<p>To help sort through all the green marketing out there and get to the brands that are really making a difference, we referenced <a href=”https://goodonyou.eco/” target=”_blank”>Good On You</a>. The free online database provides a rating system and simple breakdown of the conscientiousness of fashion brands. Each rating is based on how brands perform in three categories: Planet, People, and Animals. Any awards or certifications that a brand has received are also displayed. </p><p>Of course, all the green innovation in the world doesn’t matter if there’s no style. So we’ve rounded up the best sustainable shoes that are easy on the environment and stylish on your feet. </p><p><strong><a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/style/g43601197/best-sustainable-clothing-brands/” target=”_blank”>Best Sustainable Clothing Brands</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/style/g38446421/best-athleisure-brands-for-men/” target=”_blank”>Best Athleisure Brands for Men</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/style/g38658839/best-online-clothing-stores-for-men/” target=”_blank”>Best Online Clothing Stores for Men</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/style/g41408655/best-cheap-online-clothings-stores/” target=”_blank”>Best Cheap Online Clothing Stores</a></strong></p>” />
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Transparency is crucial to distinguishing between brands that talk about sustainability and brands that practice it. Nisolo is not one of the worlds most sustainable shoe companies, it has the transparency to prove it. All factories that Nisolo works with are held to a Code of Conduct that is posted on the brand’s website, guaranteeing a livable wage and safe working conditions. More over, the brand earned a Climate Neutral Certification by offsetting their carbon footprint.
Nisolo’s Huarache is a softened up take on the classic summer sandal. The supple upper will mold to your feet like warm butter while the foam midsole cradles them like a sleeping baby. The leather is also water resistant so hit the beach, pool, lake, beach, etc.
A pioneer in the sustainable shoe game, Allbirds is practically a household name now. The brand started out making wool sneakers which sounded crazy at the time, until people started wearing them and fell in love. With the philosophy of creating shoes that can last for years but biodegrade when their time finally comes, the New Zealand startup is continually innovating new natural materials.
Allbirds’ fresh SuperLight line has taken sustainability to a new level. With a sole made from sugarcane, an upper made from eucalyptus tree TENCEL, and laces made from recycled plastic bottles, these sneakers are light on your feet and the planet. Every shoe on Allbirds’ website has a carbon footprint rating and the SuperLight Tree Sneaker is the smallest yet at 2.85 kg CO2e.
Read more: Allbirds Dasher Shoes Review
Having a beach life vibe is one thing but SeaVees is taking steps to preserve our oceans. The California-based company participates in 1% for the Planet, supports the SEATREES organization that restores coastal kelp forests, and has gradually incorporated more natural materials. Now, every single shoe they make uses some degree of recycled fabrics.
Years of tinkering have paid off with the new Seachange line, a set of slip-on sneakers that are entirely of recycled and natural. These slip-ons may look like classic SeaVees but the upper is made from a pineapple fiber and cotton twill, the lining is recycled cotton canvas, the gore is recycled elastic, and the sole is recycled and natural rubber.
You know Cariuma is nailing sustainability when they’re listed as a Staff Pick brand by Good On You. Don’t let the eco-friendly vibe fool you though. This is a genuine skate shoe brand. You can see it in the classic ’90s skate shoe silhouettes that inform every design. Unlike OG labels, Cariuma uses materials like cork foam, sugarcane rubber, and bamboo fiber.
The IBI Low is a perfect summer shoe. Made from a bamboo knit upper and sugarcane sole, it is super lightweight and breathable. The cork insole provides ample cushioning. Best of all, the simple design will match everything from a seersucker suit to swim trunks.
Most people know Veja for how stylish its sneakers are, not its exceptional sustainability. Which is a testament to how a business can do both things well. Veja sources materials responsibly whenever possible and provides a detailed breakdown of every material used in every shoe on their website.
Alvenomesh, from which this retro runner gets its name, is a recycled polyester fabric that Veja developed. It comprises most of the upper, while the panels are made from vegan faux suede with a canvas backing. The midsole, insole, and outsole are all a combination of recycled polyester, sugarcane, natural rubber, and organic cotton. It’s a classic look in a more friendly build.
Italian footwear newcomer ID Eight was founded by a couple of shoe design veterans who saw the industry’s environmental impact first hand and knew they could do better. Every material used is either recycled or derived from plant waste (it turns out that apple skins and pineapple leaves make really good faux leather). Human rights are another value ID Eight stands by. Every sneaker is assembled in the EU under strict working condition standards, and the brand’s website ensures supply chain traceability. No wonder this is one of Good On You’s top rated Staff Pick brands.
ID Eight only makes two sneaker models, the runner style Hana and the flat sole Duri. However, both come in a wide range of color combinations. The Hanna in particular offers some really vibrant and fun options that will add serious flavor to your shoe game. It’s a comfy everyday sneaker that will catch looks and get plenty of “what brand are those?” comments.
Koio has taken a more old school approach to sustainable shoe manufacturing. Rather than using advanced new materials, Koio opts for the highest quality leather, rubber, and cotton that have a light eco footprint. Though less animal friendly than vegan alternatives, Koio only uses leather certified gold and silver by The Leather Working Group—an organization that monitors tanneries for environmental impact, animal welfare, and human rights.
Every pair of Koio shoes are hand assembled in Tuscany, Italy, and the detailing and finishing on the Capri is closer to a fine leather dress shoe than your average sneaker. High quality like this equals longevity which is arguably the most sustainable attribute a shoe can have.
Overproduction is a tricky problem that plagues the entire fashion industry, causing loss of revenue and ultimately excessive waste. To combat this age old issue, Beckett Simonon uses a made-to-order system. No shoe is produced until a customer has already ordered it. The only drawback is that it requires some patience, but that is a small price to pay for ensuring every shoe ends up on a loving foot. As for transparency, the source of their leather and the working conditions and location of their factory are laid out on its website.
Beckett Simonon only uses leather certified gold by the Leather Working Group, including the water resistant suede used in the Bernard Tassel Loafer. Hand crafted in Bog0ta, Columbia by expert shoe makers, this is a dress shoe that can be resoled again and again.
Some revolutionary ideas are so simple that it is a wonder no one did it sooner. Case in point: make sneakers that can be resoled. The sole wears out on most high quality sneakers well before the upper, but they still end up in the trash. Victory Sportswear decided that should no longer be the case. Every pair is hand crafted in small batches in Massachusetts. When the sole wears out, buyers can send them back to the workshop to get resoled up to four times. Essentially, that quadruples the lifespan of the sneaker.
Maybe Victory Sportswear’s Classic Suede Sneaker reminds you of another, far more iconic footwear brand based in Massachusetts? This is an investment shoe that you can count on for longevity in both time and style.
Even when fashion companies want to track the environmental impact of their products, it can be a challenge because they have to rely on third party manufacturing. Rothys solved this by creating their own factory and designing their own materials. Those materials are based on recycling things like plastic bottles, production scrap, and even old pairs of Rothys. The factory was awarded an LEED Gold certification in 2022, recognizing environmentally sustainable buildings.
According to the website, about 16 used plastic bottles go into a single pair of Ravello Loafers. The entire upper is made from a proprietary fabric spun from recycled single use plastic. With the look of a loafer with the comfort of a house slipper, the Ravello will probably replace your favorite sneakers as your new go-to shoes.
Treating workers with respect and paying them fairly leads to a better world. That simple idea was the principle behind the founding of Adelante. Every shoe is made-to-order in Guatemala. The company releases a report each year detailing the average pay workers receive, how many new hires joined, and improvements it made to offset their carbon footprint.
Along with being made-to-order, Adelante shoes are very customizable. You can choose any size and width, as well as the color of each individual leather panel. The Viento is a perfect summer slip-on to upgrade any outfit. Jeans and a tee just look different with a pair of leather loafers.
Thousand Fell wants to trick you. Don’t worry though, it’s for a good cause. The progressive new sneaker brand is doing exciting things with recycled and vegan materials in the hopes that no one can tell the difference. Selling sustainable sneakers is easier when they look and feel just like traditional sneakers. The jig is up as soon as you scroll down past product description. All the recycled bottles and coconut husks that go into each pair are spelled out for you right on the website.
The Court is all about comfort. A yoga mat insole is made from actual recycled yoga mats. An aloe vera treated mesh lining is designed for sockless wear. The recycled plastic upper and natural rubber sole are ultra lightweight. Topping the whole thing off is a natural stain resistant coating.
Los Angelas based footwear brand Clae was founded in 2001, and all of the materials used are environmentally friendly. There is a vegan line, and a recycled plastic line. That said, timeless style and exceptional comfort has always been the label’s goal.
The Bradley is one of Clae’s signature designs that comes in a range of vegan and recycled materials. A recycled foam insole makes for all day comfort. It is a classic flat soled tennis sneaker that will match everything in your wardrobe.
A nomadic lifestyle requires clothing and accessories that are comfortable, durable, repairable, and keep you light on your feet. That was the inspiration behind Nomadic State of Mind. Everything is hand made to reduce carbon emissions. The most durable materials possible are used to cut down on the need to replace.
Though the Slingback Rope Sandals were inspired by centuries-old nomadic footwear, they have a more nautical vibe in modern context, like an espadrille and sandal hybrid. Built from extremely durable and water resistant polypopene rope, these are the perfect summer standbys. They look just as good at a beach bonfire as they do at a rooftop party.
Back in 2005, the founders of Etiko have been making affordable footwear that didn’t exploit developing countries. Not only has the Australian brand succeeded in making classic sneakers sold at friendly prices, it earned a rare Great rating from Good On You. That means every aspect of the company is friendly to nature, human rights, and animal welfare.
Eiko’s slip ons may look the same as the classic design from any number of brands, but the materials and labor that go into every pair sets them apart. Fair Trade Organization certified organic cotton canvas is used for the upper, while the sole is made from all natural tapped rubber that doesn’t kill trees or use petroleum. As with all their products, you can even add a tip for their factory workers at checkout.
Contributing Commerce Style Writer
Brad is a contributing style commerce editor. After a decade working for menswear brands including J.Crew and Ralph Lauren, Brad switched from selling fashion to writing about it. His words have appeared in Huckberry, Heddels, and The Manual.
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