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. Also read our post on smart vegan footwear from Europe.
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).
How to Measure Your Feet for Vegan Shoes
As most vegan shoes are still sold online, it makes sense to measure your own feet, to avoid the hassle of returns. You can also still get your feet measured in stores like Clark’s (tell them you’ll be back to buy their shoes, when they start offering vegan versions!)
Will’s Vegan Shoes (from London)
Will’s Vegan Shoes (also sold at Shop Like You Give a Damn) is a London company offering quality vegan shoes and boots. Focusing on quality (there are no Black Friday sales), with a whopping 365-days return, these are sent in zero waste packaging.
Everything is made ethically in Italy and Portugal, shipped quickly from Essex. In lovely colours and styles, you can also buy vegan leather belts, bags, satchels, cardholders etc.
Launder the wool-free jumpers in a microfibre filter (due to synthetic fibres).
These shoes cost a bit more than brands in shops. But they are designed to last, with proper care. Frequent buyers often say they wear their pairs for years. The store even sells children’s school shoes (lack-ups and ballerina pumps).
Who Founded Will’s Vegan Shoes?
Will did! He wanted to create quality vegan shoes, so found ethical suppliers in Portugal, and attended a vegan festival to try to sell them. No problem – they sold out quickly!
Today his company is renowned for its quality vegan footwear in zero waste packaging, and whopping 365-day guarantee. He also is passionate about not offering Black Friday or 50% off deals, believing that this just encourages overconsumption. Instead of investing in a couple of pairs of good shoes, with quality materials, made by people who are treated and paid well.
Your feet are so important. A cheap pair of shoes that are poorly made can do real damage, and are a false economy in the long term. You just end up buying more shoes instead of one good pair. Wasting money, and increasing your consumption. Will
Will’s own favourite shoes are his chestnut work boots. Made with burnished Italian microfiber, he has worn them more months, and says they have improved with age, and are now almost part of him!
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!
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.
Quality Handmade Vegan Shoes from Brighton
Vegetarian Shoes (Brighton) has a physical shop but also an extensive range online and offers a wide range including safety shoes. It also offers a good sale shop, with many items often half-price.
V.Gan Shoes of London (worn by 50,000 people!)
V.GAN London (also sold at Immaculate Vegan) offers nice shoes for men and women, worn by 50,000 people across the planet. In just 4 years, it’s established itself as one of the world’s major vegan shoe brands. It has some real sale bargains, and also offers vegan leather bags and wallets.
