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The Ultimate Guide to Ethical and Sustainable Shoes

June 15, 2021

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Are the shoes on your feet as ethical and sustainable as they could be? What does that really even mean? And where should you be looking to find your next pair of kicks, whether for work, rest or play?

There has been a lot of conversation about ethical and sustainable shoes over the past couple of years, so you might be wondering what it is exactly.

You probably know that every decision you make as a consumer affects the environment, and if you’ve decided to pursue an eco-friendly lifestyle, ethical shoes can help you contribute to positive change.

However, you probably also have a lot of questions. What is sustainable footwear? Where can I buy ethical shoes? How do I know if a manufacturer is telling the truth about their claims as opposed to ‘Green Washing’ where they find loopholes to exaggerate their environmental credentials as a marketing ploy.

Plus, finding great shoes that complement the exact style you want can be challenging. Finding quality, ethical shoes able to do the same can be even more complicated.

So that’s why we’ve put together this extensively researched ultimate guide to ethical and sustainable shoes.

What is sustainable footwear?

You’ve no doubt heard about the downsides of fast fashion.

One of the most noteworthy ‘cons’ is the harm it does to the environment as products are cheaply made in inhumane conditions, meaning a raw deal for both the consumer and those making the products.

In their efforts to improve working conditions and minimise their impact on the environment, some companies started producing sustainable footwear.

What qualifies as sustainable footwear?

Any shoes made from sustainable materials and under transparent work conditions are considered sustainable and/or ethical footwear. Sustainable shoe materials can range from upcycled and recycled materials to plant-based vegan leather. The soles of ethical shoes are often made from eco-friendly materials such as algae and cork.

Finally, a sustainable shoe doesn’t mean that it is ethical. To be ethical, shoes have to come from factories that have embraced ethical manufacturing. These factories are willing to be transparent about the materials used and keep improving working conditions across the board.

Where can I buy ethical shoes?

Just a few short years ago it was very hard to come by ethical and sustainable shoes. Today it is much more straightforward thanks to the rapid growth of the sustainability market.

Sustainable shoes UK

If you are living in the UK get ready to be blown away by the wealth of sustainable shoes on offer. There are many exceptional bands in Europe focused on manufacturing sustainable and ethical women’s and men’s footwear. In the UK, for instance, PO-ZU is the leader when it comes to using natural and sustainable materials in shoe manufacturing.

Will’s Vegan Store is also a go-to for many people who want to make a positive change. The store features both vegan shoes and accessories by Will’s Vegan Shoes. All products are PETA-approved vegan, packaged without plastics and carbon neutral.

Sustainable shoes Europe

European shoe brands are popular – not just in Europe but worldwide. If European shoes are what you’re looking for then check out our specific guide to the Best European Sustainable Shoes and Accessories for Men where all brands listed produce completely environmentally friendly footwear.

Sports giant adidas leads the way in the sporting goods industry, crafting shoes and apparel out of materials ranging from recycled ocean plastic, to mushroom leather – all produced in transparent working conditions (unlike some of their major competitors).

Indeed, many European companies are leading the charge in abandoning obsolete shoe production practices and materials harmful to the environment. Some of the ethical shoe production movement leaders include adidas, Bella Storia, Ecoald, EKN, FAIR, POZU, Genesis, and many more.

Sustainable sneakers for Men and for Women

If you’re looking for sustainable sneakers specifically, you have a range of options. The following brands offer sustainable sneakers for both men and women.

adidas, Germany

adidas is a well-established German manufacturer of sportswear, and has been leading the industry in sustainable production practices for years, making significant changes to its entire supply chain which was recognised in the Detox the Catwalk campaign by Greenpeace.

The company offers sustainable sneakers and sports performance footwear and apparel for men, women, and kids – crafted from everything from Primeblue, a recycled material made from Parley Ocean Plastic, to MYLO mushroom leather.

CARIUMA, Brazil

CARIUMA offers high-quality, sustainable sneakers while making no tradeoffs whatsoever when it comes to comfort and style.

The company uses eco-friendly materials in its sneakers and also has a Reforestation Program. In fact, every time you purchase a pair of CARIUMA sneakers, the company plants a pair of trees in the Brazilian rainforest.

Etiko, Australia

Etiko is one of the world’s leading fair trade clothing brands, based in Australia. Their sneakers are made of organic materials and are entirely recyclable.

At Etiko you can find all sorts of sneakers ranging from slip-ons to low cuts and hi-tops. They even feature vegan sneakers made entirely from hemp fabric and natural rubber.

Veja, France

Veja is a Paris-based brand with a diverse fair trade and ecological product line. The company creates accessories but also produces sustainable footwear. Veja sneakers are made with B-Mesh, a material created from recycled plastic bottles.

The company strives to achieve the best possible working conditions and is focused on thwarting the risks of labour abuse and improving working conditions.

Womsh, Italy

Womsh is an Italian brand that has become synonymous with beautifully designed sustainable sneakers, and they also offer an attractive vegan product line.

The company is genuinely involved in helping preserve the environment. 90% of the energy it uses comes from renewable sources, whilst they also has a great recycling program. So far, they’ve recycled over 2,500 Womsh sneakers.

Fair Trade & Sustainable Shoe Brands

If you’re more of a traditional shoe person, the following fair trade and sustainable shoe brands might be just what you’re searching for.

Baabuk, Switzerland

Baabuk’s sustainable shoes are designed in Switzerland and produced in Portugal and Nepal, using traditional manufacturing methods, and sourcing local, sustainable materials such as wool. The company is B-Corp certified and you can even design your own shoes, combining different colours of the wool body, elastic laces, and eyelets.

BANGS, USA

BANGS sustainable everyday footwear is inspired by simple Chinese work boots and are 100% vegan.

Every BANGS shoe is made with ethically sourced materials and there is one more thing that makes BANGS shoes unique – You can choose embroidery for your shoes to match your style and look, with different embroidery motifs, ranging from mountain and sand, to floral and universe.

Funky Kalakar, UK

Funky Kalakar is a PETA certified London-based sustainable and ethical vegan fashion brand whose material sourcing practices are genius: using tyres from landfills to make renewed shoe soles, and discarded foam from the auto industry to improve comfort.

All Funky Kalakar shoes are handmade. The company also offers beautiful, sustainable accessories.

Green Shoes, UK

Green Shoes’ is a UK brand based in Dartmoor, Devon specialising in ethical leather and vegan shoes.

Green Shoes come in a variety of colours and designs, using the finest materials and highest ethical production standards.

Juta Shoes, UK

Juta Shoes is another London-based sustainable shoe manufacturer, utilising sustainable materials. For instance, upcycling leather from local factory offcuts. Their shoes feature eco-friendly jute soles and reclaimed vegan materials.

Juta Shoes is deeply involved in the local community too, offering free training programs and opportunities for graduates.

Langbrett, Germany

Langbrett is a shoe manufacturer devoted to the circular production of sustainable shoes.

Langbrett shoes are made from recycled materials and are entirely recyclable, featuring vegetable-tanned leather and soles made from recycled cork or natural rubber.

All Langbrett shoes are manufactured in Fair Wear certified factory in Portugal.

Mamahuhu

Mamahuhu is an ethical footwear brand focused on designing high-quality footwear, and its shoes are handcrafted in Colombia by master artisans. Built to last, every Mamahuhu shoe comes with a sturdy sole and quality suede.

Mamahuhu encourages fair trade across its network. Every workshop working for Mamahuhu is rigorously vetted to ensure there is no child labour.

NAE, Portugal

NAE is a a reputable Portuguese shoe brand that specialises in producing high-quality, limited-edition, PETA certified, vegan shoes.

The company uses various materials including recycled plastic bottles, organic cotton, cork, and pineapple leaf fibres.

Nisolo, UK

Nisolo is all about ethically made shoes and accessories. They bring change to the fashion industry by delivering actually chic, ethical, and sustainable footwear.

Nisolo is a B Corp certified shoe manufacturer, and their tanneries have all been vetted and certified by the Leather Working Group.

Novesta, Slovakia

Novesta shoes are made from sustainable materials, and the company dates all the way back to the 1930s. It recognised the need for a change and decided to focus on producing sustainable footwear.

Novesta shoes are not only famous for being ethically made; they also feature sturdy design able to transcend fashion trends.

Oliberte, Canada

Oliberte is a sustainable shoe brand based in Canada, most famous for its handcrafted leather shoes and boots. The company plays an active role in supporting environmental stewardship and workers.

Oliberte is Fair Trade Certified, bringing us well-styled sustainable shoes made under excellent conditions.

Po-Zu, UK

Po-Zu ethical and sustainable shoes are the result of an ethical and sustainable manufacturing process that most definitely doesn’t sacrifice aesthetic and comfort in the pursuit of sustainability.

All Po-Zu vegan shoes are crafted by experts and designed by forward-thinking shoe enthusiasts.

TOMS

TOMS is invested in producing shoes from earth-friendly materials. The company has changed its manufacturing process to reduce CO2 emission, use more eco-friendly materials such as recycled plastic, and dye shoes with pigments derived from natural botanicals.

TOMS is also B Certified, and it shares 30% of its profits to support social initiatives, such as organisations that bring about change locally.

Sustainable Shoes for Her

If your significant other wants to accompany you in making responsible footwear choices, surprise her with sustainable shoes from some of these top-notch producers.

Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney is a famous creator born in London and her sustainable shoes are the perfect footwear for environmentally conscious women.

Stella McCartney shoes have a minimal impact on our environment. They are attractive, unique, and beautifully designed. What started as a no leather, feathers, fur, and skin initiative is today a fully-blown sustainable and completely plastic-free operation.

Sustainable Heels and Sandals

Today you can even find sustainable heels and sandals so that you and your partner can have eco-friendly footwear for every occasion.

Beyond Skin

Beyond Skin is committed to the creation of sustainable heels and sandals. The heels in Beyond Skin footwear are made from PU plastic and flexible natural latex, insoles from post-consumer cardboard, and the soles are made from recycled rubber.

Even though Beyond Skin heels feature sustainable materials, they still look chic.

Fortress of Inca

Fortress of Inca is on an ongoing mission to reduce their CO2 footprint, use more sustainable materials, and eliminate a high percentage of paint and glue in its packaging.

Fortress of Inca heels and sandals are marvellous, and made from recycled and recyclable materials.

Sustainable Boots for Her

Does your significant other love to wear boots? Take a look at these sustainable boots.

Alice + Whittles

Alice + Whittles is a reputable footwear brand committed to manufacturing sustainable footwear. The company offers sustainable rain boots, natural rubber ankle boots, and weekend boots.

Besides embodying ethical and aesthetic principles, Alice + Whittles also carefully sources its materials, including reclaimed ocean plastics, recycled PET, natural fair-trade rubber, and vegan water-based glue.