Vegan sneakers are shoes made without any ingredients of animal origin or products, but while these shoes are billed as cruelty-free, are they really better for the planet?
There are tons to consider when you’re out looking for a fresh pair of shoes—style, size, and comfort—and that’s only after you ask the foremost important question: “Is this made out of animal material or other body parts?” Fortunately, you will find plenty of eye-catching sneakers made out of vegan skin, canvas, or other animal-related materials.
Below is a list of some great vegan sneakers manufacturers:
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NAT-2
German sneakers company Nat-2 loves demonstrating that jazzy shoes are frequently made in creative manners. Its printing operation uses recycled dregs and plastic bottles, and it has made shoes from stone, grass, corn, beans, and other materials.
INSECTA SHOES
Insecta offers one kind 100% vegan selection of handmade shoes, made of vintage clothing.
KEEP
This 100% vegan shoe company is situated in Los Angeles; however, ships everywhere throughout the nation.
SAUCONY
Saucony is a classic running brand with an extensive vegan collection.
INKKAS
This company produces walking art pieces, with a vast collection of vibrant and unique canvas patterns—and it plants a tree with every purchase to boot!
ETNIES
Etnies offers a range of sleek vegan sneakers, including many low-top skate shoes and also the versatile high top above.
SUPERGA
An Italian brand with style known around the world, Superga offers a plethora of vegan options, like its 2075 COTU classic. Note: Since this company doesn’t label its shoe.
MERRELL
Regardless of whether you’re hitting the boulevards or the path, a reliable pair of Merrells can get you there.
EMERICA
Emerica features a sort of vegan skate shoes that are built to last.
ONITSUKA TIGER
These sleek Japanese originals make great trainers as well as casual sneakers.
VEGETARIAN SHOES
Vegetarian Shoes offers a vast collection of 100% vegan shoes. Vegetarian Shoes even produces a pair with Piñatex uppers, that is, leather made of pineapple.
NATIVE SHOES
Native is a 100% vegan Vancouver-based brand that produces a range of comfortable walking shoes like these chukkas:
ETHLETIC
Ethletic offers a gigantic bunch of chic 100% vegan shoes, for instance, its new style, the Hiro—that are made with economical raw materials.
NAE VEGAN SHOES
This Portuguese company’s shoes are all 100% vegan, and many are innovatively made of recycled materials like discarded plastic bottles, tires, and even airbags.
VANS
One of the most famous skate shoe brands of all time, Vans has also made a reputation for itself in the world of vegan sneakers with shoes like this stylish canvas Half Cab.
TOMS
Well known for making a number of the most comfortable slip-on,, TOMS has emerged out to making sneakers and has such a wide selection that it’s a recipient of PETA’s Compassionate Business Award.
HUGO BOSS
Among the most recent to take into account the rising excitement encompassing vegan sneakers is Hugo Boss.
BOSS Menswear now offers top-notch vegan sneakers made from pineapple leather—that’s right, you read that right: pineapple leather.
The material, called Piñatex, is “an innovative leather-alternative created from pineapple leaf fibres.” Because the leaves are a byproduct of harvesting the fruit, no additional resources are needed to produce the material, which implies that farmers receive an additional source of income.
Plus, Piñatex is animal-free. Visit your nearby Hugo Boss store to check if it conveys the 100% vegan trainers, which are available in four stylish colors.
MADEWELL
Madewell’s Sidewalk Sneaker line—available in male and female sizes—have vegan sneakers alternatives which will keep you looking sharp. Be sure to check the Madewell website to verify that the designs you prefer are vegan, as some contain leather or suede.
GOLA
Gola sneakers are high, and now, a large number of them are animals-free. The notable shoe brand released its new Gola Classics Vegan range at the interest of its overall fan base.
There are too many styles to list, so go ahead and explore the extensive lineup for yourself—available in sizes for ladies, men, and even tiny humans!
VEJA
The French brand VEJA is focused on following mindful works on, including sourcing natural and reasonable exchange cotton, wild Brazilian elastic, and corn-based vegan leather.
With 20 options that are 100% vegan, including the popular V-10, there’s no shortage of designs to choose from.
BALENCIAGA
High fashion is now vegan fashion with the launch of Balenciaga’s Zen Sneakers, a 100% leather-free style with a thin sole and a quilted upper material made of polyurethane.
The shoe is obtainable in black or black-and-white, with the Balenciaga logo stamped on the tongue.
The company likewise sells other sneakers which are leather-free, similar to its chunky Track Sneakers and sock-like Speed Sneakers.
Advantages of Vegan Sneakers
Vegan sneakers are made in a way that makes them increasingly reasonable and, in this manner, guiding us towards a greener future. One organization calls its procedure for making vegan sneakers “Green Toe”.
By utilizing the most creative development and materials, they make their vegan sneakers such that they’ll keep going quite a while, therefore eliminating the need for brand new shoes.
Not only are these vegan shoes enduring, but also they’re so comfortable.
One of the essential advances we, as a general public, have taken in our mission wearing eco-friendly shoes like vegan sneakers, is to wipe out a wardrobe brimming with leather shoes, boots or bags.
With the massive efforts, shoe producers have made to offer us non-leather shoes and other manufactured shoes and extras; it’s never been simpler to carry on with a vegetarian lifestyle with the full decision of vegetarian shoes presently becoming available.
Vegan products like vegan sneakers, purses and adornments have propelled a great deal lately.
With the various advances made in the production of synthetic products, the non-leather products we purchase are practically indistinguishable and can barely be told except their certified partners.
Numerous products recently went into the production of shoes that hurt the environment as well as not being comfortable on foot, with leather being one of them it had been a considerable part.
Presently, instead of using leather, PVC or vinyl in the manufacture of shoes, the new vegan sneakers are manufactured from a polyurethane synthetic microfiber.
Other materials that are utilized in vegan shoes include cork, latex or hemp. Hemp is easy to get, doesn’t hurt the environment and is biodegradable. We’ll be seeing hemp utilized in increasingly more eco-friendly products for your home and everyday living.
Another essential part of the production of shoes is rubber. As an approach to save nature while decreasing waste, numerous producers of shoes are utilizing reused vehicle tires and bike tires for the soles and heels of the shoes.
With the various advances in items and materials utilized for eco-friendly dress, vegan shoes and green products, it’s simpler every day for us to help keep the environment green and sound.
If you want to wear shoes that are animal friendly, you will need vegan sneakers to suit your needs.
But How do I know whether my sneakers are vegan?
Curious to know if your shoes are vegan, right? Relax we’ve got your back. A few brands will indicate info about whether their shoes are animal-friendly. However, If perhaps you understand what to look for:
Read the internal shoe naming
If you see the symbols for leather and covered leather, this implies your shoes are not vegan-friendly.
Check the materials
If you’re looking to purchase vegan, stay away from animal-made materials and textures. Wool, leather and fur should be self-evident. Still, some other materials may likewise have animal products present – similarly as with certain brands of felt and flannel.
It is not only the external material you have to consider. A few shoes’ internal linings are produced using animal products, similar to wool-lined shoes. Soles, as well, can in some cases be made of animal products like leather.
Affirm with the company’s website
The background source is the most dependable approach to discover more about the product.
Send an email to customer service and be explicit about required explanations. This is a superior method to find solutions even when you shop in-store.
At times, the sales rep may not have the idea of what makes a shoe vegan.
Nowadays, numerous high street brands typically avoid animal products except if they form a key piece of the shoe plan or style. It’s significantly more reasonable and affordable for shoe-manufacturers to utilize non-animal products – substituting natural suede for artificial suede, for instance.
Tips to keep your vegan sneakers in excellent condition
Shoes ought not to be worn on repeatedly every day – try substituting them with another pair to permit them to air dry.
Don’t apply direct heat to your shoes, for instance, putting them close to a warmer or fire. If your shoes are wet and you’ve got to dry them out, instead leave them in an airy area.
Cleaning: Use a soft brush and tenderly brush shoes after rainfall or once per month to clean dirt and dust. You can likewise use a moist material and a little mild cleaner.
Water-proof spray: you can also protect your shoes by spraying them with a water-proof spray before your first wear*
Re-soling: Prolong the life of your shoes by putting resources into a top-quality shoemaker to re-sole them if/when necessary. Make sure you don’t leave it too late to avoid permanent damage.
Keep shoes in great condition by applying shoe cream and polish regularly. Ensure that shoes are well cleaned already; at that point, apply uniformly in a circular pattern. When dry, buff with a polishing brush to include lustre.
Shape: Help shoes to keep their shape by storing them with shoe trees, or stuffing them with paper tissue or paper.
Let’s compare Vegan and Non-vegan materials for shoes
If you think plastic and synthetic materials are as awful as leather, then know that the vegan shoemaking process is less destructive to the environment.
Vegan materials are eco-friendly than leather, adaptable, and light-weight, providing better design alternatives.
Water utilization and use of toxic substances and colors are limited. Numerous brands make polyurethane (PU) polyester using castor oil rather than petroleum.
Vegan alternatives match non-vegan fabrics in strength and luxury.
In Conclusion,
Show your love for the environment, animals, and individuals working in the shoe industry by picking a corporation that mirrors your qualities – using natural, upcycled or reused material. Ideally breathable and eco-friendly PU polymer in synthetics.
Bolster a company or brand that keeps up stringent quality control and provides decent working conditions.
