There’s a lot to consider when you’re out looking for a fresh pair of shoes—style, size, and comfort—and that’s only after you ask the most important question: “Is this made out of animal skin or other body parts?” Thankfully, you can find a ton of great-looking sneakers made out of canvas, vegan leather, or other animal-friendly materials.
Here’s a list of some great vegan sneakers:
Louis Vuitton Charlie Sneaker
Even luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton, which refuses to stop selling the cruelest of cruel exotic skins and fur items, is getting into the vegan game by launching a new animal-free sneaker made with 90% sustainable materials, including a corn-based plastic, renewable nylon, and recycled rubber. The white sneaker, which features the brand’s iconic “LV” logo and monogram pattern, is also available in a high-top version. We’re happy to see the brand venture into vegan choices, but we’re still urging it to stop selling exotic skins.
NIKE VEGAN STYLES REVEALED
Iconic brand Nike is launching eco-friendly vegan versions of its classic sneaker styles, including options within the Air Max 90, Air Max 95, Air Force 1, and Air Zoom collections. The top-selling Air Max lines include shoes made with vegan suede and textiles, and the Air Force 1 styles sport a canvas or flyknit version. Most performance shoes, including those in the Next Nature, Somos Familia, and Pegasus lines, are animal-friendly, with mesh, leather-free suede, Dri-FIT, or flyknit materials. In addition, Nike Experts have confirmed that all adhesives used in the company’s shoes are vegan. Just as humans prefer to be free, playful, and active, cows and other animals exploited for their skin do, too.
Vans Eco Theory Collection
Vans Eco Theory collection is the streetwear brand’s first sustainable shoe series, with vegan versions of four of its well-loved styles. Made of organic cotton, cork, natural rubber, hemp, and water-based inks and glues, these sneakers are better for animals and the environment. Styles include the Authentic SF, Slip-On SF, Sk8-Hi 38 Decon SF, and 36 Deacon SF.
So iLL x On The Roam Collection by Jason Momoa
Actor Jason Momoa has partnered with shoe brand So iLL to create two limited-edition sneakers made from vegan and environmentally friendly materials, including a foam insole made from algae and an outsole with an EcoPure additive that quickens decomposition. The Unity Purple Roamer and Yaya Lavender Roamer shoes feature an organic cotton upper with a unique triangular pattern based on Momoa’s tattoos.
Brave GentleMan Revenant Sneakers
These gorgeous trainers from vegan brand Brave GentleMan are made from recycled materials, including waste-diverted cotton and polyester. That means these shoes help keep textile waste out of landfills, so it can have a second life as a unique, made-to-order shoe.
adidas SuperEarth Superstar Sean Wotherspoon Shoes
This classic sneaker has been given a vegan revamp by sneaker designer Sean Wotherspoon. The exclusive SuperEarth Superstar shoe is completely free of animal-derived ingredients, down to the glues and dyes. It’s also made with recycled polyester and cork, so it’s great for animals and the environment. A unique multicolored flower design stitched on the outsole makes these sneakers stand out from the crowd.
On
Tennis star Roger Federer invested in the Swiss running shoe brand On and launched his first custom shoe—the Roger Centre Court 0-Series. On’s CloudTec technology means this shoe has a chunky look while being super-lightweight. Federer also chose a vegan leather upper to make the shoe environmentally friendly.
Balenciaga
High fashion is now vegan fashion with the launch of Balenciaga’s Zen Sneakers, a 100% leather-free style with a thin sole and a quilted upper material made from polyurethane. The shoe is available in black or black-and-white, with the Balenciaga logo stamped on the tongue. The designer also sells other leather-free sneakers, such as its chunky Track Sneakers and sock-like Speed Sneakers.
VEJA
The French brand VEJA is committed to following responsible practices, including sourcing organic and fair-trade cotton, wild Brazilian rubber, and corn-based vegan leather. With 20 options that are 100% vegan, including the popular V-10, there’s no shortage of styles to choose from.
GOLA
Gola sneakers are classic, and now, many of them are animal-free. The iconic shoe brand launched its new Gola Classics Vegan range at the demand of its worldwide fan base. There are too many styles to list, so go ahead and check out the extensive lineup for yourself—available in sizes for women, men, and even tiny humans!
Madewell
Madewell’s Sidewalk Sneaker line—available in men’s and women’s sizes—have vegan canvas options that will keep you looking sharp. Be sure to check the Madewell website to confirm that the designs you like are vegan, as some contain leather or suede.
Hugo Boss
Among the latest to cater to the rising enthusiasm surrounding vegan shoes is Hugo Boss. BOSS Menswear now offers high-quality vegan shoes made of pineapple leather—yep, you read that right: pineapple leather. The material, known as Piñatex, is “an innovative leather-alternative created from pineapple leaf fibres.” Because the leaves are a byproduct of harvesting the fruit, no additional resources are needed to produce the material, which means that farmers receive an additional source of income. Plus, Piñatex is completely animal-free. Visit your local Hugo Boss store to see if it carries the 100 percent vegan trainers, which are available in four stylish colors.
TOMS
Well known for making some of the most comfortable slip-ons in the business, TOMS has branched out to making sneakers and has such a wide selection that it’s a recipient of PETA’s Compassionate Business Award.
Vans
One of the most famous skate shoe brands of all time, Vans has also made a name for itself in the world of vegan kicks with shoes like this stylish canvas Half Cab. (Note: Only the styles and colors of the shoes pictured in the thumbnails of the link use vegan leather.)
NAE Vegan Shoes
This Portuguese company’s shoes are all 100 percent vegan, and many are innovatively made from recycled materials such as discarded plastic bottles, tires, and even airbags.
Ethletic
Ethletic offers a wide array of chic 100 percent vegan sneakers—such as its new style, the Hiro—that are made with renewable raw materials.
Native Shoes
Native is a 100 percent vegan Vancouver-based brand that makes a variety of comfortable walking shoes like these chukkas:
Vegetarian Shoes
What’s in a name? In this case, a massive collection of 100 percent vegan shoes. Vegetarian Shoes even has a pair with Piñatex uppers (leather made from pineapple).
Onitsuka Tiger
These sleek Japanese originals make great running shoes as well as casual sneakers.
Emerica
Emerica has a variety of vegan skate shoes that are built to last.
Merrell
Whether you’re hitting the streets or the trails, a sturdy pair of Merrells can get you there.
Superga
An Italian brand with a style known around the world, Superga offers a plethora of vegan options, such as its 2075 COTU classic. Note: Since this company doesn’t label its shoes as vegan, we recommend checking products before making a purchase.
Etnies
Etnies offers a variety of sleek vegan sneakers, including many low-top skate shoes and this versatile high top, the BETA:
Inkkas
This company produces walking art pieces, with a vast collection of vibrant and unique canvas patterns—and it plants a tree with every purchase to boot!
Saucony
Saucony is a classic running brand with an extensive vegan collection.
Keep
This 100 percent vegan shoe company is based in Los Angeles but ships all over the country, with killer kicks like these:
Insecta Shoes
Insecta offers a unique 100 percent vegan selection of handcrafted shoes, made from vintage clothing.
nat-2
German sneaker company nat-2 loves proving that stylish shoes can be made in innovative ways. Its new line uses recycled coffee grounds and plastic bottles, and it has made shoes from stone, grass, corn, beans, and other materials.
So enjoy some ethical shopping! Because no matter what brand of shoes you wear, there’s no excuse for this:
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