7 Best Vegan Shoe Brands Using Sustainable Materials
Cruelty-Free Vegan Shoe Brands
Each year, the global leather industry uses products from over a billion animals to produce fashion goods. The production of leather goods also frequently involves the use of cheap labor, increased waste, and a higher carbon footprint. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
We’ve found seven shoe brands that are either exclusively cruelty-free or offer vegan options. These brands are minimizing their environmental impact, creating fair wage jobs, and finding sustainable alternatives, all while producing affordable, fashionable, and comfortable vegan shoes for any occasion.
1. Bhava
Based In | New York City, NY
Ethics | Vegan, organic & sustainable materials, ethically made
Best For | Heels & sandals
Product Range | Clogs, sandals, flats, heels, hikers, booties, boots
Price Range | $129–$345
Bhava aims to create thoughtfully designed shoes using organic and sustainable alternatives such as vegan leather, cork, and organic cotton. Based out of NYC, it also recognizes the importance of comfortable shoes for the modern woman on the go, and its line of durable vegan shoes can withstand even the longest of days. With unique styles and timeless colors, we’re big fans of the heels & sandals. Conscious beautiful footwear, without the cruelty? Yes, please!
Shop Bhava
2. Rothy’s
Based In | San Francisco, CA
Ethics | Vegan, recycled & sustainable materials, ethically made
Best For | Machine-washable shoes
Product Range | Adult & children’s shoes (flats, loafers, sneakers, boots)
Price Range | $55–$275
Rothy’s believes in doing things a better way. Using recycled plastic, natural rubber, and algae-based foam, these sustainable shoes have the lightest footprint around; carbon footprint, that is. Plus, they’re fully machine-washable! Rothy’s is on a mission to be zero-waste, setting ambitious sustainability goals that embody what it means to be cruelty- and waste-free.
Shop Rothy's
3. Matt & Nat
Based In | Montreal, Quebec
Ethics | Vegan, fair wages, eco-friendly materials
Best For | Everyday heels & sandals
Product Range | Sneakers, sandals, heels, mules
Price Range | $55–$175
Matt & Nat believes in living beautifully and mindfully, crafting vegan shoes with synthetic leathers made from recycled windshield glass resin, recycled plastic bottles, and cork. The results are cruelty-free shoes that will live in your wardrobe for years to come. We love the wide range of vegan shoes, from comfortable everyday heels to vegan sneakers you can wear all around town. We admire Matt & Nat’s commitment to transparent, ethical practices.
Shop Matt & Nat
4. Thousand Fell
Based In | New York City
Ethics | Vegan, responsibly sourced materials, 1% for the Planet, recycling program, gives back
Best For | Classic sneakers
Product Range | Men’s and Women’s sneakers, totes, socks, and hoodies
Price Range | $130
Thousand Fell is a vegan sneaker brand so committed to eliminating fashion waste they started a recycling buy-back program called SuperCircle. This experiential recycling program pays the customer to participate in their circular economy, with the goal that every pair of Thousand Fell shoes is recycled and reused in their supply chain. Their thoughtful designs include bioleather fabric that resists water and stains, keeping your toes dry, stylish and ultra comfy on the recycled yoga mat insole.
Shop Thousand Fell
5. Native
Based In | Vancouver, BC
Ethics | PETA-certified vegan, recyclable, fair trade, ethically made
Best For | Water-friendly shoes
Product Range | Adult & children’s boots, sandals, sneakers, and slip-ons
Price Range | $35-$110
Native keeps it cruelty-free across the board, from infant sandals to adult hiking boots, using neither hair nor hide in their comfy, stylish shoes. These recyclable shoes are made with care, as the company continues to examine their carbon footprint and raise their own standards of eco-friendly practices. The brand’s Native Shoes Remix™ Project recycles well-loved shoes into community-centered programs, like playground construction. We love the waterproof Jefferson style made from their Bloom material, which is derived from repurposed algae biomass, an innovative plastic alternative.
Shop NATIVE SHOES
6. Ahimsa
Based In | Brazil
Ethics | Vegan, fair wages, eco-friendly materials
Best For | Men’s dress shoes
Product Range | Adult shoes, sandals, loafers, dress shoes, slip-ons, boots, unisex options
Price Range | $99–$249
With the only 100 percent vegan shoe factory in the world, Ahimsa believes in manufacturing its shoes sustainably while respecting all forms of life. The stunning shoes are beautifully detailed and with deeply rich colors, such as espresso and cognac. Each one of its shoes also comes with the message, “Handmade with love, in Brazil”—what more could you ask for?
Shop Ahimsa
7. Keep
Based In | Los Angeles, CA
Ethics | Vegan shoes, fair wages, ethically made, natural & sustainable materials
Best For | Bold styles
Product Range | Adult low, mid, & hi-tops, non-slips, exclusive collections
Price Range | $65–$120
If we had to summarize Keep in a few words, we’d say “vegan shoes with personality.” Keep’s collection of low, mid, and hi-top shoes are exquisitely crafted from artisans across Guatemala, Japan, and North America, using sustainable practices. From Complex to Refinery29, everyone is loving Keep’s clean designs and bold patterns, and we could not agree more. (PS: For our uniformed pros, Keep also offers a uniform program!)
