Freerangers Handmade Vegan Shoes (from Tyneside)

Freerangers (also sold on Etsy) offers handmade footwear. Each pair is signed by the maker, and you can send soles back for repair. In a huge array of colours, there are loafers, sandals and boots – and also bags, satchels and even vegan sporrans!

There was a time when vegan shoes were made from plastic, and only sold in clunky weird styles. Today things have changed. Quality brands are made with Italian Microfiber (easy to clean with a damp cloth) and also available as MicroSuede.

The leather industry is not a by-product of meat, and often leather shoes are made in countries with poor animal welfare (and human rights) records. Many are cheap and fall apart after a few months, requiring new shoes to be bought.

It makes sense instead to invest in two or three pairs of quality vegan shoes, that are worn on alternate days (to let them breathe and dry out) and support artisan brands that are kind to animals, the planet (and tanners, many of whom are at risk of cancer from the chemical process of tanning leather).

As most vegan shoes are still sold online, it makes sense to get your feet measured in a shoe shop (tell them you’ll be back to buy their shoes, when they start offering vegan versions!)

These shoes are not ‘high-fashion’, but they are very comfortable and designed to last years.

This is a company that has a loyal fan base, who buy from the same maker each time they want a new pair of shoes.