By Abbas Nazil
A new study has revealed that hiking shoes and synthetic outdoor gear are significant sources of microplastic pollution in remote wilderness areas.
The research, conducted in New York’s Adirondack mountain lakes, found that foot traffic from hikers contributes heavily to the presence of microplastics in otherwise pristine environments.
Scientists compared two lakes that supply water to the Hudson River—one experiencing heavy hiking activity and another located far from human contact.
Findings showed that the lake exposed to more hikers had microplastic levels approximately 23 times higher than the secluded lake.
According to Tim Keyes, a data scientist from Sacred Heart University who collaborated with Evergreen Business Analytics and the Adirondack Hamlet to Huts non-profit, soft-soled trail shoes and synthetic clothing are likely major contributors to this pollution.
Microplastics, which include tiny fragments of plastic from products or degraded waste, contain up to 16,000 chemicals—many of which, such as BPA, phthalates, and PFAS, pose serious health risks.
The particles have been found in human organs, the placenta, and even the brain, and are linked to chronic inflammation and potential cancer risks.
Earlier studies attributed such pollution mainly to airborne deposits from precipitation, but the new findings suggest direct contamination from hikers’ gear.
Samples collected from Lake Tear of the Clouds in 2025 revealed 16.54 microplastic particles per milliliter, compared to 0.73 in Moss Pond, a remote lake at a similar altitude.
Microplastic researcher Sami Romanick from the Environmental Working Group, who was not involved in the study, described the findings as scientifically sound and strongly supported by data.
The researchers urged outdoor enthusiasts to adopt environmentally conscious practices, including using hard-rubber-soled shoes and clothing made from natural fibers to reduce shedding.
They also called on manufacturers to design outdoor gear that minimizes microplastic release, warning that continued pollution threatens even the most remote natural ecosystems.
