Last Updated on April 15, 2024
Curated list of brands making fair trade and/or eco friendly sandals, boots, sneakers, heels and more!
Footwear is difficult when it comes to sustainability since there are so many different materials and components needed to make shoes. While, like with anything, there are no “perfect” sustainable shoes there are some brands working to improve the industry and worth supporting!
For this roundup I compiled eco shoes who take a more conscious approach in different areas – there are vegan shoes, leather options, completely natural and plastic-free shoes, as well as brands using everything from innovative techniques and materials like pinatex, apple leather, and 3D knit recycled plastics, to traditional artisan techniques and materials like vegetable-tanned leather, handwoven grasses, and block-printed cotton.
Some brands also have a stronger focus on ethical manufacturing, supporting communities, and artisan partnerships. Ultimately though I hope there is something to fit everyone’s style and values!
Like with all our roundups there are sustainable shoe brands from Canada, US, UK, Europe and Australia – plus this one also has more international brands!
Jump to…
Sneakers
Boots
Flats
Heels
Sandals
Men’s & Unisex
Children’s Shoes
Stores with Multiple Brands
(please note: some affiliate links are used in this roundup)
🐰 – Fully Vegan Brand
Eco Friendly Sneakers & Runners
Ahimsa – 🐰 Large variety of vegan shoes made from PU leathers.
Based in Brazil, ships international.
AKS – Hand-embroidered, organic cotton, hi and lo cut sneakers with natural rubber soles.
Based in USA, ships within USA.
Allbirds – Natural everyday sneakers (and one of only a few brands who makes running shoes – their “Dashers”) made from wool and/or Tencel with bio-based and recycled components.
Stores in USA, Canada, UK, EU, NZ, Australia, China, and Japan.
Blueview – 🐰 Claiming to be the “worlds first biodegradable shoe” their unisex slip-ons are made from plant-based yarns and a Soleic™ biodegradable PU sole.
Based in USA
Cariuma – Classic white leather sneakers and skate shoes, including a vegan leather collection. They pay fair wages and work with a WRAP – GOLD certified factory.
Ships international
Ethletic – 🐰 Vegan brand making everyday sustainable sneakers, trainers, and “Converse-style” shoes from fair trade certified organic cotton and natural rubber.
Based in Germany, ships within EU, UK, and to USA.
Etiko – (right) 🐰 Vegan sneakers made from organic cotton and natural rubber.
Based in Australia, ships international.
Good News – ♻️ Sneakers made from a variety of bio-based and recycled materials. 🐰- While the don’t claim to be vegan, there doesn’t appear to be animal products used.
Based in UK, ships international.
Lunge – ♻️ Vegan running and walking shoes made in Germany with some recycled materials.
Based in Germany, ships within Europe.
Nae – ♻️ 🐰 Large variety of vegan shoes made from PU leathers, recycled and/or natural materials like cork, pinatex, and organic cotton.
Based in Portugal, ships international.
Po-Zu – Everyday sneakers and hi-tops made from a variety of natural materials including linen, pinatex, organic cotton, cork, wool, and fair trade natural rubber, as well as some chrome-free leather and vegan leather options.
Based in UK, ships international.
Rothy’s – ♻️ 3D knit shoes made from recycled water bottles and ocean plastic. Shoes styles also contain vegan leather, leather, wool, and/or bio-based components.
Based in USA, ships international.
SAOLA – ♻️ 🐰 Vegan, lightweight sneakers made from various sustainable materials including recycled plastic, natural and bio-based materials. Gives back to conservation projects.
Based in USA, ships to US and Canada.
Skye Footwear – ♻️ No-tie lace sneakers made with recycled, recyclable, and biodegrable materials.
Based in Canada, ships to Canada and US.
Thousand Fell – ♻️ White sneakers and slip-ons made from innovative sustainable materials and designed for closed-loop circularity with a recycling program.
Based in USA, ships to US & Canada.
Veja – ♻️ Sneakers and runners in both leather and vegan leather, as well as some cotton canvas and recycled plastic options.
Based in France, ships international.
Note: My husband used to own a pair and we were unfortunately not happy with the quality, but I know others who have had good experiences with Veja.
Wildling – Barefoot shoes made from a variety of materials, many sustainable and natural, and with some vegan options.
Based in Germany, ships international.
Womsh – Sneakers made in Italy from either heavy-metal-free leather or vegan “apple leather” with some recycled components.
Based in Italy, ships international.
Sustainable Boots
Adelante – Vegetable tanned leather shoes in a variety of width options (from narrow to very wide), made by artisans in Guatemala who are paid living wages.
Based in USA
Ahimsa – 🐰 Large variety of vegan shoes made from PU leathers.
Based in Brazil, ships international.
Thesus -♻️ Plastic-free rain boots and hiking/walking boots primarily made from fair trade natural rubber.
Based in Canada, ships international to select countries.
BHAVA – (right) 🐰 Stylish vegan leather shoes with natural components/accents like wooden heels and some interchangeable designs. They also have actual winter boots! (Check out our winter clothing and boot roundup)
Based in USA, ships international.
Christy Dawn – ♻️ Boots made in LA from upcycled leather.
Based in USA, ships international.
Fortress of Inca – Leather shoes made by artisans in Peru.
Based in USA, ships international.
Nae – ♻️ 🐰 Large variety of vegan shoes made from PU leathers, recycled and/or natural materials like cork, pinatex, and organic cotton.
Based in Portugal, ships international.
Nisolo – Leather shoes. Nisolo are very transparent about their wages and manufacturing.
Based in USA, ships only within USA.
Swedish Hasbeens – Platform and heeled boots made from vegetable-tanned leather with carved wooden or natural rubber soles. Made by artisans in Europe.
Based in Sweden, ships international.
Veerah – 🐰 Heeled boots made from vegan “apple leather” and a combination of bio-based, and recycled materials. Their designs have interchangeable accessories for different looks. (psst. use coupon code VERENA for 10% off Veerah!)
VIRON – 🐰Combat-style, unisex, vegan boots made form “apple leather” and recycled materials.
Based in France, ships international.
Eco Friendly Flats & Loafers
Adelante – Vegetable tanned leather shoes in a variety of width options (from narrow to very wide), made by artisans in Guatemala who are paid living wages.
Based in USA
Ahimsa – 🐰Large variety of vegan shoes made from PU leathers.
Based in Brazil, ships international.
Allbirds – Knit ballet flat and slip on styles made from wool and/or Tencel with bio-based and recycled components.
Stores in USA, Canada, UK, EU, NZ, Australia, China, and Japan.
BHAVA – 🐰 Stylish vegan leather shoes with natural components/accents like wooden heels and some interchangeable designs.
Based in USA, ships international.
CANO – Shoes handwoven and handcrafted by Mexican artisans from vegetable-tanned leather, with natural rubber and upcycled tire soles.
Based in Germany, ships international, or shop from the US here.
Darzah – (right) Leather sandals, slides, and flats hand-embroidered by women artisans in Palestine, Darzah is a non-profit and is fair trade certified.
Based in USA, ships international.
Fortress of Inca – Leather shoes made by artisans in Peru.
Based in USA, ships international.
Funky Kalakar – ♻️🐰 Vegan artisan brand with a circularity model using vegan leather, cotton and recycled materials.
Based in India, ships international.
Nae – ♻️🐰 Large variety of vegan shoes made from PU leathers, recycled and/or natural materials like cork, pinatex, and organic cotton.
Based in Portugal, ships international.
Rothy’s – ♻️ (right) 3D knit shoes made from recycled water bottles and ocean plastic. Shoe styles also contain vegan leather, leather, wool, and/or bio-based components.
Based in USA, ships international.
Veerah – 🐰 Dressy flats made from vegan “apple leather” and a combination of bio-based, natural, and recycled materials. Their designs have interchangeable accessories for different looks. (psst. use coupon code VERENA for 10% off Veerah!)
Based in USA, ships international.
VIVAIA – ♻️ 3D knit shoes made from plastic water bottles and designed to reduce waste. They do not claim their shoes are vegan, however they don’t seem to contain animal-derived materials.
Based in USA, ships international.
Sustainable Heels
Ahimsa – 🐰 Large variety of vegan shoes made from PU leathers.
Based in Brazil, ships international.
BHAVA – 🐰 Stylish vegan leather shoes with natural components/accents like wooden heels and some interchangeable designs.
Based in USA, ships international.
Brother Vellies – Heels made from vegetable tanned leather with some sustainable components like recycled tire soles by artisans around the globe.
Based in USA, ships international.
Jo-Anne Vernay – 🐰 Vegan heels made in Italy from Pinatex, wood, and cotton.
Based in USA, ships within USA.
Nae – ♻️ 🐰 Large variety of vegan shoes made from PU leathers, recycled and/or natural materials like cork, pinatex, and organic cotton.
Based in Portugal, ships international.
Veerah – 🐰 Various heel styles and heights made from vegan “apple leather” and a combination of bio-based, natural, and recycled materials. Their designs have interchangeable accessories for different looks. (psst. use coupon code VERENA for 10% off Veerah!)
Based in USA, ships international.
Eco Friendly Sandals
Adelante – Vegetable tanned leather shoes in a variety of width options (from narrow to very wide), made by artisans in Guatemala who are paid living wages.
Based in USA
Ahimsa – 🐰 Large variety of vegan shoes made from PU leathers.
Based in Brazil, ships international.
BHAVA – 🐰 Stylish vegan leather shoes with natural components/accents like wooden heels and some interchangeable designs.
Based in USA, ships international.
Brave Soles – ♻️ Sandals and slides made by artisans in the Dominican Republic from leather and recycled tires.
Based in Canada, ships international.
Brother Vellies – Heels made from vegetable tanned leather with some sustainable components like recycled tire soles by artisans around the globe.
Based in USA, ships international.
CANO – (right) Shoes handwoven and handcrafted by Mexican artisans from vegetable-tanned leather, with natural rubber and upcycled tire soles.
Based in Germany, ships international, or shop from the US here.
Darzah – Leather sandals, slides, and flats hand-embroidered by women artisans in Palestine, Darzah is a non-profit and is fair trade certified.
Based in USA, ships international.
Deux Mains – ♻️ Leather sandals and slides with recycled tire soles made by artisans in Haiti.
Based in USA, ships international.
Etiko – 🐰 Vegan thongs/flip flops made from organic cotton and natural rubber.
Based in Australia, ships international.
Fortress of Inca – Leather shoes made by artisans in Peru.
Based in USA, ships international.
Indosole -♻️ Flip flops and slides made with natural rubber and recycled tire soles.
Based in USA, ships international.
Nae – ♻️ 🐰 (right) Large variety of vegan shoes made from PU leathers, recycled and/or natural materials like cork, pinatex, and organic cotton.
Based in Portugal, ships international.
Nisolo – Leather sandals. While Nisolo doesn’t have a strong sustainability focus they are very transparent about their wages and manufacturing.
Based in USA, ships only within USA.
Proud Mary – Sandals and slides handmade by Moroccan artisans from raffia (a type of grass) with leather soles.
Based in USA, ships international to select countries.
Rothy’s – ♻️ 3D knit shoes made from recycled water bottles and ocean plastic. Shoe styles also contain vegan leather, leather, wool, and/or bio-based components.
Based in USA, ships international.
Swedish Hasbeens – Platform and heeled sandals and clogs made from vegetable-tanned leather with carved wooden soles. Made by artisans in Europe.
Based in Sweden, ships international.
VIVAIA – ♻️ 3D knit sandals made from plastic water bottles and designed to reduce waste. They do not claim their shoes are vegan, however they don’t seem to contain animal-derived materials.
Based in USA, ships international.
Unisex & Men’s Shoes
Ahimsa – 🐰 (right) Large variety of vegan shoes made from PU leathers.
Based in Brazil, ships international.
AKS – Hand-embroidered, organic cotton, hi and lo cut sneakers with natural rubber soles.
Based in USA, ships within USA.
Allbirds – Natural knit everyday shoes, sneakers, and running shoes (“Dashers”) made from wool and/or Tencel with bio-based and recycled components.
Stores in USA, Canada, UK, EU, NZ, Australia, China, and Japan.
Blueview – 🐰 Claiming to be the “worlds first biodegradable shoe” their unisex slip-ons are made from plant-based yarns and a Soleic™ biodegradable PU sole.
Based in USA
CANO – Shoes handwoven and handcrafted by Mexican artisans from vegetable-tanned leather, with natural rubber and upcycled tire soles.
Based in Germany, ships international, or shop from the US here.
Cariuma – Classic white leather sneakers and skate shoes, including a vegan leather collection. They pay fair wages and work with a WRAP – GOLD certified factory.
Ships international
Ethletic – Everyday sneakers, trainers, and “Converse-style” shoes made from fair trade certified organic cotton and natural rubber.
Based in Germany, ships within EU, UK, and to USA
Etiko – 🐰 Vegan sneakers and sandals made from organic cotton and natural rubber.
Based in Australia, ships international.
Funky Kalakar – ♻️ 🐰 Vegan artisan brand with a circularity model using vegan leather, cotton and recycled materials.
Based in India, ships international.
Good News – ♻️ Sneakers made from a variety of bio-based and recycled materials. 🐰- While the don’t claim to be vegan, there doesn’t appear to be animal products used.
Based in UK, ships international.
Indosole – ♻️ Flip flops and slides made with natural rubber and recycled tire soles.
Based in USA, ships international.
Lunge – ♻️ 🐰 Vegan running and walking shoes made in Germany with some recycled materials.
Based in Germany, ships within Europe.
Nae – ♻️ 🐰 Large variety of vegan shoes made from PU leathers, recycled and/or natural materials like cork, pinatex, and organic cotton.
Based in Portugal, ships international.
Nisolo – Leather sneakers, slip-ons, and boots. While Nisolo doesn’t have a strong sustainability focus they are very transparent about their wages and manufacturing.
Based in USA, ships only within USA.
Po-Zu – (right) Everyday sneakers and hi-tops made from a variety of natural materials including linen, pinatex, organic cotton, cork, wool, and fair trade natural rubber, as well as some chrome-free leather and vegan leather options.
Based in UK, ships international.
SAOLA – ♻️ 🐰 Vegan, lightweight sneakers made from various sustainable materials including recycled plastic, natural and bio-based materials. Gives back to conservation projects.
Based in USA, ships to US and Canada.
Thousand Fell – ♻️ White sneakers and slip-ons made from innovative sustainable materials and designed for closed-loop circularity with a recycling program.
Based in USA, ships to US & Canada.
Veja – ♻️ Sneakers and runners in both leather and vegan leather, as well as some cotton canvas and recycled plastic options.
Based in France, ships international.
Note: My husband used to own a pair and we were unfortunately not happy with the quality, but I know others who have had good experiences with Veja.
VIRON – 🐰Combat-style, unisex, vegan boots made form “apple leather” and recycled materials.
Based in France, ships international.
Wildling – Barefoot shoes made from a variety of materials, many sustainable and natural, and with some vegan options.
Based in Germany, ships international.
Womsh – Sneakers made in Italy from either heavy-metal-free leather or vegan “apple leather” with some recycled components.
Based in Italy, ships international.
Sustainable Children’s Shoes
Etiko – 🐰 Vegan sneakers made from organic cotton and natural rubber.
Based in Australia, ships international.
Indosole – ♻️ Flip flops and slides made with natural rubber and recycled tire soles.
Based in USA, ships international.
Nooks Design – (right) Baby/toddler boots and shoes made from wool and leather in a Fair Trade Certified factory in Nepal.
Based in Canada, ships international.
Rothy’s – ♻️ 3D knit shoes made from recycled water bottles and ocean plastic. Shoe styles also contain vegan leather, leather, wool, and/or bio-based components.
Based in USA, ships international.
Soft Soul – 🐰 Baby/toddler slippers made in Canada from cork and vegan sustainable materials.
Based in Canada, ships international.
Veja -♻️ Sneakers and runners in both leather and vegan leather, as well as some cotton canvas and recycled plastic options.
Based in France, ships international.
Note: My husband used to own a pair and we were unfortunately not happy with the quality, but I know others who have had good experiences with Veja.
Wildling – Barefoot shoes made from a variety of materials, many sustainable and natural, and with some vegan options.
Based in Germany, ships international.
Online Stores with Multiple Shoe Brands
Avesu – 🐰 Vegan shoe store with a large selection of vegan brands.
Based in Germany, ships international to select countries.
DoneGood – A curated ethical and sustainable marketplace with many of the shoe brands listed and more!
Based in USA, ships from many locations.
Made Trade – Large selection of artisan, fairly-made shoes. Most made from leather.
Based in the USA, ships international.
Ocelot Market – Variety of artisan made shoe styles, most from leather. Artisan marketplace which ships from many locations.
Wearwell – Artisan leather shoes primarily from Adelante
Based in USA, ships within USA.
Learn more about different vegan leathers, their sustainability, and pros/cons.
Sustainable Travel Wear: Sneakers, Why Do They Matter? ⋆ Bébé Voyage
[…] in finding more sustainable footwear for the whole family? My Green Closet has an amazing list of sustainable brands. And if you or your children prefer to use big named […]
Lucas
You should definitely add this brand to the list https://viron-world.com/
They’re making vegan shoes with innovative materials, like old denims or apple waste!
Jörn
great list of shoe companies. check out the company called eekual. they say they make a “no waste sneaker” https://www.eekual.com/sustainability
m
Will’s vegan store is great too.
Verena Erin
I owned a pair of shoes from them years ago and they wore out SO fast, as if it was a super cheap fast fashion pair. Hopefully the quality has improved or maybe it was just a bad pair but I’m very hesitant to recommend them.
Shawn
Ration.L is a vegan shoe and Blueview is a bio shoe. Putting shoes such as Veja should be removed as they only “offer” vegan shoes but are not a vegan shoe company (they have a lot more leather shoes).
Annie
Thanks for the list! It’s very helpful. Just came across the brand Nothing New. Have you reviewed this brand? Cute shoes and claims of using sustainable materials.
Robert N.
Please add Kengos to this list, they are awesome.
Eva Petruzziello
I love this round up. Thank you, I’m trying out a few new pairs of vegan shoes and this helps!
Marijana Kovacevic
Why Toms is not on the list? Thanks 🙂
Verena Erin
I’ve heard a lot about how poor quality the shoes are and there were so many issues with their “buy one, give one” model. I know they’re not doing it anymore but it gave me a very bad overall impression of the brand so it’s not one I want to promote.
Justina
Hi, Vivobarefoot is doing great work too! They also have return/repair options.
Francisco
Hi Laurel, Great and complete list of brands. I will recommend the spanish shoe brand http://www.vesicapiscisfootwear.com. They do shoes and sandals based in a circular economy. Every item made by them can be recycled after used, So no waste is generated. Have a look!
Lorenzo Pali
Where are the ACBC shoes? They are some of the best sustainable shoes I have ever tried and seen.
M.B.
Hello! I’m not sure *how* ethical these brands are because I am brand-spanking-new to shopping sustainably, but… 1.) Alterre (NY, USA) makes mix-and-match shoes with detachable accessories & 2.) Fuchsia are handmade and, interestingly, are ambidextrous – i.e. there are no left or right shoes, you can use either. Alterre has many shoe styles (flats, mules, boots, stiletto, etc.) whereas Fuchsia is primarily flats.
Anastasia
Hi, Verena, what an impressive list! Thank you for that, it’s very helpful. I just wondering about Italian brand Noah-shoes.com, I didn’t notice it in this list of brands. Just curious 😉 hubby had a pair of shoes from them, good-looking but a bit heavy
Laurel Tincher
Great article– I love your picture guide. I love Allbirds as well 🙂
Two that you missed but I really like are Waes and Good News.