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Brown upcycled leather sustainable Chelsea boots by Christy Dawn.
07 Feb
Brown upcycled leather sustainable Chelsea boots by Christy Dawn.

Our 9 Favourite More Sustainable Chelsea Boots for Versatile Wardrobes

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For a versatile and classic ankle boot, look no further than the Chelsea. But which brands are tackling this popular style more ethically and sustainably?

Chelsea boots are the all-weather all-outfit wonder we all need

Name a more iconic and versatile boot than the Chelsea—we’ll wait. This stylish ankle boot can come in a wide array of materials and colours, but one thing is for sure: anyone can pull them off with just about any outfit. Throwing on a long dress for a chilly night out? Chelsea boots. Need something more sturdy to trek through the city in your jeans-and-tee combo? Chelsea boots. Off to your new office job, a café date, or entertaining guests at home? Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea.

Originally named for the trendy area of London that popularised the boots in the 1950s, they are a popular wardrobe staple to this day, loved for their pull-on convenience and casual-to-formal adaptability. Can you tell we’re big fans?

Traditionally made only from leather or suede, which can come with its own host of ethical and environmental concerns, today you can find more sustainable Chelsea boots made from materials like vegan leather alternatives or upcycled leather, to your preference. We love the striking white boots from Good Guys (France), the hazelnut deadstock leather beauties from Christy Dawn (US), NOAH’s (Germany) vegan chunky block heel Chelseas, and the quirky Appleskin boots from Womsh (Italy).

NAE

Rated: Good
Brown vegan Chelsea boots by NAE.

Riley Green Ankle 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 sustainable materials include recycled PET from bottles, OEKO-TEX® certified microfibres, recycled car tyres, natural cork, recycled thermoplastic, and even pineapple leaf fibre.

These comfortable year-round microfibre Chelsea boots are breathable and antibacterial, and come in a flattering deep green colour. Find most of the shoes in sizes 36-46.

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Shop NAE.

Shop NAE @ Urbankissed.

Christy Dawn

Rated: Great
Brown upcycled leather sustainable Chelsea boots by Christy Dawn.

The Chelsea 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 boho option for your wardrobe.

If you’re a fan of the longevity of animal leather but would rather skip directly contributing to the cruelty, deadstock leather is a good option like in these hazelnut brown sustainable Chelsea boots. Available in US sizes 5-11.

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Shop Christy Dawn.

Womsh

Rated: Good
Edgy black and grey vegan Chelsea boots ethically made by WOMSH.

Vegan Loop Fog – Ships internationally from Italy

Fashion and sustainability 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 responsible fabrics like organic cotton.

These unique vegan Chelsea boots are made from Appleskin, an innovative material that reproduces the texture and characteristics of leather starting from fibres derived from the processing waste of Trentino apples. Find most shoes in EU sizes 35-42.

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Shop Womsh.

Shop Womsh @ COMOVITA.

Shop Womsh @ Curate.

Nisolo

Rated: Good
Black leather Chelsea boots by eco brand Nisolo.

Everyday Chelsea Boot – Ships within the US

Nisolo is an American brand that prioritises living wages throughout its supply chains while also working to combat climate change.

Its everyday Chelsea boots are made with more responsibly-sourced leather from tanneries using responsible waste disposal systems, handcrafted in an ethical factory in Peru. Find the shoes in US sizes 5-11.

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Shop Nisolo @ Made Trade.

Shop Nisolo.

Good Guys

Rated: Good
White rubber soled vegan Chelsea style boots sustainably made by Good Guys.

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.

Oliver is a stylish and elegant pair of vegan Chelsea boots, perfect for travellers and city-dwellers who want to walk miles with style and available in white or black. Find most shoes in EU sizes 36 to 46.

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Shop Good Guys.

Shop Good Guys @ Immaculate Vegan.

Will’s Vegan Store

Rated: Good
Black tread sole vegan Chelsea boots by Will's Vegan Store.

Luxe Deep Tread Chelsea 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.

These stylish deep-tread vegan Chelsea boots are created with Italian vegan leather made with plants using bio oil sourced from organic cereal crops grown in Northern Europe in a carbon neutral process. Find the women’s shoes in US sizes 5-10, and men’s in 7.5-14.

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Shop Will’s Vegan Store.

Shop Will’s Vegan Store @ Immaculate Vegan.

NOAH

Rated: Good
Black heeled sustainable vegan Chelsea boots by NOAH.

Martina Vegan Leather Chelsea Boot – 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 material.

Inspired by the Chelsea boot, these Martina vegan boots are a modern take on a classic style featuring a chunky block heel and elastic sides for a perfect fit. Find them in EU sizes 35-43.

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Shop NOAH.

Shop NOAH @ Immaculate Vegan.

LOVJOI

Rated: Great
Matte black Chelsea boots with shiny toe detailing, sustainably made by LOVJOI.

Flat Ankle Boots STAVERN – Ships internationally from Germany

LOVJOI is a cool, casual German brand that makes both menswear and womenswear.  We love its commitment to local production and the use of GOTS-certified organic cotton, which minimise its impact on the planet. LOVJOI traces all of its supply chain and ensures a large proportion of suppliers pay a living wage.

How cool are these PETA-approved vegan flat ankle boots with a shiny toe detailing? Find them in EU sizes 36-39.

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Shop LOVJOI.

Burberry (Pre-Owned)

Rated: It's A Start
Second hand black Chelsea boots with pattern detailing via Vestiaire Collective.

Pre-loved Chelsea Boots – Ships internationally

Burberry is a British luxury fashion house known for its timeless beige trench coats. The brand has good policies to monitor suppliers, but it still uses exotic animal products. Shopping Burberry second hand allows us to add items to our wardrobe without using additional resources in the manufacturing process, to keep clothes out of landfills, and to (re)discover Burberry’s unique and special pieces along the way.

Find a variety of pre-owned Chelsea boots and other styles by Burberry on Vestiaire Collective. Sizes vary.

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Shop Burberry Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Editor's note

Feature image via Christy Dawn, all 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. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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