Nearly all shoes are made in Asia from leather in countries with poor welfare laws for both animals and humans (and the tanning process is very polluting). And most cheap vegan shoes are made from pleather (plastic leather) that are not good for the planet and make your feet sweat. Instead, invest in a couple of pairs of good quality vegan shoes made from Microfiber, wearing on alternate days, to let them dry out. Care for with a damp cloth, do not put in the washing machine.
As most quality vegan shoes are still sold online, visit the shoe shop (afternoons when your feet are their proper size) and get your feet measured (or measure your own feet). If you’re a half-size, it’s usually okay to order the bigger size (feet swell when running and you’ll likely be wearing socks). But it’s best to try to find the exact size for other shoes (European brands don’t offer half sizes).
A Perfect Jane is a lovely brand of ‘vegan cowboy boots’ made ethically in Europe, with profits helping to support an animal sanctuary in The Netherlands. Vegan leather is a lot kinder and greener than animal-based leather which is also very polluting to both the planet and people who work in the tanneries.
vegan leather boots from Portugal
Nae Vegan Shoes (Portugal) is a super footwear brand, as concerned for the planet as animals, and they have some great eco-friendly shoes available made from organic and biodegradable materials. Made ethically in Portugal, what more could you ask?
vegan leather boots from France
Minuit sur Terre are super-stylish, and for every pair sold, 5 Euros are donated to a partner association to help animal welfare. The founder was a (stylish) woman (she’s French!) who could not find clothes of ethics to match quality and fashion she wanted.
Good Guys Go Vegan (France, use coupon code englandnaturally for 20 Euros discount) has been around for years, before France even had a vegan! Made ethically in Italy from quality breathable materials, just search online to find your favourites. These funky boots are unique and best-sellers the world over. And stylish? Come on – they’re french!
