These quality vegan shoes are mostly sold online, so get your feet measured at shoe shop, to avoid the hassle of returns. They are all made from kind and sustainable materials. It’s good to let shoes dry out on alternate days so they last longer, so invest in two pairs, and they should last a long time. Also see where to find fair trade eco sneakers and where to find quality children’s vegan shoes.
Vegetarian Shoes (Brighton) has been around for yonks, and has its own retail shop, as well as an extensive online store. As well as shoes, it also offers a vegan shoe dubbin, in clear, black or brown. Made in England, this can freshen up tired-looking shoes and improve water resistance. It can also help scuffed footwear, with the wax finish offering high shine. Apply with a brush or cloth to clean, dry footwear. Take care not to get it on clothes, or anything else. Allow to soak in, then wipe off excess before wearing. May darken some materials, not recommended for vegan suede finishes.
NAK (no animals killed) is a European brand that uses top Italian skills to produce beautiful shoes with sustainability in mind. It also sells black shoe polish. All materials are sourced close to their northern Italian workshop, to reduce impact on the planet. From sneakers to high stilettos, there’s something for everyone. You can also purchase t-shirts with a portion of profits going to help a shelter for stray cats and dogs.
NOAH has produced the first-ever biodegradable vegan shoes (including the glue), made under Fair Trade conditions, also in Italy. Each pair is an expression of classic minimalist design. Handcrafted using traditional methods by Italian shoemakers and made from biodegradable materials and glues (cruelty-free), our NOAH – organic shoes are manufactured under fair conditions in Italy. Each pair is an expression of classic minimalist design.
Wills Vegan Shoes (London) offers beautiful affordable ethical footwear for men and women, sent in zero waste packaging. This company also sells vegan bags, satchels & vegan knitwear.
Freerangers (Newcastle) offers shoes in many styles and colours. These are expensive but good quality, each pair signed by the maker. They will last for years, and you can send them back for re-soling. Also makes vegan bags, belts and sporrans (usually made from seal fur).
Ethical Wares (Wales) has been making quality vegan shoes for years, and offers sneakers, safety shoes & dancing shoes. Profits help to provide food for their rescued barnyard friends.
Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather (France) is a great store, and shipping is quick and cheap across the channel. Founded by a shoe designer (who trained under an iconic shoe designer), all these shoes are made Fair Trade in Europe. There are running shoes with removable soles to clean separately (to keep feet fresh and healthy), two-strap clogs made from partly-recycled Italian apple waste, and Beige derby shoes for men at work.
Beyond Skin is a Brighton brand of designer shoes. These are more expensive, but designed to rival the top high-end brands, and sold in luxury eco boxes. The company also sells nice bridal shoes. The leathers are used are the greenest on the market.
Eco Vegan Shoes is a European online shop, but mentioned here because they are budget-friendly and quick to ship. They have some unique styles, and when there’s a sale on, you can often get up to 70% off. Based in The Netherlands.
B Boheme (London) is an own label brand made with sustainable material, and influenced by British design, made ethically in Portugal. The various materials used include a state-of-the-art microfiber that holds the EU Ecolabel, plant-based polymers derived from food-free cereal crops, a non-woven textile made from pineapple leaves, cork (no trees chopped down) and Ecostone (a super-thin slate stone overlaid on a cotton backing).
Ethical Wares is a lovely company over the border in beautiful Wales that has been making quality vegan shoes for many years. All these shoes are not made from plastic, but from quality Microfiber which is much nicer to the planet, and very easy to clean too.
You’ll find the lot here – from traditional shoes and sandals, to sneakers and even vegan dancing shoes. There’s also a range of vegan walking shoes and boots that are loved by hikers, and safety footwear. Good vegan shoes are a little more expensive, so save up and buy a couple of quality pairs to alternate, to let them dry out between uses. And there are plenty of sale bargains to be had. As this is an online shop, get your feet measures at a shoe shop (ideally in the afternoon when your feet are at their ‘proper size’) then tell them you’ll be back, when they start to sell quality vegan shoes!
What’s also nice is that this company also uses profits to help feed and care for a menagerie of rescued farm animals. Leather is not a by-product of the meat industry and most leather shoes are made in the Far East, where there is little animal welfare (or human rights) laws. These shoes are all made either locally or with fair working practices in Europe.
These quality vegan shoes are mostly sold online, so get your child’s measured at shoe shop, to avoid the hassle of returns. They are all made from kind and sustainable materials. It’s good to let shoes dry out on alternate days so they last longer, so invest in two pairs, and they should last a long time. Also see where to find quality vegan shoes for adults.
Vegan children’s shoes are made from breathable leather, not plastic (pleather) which are not good for growing children’s feet. As these shoes are mostly sold online, get your child’s shoes measured at a shoe shop, then say you’ll be back when they start selling some of these brands.
Many people think that leather is a by-product of the meat industry, but this is not usually the case. Most leather is a separate industry, produced in countries with poor animal welfare and humans rights laws, and that includes the high-price ‘luxury leather goods’ market, so goodness knows where all the profits are going there. The leather tanning process is also very polluting, to both the planet and the tanners.
We’re not quite there yet with ‘100% biodegradable vegan leather’, but getting there, and at least the animals don’t suffer meanwhile. Most vegan leather is from an Italian microfiber fabric called Lorica, which comes in leather, patent leather or suede, and is pretty easy to clean. Unlike plastic (‘pleather’), it’s also breathable, so feet won’t stink! The best way to stop shoes smelling is to buy two pairs, and let one pair dry out one day, while your child wears the other pair the next day. Foot odour is usually caused by not letting shoes that smell dry out, rather than not washing your feet! Also wear breathable socks made from cotton or hemp.
Here are a few of the better brands. These shoes cost a little more but will last years with good care. Clark’s would likely say they are the best brand, but they still use leather, when there’s no need. They list their policies on people and planet, but nothing about animals, other than they care about animal welfare? Good on You listing for Clarks shoes is ‘not good enough’, citing they do source from greener tanneries and donate shoes, but they use leather and wool from unspecified sources, and there is no evidence of a living wage.
Pediped offers quality vegan children’s shoes, recommended by foot doctors. Many feature quick-dry EVA footbeds and breathable neoprene lining, with Velcro closures.
Noah is an Italian brand that makes eco-friendly vegan shoes for children. All made under Fair Trade working conditions, these are mostly slip-on pumps and Converse-style colourful sneakers.
Ikiki offers unique shoes in mismatched sizes, and for special needs (low muscle tone, chemo-induced walking issues, children who walk with braces and cerebral palsy). You can order without the squeakers, if concerned of the risk of choking.
Ten Little (North America) is a new brand made from quality vegan leather. These have been designed with foot doctors to follow the natural shape of the foot, to allow for ‘wiggle room’ as your child’s feet grow. You may wish to avoid the ‘fun stickers’ to go on them, as they won’t biodegrade if they fall off, but the shoes look good. These also fit orthotics, just remove the insoles.
Poco Nido (Sheffield) offers baby shoes for indoor or light outdoor use, super-comfy to wear with or without socks. There is no exposed elastic to prevent chafing, and they are free from choke hazards, and tested by Interek. Not all their shoes are vegan, so the link above is to a vegan baby boutique, above are t he koala vegan baby shoe). As they contain polyester, buy a Guppyfriend, to stop microplastics breaking off synthetic fibres in the machine, to stop them reaching the sea (one-time purchase to last years).
Baby Bogs makes lovely wellies for kids, from waterproof materials. In lovely designs, they are super-light with wide flexible soles and a warm cosy lining, rated down to -10C so are perfect for the cold and wet weather!
Vegan Children’s Shoes for School
Wills Vegan Shoes (London) makes shoes for boys and girls (and many more for adults), mostly with Velcro straps, slip-on and lack-up black shoes (good for school). Sent in zero waste packaging.
These vegan baby shoes are all made from quality materials, but also free from animal materials like leather or suede. It’s important to cover baby feet in vulnerable areas, but also important to choose well-designed shoes that do not negatively affect foot development, nor cause slipping.
These Milk & Black Slippers (also in Fox design) are made from cotton, in gorgeous designs. Designed from birth to 3 years, the soft sole can take the shape of the foot in every movement, helping babies to walk, by allowing direct contact with the floor (these shoes are the nearest thing, but with protection of a soft non-slip sole that is safer on slippery floors). The elasticated ankle ensures the moccasins can’t be pulled on by exploring little hands, and they are painted with non-toxic dyes.
Daisy Dumpling Organic Cotton Baby Shoes are made from soft organic cotton, in a variety of colours. Hand-wash and avoid tumble drying.
Cotton & Bamboo Baby Shoes
Baby Sunflower Shoes are made from a blend of 70% bamboo yarn and 30% cotton. Crocheted in a Mary-Jane style, they have a bright sunflower motif at the front. Soft and breathable, these are handmade to a high standard. Machine-washable at 30 degrees, do not use bleach or fabric softener.
Baby Boy Shoes are also made from cotton and bamboo. They feature a classic deep blue colour with contrast cream sole, and one wooden button detail.
Also as little white shoes
Hand-Crocheted Baby Boots
Hand Crocheted Baby Boots have two sets of button holes, so they can be fastened on the cuffs, to stay on better. Gift boxed for cool little people.
Frugi Puddle Buster Wellington Boots are made from rubber, in fun colours. With soft cotton lining, choose from Rainbow Roads, Polar Play or Rhino Ramble. Rubber wellies are much better for the planet than PVC, because if you do lose one, it will naturally biodegrade. Goes well with their Puddle Buster RainWear (made from recycled plastic bottles). Also see rubber wellies for adults.
If you use their recycled polyester wellie warmers, wash in a Guppyfriend, to stop microplastics breaking off in the machine, where they could reach the ocean. Frugi (Cornwall) designs fun and colourful clothing for children, made from organic cotton, made ethically in India. All sent in biodegradable packaging, made from potatoes!
This collection of funky eco-friendly wellies is one of the most popular posts, showing just how many people want to find wellington boots to splash around in, but not containing plastic or PVC. Also see rubber wellies for children.
All these wellies are made from rubber, but also very well-made. Cheap wellies tend not to be that great, as they are not very comfortable. These are all as comfortable as a pair of slippers, and last for years, with good care. Never wear wellies near corrosive substances, and also don’t leave them near heat.
Ever Creatures Handmade Wellies offer a nice alternative to conventional wellies, which are usually made from plastic. Although there are a few plastic (PVC) wellies on site, nearly all the wellies here are made from rubber, which is naturally biodegradable, so no harm to the earth. This is especially important, if you were to lose one near water, like by the sea.
The company also makes welly socks from cotton and bamboo (due to the small amount of Spandex for comfort, wash these in a microfiber catch bag, to stop microplastics going from the machine, to to sea). This is a one-time purchase you can use to wash all synthetic clothing.
The rubber used comes from the best plantation, to result in a ‘wow’ moment when you un-box your new boots. The range of wellies is extensive, all in various colours and styles:
- Tall wellies
- Short wellies
- Ankle wellies
- Kids’ wellies
Built for comfort, these wellies carry a 12-month warranty and have a flexible footbed and unique sole unit. They are also vegan-friendly and wipe-clean, with adjustable gusset. Fully tested to 100K stress steps, they are also 100% waterproof. Evercreatures (Lincolnshire) has over 15 years of making wellies. It owns its own factory in China, to protect worker welfare. And these wellies are comfortable enough to garden, walk in the rain, muck out the stables or attend a festival.
These Fair Trade eco sneakers offer ethical alternatives to the main brands. All of these are made from biodegradable and vegan-friendly materials, made by indie companies who make it a mission to look after the planet. Quality vegan shoes are mostly sold online, so get your feet measured at shoe shop, to avoid the hassle of returns. They are all made from kind and sustainable materials. It’s good to let shoes dry out on alternate days so they last longer, so invest in two pairs, and they should last a long time.
Ethletic Fair Trade Cotton Sneakers
Ethletic is a classic Fair Trade brand of cotton trainers, made in Pakistan. These fun sneakers feature a natural latex foam rubber tongue and collar, with a reinforced to section for all-day comfort. The removable anti-bacterial insole is made with coconut fibres for added absorption.
The company also pays an additional premium to the official welfare society run by the employees. The styles are pretty unisex apart from this pretty pink Sea Shell style. Komodo sneakers (choose Grey or Red) are made in Sri Lanka and sold in compostable cardboard boxes (the company helps to restore rainforests for Sumatran orangutans.
Komodo Eco Sneakers
Komodo Eco Vegan Sneakers (also in red) are made in Sri Lanka and sold in compostable cardboard boxes (the company helps to restore rainforests for Sumatran orangutans. Comfortable and stylish, these are great to wear everyday, and made with simple white laces and a pull tab detail, to go well with anything in your wardrobe. They are made from certified organic cotton and a rubber sole.
