8000 Kicks is a super brand of hemp shoes, which also makes a few matching rucksacks and wallets, if you’re off on your travels. Made ethically in Portugal, the company regularly donates shoes to homeless people.
Sneakers have been around since the 1800s (when rubber-soles were invented for people to play tennis or croquet), Converse was the first brand in 1908, joined by Nike and Adidas years later (K-leather sneakers are made from kangaroos, their joeys left to die). These brand are made ethically from vegan materials. Wipe clean with a damp cloth (if laundered, use a microplastic catcher).
As most vegan sneakers are sold online, get feet measured at a shoe shop (or measure your own feet). If you’re a half-size, it’s best to order the bigger size, but to try find the exact size (European brands don’t offer half sizes).
Vegan sustainable sneakers are stepping into the limelight and making their mark. As more people become aware of their fashion choices and their impact, these sneakers offer a stylish solution that matches both ethical and eco-friendly ideals. With an increasing range of options, it’s easier than ever to find sneakers that not only look good but feel good on your conscience too.
The World’s First Waterproof Hemp Sneakers
Hemp is a wonderful material to make summer shoes and sneakers from. Only distantly related to cannabis (it won’t make you high!), it grows organically (removing heavy metals from the soil) and unlike cotton can be grown in Europe, reducing carbon footprint. It’s naturally warm or cool, and lets your feet breathe.
The founder worked with his grandmother (who has a lifetime’s experienced with textiles) to create the world’s first waterproof hemp shoe.
Like many eco shoe brands, this uses algae for the soft foam sole, and all shoes are sent in packaging made from recycled cardboard and biodegradable corn.
Recycled Cotton Sneakers from Denmark
A one-time purchase from over the border, Elliott Footwear makes beautifully designed sneakers with recycled cotton canvas, anti-slip rubber soles and hi-tops (like Converse). Easily cleaned with a little baking soda in a bowl of water, return for recycling to get 15% off your next pair. This company has full information on how to clean your Elliott’s sneakers.
Unique Gender-Neutral Vegan Sneakers
Rationl is a unique brand of trainers in various colours. Made from eco-friendly vegan materials, these are ideal for men or women and feature a classic style to go with any outfit. Made with recycled materials and natural rubber soles, they are made with nontoxic vegan leather and organic cotton. A portion of profits are given to an organisation that offers a free helpline for people suffering from brain & spinal medical conditions.
Vegan Sneakers Made from Grape Leather
1 People Boras Grape Leather Sneakers have a clean minimal finish, and are durable and comfortable to be worn season after season. Available in three colours, they are sent in foldable packaging made from post-consumer paper. Also in Oyster.
Grape leather is one of the ‘new leathers’ that blends microfiber with waste from industry (in this case, from grape skins in the wine-making industry). We are not quite there yet with 100% biodegradable vegan leather, but getting close!
Vegan Fair Trade ‘Converse-style’ Sneakers
A one-time purchase from over the border, Etiko (Australia) makes hi-top sneakers made with fair trade organic cotton. Made ethically in Pakistan and sent in cardboard packaging, the soles are natural latex rubber and soles have built-in support, with nontoxic dyes and no animal glues. This company also offers sneakers for children.
Vegan Sneakers (from Recycled Fruit Leathers)
SAYE offers a Greens Capsule range made from rescued fruits and vegetables like mango (brown stripe) or apple (red stripe). Unisex retro sneakers are made with corn napa and interiors of bamboo and recycled plastic. The insoles are made from leftover waste from a mattress factory!
Vegan Sneakers from Apple Waste (Sweden)
Humans Are Vain (Sweden) combines modern design with sustainable ‘apple leather’ and plastic waste. Made ethically in Portugal, they can be recycled at end of use. Created by the founders who saw plastic waste washing up on Bohuslän (nearly all North Sea seabirds and marine creatures ingest plastic), their Challenge V3 won The Independent’s award for ‘best vegan sneaker’.
Fruit Leather Vegan Sneakers from Spain
All My Eco makes snazzy sneakers made from fruit leather, a great way to use up apple waste in northern Italy (the colourful stripes are from discarded pineapple fibres). These sneakers use up 2 recycled plastic bottles per pair. The shoe tongue is made with cork (no trees cut down, the bark is stripped every few years).
Ethical Vegan Sneakers from Portugal
Zeta are designed in France and made ethically in Portugal, using biodegradable and recycled materials (you can recycle them at end of use). Made from grape waste from the wine industry (skins, pips, residue) mixed with vegetable oil then dyed with vegetables, to make grain leather. Some are made from corn waste (no impact on food chains). This company works at smaller margins so you pay for the shoes, not to profit sneaker companies.
