There is an abundance of sustainable sandal options out there. The following 15 brands are some of the best examples.
The list includes a variety of styles and materials, so you’re sure to find something that suits your style and needs. To make it easier for you, I’ve included brief descriptions below each brand name. Hopefully, this will help you in your sustainable sandal shopping journey!
Table of Contents
Nisolo sustainable sandals
Nisolo is a B-Corporation that produces its shoes responsibly in an ethical factory they own in Peru. Nisolo shoemakers see a 47% increase in earnings compared to previous jobs and shoemakers who work with Nisolo for 3 or more years see an average 152% increase in earnings. The company also has a shoe reclamation program.
Owning a pair of Nisolos myself, I can vouch for their quality. Nisolo sandals are sustainable, fashionable, and durable – perfect for any summer adventure! The only concern I have is that Nisolo doesn’t seem to have any stores or physical locations where customers can try on shoes before buying them online, which could be a deterrent for some people.
Brother Vellies sustainable sandals
Brother Vellies is a sustainable luxury brand that hand-makes all of its shoes using traditional African techniques. The company was founded by Aurora James with the goal of keeping African craftsmanship alive while also providing good jobs and fair wages to workers. Brother Vellies sources its materials from local suppliers in Africa, which helps to support the continent’s economy. The company also donates a portion of its proceeds to charitable organizations that provide education and training to African artisans.
I love Brother Vellies’ aesthetic – the sandals are beautiful and unique, and I appreciate the brand’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. However, because Brother Vellies is a luxury brand, its sandals come with a luxury price tag. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, Brother Vellies might not be the right choice for you.
Munjoi sustainable sandals
Munjoi is a sustainable sandal brand based in Costa Rica. The company uses recycled tires and other upcycled materials to make its sandals, which helps to reduce waste and protect the environment. Munjoi sandals are also made by local artisans, which supports the Costa Rican economy. In addition, the company plants a tree for every pair of sandals sold. Munjoi’s sandals are stylish and environmentally friendly – a great choice for sustainable summer footwear!
I first learned about Munjoi when I was researching sustainable tire companies (yes, that’s a thing!). I was impressed by the company’s innovative use of recycled tires and other upcycled materials, and I love that their sandals are made by local artisans. The only downside is that Munjoi doesn’t seem to have an online presence, so it’s not clear how or where to buy their products.
The Root Collective sustainable sandals
The Root Collective’s sustainable sandals are crafted by artisans in Guatemala who are paid 50-400% above the country’s Fair Wage minimum. The brand partners with small, independent workshops and cooperatives, and the shoes are handwoven from ethically sourced fabric. TheRoot Collective is committed to supporting local artisans and ensuring that their products are made responsibly.
The brand offers a variety of styles for men and women, and its shoes are made from high-quality leather that will age beautifully over time. I own a pair of Nisolos myself, and I can vouch for their quality. TheRoot Collective’s sustainable sandals are a great choice for anyone looking for ethical footwear that is also stylish and well-made.
CANO sustainable sandals
CANO is a fair trade shoe brand that offers sustainable and durable sandals. The shoes are made with vegetable-tanned leather, certified chromium-free leather, rubber crepe for the soles, and upcycled airplane tires for the outsoles. The artisans who handcraft the shoes earn fair wages, work in safe conditions, and do not work shifts longer than 8 hours. CANO’s sustainable sandals are a great option for those who are looking for eco-friendly and ethically-made shoes.
Swahili Coast Design sustainable sandals
Swahili Coast Design is a worker-owned and managed sustainable sandal company in East Africa that is committed to creating ethical and sustainable employment opportunities for local artisans — 80% of which are women. The brand utilizes free-range Tanzanian leather that is sourced locally to the cooperative in order to create their beautiful, handcrafted sandals.
Swahili Coast Design is a Fair Trade certified brand, ensuring that its workers are receiving fair wages and working in safe conditions. Not only are you supporting a Conscious company when you purchase from Swahili Coast Design, but you are also helping to create a more sustainable future for the workers and their families.
Swahili Coast Design’s mission is to “create beautiful products that have a positive impact on the lives of our artisans and their families while also helping to preserve traditional artisanal techniques. We are committed to being a force for good in the communities where we work.”
Jivanas sustainable sandals
Jivanas is a sustainable sandal brand that partners with artisans in the Himalayas in Nepal. The artisans’ craft premium sandals and flip flops from 100% natural, vegetable-tanned leather. Jivanas also uses organic, plant-based latex adhesives, water-based dyes, cotton thread, and beeswax conditioner.
Jivanas owns and operates its Nepal factory to ensure fair wages, benefits, and good working conditions for the artisans. Jivanas sustainable sandals are fashion-forward and comfortable while also being environmentally friendly. Jivanas is changing the way people think about sandals by proving that sustainability can be stylish.
ABLE sustainable sandals
ABLE is an ethical shoe brand that is committed to transparency. They publish their lowest wages and challenge other brands to do the same. I visited ABLE’s headquarters in Nashville and was impressed by its dedication to ethics and transparency. I wish they had more sustainability initiatives, but they are still a leader in the industry.
ABLE’s sustainable sandals are made with recycled materials and are designed to last. They also donate a portion of their profits to women’s empowerment programs. I believe that ABLE is making a positive impact on the fashion industry and hope that other brands will follow their lead.
Indosole sustainable sandals
Indosole creates sustainable sandals from recycled tires, which helps reduce the 1.5 billion tires that end up in landfills each year while also avoiding the production of new resources. For the uppers of the flip flops, Indosole uses organic canvas, banana leaves, and grass.
The B-Corporation pretty much checks the box for every value: sustainable, ethically made, and vegan! And compared to many other conscious shoe brands, the prices are affordable too. Indosole’s sustainable sandals are not only good for the environment but also comfortable and stylish.
You can wear them at the beach or pair them with a cute sundress for a summertime look. So next time you’re in need of a new pair of sandals be sure to check out Indosole!
Sseko Designs sustainable sandals
Sseko Designs is a company based in Uganda that employs young women during their nine-month gap between secondary school and university. The brand Sseko is a member of the Fair Trade Federation and has high ethical standards. Sseko matches each woman’s savings by 300% to support each woman in her education.
Sseko also has a Ugandan management team that receives paid time off and retirement benefits. The working environment is safe, and the women earn fair wages. They also gain valuable work experience. Sseko sandals are made out of sustainable materials, however, the tanning method for their leather is not specified which is a concern. Overall, Sseko is an excellent company that helps empower young women in Uganda.
Christy Dawn sustainable sandals
Christy Dawn is a sustainable fashion brand that focuses on creating beautiful, high-quality clothing and accessories. The brand’s signature sandal is made from recycled leather and is designed to be both stylish and versatile. The sandal can be dressed up or down, making it perfect for any occasion.
Christy Dawn’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond their products – they also offset their carbon emissions and donate a percentage of their profits to charity. So not only will you look good in their sandals, but you’ll also feel good knowing that your purchase is benefiting people and the planet.
Deux Mains sustainable sandals
Deux Mains is a sustainable sandal brand that has been featured in some of the top fashion magazines, such as Vogue, InStyle, and Marie Claire. Deux Mains focuses on ethical production, working to pay their artisan partners fair wages and preserve local craftsmanship. The materials used in their products are all locally sourced and upcycled whenever possible.
For example, the soles of the sandals are made from upcycled tires and inner tubes, and the leather is either vegetable- or chrome-tanned. The Deux Mains factory is also solar-powered in order to further reduce its environmental impact. If you’re looking for stylish and sustainable footwear, Deux Mains is a great option to consider.
NAE sustainable sandals
NAE is a vegan shoe brand that produces sustainable sandals from natural materials like cork and piñatex (faux leather made from discarded pineapple leaves) and recycled materials, such as rubber from car tires. NAE’s sustainable sandals are made from renewable and recycled materials that are environmentally friendly and offer a more ethical alternative to conventional leather sandals.
NAE’s use of OEKO-TEX Certified microsuede, a synthetic material, in some of their sandals is not as ideal, but overall, NAE’s commitment to producing sustainable and environmentally friendly footwear makes them a great choice for vegan and eco-conscious shoppers.
RAFA sustainable sandals
RAFA is a high-end sustainable shoe brand that offers chic heeled sandals made from recycled materials. The brand uses deadstock metal for the buckles, recycled textiles for the fabric, and reclaimed wood for the heels. RAFA also produces its shoes locally in Los Angeles. The brand’s sustainably made shoes are stylish and come in a variety of colors. RAFA’s sustainable sandals are an excellent choice for those looking for eco-friendly and chic footwear.
ThredUp (Secondhand) sustainable sandals
ThredUp is a great online destination to find fashionable and sustainable sandals. You can browse through their selection of sandals sorted by size, color, and price range. ThredUp also has some options with tags still on them, so if you’re looking for a pair of brand new sandals, you can still find some options on their website.
Not only are their sandals fashionable, but they’re also sustainable. Wearing secondhand clothes is a great way to reduce your environmental impact and ThredUp makes it easy to do so with their convenient online shopping platform. So, next time you’re in the market for a new pair of sandals, be sure to check out ThredUp!
Conclusion
If you’re in the market for a new pair of sandals, we hope you’ll consider one of these fifteen sustainable brands. Not only will your purchase help the environment, but many of these companies also focus on creating beautiful and unique designs. We think you’ll love wearing shoes that not only look good but feel good too! Have you found any other eco-friendly sandal brands that we should check out? Let us know in the comments below.
