Pretty Vegan Summer Sandals (for beach days)
Leather is usually not a by-product of the meat industry, and often made in the far east, where there are few animal welfare or human rights laws. The tanning process is also very polluting, and livestock farming is one of the main causes of greenhouse emissions.
Choosing vegan sandals is kinder to animals and the planet, and as long as you choose quality materials (not plastic or ‘pleather’) they feel more comfortable too!
Will’s Pretty Vegan Summer Sandals
Will’s of London makes handmade vegan sandals, sold online. 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.
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.
A simple buying checklist for vegan sandals
- Measure both feet in the evening, because they’re slightly larger then.
- Check the brand’s size guide, not just your usual size.
- Read reviews for notes on narrow or wide fit.
- Confirm the returns policy and keep tags and packaging.
- Try them on indoors, then walk on clean carpet for two minutes.
- Check for strap rubbing, heel slip, and toe overhang.
- Break them in gently, starting with short wears, and use blister plasters early if needed.
If a strap edge feels sharp indoors, it rarely gets better outdoors.
Care tips for vegan materials
Most PU and microfibre sandals clean up well with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid soaking them, and keep them away from high heat (radiators and hot car boots can warp soles). After a sweaty day, let them dry naturally in shade, then store them out of direct sun to reduce cracking and fading.
For a better overall impact, look for durable soles, brand repair options (even basic buckle replacements help), and clear material lists. Packaging matters too, but durability matters more, because the greenest sandal is the one you’ll wear for more than one season.
Freerangers (handmade vegan 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.
