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!
Leather is not a by-product of the meat industry, and it’s really good to use nontoxic vegan leathers to help both animals and the planet, rather than use leather that is very polluting to both water supplies and the people working in tanneries. Good vegan leathers are also easy to clean with a damp cloth, and partly biodegradable (things are improving all the time, with some goods now made from fruit leathers).
Quality vegan shoes are made of several materials. You can of course find rope/jute sandals and natural rubber wellies etc. But for ‘everyday shoes’, the main material is Microfiber, which is gradually becoming more and more biodegradable, thanks to inventions like fruit leathers, which use up the waste from industry (apples, grapes, pineapples, cactus). Easy to clean with a jar of dubbin, invest in a couple of pairs and wear on alternate days, and you should be sorted.
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). 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 shoes (it may be a case of trial and error – European brands don’t offer half sizes).
Italian handmade vegan shoes
Solari Milano is a brand of Italian shoes that are sustainably-made but still up the quality of most Italian footwear. Handcrafted by experts, these shoes use corn to make the suppers, and also feature recycled rubber outsoles, bamboo linings and organic cotton laces.
Leather is not a by-product of the meat industry, and it’s really good to use nontoxic vegan leathers to help both animals and the planet, rather than use leather that is very polluting to both water supplies and the people working in tanneries. Good vegan leathers are also easy to clean with a damp cloth, and partly biodegradable (things are improving all the time, with some goods now made from fruit leathers).
Quality vegan shoes are made of several materials. You can of course find rope/jute sandals and natural rubber wellies etc. But for ‘everyday shoes’, the main material is Microfiber, which is gradually becoming more and more biodegradable, thanks to inventions like fruit leathers, which use up the waste from industry (apples, grapes, pineapples, cactus). Easy to clean with a jar of dubbin, invest in a couple of pairs and wear on alternate days, and you should be sorted.
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). 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 shoes (it may be a case of trial and error – European brands don’t offer half sizes).
comfortable hemp shoes from Europe
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.
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). 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 shoes (it may be a case of trial and error – European brands don’t offer half sizes).
matching backpacks & bumbags
The waterproof hemp rucksacks fit most laptops and include fast-access frontal zippers and two side pockets for your reusable water bottle and umbrella. The hemp wallets use a unique triangular design to stand up alone, if left on a nearby desk or table. There is lots of room inside aswell. They are resistant to stains, dust and liquid, but also easy to clean if need be.
handmade vegan shoes from Tyneside
Freerangers makes shoes by hand in Tyneside, choose from many styles and colours galore. Each pair is signed by the maker, and you can send them back for re-soling. This company also makes vegan bags and satchels, and even vegan sporrans!
Leather is not a by-product of the meat industry, and it’s really good to use nontoxic vegan leathers to help both animals and the planet, rather than use leather that is very polluting to both water supplies and the people working in tanneries. Good vegan leathers are also easy to clean with a damp cloth, and partly biodegradable (things are improving all the time, with some goods now made from fruit leathers).
Quality vegan shoes are made of several materials. You can of course find rope/jute sandals and natural rubber wellies etc. But for ‘everyday shoes’, the main material is Microfiber, which is gradually becoming more and more biodegradable, thanks to inventions like fruit leathers, which use up the waste from industry (apples, grapes, pineapples, cactus). Easy to clean with a jar of dubbin, invest in a couple of pairs and wear on alternate days, and you should be sorted.
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). 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 shoes (it may be a case of trial and error – European brands don’t offer half sizes).
other good brands of vegan shoes
Will’s Vegan Shoes (London) sells lots of nice vegan shoes and boots (including for children). From ballerina flats and comfy loafers to walking boots, everything’s made in Italy and Portugal with good health and labour laws, with a focus on products that last (no ‘seasonal shoes or fast fashion sales’). Everything is shipped quickly from an Essex warehouse. And there’s a whopping 365-days free returns and exchanges! The store also sells vegan leather and wool jumpers (recycled polyester so launder in a microplastic catcher).
Ethical Wares (Wales) offers everything from walking shoes to dancing shoes! The best bit is that profits help support rescued barnyard friends in sanctuaries. Much of the footwear is made ethically in the UK, to fair working standards. Starting 30 years ago with 2 ranges (a green boot and a black boot!)
Vegetarian Shoes (Brighton) began as a small retail shop in a seaside city, and now offers hundreds of pairs online. Originally the owner made the shoes himself, but now most are outsourced to ethical manufacturers. These are a bit more ‘funky’ and likely to be popular with youngsters.
super-comfy vegan walking shoes
Quality vegan shoes are made of several materials. You can of course find rope/jute sandals and natural rubber wellies etc. But for ‘everyday shoes’, the main material is Microfiber, which is gradually becoming more and more biodegradable, thanks to inventions like fruit leathers, which use up the waste from industry (apples, grapes, pineapples, cactus). Easy to clean with a jar of dubbin, invest in a couple of pairs and wear on alternate days, and you should be sorted.
Ahinsa Shoes are super-comfy, made by physiotherapists. Verified by university studies as being super-comfy for walking, they are ethically made from handmade materials in Croatia and the Czech Republic. With worldwide shipping, choose from barefoot shoes (as natural as walking barefoot) or comfort shoes (maximum cushioning to adapt to your stride). The vegan leathers and suedes are ideal for traditional shoes, while the hemp and linen are more for ‘nature’s tough guys’. There are even boots with vegan fur lining to keep your toes toasty (tested to warm your feet in freezing Finnish temperatures!) Above are their comfort sneakers (also sold at Avensu).
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). 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 shoes (it may be a case of trial and error – European brands don’t offer half sizes).
It’s almost incredulous that most shoe shops still only sell leather or plastic shoes. Leather is unkind to animals (mostly made in countries with little or no animal welfare laws, and not a by-product of meat as sometimes thought – the tanning process is also polluting to the planet and has health risks for workers). And plastic shoes (‘pleather’) are not just inferior in quality, but also bad for the planet (plastic is made from oil that just fuels the fossil fuels crisis) and make your feet sweat.
