,” says Nicolas Baratollo, co-founder of Movmenta, a Franco-British startup—which counts former tennis player Mischa Zverev among its shareholders—specializing in connected devices.

An innovation at the heart of the sole: a 1.5-gram sensor

Inside SOLLO lies a sensor weighing less than two grams, battery-free, and smaller than a two-euro coin, which could be found in hundreds of thousands of pairs of sneakers within a few years. With this sensor, the company won an award in the “technology” category at the ISPO trade show in Munich—the world’s largest trade show dedicated to sports equipment—a recognition that points to a bright future for this innovation. Directly integrated by the shoe manufacturer between the various layers of elastomers that make up the sole, the sensor will measure the sole’s wear and tear as the runner uses the shoes.

Toward more sustainable Running

By indicating the right time to replace a pair of shoes, the sensor will help:

avoid premature replacement
optimize the shoe’s lifespan
guide users toward appropriate recycling solutions

An approach fully aligned with Arkema’s ambitions regarding , sustainable materials, and the circular economy. "Connected to the runner’s smartphone, this sensor will provide the runner with an estimate of the shoe’s remaining lifespan while ensuring optimal cushioning and rebound from the sole and will provide information to guide users toward a suitable recycling solution once the shoes are worn out." explains Nicolas Baratollo.

The Synergy Between Arkema and Movmenta

“Movmenta approached us through our Start-up Connect program thanksks to our Pebax^® elastomer is recognized by leading running shoe manufacturers for its exceptional rebound performance in soles,” explains David Dupont, Vice President of Specialty Polyamides at Arkema. Movmenta’s sensor technology, combined with Arkema’s global reach and expertise, paves the way for a new era of real-time shoe performance analysis and redefines how brands will interact with their customers.

How much will running shoes with a wear sensor cost, and when will they be available?

In theory, a pair of shoes equipped with the sensor might not cost much more than a pair without it, “since the cost of this component is less than three euros,” notes Nicolas Baratollo. This is a reasonable price considering that high-end pairs can easily reach the 200-euro mark. By the end of 2026, Movmenta expects the first high-end models equipped with SOLLO to hit the market. “Once the technology becomes better known and widely adopted, it could find its way into mid-range and entry-level models, thereby targeting a broad community of runners,” says David Dupont. This represents a colossal market: the number of regular runners worldwide is estimated at nearly 600 million !