The Best Vegan Shoes: 8 Brands Making Cruelty-Free Footwear

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Final Up to date on April 30, 2024

Are you on the hunt for the proper vegan footwear? There are various manufacturers which are beginning to create vegan footwear, however not all of them are created equal.

For instance, manufacturers that use virgin plastic of their footwear can technically declare it’s “vegan.” The identical goes for many fake leather-based that claims to be vegan – it’s sometimes simply virgin plastic.

The Best Vegan Shoes: 8 Brands Making Cruelty-Free Footwear

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Virgin plastic is probably not derived from animals, per say, however its manufacturing is immediately linked to the local weather disaster.

To make virgin plastic, crude oil have to be extracted from the earth through fracking. Then by means of an power intensive course of, normally carried out in a fossil gasoline powered manufacturing facility, it’s remodeled into virgin plastic. All of this emits carbon (CO2), which is a greenhouse fuel that exacerbates local weather change.

So, what’s the answer? Wanting into vegan footwear which have a low carbon footprint. That may imply they’re made with sustainable and recycled supplies, constructed to final, and/or are designed in a low waste method.

Fortunately, many manufacturers are beginning to embrace moral and sustainable shoemaking practices that additionally embody vegan choices. Listed here are the most effective manufacturers making vegan footwear with a small carbon footprint.

what’s a vegan shoe?

A vegan shoe is footwear that’s made with none animal-derived supplies, like silk, leather-based, wool or suede. Basically, no animals had been harmed within the making of the shoe.

As a substitute, vegan footwear will be created from:

Bio-based supplies like corn, bamboo, mushroom, apple or pineapple fibers
Artificial supplies like recycled plastics, rubber, canvas, microfibers

Simply be conscious that many firms may also use vegan leather-based, which is most frequently created from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyurethane. Each supplies are created from fossil fuels and take many centuries to interrupt down.

Nonetheless, there are a lot of firms popping out with modern vegan leather-based choices created from pineapple, cactus, mushroom and apple skins too. These plant-based leathers are created from juice business waste or waste from farming. A number of of the manufacturers listed beneath make the most of these supplies.

You’ll additionally need to keep away from manufacturers making an attempt to greenwash you through the use of the label “vegan” as a advertising tactic. This label alone doesn’t make it sustainable.

Is the model being clear about their supplies and manufacturing practices? Look into their eco-friendly initiatives and see what they’re pursuing, resembling providing a take-back program or planting timber with each buy.

Right here’s a basic overview of what to search for in vegan footwear to make sure they’re type to planet + folks:

Constructed from sustainable, modern supplies (aka, not virgin plastic)
Moral manufacturing: Manufacturers paying truthful wages + offering protected working environments
Considerate packaging that’s not excessively wasteful
Timeless designs that may be paired with any of your wardrobe items
Repairability + sturdiness – can it simply be repaired by a shoe cobbler?
Considerate craftsmanship: Each part of the shoe was fastidiously thought of

are vegan footwear higher?

It’s necessary to do not forget that “vegan footwear” aren’t extra environmentally pleasant by default, just because they’re vegan. Somewhat, what issues is wanting on the whole shoe as an entire.

There’s some debate on the environmental affect of artificial leathers (like PVCs) versus leather-based manufacturing. Each have an effect on the environment.

For instance, the affect of actual leather-based is pushed by land use and greenhouse fuel emissions related to animal agriculture. This impacts biodiversity, water utilization and local weather change.

However the plastic business additionally has a heavy carbon footprint. Plastic takes a whole bunch of years to biodegrade and through that point, they shed microplastics which have been present in human feces, blood and even placentas.

So, which is healthier? Nicely, neither is right. As a result of vegan leather-based created from crops (like apples, cactus, and pineapple) definitely outranks each plastic leather-based and actual leather-based mixed. This sort of leather-based is created from a waste product, which lowers its affect even additional.

Nonetheless, keep in mind this: The shoe you have already got is essentially the most sustainable choice, be it vegan or not. The supplies and assets wanted to make that shoe have already been expended, so that you may as effectively put it to make use of.

One other nice choice is to seek out vegan footwear secondhand at an area thrift retailer or classic retailer. Listed here are the best online marketplaces for thrifted and vintage finds. You’ll give footwear a second probability at life and keep away from sending them to the landfill.

learn how to inform if a shoe is vegan?

You may inform if a shoe is vegan by their supplies, that are normally listed on their web site or on the shoebox.

Vegan supplies can embody, however aren’t restricted to:

Cotton
Hemp
Cactus, apple, pineapple + mushroom leather-based
Cork
Recycled plastic

Simply be conscious of labels like “vegan leather-based” or “pleather”, as this might simply imply virgin plastic. Ensure to double examine and see what their vegan leather-based is manufactured from earlier than committing.

Listed here are some non-vegan supplies:

Leather-based
Wool
Suede
Fur
Silk

how lengthy do vegan footwear final?

How lengthy vegan footwear final is variable: This depends upon how top quality the shoe is, how typically you put on it, and what circumstances you put on it in.

For instance, should you put on your favourite vegan footwear on daily basis, rain or shine, likelihood is they are going to diminish in high quality loads sooner than saving them for particular events.

Nonetheless, top quality pair of vegan footwear can final for a number of years, even with repeat use. If they’re repairable, you could possibly prolong their lifespan even additional.

gzw accepted vegan shoe choices

I’ve rounded up a listing of manufacturers that create vegan footwear: All of those get the Going Zero Waste seal of approval. A few of these manufacturers are solely vegan, whereas others supply a various array of vegan choices.

All of the manufacturers on this record make the most of totally different methods to make sure their supplies are sustainable and moral. There are a number of manufacturers that additionally supply take-back packages, which assist shut the loop and guarantee your footwear get recycled on the finish of their life.

I’ve gone forward and highlighted some key options of every model, nevertheless it isn’t an exhaustive record. Be sure you take a look at their web sites for extra data.

1. cariuma

Girls + males’s footwear
65% of merchandise are 100% vegan
Sustainable supplies like natural cotton, recycled PET and pure rubber
Assist truthful working hours + wages
Give attention to biodiverse reforestation: Plant 2 timber for each pair of footwear bought

2. rothy’s

Girls + males’s footwear
Vegan + cruelty-free
Constructed from recycled water bottles with pure and renewable soles
Gives a recycling program

3. suavs

Girls + males’s footwear
Vegan
Constructed from sustainable supplies like 100% post-consumer recycled plastics
Compact and reusable shoe bins that double as transport bins
Extra product is donated to organizations like Soles4Souls

4. alohas

Girls’s footwear
A number of vegan shoe choices obtainable
Regionally produced in Spain
Carbon offset choice
On-demand purchasing to keep away from overproduction

5. kengos

Girls + males’s footwear
Numerous vegan choices
Constructed from modern supplies like mushroom leather-based + cactus leather-based
Created with solely 6 parts
No petroleum-based adhesives used
Recycled cardboard packaging

6. nae shoes

Girls, males + unisex footwear
Vegan + cruelty-free
Constructed from sustainable supplies like Pinatex, apple pores and skin, cork, natural cotton, and so on.
Pre-loved program permits you to ship again your footwear to be recycled or resold