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more sustainable metallic flat shoes from bhava
22 Jul
more sustainable metallic flat shoes from bhava

The Ultimate Guide to More Ethical and Sustainable Shoes

Our editors curate highly rated brands that are first assessed by our rigorous ratings system. Buying through our links may earn us a commission—supporting the work we do. Learn more.

 

Shoes are a core part of any outfit, and finding ones that match your morals and your style can be tricky. Here’s our ultimate guide to more ethical and sustainable shoes that suit your needs.

 

Table of contents

      1. Sneakers
      2. Boots
      3. Heels, flats and sandals

 

Stroll through our curation of top-rated footwear

They are everywhere and in overwhelming numbers, but somehow, shoes are never easy to find. The perfect pair is something of a unicorn, as it has to be just right for either every occasion or a very specific one. Rain, shine, evening, casual, or exercise, shoes represent our state of mind and lifestyle. And while finding great, more sustainable shoes adds an extra layer of sole searching, we promise it’s worth it for the fulfilment that you could never find in the cheap and questionably made non-choices that seem to be everywhere. Investing in a pair of more ethical, high quality shoes and learning how to take care of them—and getting them repaired when needed—is ultimately more sustainable for the planet and for your bank account.

To help you on your quest, we’ve curated this ultimate guide to more ethical and sustainable shoes separated by category for easy browsing. Each of the brands below is rated “Good” or “Great” following our world-leading ratings methodology, and they all aim to fight the environmental issues posed by the cheap and traditional take-make-waste model fast fashion brands so often rely on. Step on up and take a look.

Sneakers

CARIUMA

Rated: Good
white sneakers by brazilian brand cariuma

The Ibi – Ships internationally from Brazil

CARIUMA is a more sustainable Brazilian sneaker brand that wants you to feel super comfortable while providing effortless style in organic canvas, leather, and suede styles.

Find CARIUMA's shoes in US sizes 5-13.

See the rating.

Shop CARIUMA.

Veja

Rated: Good
Black and white sneakers from Veja.

V-10 Sneakers – Ships internationally from France

 

Veja is a French brand designing ecological and fair trade footwear, and is also a responsible fashion pioneer. The brand uses lower-impact materials, like GOTS certified cotton and vegetable-tanned leather. Veja pays its co-operative cotton growers and rubber tappers between 30% and 100% above the world market price. By not advertising, Veja is able to invest more money into strengthening its practices.

You can find Veja shoes in women's EU sizes 35-46, and men's 35-47.

See the rating.

Shop Veja.

Shop Veja @ LVRSustainable.

Shop Veja @ Threads 4 Thought.

Shop Veja Kids second hand @ Retykle.

LaBante

Rated: Good
apple peel leather sneakers from labante

Apple Leather Sneakers – Ships internationally from the UK

LaBante is a London-based luxury designer that offers 100% vegan bags, wallets, and accessories that are responsibly produced.

See the rating.

Shop LaBante.

Shop LaBante @ Immaculate Vegan.

Stella McCartney

Rated: Good
stella mccartney sneak-elyse sneaker

Sneak-Elyse Platform Sneakers – Ships internationally from the UK

A member of the Ethical Trading Initiative and Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Stella McCartney has set some excellent environmental standards across the luxury fashion industry. Stella uses some lower-impact materials, including recycled polyester and organic cotton, and has a strategy in place to reduce waste across its entire supply chain. It has also adopted the ETI Code of Conduct that includes a living wage definition.

Find most items in sizes 34-52.

See the rating.

Shop Stella McCartney @ LVRSustainable.

Shop Stella McCartney Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop Stella McCartney second hand @ Retykle.

Shop Stella McCartney.

Etiko

Rated: Great
A pair of black high top sneakers with white laces and sole by Etiko.

High Top Sneakers – Ships internationally from Australia

Etiko is an Australian designer of organic fair trade clothing and shoes. The brand constantly sets the bar for upholding and campaigning the human rights of people working in traditionally exploitative industry supply chains.

Find the shoes in UK sizes 3-13.

See the rating.

Shop Etiko.

NOAH

Rated: Good

White Vegan Sneakers Sammy – Ships internationally from Germany

NOAH creates cruelty-free and 100% vegan shoes and accessories. This German brand's high-quality and long-lasting shoes are hand-crafted in Italy, using a small proportion of lower-impact materials.

Find them in EU sizes 35-42.

See the rating.

Shop NOAH.

Shop NOAH @ Immaculate Vegan.

ID.EIGHT

Rated: Good

Hana White Crinkle – Ships internationally from Italy

ID.EIGHT is an Italian brand that was born from the meeting between Dong Seon Lee and Giuliana Borzillo, both come from the world of footwear, where they worked and met. Together they have created a more ethical and sustainable collection of sneakers with a refined design. The shoes are made in Italy with lower-impact materials from food industry waste such as apple peels, grape stalks and seeds, and pineapple leaves, as well as recycled cotton and polyester.

Find the shoes in EU sizes 36-46.

See the rating.

Shop ID.EIGHT.

Flamingos’ Life

Rated: Good
flamingos life silver sneaker

Wairoa Silver Sneakers – Ships internationally from Spain

Flamingos' Life creates sneakers that are free from animal-derived materials for everyone. The brand uses lower-impact and PETA approved vegan materials, including upcycled materials.

Find the range in sizes 36-46.

See the rating.

Shop Flamingos' Life.

COG

Rated: Good
A pair of navy sneakers with white soles from COG.

Winton Sneakers – Ships internationally from France

Based in France, COG is a footwear label that creates more sustainable, vegan shoes from 100% recycled materials, including natural corks, used cotton scraps, end-of-life rubber, and plastic bottles fished out of the sea.

Find most shoes in EU sizes 35-46.

See the rating.

Shop COG.

Shop COG @ Immaculate Vegan.

Alexander McQueen (Pre-Owned)

Rated: It's A Start

Pre-Owned Alexander McQueen Sneakers – Ships internationally

The iconic British fashion house, owned by Kering, is inspired by everything from punk to historical events and nature. It is on the right track to improving its sustainability. The brand’s sneakers have been highly coveted in the last decade, so if you’re looking for a pair, why not buy them second hand?

See the rating.

Shop Alexander McQueen @ Vestiaire Collective.

Want more? Check out our guide to more sustainable sneakers

Boots

Thesus (Alice + Whittles)

Rated: Good
sage green vegan boots by thesus

The Weekend Boot in Sage – Ships internationally from Canada

Canadian brand Thesus favours transparency, responsible manufacturing practices, and lower-impact materials as a means of creating long-lasting, positive change.

Find the boots in EU sizes 36-46.

See the rating.

Shop Thesus.

Will’s Vegan Store

Rated: Good
A pair of chelsea boots by Will's Vegan Store.

Vegan Chelsea Boots – Ships internationally from the UK

UK-based Will’s Vegan Store produces animal and human friendly footwear, clothing, and accessories at more affordable prices, using lower-impact and vegan materials.

Find the women’s shoes in US sizes 5-10, and men’s in 7.5-14.

See the rating.

Shop Will’s Vegan Store.

8000Kicks

Rated: Good
brown hemp chelsea boots from 8000kicks

The Crossover Hemp Chelsea Boots – Ships internationally from the US

8000Kicks is a US-based brand specialising in footwear crafted from industrial hemp. Sparked by a unique vision to create the world’s first waterproof hemp shoe and empower customers with sustainable lifestyle choices, it works closely with dedicated producers, and extends its commitment to sustainability by supporting tree-planting initiatives.

Sizes range from US 6-14.

See the rating.

Shop 8000Kicks.

Shop 8000kicks @ Shop Like You Give a Damn.

Shop 8000Kicks @ Immaculate Vegan.

 

ESSĒN

Rated: Good
the riding boot from essen

The Riding Boots – Ships internationally from Australia and Europe

"I founded ESSĒN in 2016 as a response to a fashion cycle that overproduces more than it carefully crafts, chases trends more than it determines classics, and wastes more than it sustains," says founder Marre Muijs. The shoes and accessories brand, which limits its production runs and uses low-waste cutting techniques, eschews the fashion calendar in favour of a single, permanent collection.

See the rating.

Shop ESSĒN.

Christy Dawn

Rated: Great
Black leather lace up Dawn Boots by Christy Dawn.

The Dawn Boot – Ships internationally from the US

Christy Dawn is a minimalist showroom for vintage-inspired women's clothing and footwear, locally made with surplus fabric. The US brand rates "Great", making it a fabulous option for your wardrobe.

Find the clothes in standard sizes XS-XL, or shop the Extended and Petite collections.

See the rating.

Shop Christy Dawn.

Looking for more inspiration? Discover our favourite winter boots from top-rated brands

Heels, flats, and sandals

LANIUS

Rated: Good
strappy mules from lanius

Strap Mules – Ships within Europe from Germany

“Love fashion, think organic, be responsible” are the maxims of LANIUS. The German brand uses lower-impact materials, like GOTS certified cotton. All LANIUS facilities are SA8000 certified and it is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation.

LANIUS' clothes are available in EU sizes 34-44.

See the rating.

Shop LANIUS.

NAE

Rated: Good
beige and black heeled sandals from nae

Adel Vegan Sandals – Ships internationally from Portugal

NAE is a Portuguese footwear, bags, and accessories brand using innovative materials to create goods with “No Animal Exploitation”. Its lower-impact materials include recycled PET from bottles, OEKO-TEX® certified microfibres, recycled car tyres, natural cork, recycled thermoplastic, and even pineapple leaf fibre.

Find most of the shoes in sizes 36-46.

See the rating.

Shop NAE.

Shop NAE @ Urbankissed.

Shop NAE @ Immaculate Vegan.

Shop NAE @ Shop Like You Give a Damn.

Nomadic State of Mind

Rated: Good
vegan rope sandals by nomadic state of mind

Romano Sandals – Ships internationally from the US

US-based Nomadic State of Mind hand-crafts vegan sandals made of rope, up-cycled sailcloth, hemp, and recycled plastic bottles. The brand also provides jobs for workers from disadvantaged communities in Nicaragua.

Find the shoes in EU sizes 34-41

See the rating.

Shop Nomadic State of Mind.

Shop Nomadic State of Mind @ Good.

Spell

Rated: Good
wrap sandals from spell

Adventure Wrap Sandals – Ships internationally from Australia

Spell is an Australian fashion brand inspired by far-off places, vintage treasures, and childhood memories. Its clothes are proudly designed and sampled in Byron Bay, and produced responsibly in factories around the world.

Most garments are available in sizes 2XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Spell.

Bhava

Rated: Good
bhava metallic flat shoes

Slip-On Classic Flats – Ships internationally from the US

BHAVA is an innovative vegan women's footwear brand founded by designer Francisca Pineda. The brand uses some environmentally friendly materials, such as organic cotton and recycled materials. It also does not use aromatic amines, PCP, formaldehyde, PVC, phthalates, azo-dyes, or chrome when creating its vegan leather.

See the rating.

Shop Bhava.

Elk

Rated: Good
Brown leather heeled sandals made by Elk.

Agata Heel – Ships internationally from Australia

A pioneer of independent Australian design, Elk was founded in Melbourne in 2004. Elk creates bi-annual collections that are informed by a design ethos where simplicity and sustainability meet innovation.

Find most items in AU sizes 6-18.

See the rating.

Shop Elk.

Have a look at our favourite sandals for summer or our favourite ethical heels.

Editor's note

Feature image via Bhava, other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion and beauty brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

We updated this article on 22 July 2025. Our editors frequently make updates to articles to ensure they're up to date. We refreshed our selection of brands and products.

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