Choose Sustainable Vegan Summer Sandals
For (some!) of the year in England, the sun comes out, and people like to show their toes by donning a pair of summer sandals. However, leather sandals cause animal suffering (and most leather sold in the UK is from the far east, an area with few or no animal welfare laws). Plus the tanning process is very polluting to both the planet and workers.
However, plastic sandals are not good either. Plastic is made from oil, and also makes your feet sweat, so for sure not the best material for wearing footwear in warm and hot weather.
The good news is that there are a few brands of quality vegan footwear that offers lovely sandals for both men and women. They are made from a variety of materials, mostly Microfiber (an Italian fabric that looks and acts like leather or suede, and is easy to clean with a damp cloth).
Other materials include ‘fruit leathers’ (Microfibers mixed with industry waste – apples or grapes from Milan, or pineapple waste from the Caribbean).
So treat yourself to a couple of pairs of quality sandals, and wear them on alternate days, to let the sole beds dry out. These brands are also super-comfy so you won’t get corns, blisters or bunions!
As most vegan footwear is still sold online, it’s best to measure your feet in a shoe shop before purchase, to avoid the hassle of returns. Most European brands don’t offer half-sizes, so keep the receipt and don’t wear the sandals outdoors, until you know they fit!
Shop Like You Give a Damn
Shop Like You Give a Damn is an online vegan fashion boutique in Europe, and offers over 300 styles of vegan sandals for both men and women, from various quality brands.
Here are a few of the latest offerings from brands like Will’s Vegan Shoes (London) and Two Thirds (made from recycled rubber tyres).
If you prefer to buy direct from Will’s, do so here for women and men. You’ll also find slingbacks, espadrilles and Birkenstock-style vegan sandals.
Freerangers (handmade sandals from Tyneside)
Freerangers has been around for years, employing artisans to make shoes by hand (each pair is even signed by the maker, and you can send them back for re-soling so they last years).
Also in styles for men, you can also purchase on Etsy.
As these sandals are handmade, you can choose your own colour (black or 21 colours), from all the selected styles (most have shock-absorbing soles). These are not ‘high-fashion’, but super-comfy and often suit wider feet, so many older people are fans (some have ‘closed toes’ that are preferred by many).
Minuit sur Terre (stylish vegan French sandals)
Minuit Sur Terre (just search ‘sandals’ to bring up their summer footwear) is a super-stylish vegan footwear company from France. For every pair sold, 5 Euros are donated to a partner association to help animal welfare.
The founder is a (stylish) woman (she’s French!) who could not find clothes of ethics to match quality and fashion she wanted.
Sold in many styles and colours, these sandals add a hint of French flair to any summer outfit. They are designed in France, and made ethically in Portugal.
Paizo (vegan sandals for children from Greece)
Paizo is a nice footwear brand, that offers lovely quality faux leather sandals for children. Everything is designed in the UK and crafted by a small family firm in Greece.
There are strappy sandals made with flexible rubber soles in two colours. And hessian sandals, with Velcro straps. Both designed to be easy to put on and pull off.
