As most quality vegan boots 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). It only takes a second, and then you know the size to order. 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 boots (it may be a case of trial and error – 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.
Leather is not a by-product of the meat industry, and often made in countries with low or no animal welfare laws (the tanning process is also extremely polluting to both planet and workers). Modern vegan shoes tend to be made from a material called Microfiber which is easy-to-clean and far less polluting to make than ‘pleather’ (vegan plastic which is often made with toxic PVC). Usually you can care for these shoes simply by wiping with a damp cloth.
comfortable hemp boots from Portugal
8000 Kicks specialise in making comfortable sneakers and shoes from eco-friendly hemp (the non-narcotic cousin of marijuana). It grows organically and removes heavy metals from soil, and also can be used to grow local paper, wood and fabric. During the pandemic, this company donated shoes to organisations that were helping homeless people, and donated 10,000 masks to those on the front lines. The company also offers hemp shoes.
ethically-made vegan 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?
stylish vegan 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.
vegan cowboy boots from France
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!
