The shopping season is always an excellent time for conscious consumers to support ethical fashion. This year should be the perfect opportunity to transform your shopping spree into a journey of sustainable choices with our curated list of the top 14 ethical shoe brands. These brands not only offer style and comfort but also uphold the principles of responsible and eco-friendly fashion.
1. Thousand Fell
Leading the pack, Thousand Fell offers the first fully closed-loop, zero-waste vegan shoe. Known for their recyclable design, these shoes are made from recycled materials like bottles and rubber yoga mats. With a focus on sustainability from production to end-of-life, Thousand Fell represents the pinnacle of eco-friendly footwear.
2. Bhava
Bhava sets the standard for luxury vegan footwear. Their collection, ranging from sophisticated ankle strap pumps to durable winter boots, is made from eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and cork. Bhava’s shoes are produced in female-owned facilities in Spain and India, ensuring ethical labor practices and high-quality craftsmanship.
3. 8000Kicks
8000Kicks is pioneering sustainable footwear with their hemp fabric sneakers. Known for their durability and comfort, the Explorer V2 and Seeker models feature soles made from recycled rubber and algal blooms. With a commitment to eco-friendliness, 8000Kicks offers a footwear solution that’s both stylish and kind to the planet.
4. Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney, a trailblazer in luxury sustainable fashion, presents a vegan shoe line that is as stylish as it is responsible. Utilizing materials like organic cotton, recycled nylon, and plant-based leather, her collection includes everything from sleek boots to casual sneakers, all crafted with a commitment to ethical production practices.
5. NAE
NAE (No Animal Exploitation) offers a wide array of vegan shoes made from innovative materials like Piñatex and organic cotton. Manufactured under fair labor conditions in Portugal and Spain, NAE’s shoes are a testament to the possibility of stylish, cruelty-free, and environmentally friendly footwear.
6. Will’s Vegan Store
From hiking boots to chic Chelsea boots, Will’s Vegan Store offers versatile, eco-friendly vegan shoes. Their products, featuring Italian vegan leather and recycled materials, are produced under ethical conditions in Italy and Portugal. With a focus on carbon-neutral practices, Will’s Vegan Store is a go-to for environmentally conscious shoppers.
7. Matt & Nat
Matt & Nat are renowned for their vegan bags and shoes, made primarily from recycled materials. Their diverse range includes everything from rugged boots to sleek flats, all PETA-certified vegan. With regular visits to their SA8000-compliant partner factories, they ensure ethical production and high-quality vegan products.
8. Native Shoes
Native Shoes’ eco-friendly collection, made from materials like sugarcane-derived Sugarlite, is designed to have a minimal environmental footprint. Their range, featuring a variety of colors and designs, offers something for everyone in the family, from casual wear to themed collections.
9. VIVAIA
VIVAIA focuses on modern footwear that doesn’t compromise on environmental responsibility. Their shoes, crafted from recycled PET bottles, offer a range of styles from colorful flats to versatile heels. While not exclusively vegan, VIVAIA provides several vegan-friendly options suitable for eco-conscious fashion enthusiasts.
10. Alohas
Alohas‘ approach to footwear involves a pre-order business model to combat fast fashion. Their collection, including elegant vegan leather sandals, is produced on-demand, ensuring minimal waste. With designs crafted in Spain, Alohas is a champion of slow fashion and responsible production.
11. VEERAH
VEERAH merges luxury with vegan ethics, offering a range of high-quality ethical heels, flats, and more. Using cruelty-free materials like apple leather, VEERAH’s shoes are as comfortable as they are stylish, supporting various social causes and embodying the ethos of conscious fashion.
12. Allbirds
Allbirds, known for its eco-friendly footwear, reports that a typical pair of sneakers releases 12.5 kg of CO2. However, an average pair of Allbirds shoes emits just 7.6 kg, and they’re aiming to reduce this even further. Emphasizing sustainability, Allbirds utilizes natural materials like responsibly farmed, ZQ Merino-accredited wool, ensuring ethical practices and traceability throughout their supply chain. Additionally, they use recycled plastic bottles for shoelaces and castor bean oil for insoles. Beyond sneakers, Allbirds offers a diverse range of products including running shoes, sandals, hiking boots, and flats.
13. Good News
Good News, a dedicated footwear brand, is committed to enhancing both its environmental and social sustainability. They focus on reducing their carbon, chemical, and water footprints while also prioritizing the welfare of those involved in their shoe production process.
Their signature low-top vegan trainers are crafted with a keen eye on sustainability, utilizing organic and recycled materials. The trainers feature biodegradable organic cotton uppers, organic cotton laces through recycled metal eyelets, and soles ingeniously made from a mix of recycled car tires and old rubber shoes. In addition to their popular trainers, Good News also offers hi-tops, boots, and slip-on mules in their eco-conscious collection.
14. Veja
VEJA is an organic, fair trade and ethical shoe brand offering style-conscious footwear.
It uses eco-conscious fabrics such as recycled and organic cotton, recycled plastic bottles, and sustainably harvested wild rubber to make its ethical shoes. What’s more, workers are paid a fair price for their labour. If you are looking for vegan shoes, it’s worth noting that VEJA is not a completely vegan footwear brand. However, it does have many vegan shoe options in its collections, making it well worth a look for ethical and vegan shoes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these 14 brands are at the forefront of ethical and sustainable shoe fashion. By choosing to shop from these brands this shopping season, you’re not just updating your wardrobe; you’re contributing to a movement that values our planet and its inhabitants. Remember, every purchase is a step towards a more sustainable future.