The world is becoming more conscious of the need to be sustainable, and ethical footwear is no exception to this growing trend.
But with brands fully aware of consumers’ desire to be more ethical with their purchases, it can be difficult to know which brands are truly ethical and which are not.
In this post, we have selected our favourite ethical and vegan shoe brands for both men and women.
We’ll take you through what makes them ethical, what we like about their shoes, and (in some cases) what we can expect from them in the years ahead.
What does it mean to be an ethical brand?
Before we get started, let’s just recap on what it actually means to be ethical.
At its simplest, being an ethical company means that ethical standards are in place in the company’s production process.
It is ethical to ensure that workers are paid a fair wage for their labour and not under-cut by using child or slave labour.
It is also ethical to avoid using harmful chemicals in the manufacturing process and to minimise waste.
In short, ethical brands should consider sustainability throughout the process, from sourcing materials to production and delivery to consumers.
Just bear in mind that brands that are ethical will not always be vegan or ‘eco-friendly.’ It’s important not to get these terms confused.
What does it mean to be an eco-friendly brand?
To be eco-friendly is to prevent environmental harm.
And, if ethical standards are followed throughout a company’s supply chain, then it can usually be described as eco-friendly.
However, brands can be ethical and eco-friendly without necessarily being vegan.
What does it mean to be a vegan brand?
A vegan brand is one that does not use any animal products in their shoes or clothing.
This can include using leather, suede, wool, silk, and even down feathers.
Many ethical brands are also vegan, but there are some ethical brands that still use animal products in their shoes.
What are the sustainable materials used in ethical shoes?
Sustainable shoe brands use a variety of sustainable materials in their shoes, including cork, jute, canvas, and recycled rubber.
Cork is a natural product that comes from the bark of the cork oak tree. It’s a sustainable resource because the trees are not damaged when the bark is removed.
Jute is a sustainable material used in the manufacturing process, and it’s much kinder to the environment than using plastic alternatives.
Canvas is a versatile fabric that can be used in all kinds of products, particularly shoes. It’s an ethical choice because it can be sourced from recycled materials.
The recycled rubber this brand uses is made from old tires and other rubber products.
1) Birkenstock
Best for: Holidays, beachwear, casual.
Birkenstock is one of the most ethical and sustainable shoe brands around.
All of their shoes are made from sustainable materials, and they work closely with suppliers to ensure that all workers are treated fairly and compensated appropriately.
What’s more, Birkenstock is a member of the Fair Labour Association (FLA), which ensures that workers’ rights are always protected.
Birkenstock shoes are not only ethical, but they’re also incredibly comfortable.
We love their classic designs, including the Arizona sandal, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for the future.
Birkenstock shoes are available at multiple retailers or from the brand directly.
2) Veja – one of the most ethical shoe brands
Best for trainers.
Veja is a Brazilian sneaker company that was founded in 2004.
All of their sneakers are made of leather or vegan materials. The brand works with ecological and Fairtrade cotton, wild rubber from the Amazon, and leather that is tanned without chemicals.
The brand also has a vegan range.
Veja also partners with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to help protect the Amazon rainforest.
For every pair of shoes sold, Veja donates €3 to WWF. The brand also invests 0.5% of its revenue in small agroecological projects in Brazil.
3) All Birds
Best for: Every day, cool weather, wet weather, warm weather, running.
All Birds is a brand that is both ethical and eco-friendly. In fact, the company’s whole ethos is based on sustainability.
All of their shoes are made from sustainable materials, including eucalyptus trees, which are sourced from sustainably managed forests.
What’s more, the company uses recycled materials in their packaging, and they work to minimise their environmental impact throughout the supply chain.
We particularly like the men’s wool runners, an original everyday trainer made with cosy merino wool.
All Birds shoes are available from the company’s website.
How are All Birds eco-friendly?
In addition to using natural materials, the company also offsets its carbon footprint by working with partners farming regenerative wool in Argentina. Its long-term goals involve using regenerative wool across all products.
In addition, All Birds adhere to Climate Neutral and B Corp standards, which means they take a comprehensive and ethical approach to environmentalism.
4) Oliberte
Best for Winterwear, wet weather, outdoor.
Oliberte is another sustainable shoe brand that is ethical and fair trade.
The company partners with the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) to ensure ethical and sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.
The company’s production takes place in Ethiopia, where they partner with ethical suppliers to source materials directly.
We love Oliberte shoes because they’re not only ethical, but they’re also versatile.
The handmade leather is incredibly durable and comfortable, so you won’t need to worry about them falling apart.
We love the rustic charm that comes with each pair of shoes they create.
5) Nisolo – One of our favourite sustainable footwear brands.
Nisolo is a sustainable shoe brand that is ethical, transparent in its practices, and cruelty-free.
The company was founded on the belief that transparency and ethical practices go hand in hand.
Nisolo is also a member of the Fair Trade Federation. It uses traditional Peruvian shoemaking techniques to create beautifully beautiful and stylish shoes.
The leather is made from ethical tanneries with ecological waste disposal systems.
The brand also offers patients with healthy work environments.
It also set up its own factory to show how others can increase the standard in their own footwear production.
The shoes for both gents and girls come from a manufacturing line where healthcare is mandatory for staff members. Its headquarters is in Lima, Peru.
6) Po-Zu – Boots from recycled materials
Best for boots, casual, hightops.
Po-Zu is an ethical brand producing sustainable footwear and shipping worldwide.
The Hightop BB8 features organic cotton with a cork lining and natural rubber sole.
These handmade shoes are produced in Portugal or Sri Lanka in sustainable factories. Furthermore, no toxic dyes are used in the production process.
Po-Zu also uses environmentally friendly packaging, ensuring best practices across the supply chain.
7) Beyond skin – A top pick for vegan shoes
Best for boots, sandals, flats, heels, loafers, pumps, trainers.
Beyond Skin is a sustainable footwear brand offering luxury vegan footwear that encompasses individuality and authenticity.
The firm is certified by PETA, Vegan Action, and the Vegan Society.
We love Beyond Skin because it has a huge range of shoe styles, from knee-high black faux leather boots to simplistic flats and trainers.
Beyond Skin operates as a real footwear manufacturer but without the use of PVC or leather products in its production.
The brand is located in the UK and uses ethical suppliers for all of its materials.
8) Green Shoes – a U.K based brand with a vegan range
Best for boots, sandals, loafers.
Green Shoes is a sustainable footwear brand from Devon, U.K.
Each pair of shoes at Green Shoes is made of ethically sourced leather. They also have a vegan range.
The company also sells other ethical goods such as bags, belts, and wallets.
We love Green Shoes for its suite of ethical products that you can mix and match with your outfits.
By supporting the brand, you’re helping to reduce carbon emissions caused by the mass production process.
9) Novesta – a producer of sustainable shoes since 1939
Best for trainers, boots, sneakers.
Novesta is a Slovakian shoe producer that has been around since 1939. They use leather or vegan material in the construction of their shoes.
All of their products are made in Europe, and they adhere to high environmental and social standards.
They use leather from organic farming in the production of their shoes and are a member of One Percent for the Planet, which is an international organisation whose members contribute at least 1% of their annual sales to environmental causes.
Furthermore, Novesta has an eco-friendly factory with solar panels on the roof that produce 50% of their energy needs.
They also promote sustainable rural development by adopting ecological farming practices.
For every pair of shoes sold they donate €1 to children’s health care in Slovakia.
Are Novesta sustainable?
Yes, Novesta is a sustainable and ethical shoe brand. They use leather from organic farming, have an eco-friendly factory, and promote sustainable rural development.
10) Baabuk
Best for sneakers, slippers.
Baabuk’s trainers are made from 100% wool, from its own sheep living happily in nearby pastures.
They are inspired by the felled boots worn by Russians in Siberia in subzero temperatures.
The brand has its own ethical shop in Nepal. It also operates a factory in Portugal.
Baabuk’s sustainable shoes are naturally breathable and antibacterial.
Its wool is also treated and water-resistant.
11) Mamahuhu
Best for boots.
Mamhuhu is the first of these sustainable footwear brands from South America.
Materials for the shoes by Mamahuhu are ethically sourced from Colombia, with factories in both Colombia and Spain.
The brand has established 12 fair trade workshops in both countries and trains its shoemakers from scratch.
The leather, which is left over from the food sector, is tanned ecologically and is eco-certified.
Mamhuhu shoes are stylish and practical for both men and women.
What’s more, they’re comfortable, super stylish, and reasonably priced.
12) TOMS
Best for flats, sneakers.
TOMS is an ethical shoe brand with a strong ethos.
They give away one pair of shoes for every pair purchased to help people in need. To date, the company has donated over 60 million pairs of shoes.
Whilst this has come under criticism from some bloggers for disrupting local economies, we see it as a positive.
Many of their shoes, with a birch canvas style, are part of The TRVL LITE collections with the lightest sole the brand ever made.
All styles, with the exception of our core alpargatas, utilize insoles made of microfiber, textile, faux shearling or other materials.
Their shoes are also super comfy, whether you opt for cork-lined espadrills or vegan leather hightops, which are the latest edition in the TOMS series.
We love TOMS because it’s socially responsible. In addition to shoes, TOMS also sells bags and sunglasses.
Are TOMS shoes fair trade?
TOMS cannot say with certainty that all of their shoes are fair trade.
Many of their factories are located in China and the brand has come under some scrutiny in recent years for worker conditions.
13) Juta Shoes
Best for espadrilles, sliders.
Juta Shoes are designed in the Netherlands and ethically made in Portugal.
The shoes are made of high-quality Portuguese leather that is chrome-free and environmentally friendly.
Juta Shoes are also 100% recyclable, as all components, including natural rubber and organic cotton laces, can be reused or recycled.
What’s more, for every pair of shoes sold, Juta Shoes plants a tree.
Are Juta Shoes sustainable?
Yes, Juta Shoes are sustainable and ethical. They are made of high-quality leather that is environmentally friendly and recyclable.
14) BANGS
Best for leather sneakers.
BANGS Shoes are made from 100% vegan, ethically sourced materials inside a factory whose workers are treated with dignity and respect.
The brand was founded by Hannah Davis and is located in Asia.
All of BANGS’ shoes are made from recycled materials, including post-consumer recycled PET plastic , leather offcuts, and recycled car tyres.
Are BANGS Shoes sustainable?
Yes, they are an eco-friendly shoe brand that uses leather of organic farming and recycled material in its products.
They also use responsible manufacturing processes to minimise their environmental impact.
Summarising these ethical and vegan shoe brands
So, there we have it – 14 ethical and vegan shoe brands to shop with in 2022.
Let’s recap on what we have covered in this article.
- – All of the brands listed use ethically sourced leather or vegan materials in their products.
- – Many of the brands create shoes and boots made from recycled materials, including post-consumer recycled PET plastic and car tyres.
- – The brands listed also use responsible manufacturing processes to minimise their environmental impact.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this article and found it useful, and we highly recommend shopping with any of these ethical and instead of spending your money with fast-fashion companies.
