With society’s progression, the rapid advancements in science and technology, and the continual economic growth, a heightened emphasis on health and sports is observed. Sports footwear plays an indispensable role in various sporting activities, and, with the progress in science and technology, these products are continually evolving to cater to diverse requirements. Nevertheless, this evolution has led to the manufacturing and disposal of substantial quantities of sports footwear, thereby adversely impacting the environment. Our Common Future advocates for sustainable development that fulfills the present generation’s needs without jeopardizing those of the future generations. In the contemporary context, global concerns regarding sustainability have made it imperative to tackle the environmental pollution stemming from sports footwear across its life cycle. The research focuses on sports footwear and employs a modular design approach to investigate sustainable solutions for sports shoes from a sustainability perspective.In this examination of existing sustainable and modular shoes, the article aimed to elucidate their strengths and limitations concerning sustainability. Sustainable footwear of the present excels in various aspects, including the utilization of recycled materials, reduction of environmental impact, increased adaptability, and the consideration of social equity concerns. Nevertheless, the use of adhesives in assembly processes impedes recycling efforts and inflates disposal costs. In the meanwhile, modular sports footwear often lacks sustainability considerations. To address these sustainability challenges, the study embraced a comprehensive approach that places significant emphasis on full life-cycle sustainability, modular design, and the enhancement of recovery and recycling processes. The article approached the formulation of a sustainable design strategy for modular footwear from a systematic perspective. It outlined a threefold approach to constructing a sustainable modular sports footwear system. Firstly, it is necessary to create a modular system with detachable structures, tailored to user needs and sustainability. Employing the system-function-structure layering model, the article analyzed the structure and function of sports shoes to provide the foundation for module segmentation, and establish a connection with user needs. The article gathered user needs through desktop research, questionnaires, and interviews, providing the basis for module segmentation and subsequent design. In terms of structure, each module was designed without the use of adhesive, facilitating individual disassembly, thereby enhancing production efficiency and recycling ease. Secondly, material selection guided shall be by life cycle and recycling design principles, and it is necessary to prioritize natural materials with minimal environmental impact and recyclable materials. Thirdly, it is necessary to enhance the end-to-end service system design and business chain to improve the user experience throughout the entire process. From a product and service system design perspective, the article created a systematic process that spans from purchase to recycling and replacement. Finally, from the four design elements of structural division, user demand, material selection and system service, the specific design practice was verified. It is found that by applying the proposed design strategy to the specific sports footwear design, the improved solution exhibits enhanced sustainability, with an improved overall evaluation of the design’s ability to better meet user needs while striving for sustainability. Considering that it offers improved repairability but relatively weak durability, subsequent solutions can focus on further optimizing and strengthening the durability to meet evolving user demands.The modular design approach offers a novel avenue for sustainable footwear design, addressing key innovation challenges in the field. It effectively reduces the consumption of non-renewable resources, and mitigates environmental pollution by employing natural and biodegradable materials. The modular structure facilitates easy assembly and recycling, enhances production efficiency, and allows for personalized customization. Compared to traditional sports shoes, sustainable modular sports footwear caters to individual preferences while emphasizing environmental friendliness and recyclability. It preserves the performance characteristics of sports footwear and provides valuable insights for the sustainable design of sports shoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]