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The Ultimate Guide to Ethical and Sustainable Shoes

Words: Yéléna Uzan

Category: Top Picks

Published: 03 Jun 2022

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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 footwear to suit your needs.

Stroll through our curated sustainable shoe round-up

They are everywhere and in overwhelming numbers, but somehow, shoes are never easy to find. The perfect pair of shoes is something of a unicorn, as it has to be perfect either for every occasion or a very specific one. Rain, shine, evening, casual, or exercise, shoes represent our state of mind as well as our sole transportation mode. When it comes to finding the perfect sustainable shoes, it adds an extra layer of sole-searching, but we promise its worth it for the fulfilment you could never find in the cheap and questionably-made non-choices that are under everyone’s noses.

To help you out on your quest, we’ve created the ultimate guide to ethical and sustainable shoes separated by category for easy browsing. Step on up and take a look.

Sneakers

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 @ Good.

Veja

A close up of someone wearing the Veja Alveomesh sustainable sneakers in cream and peach. — V-10 Alveomesh Sneakers – Ships internationally

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 @ Cerqular.

Shop Veja @ LVRSustainable.

Shop Veja @ Outerknown.

Shop Veja @ Threads 4 Thought.

Shop Veja Kids second hand @ Retykle.

Stella McCartney

stella mccartney sneakers — Eclypse Low-Top Sneakers – Ships internationally

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.

Wildling

Light blue Kul sustainable walking shoes by Wildling. — Kul – Ships internationally from Germany

Wildling is a German footwear brand that encourages novice and experienced walkers alike to rediscover pleasant, natural walking. Find the shoes in EU sizes 36 to 48.

See the rating.

Etiko

Low Cut 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 clothes in AU sizes 8-20, and the shoes in UK sizes 3-13.

See the rating.

Womsh

White chunky sole appleskin vegan sneakers by Womsh. — Vegan Bianca White – Ships internationally from Italy

Fashion and responsible production can go together and Womsh is the brand that proves it. Its shoes are entirely designed and manufactured in Italy, and its clothing range is made from lower-impact fabrics like organic cotton.

Find most shoes in EU sizes 35-42, and clothes in XS-2XL.

See the rating.

NOAH

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 @ Immaculate Vegan.

ID.EIGHT

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.

Flamingos’ Life

Olive and cream sustainable sneakers by Flamingos' Life. — Rancho V.3 Olive Ivory – Ships to the US and Europe from Spain

Flamingos' Life creates sneakers for men and women 100% animal-free. 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.

Shop Flamingos' Life @ Good.

Balenciaga (Pre-Owned)

Pre-Owned Balenciaga Sneakers – Ships internationally

Balenciaga is a luxury fashion house founded in 1919 by Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga in San Sebastián. The Kering-owned brand has been making some efforts to reduce its environmental impact, setting targets to reduce its direct and indirect emissions, and implementing initiatives to reduce water use.

See the rating.

Shop Balenciaga Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Alexander McQueen (Pre-Owned)

Pre-Owned Alexander McQueen Sneakers – Ships internationally

The iconic British fashion house, owned by Kering and now run by Sarah Burton (who designed Catherine Middleton's dress for her wedding to Prince William), is characterised by theatrical and bright styling. Alexander McQueen is on the right path and stands out from the majority of luxury fashion houses.

See the rating.

Shop Alexander McQueen @ Vestiaire Collective.

Want more? Check out our guide to sustainable sneakers

Boots

Thesus (Alice + Whittles)

sage green vegan boots by thesus — The Weekend Boot in Sage – Ships internationally from Canada

Thesus favours transparency, ethical manufacturing practices, and more sustainable materials as a means of creating long-lasting, positive change.

Find the boots in EU sizes 36-46.

See the rating.

NAE

Black vegan lace up boots ethically made by Nae. — Nerea Black Vegan Boot – 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 @ Staiy.

Shop NAE @ Urbankissed.

Will’s Vegan Store

wills vegan store brown boots — Vegan Work Boots – Ships internationally from the UK

Will's Vegan Store produces animal and human friendly women's and men's footwear, clothing, and accessories at affordable prices.

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.

VEERAH

Hedy Boots – Ships internationally from the US

Offers

A pair of vegan pointed toe pumps in metallic by VEERAH.

VEERAH – Site-wide

Elevate your holiday look with VEERAH's timeless pointed toe vegan pump in a stunning metallic hue. Exclusive 10% off all full-priced items for first-time purchases with code VEERAHGOOD10. (Ends: 22 DEC)

Checkout code: VEERAHGOOD10

VEERAH is an NYC-based designer vegan shoe company founded and led by women to "do good and look incredible". Its innovative apple peel leather shoe collection is crafted with cushioned insoles made from algae blooms. Each pair is transformative with interchangeable shoe accessories to create more looks with less. It is made for warriors "killin' it with kindness".

Find most shoes in US sizes 5-11.

See the rating.

Good Guys

black and white eco-friendly boots by Good Guys Don't Wear Leather — Oliver Vegan Chelsea Boots – Ships internationally from France

Good Guys creates cruelty-free shoes for women and men, founded and designed by Marion Hanania in Paris. Through Good Guys, Hanania aims to create the perfect cruelty-free, made in Europe closet, where no animal product is involved, and the production guarantees fair trade working conditions.

Find most shoes in EU sizes 36-46.

See the rating.

Shop Good Guys.

Shop Good Guys @ Immaculate Vegan.

LANIUS

Cream and beige lace up vegetable-tanned leather boots by LANIUS. — Lace-Up Boots – 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.

Christy Dawn

Walnut brown leather lace up 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 inspo? Discover our favourite ethical winter boots

Heels and sandals

Nomadic State of Mind

vegan rope sandals by nomadic state of mind — Romano Sandals – Ships internationally from the US

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.

See the rating.

Shop Nomadic State of Mind.

Shop Nomadic State of Mind @ Good.

Mother of Pearl

second hand shoes by mara hoffman — Pre-Owned Mother of Pearl Shoes – Ships internationally

Mother of Pearl is a more sustainable and ethical luxury womenswear and accessories designer brand from the UK that celebrates individuality and authenticity. The brand uses a high proportion of more responsible materials including organic cotton and ensures the payment of a living wage across some of its supply chain.

Find most products in UK sizes 6-16.

See the rating.

Shop Mother of Pearl.

Shop Mother of Pearl @ Rêve en Vert.

Shop Mother of Pearl Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Elk

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.

Filippa K (Pre-Owned)

second-hand heels by filippa k — Pre-Owned Filippa K Heels – Ships internationally

Filippa K was built in Stockholm in 1993, on a backbone of entrepreneurial strength focused on style, simplicity and quality. It uses organic cotton and linen and recycles off-cuts created during the manufacturing process. The brand is also certified as ‘good’ by the Fair Wear Foundation and makes efforts to follow the Fair Wear Responsible Code of Labour.

See the rating.

Shop Filippa K Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

COS (Pre-Owned)

Pre-Owned COS Shoes – Ships internationally

COS is a Swedish brand that creates timeless and innovative wardrobe-essentials. It uses some eco-friendly materials and received a score of 71-80% in the Fashion Transparency Index.

See the rating.

Shop COS Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Saint Laurent (Pre-Owned)

Pre-owned Saint Laurent Heels – Ships internationally

Yves Saint Laurent, or as it's now known, Saint Laurent, is a French luxury fashion house founded by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé. The brand has good policies to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

See the rating.

Shop Saint Laurent @ Vestiaire Collective.

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

Concerned about your carbon footprint when buying from overseas? Your questions are answered in our guide to international shipping.

Editor's note

Feature image via LANIUS, other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. We love to recommend some of the best sustainable brands, rated "Good" or "Great". We also encourage shopping pre-owned as another great way to reduce the impact of our fashion choices. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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