If you’re trying to live a more eco-friendly and sustainable life, there are plenty of things you can do, and buying more sustainable shoes is one of them. From composting food scraps to?cutting out paper towels?and?plastic bags, every little eco-friendly switch you make helps the planet.
We’ve shown you how to?shop for clothes sustainably, but you might be surprised to learn that one of the most wasteful things in your closet is actually your shoe collection. “Most shoes are a sandwich of environmentally harmful materials held together with toxic glues that last forever and never go away,” says Elizabeth Cline, author of “The Conscious Closet: The Revolutionary Guide to Looking Good While Doing Good.” “Some shoe components take hundreds, if not more than 1,000 years to decompose in a landfill.”
Synthetic rubber, EVA foam, plastic, leather and a bevy of harsh chemicals are commonplace in the shoe industry, which is why finding new kicks made from sustainable materials is incredibly important. “Some eco-friendly footwear materials include [recyclable] or recycled content (which cuts down on virgin resource usage), as well as biodegradable or renewable content, whether it’s cotton canvas or natural rubber soles,” Cline says.
However, she emphasizes that materials aren’t the only thing you need to look at when shopping for shoes. “The shoes need to be made within a sustainable system too, namely in factories that conserve energy and water, don’t use or discharge any hazardous chemicals and pay living wages, and [the shoes need to be] sold by companies that have a commitment to the environment that goes beyond green marketing.”
That may sound like a daunting checklist, but there are tons of brands out there that put sustainability first, and there are tools that make finding them easier than you think. “The truth is that the fashion industry is very complex and not transparent enough, making it difficult to get the nitty-gritty information you would need to feel comfortable about a purchase,” says Katrina Caspelich, the director of marketing for?Remake, a nonprofit fighting to end fast fashion. Thankfully, Remake has a?Sustainable Brand Directory, which lets you search your favorite brands to see how sustainable they are.?Good On You?is a similar site and breaks down a brand’s sustainability into three categories: planet, people and animals.
After verifying a pair of shoes’ sustainability, you still have to ask yourself one more simple question: Do you actually like them? As Saskia van Gendt, head of sustainability at?Rothy’s, explains, “Aside from low-impact materials like recycled plastics, the biggest thing consumers can consider is purchasing shoes that last in both style and quality, that won’t be thrown away for next season’s trend.”
Caspelich echoes this. “By taking a moment to thoughtfully consider all purchases, we not only end up with shoes that reflect our taste and values but … end up with less stuff, which also means less waste,” she says. “While shopping for eco-friendly shoes or not, it’s important to prioritize comfort. What good are shoes if you never wear them?”
There are tons of brands out there making a lot of eco-friendly claims, so to help narrow it down, we asked our experts for their favorites and scoured the internet to find shoe brands that are trying to save the planet. Check out our list below for some of the comfiest, most stylish and, of course, most sustainable shoes out there.
Thousand Fell
“Thousand Fell’s chic white sneakers are made from entirely biodegradable and recyclable materials, and [the company takes] their old shoes back for recycling, giving shoppers a discount on their next pair,” Cline says.
As Cline mentions, part of Thousand Fell’s appeal isn’t just that its shoes use?sustainable materials,?such as natural and recycled rubber, castor beans, coconut husk and recycled water bottles, but also that you can?send your old shoes back?to the brand for free so it can turn them into a new pair. Plus, you get a $20 credit that you can use for your next pair.
Your new favorite white sneakers, this pair from Thousand Fell comes in 11 sizes and 16 colors that add a little splash of color to the back of the shoes. A?men’s version is also available.
Breathable, stain-resistant and comfortable, these slip-ons will be your new go-to. These also have five color options to add a pop of black, blue, green, pink or gray to the back. You can find the?women’s version here.
Rothy’s
“Rothy’s?is rooted in the belief that things can be done differently and that conventional practices are meant to be questioned,” van Gendt says. “At Rothy’s, we transform recycled water bottles into our signature rPET yarn, and pair the durable knit with algae-based foam, recycled TPU and other repurposed and natural materials to create products that are less harmful to the environment than traditional manufacturing materials.”
To turn water bottles into shoes, Rothy’s takes little flakes from single-use plastic bottles, presses those flakes into little beads, then transforms the beads into threads. Some models have a mix of this water bottle thread with merino wool, which is humanely harvested and crafted at a sustainable Italian mill.
Rothy’s doesn’t stop its sustainability there. The outer soles of Rothy’s shoes are made from either carbon-free rubber or vegan leather, while the inner sole is created with recycled foam, this time out of bio-based castor oil and other recycled materials.
The Rothy’s pointed flats come in an astounding 25 colors, and their comfy yet sophisticated silhouette is great for the office or a day around town.
For a more relaxed look, go with Rothy’s clogs, which have hemp-textured uppers and enough arch support to keep you comfy all day long. The site notes that this pair does run big, so if you have narrow feet you should size down.
Nisolo
Nisolo comes recommended by both Caspelich and Cline, and is one of the most transparent shoe brands we’ve found. “When it comes to worker well-being, Nisolo is doing everything right,” Caspelich says. “The company ensures a living wage for all of its makers, providing those who join the Nisolo factory a 47% increase in their earnings on average.”
Nisolo’s website has a deep dive into its sustainability, detailing its supply chain and the treatment of its workers. While its materials are all sourced sustainably, much of the website lays out statistics on how its workers are treated, and for good reason. At the Nisolo-owned factory in Trujilo, Peru, 100% of the team in the factory is Peruvian. As Caspelich mentions, on average, those workers experience a 47% increase in earnings from their last jobs, and for those who have been there three years or more, they’ve experienced a 152% earnings increase on average. Nisolo is also a?B Corporation, a certification with a strict set of standards that looks at a company’s entire social and environmental impact.
Nisolo’s take on the forever-fashionable Chelsea boots is handmade in its own factory in Peru and features leather tabs on each boot for easy pull-on.
These sneakers are your perfect everyday shoe. You can wear them to work or at the bar or throw them on to run errands around town. They’re available in nine sizes and have shock-absorbing soles, so you can stay stylish and comfy all day long.
Handmade in Nisolo’s own factory, these chukkas mix comfort and style. Their sophisticated look is paired with supple and soft leather so you can wear them every day.
A refined version of casual sneakers, these leather shoes are handmade at one of Nisolo’s partner factories in Mexico. Ultra stylish and comfy, they are sure to be your new daily shoe.
Veja
Veja is another shoe brand recommended by Caspelich, and it’s transparent enough to show a full look at the company’s practices?here on its own website. “Labeling their company philosophy as a ‘project,’ Veja is not only a super-cute sneaker company but [Veja is] serious about knowing who grew the cotton, tapped the rubber and stitched your shoes together,” Caspelich says.
The brand focuses on using organic, raw materials and fair trade to make high-quality shoes without any shortcuts. Veja claims it costs five times more to make its shoes than traditional counterparts because of all these steps, but the end result is a beautiful shoe that’s also good for the planet.
The company is also pushing the boundaries by using?alternative materials?such as B-Mesh (created from plastic bottles), fish leather and more. While the company is doing many things to make its shoes friendlier for the planet, it admits there’s?room for improvement.
These stylish white sneakers with pastel-pink accents are a perfect addition for spring-themed outfits. They also come in a variety of other unique color combos.
Super-stylish everyday shoes, the V-10s are great all-around sneakers. Plus, the range of shades adds a nice pop of color to traditional white shoes.
Suavs
Suavs is committed to being a low-carbon-impact brand, starting with footwear. According to its website, the company uses sustainable materials like 100% recycled knits and threads made from 100% postconsumer recycled plastics that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill.
To further decrease waste and increase its positive overall impact, excess products are donated to organizations that empower people in need. It also uses sustainable materials in production and distribution, including reusable shoeboxes that double as shipping boxes.
This lightweight sneaker boasts a durable sole and sweat-wicking insoles, meaning they can be worn without socks. This shoe is also washable and non-creasing, making them an ideal shoe for all occasions. Better yet, like all Suavs sneakers, they're made sustainably with 100% postconsumer recycled threads. Check out the women's version here.
For a more casual shoe, check out the brand’s slippers, The Barton shoes. They don’t have any stitches, which means no hot spots or blisters, even if you’re not wearing socks. A men’s version is also available.
Salt + Umber
“Salt + Umber sells eco-luxe slides and sandals that give back to its supply chain, in particular the female artisans who handweave the brand’s accessories,” Caspelich says.
On top of this, Salt + Umber uses small-batch, sustainable manufacturing processes and recycled materials as often as possible. You can read more about the?brand’s sustainability efforts here and check out some of its shoes below.
Made of low-waste paper patterns, these black?slides feature an asymetrical design that adds a subtle accent to any outfit.
Cariuma
Cariuma prides itself on sourcing its raw materials extremely responsibly and even has detailed descriptions of where each material comes from on its?website. Cariuma ensures all its cotton is fair trade, its rubber is tapped from trees without harming them and all leather the company uses meets strict standards. Plus, the brand uses recycled plastic bottles to make the laces, labels, uppers and threads of its shoes.
Cariuma carries on its commitment to reducing its environmental impact even after the shoe is made. It makes sure to package the shoes in materials that are 100% recycled and recyclable. Its packaging suppliers are all certified by the?Forest Stewardship Council, a nonprofit that sets standards for responsible forest management. Cariuma puts the environment high on its priority list and even plants two trees in the Brazilian rainforest for every pair of shoes sold.
Everyday shoes like these have never been so sustainable. With bamboo uppers, the Ibi shoes are super breezy and cozy.
These stylish and durable skate shoes are crafted with a sticky grip outsole made from raw natural gum rubber and a memory foam interior so your feet will stay comfy and supported in any situation, whether it’s a night out or a hardcore skating sesh.
These low-cut sneakers are super light, and the clean-cut, casual look — and array of colors — can match any outfit.
Everlane
Everlane?is one of our favorite sustainable clothing brands, with a wide selection of stylishly?sustainable shoes and sneakers. The brand has several models of sneakers, including The Tread-Bare Sneaker and The Day Sneaker. Each uses eco-friendly materials such as a natural and recycled rubber blend in the Day Sneaker and a 100% natural latex rubber outsole in the Tread Bare.
Aside from sneakers, Everlane makes tons of other, fancier shoes for women, including?heels,?loafers,?boots?and more. While the brand’s sustainable shoe options are impressive, its transparency is even more impressive. No matter the shoe (or product, for that matter), you can easily click to a page with details about the factory it was made in. You can then determine if the products are up to your own standards.
The Day Sneakers are cute, everyday shoes that are comfy and stylish enough to wear anywhere. Plus, they are made of eco-friendly materials such as natural and recycled rubber, leather certified by the Leather Working Group and recycled polyester.
Clean lines and a modern square toe combine in Everlane’s City Boots to create sleek and classic boots that look good with pretty much anything.
These subtle sneakers can have a pop of color and style, and are Everlane’s lightest sneaker to date. They are also the brand’s lowest carbon-impact sneakers, producing 4.78 kilograms carbon dioxide equivalent per pair, which Everlane says is less than a single cheeseburger. It also comes in a men’s version.
Allbirds
We absolutely love Allbirds. The trendy, internet-famous shoes are incredibly comfortable and look great. But did you know they are environmentally conscious too? All the materials that go into these super-cozy shoes are?sustainably sourced?and much better for the environment than their traditional counterparts.
The foam in Allbirds’ soles is made from sugarcane, the laces are made from recycled bottles and even the eyelets are constructed from bio-TPU, a microorganism that eats plant sugars. For the shoes not made of other materials, Allbirds uses fibers responsibly taken from eucalyptus trees. The company is also certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, so there’s no need to worry about deforestation when buying these cozy sneakers. If you want to learn more about Allbirds,?read our review here, and check out some of our top picks below.
If you want to take comfort to the next level, these loungers are a slip-on version of Allbirds’ ultra-comfortable shoes.
A breezy take on the high-top, these shoes are constructed with ZQ merino wool and a bio-based water-repellent shield for maximum comfort and breathability.
The brand known for making “the world’s most comfortable shoe” definitely lives up to the hype with these wool runners. So cozy you can even wear them without socks, these shoes are great for any occasion.
Keen
Keen is a hiking brand long known for its ultra-durable, ultra-supportive hiking boots. While you’ve probably seen the brand’s boots on the trail, you might not know how seriously it takes sustainability. Keen has been PFAS-free since 2018, doesn’t use antimicrobials in its insoles and is not only conscious about how its shoes are made but has supported various nonprofits throughout its history.
Keen’s flagship boots, the Targhee Hiking Boots, have a new iteration that’s PFAS-free and glue-free. The soles are fused onto the boots, and the brand guarantees they will never delaminate.
Another PFAS-free option, these sandals are perfect for beach and lake days. They’re ultra supportive and, thanks to injected foam midsoles, ridiculously comfortable.
These are sneakers that can do it all. They’re waterproof to keep your feet dry in the rain, they have enough traction to tackle any trail and they're stylish enough to wear around town.
