Eco-Friendly and Fashion-Forward: Vegan Sneakers for Every Wardrobe
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While not everyone may share our deep love for shoes, we have a soft spot for comfortable sneakers. In a world where the shoe industry often churns out poorly made footwear that’s here today and gone tomorrow, there’s a need for a refreshing change, which is why we are enthusiastic about vegan sneakers.
More than just a fashion statement, they represent a conscious alternative. Every step feels lighter both for your feet and the planet. Let’s stride into a world where ‘fashion for a moment’ is replaced by ‘style that endures.’
Quick Links For Our Favorite Vegan Sneaker Companies
What Makes Something Vegan?
A vegan product does not contain animal-derived ingredients or by-products and has not been tested on animals. While veganism primarily focuses on the avoidance of animal exploitation, many vegans also consider the ethical treatment of workers and environmental sustainability. It’s important to note that there are different degrees of veganism, and individual preferences and choices can vary.
Vegan shoes are made without the use of any animal-derived materials or by-products. Instead, they are crafted using synthetic or plant-based materials. Here are some common ways in which shoes can be vegan:
- Bio Leather: Many vegan shoes are made from synthetic leather, which is derived from a variety of recycled products such as corn waste.
- Canvas: A popular vegan shoe material made from cotton or other plant-based fibers and is often used for casual shoes like natural sneakers and espadrilles.
- Hemp: A natural, plant-based material that can be used to make shoes. It is sustainable, environmentally friendly, and very strong.
- Cork: A renewable and vegan material often used in the production of sandals and insoles.
- Natural Rubber: A plant-based material used for the soles of shoes. Often used in the production of athletic shoes and rain boots.
- Recycled Materials: Some vegan shoe brands incorporate recycled materials, such as plastic bottles or other sustainable sources, into their footwear.
- Plant-Based Glues: Vegan shoe manufacturers also use plant-based adhesives that do not contain animal-based components.
The companies selected here all possess an ethical and sustainable focus. All of our favorite companies prioritize fair labor practices and eco-friendly manufacturing processes.
What are the Environmental Benefits of Vegan Sneakers?
Choosing vegan footwear is a conscious and eco-friendly choice that goes beyond fashion. Leather is associated with a series of environmental and ethical concerns from the immense land and water use in cattle farming to the deforestation in the Amazon to support the leather industry, the impact is vast. The tanning process itself releases harmful toxins into the environment and endangers workers. Even though leather is natural, treated leather doesn’t biodegrade. With the advent of innovative materials, like those made from recycled plastics and food waste, we now have leather alternatives with a significantly lower environmental cost.
The Sustainable Apparel Coalition HIGG Index ranks leather as one of the highest-impact materials. By opting for vegan alternatives, you contribute to a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry, reducing your ecological footprint and supporting responsible material choices.
*A Quick Note:* While fantastic leather alternatives are emerging, there’s no need to feel guilty or hurried to discard your leather items. If you currently have leather pieces in your wardrobe, it’s a more sustainable choice to continue using them rather than disposing of them prematurely.
There are several reasons why someone might choose to shop for vegan sneakers:
- Ethical and Compassionate Reasons: Many people choose vegan shoes as part of a broader ethical stance against animal exploitation. By opting for vegan footwear, they avoid supporting industries that use animal-derived materials like leather and fur, which involve harm to animals.
- Environmental Considerations: Leather production has a significant environmental impact, including deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and water usage. Vegan shoes are often considered more environmentally friendly because they typically use synthetic or plant-based materials that have a lower environmental footprint.
- Sustainable and Renewable Materials: Some vegan shoe brands use sustainable and renewable materials like hemp, cork, and natural rubber. These materials can be harvested without causing harm to the environment and are often biodegradable or recyclable.
- Avoidance of Harmful Chemicals: The tanning process used to make leather often involves the use of toxic chemicals. Choosing vegan shoes can reduce exposure to these harmful substances.
- Allergies and Sensitivities: Some individuals have allergies or sensitivities to animal-derived materials like leather. Vegan shoes can be a suitable alternative for these individuals.
Our Personal Vegan Trainer Picks
Price Range: $185- $255
This tenacious luxury fashion-forward vegan shoe brand makes natural kicks for men and women. Explore a range of trendy, cruelty-free shoes that make a statement not just in fashion, but in the commitment to a compassionate, sustainable lifestyle. Each pair of sneakers is crafted with recycled plastic bottles from the ocean.
Loci’s new bio leather is constructed from recycled textiles and non-food grade corn waste. The insoles are hypoallergenic cork and recycled foam that offers a surprising amount of comfort. The shoes’ interior is entirely made of recycled nylon and bamboo, which helps make these sneakers highly breathable. Loci’s kicks get their soles from recycled rubber. The company goes the extra distance by using recycled brass for the eyelets equipped with recycled laces. All of their shoes are lovingly made in their ethical factories in Portugal.
Eco-Friendly Vegan Materials
- Recycled plastic bottles
- Bio leather- recycled textiles and non-food grade corn waste
- Insoles- hypoallergenic cork and recycled foam
- Interior: recycled nylon and bamboo
- Eyelets: Recycled brass
- Laces: recycled cotton
Sustainable Sneaker Practices
Loci has partnered with Re Wild, which creates conservation initiatives that protect the incredible animals on our planet.
Price Range: $165-$220
Flamingo Life’s sneakers offer a perfect fusion of comfort, eco-consciousness, and a captivating retro style that truly sets them apart. Inspired by timeless classics, the retro-style sneakers feature iconic silhouettes, vintage color palettes, and nostalgic details that evoke the fashion trends of past decades, adding a touch of old-school cool to one’s modern look. The versatility of these sneakers allows wearers to effortlessly transition from casual day outings to stylish evenings. With their enduring appeal, Flamingo Life’s retro-style sneakers promise not only comfort but also a sustainable fashion choice that transcends time, making every step a nod to the past and a stride into the future.
Eco-Friendly Vegan Materials
- Corn waste material is used to make the upper material of the shoes
- Bamboo is used to make the lining
- Shoelaces made from organic cotton
- Recycled polyester materials are used for details on the upper part of some of the shoe designs
Sustainable Sneaker Practices
263,783 Trees planted working with Eden Reforestation Projects in Madagascar and Mozambique.
25,596 Kilograms of plastic collected by collaborating with Waste Free Oceans.
1,500 people with access to clean water working with Agua ONG to build water wells in Uganda.
Each sneaker style contributes to a particular social project.
Price Range: $84-$159
Cariuma is where classic style meets eco-conscious craftsmanship, and there’s no need for break-in time. With a pair of Cariuma shoes, you get timeless, comfortable sneakers that are not only stylish but also sustainable. Walk with a smile from the first step. We are a big fan of their winter sneaker option, which has line insoles and is water-repellant.
Eco-Friendly Vegan Materials
- Organic cotton
- Natural rubber gathered from the hevea brasiliensis tree. The company uses a tapping method, which doesn’t harm the trees.
- Bamboo certified by Oeko-TEX and Forest Stewardship Council
- Sugarcane sourced from Brazil
- Cork
- Mamona Oil which is an organic alternative to petroleum
- Recycled Nylon
- Recycled PET (Polyester)
- Bluesign-certified chemicals
Sustainable Sneaker Practices
Cariuma is a Certified B Corporation.
Caruima works with small factories that guarantee fair working hours and wages.
The natural sneakers are stored in a solar-powered warehouse.
Cariuma utilizes carbon-neutral shipping.
With each pair of shoes purchased, Cariuma plants two trees in Brazil and collaborates with indigenous communities in these local areas to ensure the best-growing practices.
Price Range: $135- $245
These sneakers are more than just a trend; they’re a testament to ethical, eco-conscious footwear that transcends time. Veja is on a mission to redefine the sneaker industry with an unwavering commitment to sustainability, using responsibly sourced materials, fair labor practices, and a dedication to transparency. Each pair of Veja sneakers is a statement of both style and environmental responsibility, making them a must-have for those who seek fashionable, eco-friendly choices. With Veja, you’re not just stepping into a pair of sneakers; you’re walking toward a more sustainable, brighter future.
Eco-Friendly Materials
- B-mesh: a fabric made of recycled plastic bottles, which is breathable and waterproof
- Hexamesh: is made of two threads layered together. The base is comprised of recycled plastic bottles, and the hexagonal top layer is organic cotton.
- Alternative leather: 100% organic cotton (sourced from Brazil and Peru) coated with PU, ricinus oil, and cornstarch.
- The soles are Amazonian rubber.
Sustainable Sneaker Practices
Fair for Life certified
They measure their CO2 emissions and work to lower that number each year.
Price Range: $125-$155
Thousand Fell is the first zero-waste sneaker that is recyclable. When you step into a pair of Thousand Fell vegan sneakers, you’re not just choosing stylish and comfortable footwear; you’re embracing a revolutionary approach to sustainability. These shoes are a testament to knowledge and eco-conscious design. With a commitment to ‘zero waste’ and a ‘closed-loop’ system, each pair of Thousand Fell shoes is created with the intention that they can be fully recycled and remade into new shoes at the end of their lifecycle, minimizing waste and ensuring that every step you take leaves a minimal environmental footprint.
It’s a smart, eco-friendly choice that merges fashion with a commitment to a brighter, more sustainable future. Made in Brazil and designed in New York. Their recycling program allows you to either drop off or mail back your old Thousand Fell shoes for $20 towards a new pair. They partner with TerraCycle to recycle the raw materials in your shoes.
Eco-Friendly Vegan Materials
- Soles: natural and recycled rubber from a net zero-emission supplier
- The uppers, mesh liners, and laces are produced from recycled bottles and corn waste, which creates their bio-leather
- The mesh sock liner has a coat of aloe vera to combat bacteria, which helps your vegan sneakers smell fresh.
- The design elements on the outside of the shoe are made from byproducts of locally sourced sugar cane, palm leaf fibers, and coconut husks.
- A natural quartz barrier is used to keep their kicks stain and water-resistant.
Sustainable Sneaker Practices
Thousand Fell partners with Textile Exchange.
The sustainable sneakers are lovingly made in Brazil at a family-owned factory.
Thousand Fell partners with Justa Trama. A non-profit in Brazil that wraps the sneakers in a reusable organic cotton bag.
Their shipping box is also the shoe box to reduce the amount of cardboard.
1% for the Planet
Shoes returned by the recycling program are sent to Soles4Souls, so the natural sneakers can have a second life in another part of the world.
Price Range: $89-$180
Nothing New is more than just a vegan sneaker brand; it’s a movement that’s all about eco-friendliness without the eco-preaching. These kicks are your fashionable statement of sustainability. Crafted from 100% recycled materials, they give new life to old plastic, reducing waste in our landfills and oceans. Nothing New takes an extra step by using carbon offsets in their production, so each step you take is not just stylish but also lighter on our planet. So, step into Nothing New sneakers, make a fashion statement, and join those who walk the path of sustainability with style, one eco-conscious step at a time.
Eco-Friendly Vegan Materials
- Uppers: Made from post-consumer recycled plastic with Global Recycle Standard certification
- Outsoles: recycled rubber, recycled cork, and natural rubber
- Heel counters: made from post-industrial recycled fishing nets
- Binding: Made from recycled cotton sourced with Not-for-profit Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)
- Construction: True stitch, which makes the shoes more flexible and removes the need to have glue
Sustainable Sneaker Practices
Nothing New invests in projects to offset the carbon emissions created when making vegan sneakers
-Blandin Foundation (Reforestation)
-Giriraj Bundled Wind Power Project (Wind Farms)
-Intrinergy Wiggins (Biofuel)
Nothing New invests in a Virtuous Circle program. You ship Nothing New your used sneakers, and they will give you $20 towards a new pair.
Price Range: $169-$249
Designed in the heart of New York and made with precision in Italy, Oliver Cabell is the perfect fusion of classic artistry and contemporary design. Each pair embodies the perfect blend of tradition and trend, making a statement of refined style and quality. Step into a world where shoes are more than just accessories; they’re a testament to timeless craftsmanship and a modern lifestyle. Oliver Cabell makes more than vegan sneakers, but their business practices strive for a sustainable future across the board.
Eco-Friendly Vegan Materials
- Upper: Vegan Corn (35% corn waste and 65% bio-based polyurethane)
- Outsole: 50% natural and 50% recycled rubber
- Ling & Laces: 100% Bamboo
Sustainable Sneaker Practices
Oliver Cabell is all about transparency. They include a fair pricing breakdown for each pair of shoes.
All of natural shoes at Oliver Cabell are hand-stitched in their small factories in Italy.
Oliver Cabell is committed to fair wages and benefits for all of their employees and enforces that with each factory they work with.
Price Range: $109- $129
8000Kicks: Pioneering the Hemp Revolution in Footwear. With a heritage dating back to 8000 BC, the wonders of industrial hemp are at the heart of this brand’s mission. Known for its natural antibacterial properties, minimal water and fertilizer requirements, soil restoration capabilities, and impressive durability, industrial hemp is a true force of nature. Its strength is exemplified by Henry Ford’s famous hemp car. 8000Kicks is at the forefront of hemp-based vegan sneaker development, aiming to bring this eco-friendly fiber back into the mainstream. For those seeking the future of sustainable fashion, 8000Kicks is the brand to watch.
Eco-Friendly Vegan Materials
- Uppers: Made of strong hemp fibers
- Soles: Made of ecological Algal blooms
- Insoles: Made of hemp
Sustainable Sneaker Practices
8000Kicks is constantly trying to improve renewable energy sources. Currently, their Portuguese factory uses 45-55% of clean energy sources.
8000Kicks invest in offsetting CO2 by planting more trees and hemp plants.
The vegan shoe company is Oeko-Tex certified.
8000Kicks is Bloom clean water and clean air certified and Eco-stylist certified.
Price Range: $120-$230
Step into a world where your shoes become an extension of your feet. With VIVOBAREFOOT, every step is a liberating journey, reawakening your natural stride. Their minimalist and innovative designs offer the ultimate blend of style, comfort, and a closer connection to the ground. Explore a new dimension of footwear that’s as much about freedom as fashion.
Eco-Friendly Vegan Materials
- UPPER: Vamp Canvas (58% Polyester, 42% RPET), Quarter No-sew TPU (80% Polyurethane, 20% Resin), Overlay (100% Synthetic Rubber), Collar Knit (83% RPET, 17% Elastane)
- Lining: Lining 1 Microfibre (40% Polyester, 60% Polyurethane), Lining 2 (100% Polyester + Hotmelt)
- Laces: 95% RPET, 5% Reflective Flecks
- Insole: Blind Insole (100% RPET), Turned Insole Backer (100% Cotton), Removeable Thermal Insole
- Outsole: Firm Ground Outsole (60% Polymer, 30% Silica, 10% Vulcanised Chemical)
Sustainable Sneaker Practices
Vivo Barefoot is a Certified B Corporation.
Their vegan shoes are made in Vietnam.
Vivo Barefoot offers a repair option that helps keep your shoes usable for longer.
Vivo Barefoot is committed to transparency, which is why it happily lists their significant suppliers.
Final Thoughts
Whether driven by ethical concerns, environmental considerations, health reasons, or personal style preferences, shopping for vegan sneakers offers a cruelty-free and sustainable alternative to traditional leather and animal-derived footwear. From the classic craftsmanship of Oliver Cabell to the eco-revolution led by Thousand Fell and the timeless designs of Flamingo Life, there’s a vegan sneaker for every style. Make a statement for a kinder, greener planet with our top picks. Let your steps do the talking – explore the world of sustainable fashion today.