Step to this: A whopping 23 billion pairs of shoes are made every year, with 22 billion pairs landfilled.
Add the growing global “sneakerhead” culture of covetous collecting and consumption and it’s easy to see why we need sustainable men’s shoes stat.
Luckily, there are a number of brands treading the slow fashion runway with low-impact male footwear to ensure style stays in-step with low-impact principles.
The fashion landscape continues to exhaust our planet, and there is nothing more ‘sole’ destroying than seeing more shoes dumped at the junkyard. But, without stepping on anyone’s toes, we know that finding second-hand shoes that fit correctly can be like running a marathon.
So, to find the top men’s shoe brands for your feet and the planet, we waded through impact reports, materials, sourcing, manufacturing, and general green practices.
In the next few months, we’ll be unveiling our new Brand Rating System, which will assess brands across 22 key factors, including their environmental impact and chemical use. To learn more, check out our detailed explainer.
Men’s Sustainable Shoes We’d Wear Any Day
Thousand Fell has tested their sustainable shoes for men up to 2.4 million steps (of which we’ve contributed many a mile), ensuring an extended and durable life.
Join 8000Kicks in saying “yes we cannabis!” as they create the most durable hemp shoe we’ve ever worn for everyday wear.
Or become one of the Brave GentleMan who struts around in a classy collection of men’s dress shoes that ooze high fashion and low-impact.
Index: Ethical Men's Shoe Brands
- Thousand Fell Jump to section
- 8000kicks Jump to section
- Allbirds Jump to section
- Made+ Jump to section
- Cariuma Jump to section
- Brave Gentlemen Jump to section
- Nothing New Jump to section
- Kane Jump to section
- Will's Vegan Store Jump to section
Thousand Fell
Price Range: $125–$135
Made in Brazil and designed in NYC, Thousand Fell’s team first met in China, where they bonded over our current broken system of consumption—from material sourcing, product design, manufacturing and delivery to the waste when products are worn out.
In response, the Textile Exchange member, 1% For the Planet member, and B Corp Certified-pending brand creates recyclable shoes—in fact, being the first to create a completely closed-loop shoe thanks to a Supercircle-powered recycling program. Once they hit the tested 2.4 millions steps, all eco-friendly men’s shoes can be sent back for donation, taken apart to reuse certain materials, or biodegrade.
Both their lace and slip-on styles feature minimalist structural and sustainable details made from coconut, sugarcane, and palm, stain-proof and water-resistant quartz coating, aloe vera-coated lining, recycled rubber insole, and a durable and breathable recycled upper.
My Personal Review of Thousand Fells’ Slip-Ons:
“After testing Thousand Fell’s slip-ons, I was impressed by how comfortable and cushioned they felt, despite their clean and minimalist appearance that makes them easy to pair with just about any outfit in a minimalist men’s wardrobe. The all-white had me a little hesitant at first, but the slick texture easily wipes clean so I can keep them looking bright and polished.
“I also love the convenience of slipping them on, yet once on, the shoes fit snugly and don’t slip and slide on the heels with each step, reducing overall wear on both the heel cups and my heels themselves.”
Review by Christopher Ryan, SJ’s Menswear Tester
8000kicks
Price Range: $75–$199
Since 8000 BC, weed’s “sober cousin” hemp has been used for all kinds of textiles, but it wasn’t until innovative eco men’s shoe brand 8000Kicks stepped up that hemp shoes became a thing.
All their sneaker-style shoes are made of 95% natural and OEKO-TEX®-certified hemp, and the brand is working on a program to recycle preloved shoes. With two main factories in China and Portugal, the brand regularly audits and provides free healthcare and access to free education for workers.
Our Personal Reviews of 8000Kicks’ Explorer V2:
“I’ve worn the Explorer V2 Allblack for 3 years now ad naseum. Honestly, I have a bad habit for not taking them off. They’re an everday wear workhorse. Definitely one of the most durable and robust kicks I’ve ever owned. I’ve taken them on 5mile runs and even some shorter hikes. The soles are starting to show signs of age but the uppers are still 100% functional. They’re also roomy-comfy but not too wide (I have narrow feet). I’d say slightly larger than true to size. I wasn’t really interested in the waterproofing but it’s actually really helpful, especially in my wet climate, I don’t have to worry about putting on boots if I’m nipping out in a bit of rain. I also appreciate the allblack colorway, as it makes it hard to see dirt, and mine are very dirty!”
Review by Lyall Mabin, SJ’s Co-founder
“Tried, tested, and loved—by me included!—I love the naturally water-repellent hemp insoles and upper fabric that keeps my feet feeling dry and smelling (mostly) fresh, even after all day wear—which I can do, largely thanks to how incredibly lightweight and supportive they are.”
Review by Christopher Ryan, SJ’s Menswear Tester
Allbirds
Price Range: $90–$145
Take flight with Climate Neutral certified Allbirds, one of today’s most recognizable sustainable men’s shoe brands.
The New Zealand-based Certified B Corp offers a range of basics and shoes—including slippers, slip-ons, tennis shoes, running shoes, hiking shoes, and high-tops—while continuously improving their trek towards net-zero carbon despite their now global shipping and fanbase.
Using the Higg Facility, Allbirds tracks the water, wastewater, and environmental commitments of their Tier 1 factories and Tier2 suppliers. Their Vietnam factory is also LEED-certified, while their China-based factory is WRAP certified.
All shoes are made from either ZQ-certified ethical merino wool uppers (some of which is regenerative, and they’re aiming for it all to be) or FSC-certified TENCEL™ lyocell uppers, SweetFoam™ midsoles derive from sustainably-sourced sugarcane, laces come from recycled plastic bottles, and insoles are partially derived from castor bean oil. Plus, they’re working on a new M0.0NSHOT net zero shoe and offer a second hand resell program called ReRun. Additionally, returned shoes are donated to Soles4Souls.
My Personal Review of Allbirds’ Tree Runner:
“I started wearing these sneakers years ago and love them to this day. They’re super breathable, performance minded, and overall quite durable. We did find the running shoes did get squeaky quicker than should be reasonable, but functionally, they’ve held up well over lots of use.”
Review by Lyall Mabin, SJ’s Co-founder
Made+
Price Range: $150–$200
In need of durable men’s shoes with a conscience?
Look no further than Made+. Founded by industry veterans of Nike, Under Armour, Skechers, and New Balance, the company is revolutionizing the sneaker game, one slow fashion catwalk step at a time. That’s why everything takes at least three weeks from placing your order, since it’s all ethically handmade in their Annapolis, MD factory.
All of their sneaker models are completely made-to-order using 100% recycled REPREVE® yarn from at least 6 plastic bottles, offering a planet positive, lightweight, and breathable fit for more playing / less breaking in. Some also feature recycled Michelin tires in the soles.
My Personal Review of Made+’s skiff 2:
“I was given the chance to test out a pair of their newest skiff2 design, and from first try-on, were in love with the stretchy comfort of the breathable, knitted upper. Rather than have a bunch of different separate components, I love how the insole and insole are all bundled into one 3D-printed piece that can be removed and replaced if it starts to break down while the rest of the shoe is still in wearable condition. Plus, it’s super cushy and comfortable.
“The only thing I might add is a little extra padding in the heels—but I also know that’s likely because I have historically struggled with heel bursitis which makes me super sensitive to uncushioned heels.”
Review by Christopher Ryan, SJ’s Menswear Tester
Cariuma
Price Range: $85–$170
Cariuma are making major sustainability strides with their range of sustainable sneakers that runners, skateboarders, and casual wearers alike love for their comfort and green conscience.
The Brazilian Certified B Corp—but shipping from warehouses in the USA—was started by friends David and Fernando, who grew weary of the way big shoe brands trample on ethics and the environment.
With a widespread application of sustainable practices like WRAP-gold certified factories and ILO wage standards, the brand’s shoes themselves feature sustainable materials like OEKO-TEX-certified bamboo, GOTS-certified organic cotton, BCI cotton, natural rubber, plus Brazilian sugarcane, mamona oil (an organic plant-based alternative to petroleum), and sustainable cork for their uber-comfy insoles.
Their vegan line (which makes up 65% of their shoe range) uses GRS-certified rPET from recycled plastic bottles for the labels, laces, and uppers. Of those, the Off-White Canvas OCA Pro sneakers is an LA street style favorite thanks to its versatility, sleek design, and feel-good effects of ethical production.
My Personal Review of Cariuma Catiba Pros:
“Both Joy and I own a couple of pairs of the Catiba Pro Low and Highs (black on white and white on black). While they are legit skate shoes they can be worn for everyday urban trekking, no problem. The difference between these and their regular line like the OCA Low (their retro-inspired everyday sneaker) is that they have added padding, grip and rubber protection (they are designed for actual skaters). This does tend to make the shoe a fair bit heavier than other sneakers and these wouldn’t be our first choice for longer walks or say a whole day of activities, as I found my feet got a bit tired. But for really robust (especially in the toe box, heel and the sides of the heels) and aesthetically old-school kicks (love the suede), these are a gem. Both pairs also still have loads of grip on the soles after about 3 years of on and off use (and in my case, with a bit of skateboarding too). We expect them to probably have the best longevity out of all options on this list.”
Review by Lyall Mabin, SJ’s Co-founder
Brave Gentlemen
Price Range: $120–$350
Started in 2010 as the first vegan menswear lifestyle brand in the world, Brave GentleMan’s men’s dress shoes have graced the covers of countless fashion magazines and its founder, Joshua Katcher, is an ethical fashion educator at reputed institutions like Parsons The New School to advocate for slow fashion systems.
Along with bags, jackets, and accessories, their shoe offering includes everything from sandals to boots to dress shoes to sneakers and more, with zero animal products or byproducts used. Most of their materials don a UNE-EN ISO and OEKO-TEX certification, plus a REACH Regulation 1907:2006 mark of approval.
If you prefer men’s shoes made of recycled materials, the Revenant sneakers use waste-diverted cotton and polyester to create the uppers and vulcanized rubber soles. All soles are cemented, giving the shoes moisture-resistance and allowing them to be easily resoled and repaired.
Nothing New
Price Range: $69–$160
Minimize your environmental footprint and maximize your sneaker sophistication with Nothing New, one of the most promising emerging ethical men’s shoe companies to create sneakers using no virgin materials in manufacturing (i.e. nothing new).
Made from Global Recycle Standard (GRS) certified 100% post-consumer recycled plastic that saves water and our planet, Beyond Leather™ upcycled uppers, or chrome-free biodegradable suede, their sneakers prove that one man’s trash is truly another man’s treasure. We especially love their Better Canvas™ Men’s Classic High Tops, a sustainably stylish take on the Converse classic.
The brand knows the first step is the hardest, which is why they continuously improve their sustainable practices and offer transparency on their trek towards carbon neutrality. They also recognize the last step is equally as hard, which is why at product end-of-life, they have the Virtuous Circle Program to ship your used sneakers for $20 towards a new pair and the brand ensures the old ones don’t end up in a landfill.
Kane
Price Range: $80
Shipping from Connecticut, Kane came into the world after founder John Gagliardi fatefully walked past a pile of EVA shoes on a beach and thought there had to be a better way.
Two years later, Kane launched the first form of a unisex biobased EVA slip-on sports rehabilitation shoe. It’s called the Kane Revive and comes available in countless colorways, sure to stimulate feet and muscle recovery. The biobased EVA is sustainably made from RestoreFoam™ that comes from Brazilian sugarcane. As a renewable resource, sugarcane reduces greenhouse gasses by capturing CO2 as it grows.
While the shoes are currently not recyclable, the brand is a Certified B Corp and gives to 1% For The Planet as they walk towards full carbon neutrality.
My Personal Review of Kane’s Revive Shoes:
“While the appearance admittedly had me feeling a little skeptical, I got to test a pair of Kane Revives and can honestly say they’re incredibly comfortable and surprisingly durable. Because they slip-on yet fit snugly once on, they’re perfect for wearing them around the house or on light errands.”
Review by Aarron Lopex, SJ Writer
Will's Vegan Store
Price Range: $75–$150
London-based Will’s Vegan Store has some of the best when it comes to comfort, price, and durability. The brand ethically manufactures its footwear—along with other accessories like men’s vegan belts—in Portugal with Italian vegan leather that’s made of cereal crops, bio-oil, viscose, and 31% polyurethane. It’s free of PVC and PFCs.
This Carbon Neutral-certified brand proudly does not make products for a season or fashion but to last, and encourages circularity with a return to recycle service to turn past purchases at their end of use into new WVS outsoles and uppers.
With a huge range of sustainable men’s dress shoes, boots, sandals, sneakers, hiking boots, oxfords, brogues, loafers, and more, we especially love their stylish and sophisticated LDN Biodegradable Sneakers, which the brand spent years developing with leading shoe component manufacturers across Europe for a sleek 100% biodegradable, carbon neutral, and vegan sneaker.
