It’s always good to kick it footloose with your wardrobe (and your dance moves). But we shouldn’t play loose with our standards for sustainable shoes.
Shoes are a haven for plastics and other non-renewable materials. They’re often produced to be consumed, not repaired, resulting in billions of pairs heading to landfill each year.
Before you put away those dogs and go barefoot, we’ve collected some of the best sustainable shoes so you can dance the night away without worrying about your feet or the planet.
There’s a lot that goes into a sustainable shoe. To find those brands walking the talk, we considered materials, ethics in the supply chain, and what steps a brand is taking to reduce its environmental impact through using renewable energy, circularity initiatives, and more.
Our new Brand Rating System steps this up by considering 22 criteria, from biodiversity and chemical use to product performance and durability. We haven’t run these brands through it yet, but to see the in’s and out’s of how this new system works and everything it will cover when we do, hop over to our explainer here.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
The Best Sustainable Shoe Brands To Get Your Conscious Kicks
Allbirds goes beyond carbon-neutral to climate positive with sustainable workout shoes and, in our opinion, the comfiest casual shoes which are basically like wearing slippers (without actually wearing slippers).
Characterized by circularity, we love that Thousand Fell shoes are made using a closed-loop process. They’re cute and functional to boot (pun intended) and we can definitely vouch for how comfortable they are.
For fair trade leather shoes, we think Nisolo are the best in class for ethics and sustainable leather production. We’ve been wearing a pair of their Heeled Chelsea Boots for over a year and love how versatile and durable they are.
Index: The Most Sustainable Shoe Brands
- Allbirds Jump to brand
- Nisolo Jump to brand
- 8000Kicks Jump to brand
- Thousand Fell Jump to brand
- Baabuk Jump to brand
- ABLE Jump to brand
- The Root Collective Jump to brand
- Bhava Jump to brand
- VEJA Jump to brand
- Cariuma Jump to brand
- Dooeys Jump to brand
Allbirds
Price Range: $50–$170
About Allbirds
We talk about Allbirds a lot on Sustainable Jungle—and for a good reason.
This Certified B Corp uses sustainable materials to make durable, high-quality shoes that are good for your feet and the planet.
Check out their Wool Runner Mizzles for rain-friendly, water-repellent sneakers, and their sustainable kid’s shoes for little tootsies. We’ve worn their runners and sneakers for years and for slipper comfort levels, you don’t get much better than this.
Allbirds’ Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Allbirds’ sustainable training shoes and casual sneakers use two primary powerhouse materials: wool and trees (and sometimes both together with their signature Trino® fabric).
Their merino wool is ZQ-certified to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare and sustainable farming and the trees used to create their TENCEL™ lyocell comes from an FSC-certified source in South Africa.
Those wonderfully soft, cushy insoles are sugarcane-based SweetFoam® made from FSC-certified natural rubber.
To tie it all up, every pair of Allbirds laces equals one recycled plastic bottle.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Each product description lists where their shoes and sustainable basics are made: North Carolina, Guatemala, Peru, South Korea, China, or Vietnam.
They establish healthy, long-term partnerships with factories and provide details about their evaluation, auditing, and remediation processes.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
A member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Allbirds seeks to continually assess its sustainability and drive change in the industry.
Every product description lists the total estimated carbon output over each product’s lifecycle.
Going beyond carbon offsetting (though they still do that), they want to reduce carbon to begin with, and they’re doing that through regenerative agriculture, renewable materials, and green energy.
Shoes are shipped in 90% post-consumer recyclable cardboard and their ReRun resale program helps keep shoes in circulation for longer.
Community & charitable giving:
Partnering with Soles4Souls, Allbirds helps their lightly used shoes find new homes with people who need them most.
Here’s our deeper dive into Allbirds’ sustainability if you want to look at the minutiae of how we evaluated this brand.
Nisolo
Price Range: $90–$280
About Nisolo
For over a decade, Nashville-based Nisolo has taken the sustainable footwear world in its stride with its artisan quality, sustainable leather shoes—making them one of the best sources for sustainable men’s shoes and women’s alike.
The brand’s best-selling Commuter Collection features classy, weather-resistant footwear to take you from the subway to the office in a sustainable style.
You’ll also find plenty of sandals, slip-ons, sneakers, boots, and oxfords to complement any outfit or occasion.
Nisolo’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Nisolo’s primary material is leather, combined with rubber soles and foam midsoles.
95% of their leather is certified sustainably tanned by the Leather Working Group (LWG) and 100% is sourced as a byproduct of the meat industry.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Nisolo’s main factory is one they own and operate in Trujillo, Peru. They also partner with factories in León, Mexico, and independent artisans in Nairobi, Kenya.
With 100% living wages across their entire Tier 1 supply chain (and expanding to other tiers), Nisolo is transparent about its efforts to support meaningful employment for all workers.
As a co-founder of the Lowest Wage Challenge, they also encourage other brands to do the same.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Nisolo is Carbon Neutral-certified via offsets, but their 0% Net Carbon commitment has them working to reduce their emissions altogether.
Each Nisolo product includes a Sustainability Facts label that lists its carbon footprint.
The brand’s comprehensive Sustainability Framework outlines its goals.
Community & charitable giving:
Nisolo partners with Soles4Souls to sponsor a reclamation program for their shoes.
My Personal Review of Nisolo’s Ana Heeled Chelsea Boot:
“My personal favorite is the Heeled Chelsea Boot, which has become a staple in my wardrobe. It looks classy enough for the nicest and most professional of occasions, yet its chunky, 2.5″ heel is super stable and comfortable (meaning I can also comfortably strut my stuff all day). I’ve been wearing them for over a year, and they’ve held up beautifully”.
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
8000Kicks
Compostable
All or some products are compostable, either in an industrial facility or at homeEthical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.Organic
Products are made from organic materials.Recycled materials
Some or all products are made with recycled materialsRepairs Offered
Product can be easily repaired directly by the brand.Thoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.Upcycled
Products have been upcycled from an unusable or undesirable form into new products.Vegan
This brand does not use any animal products or by-products in their productsPrice Range: $129-$199
About 8000Kicks
Portugal-based 8000Kicks can’t hemp but be sustainable.
With hemp as their signature material, they’ve created plant-based, eco-friendly walking shoes that help you run lightly, both in your mile and in your carbon footprint.
Their signature Explorer V2 vegan sneakers are breathable, lightweight, and waterproof and come in various colors and sizes for both men and women.
The hemp insole is particularly standout with about as much give as a cork sole, it moulds to your foot. And with a wider toe box your foot can expand as you get more active.
They also have the Crossover Chelsea boots if you’re looking for some sustainable hiking boots that pack a sturdier punch.
8000Kicks’ Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
As eco-friendly materials go, hemp fabric is one of the best, and it’s what 8000Kicks uses for its uppers and insoles.
The outer soles are made from algae harvested from algal blooms, helping clean-up marine ecosystems.
Supply chain & labor practices:
8000Kicks partners with factories in Portugal and China, for which they share the average salary in their FAQs.
Regular factory inspections ensure high standards of worker welfare.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
8000Kicks uses renewable energy, carbon offsets, and recycled cardboard and cornstarch mail bags.
My Personal Review of 8000Kicks’ Explorer V2:
“The Explorer V2 Allblack’s have been my go-to kicks for three years now. I wear them daily. They’ve handled everything from regular wear to five-mile runs and longer rocky, hilly hikes. The soles are beginning to wear down, but the uppers remain in great shape. The fit is spacious but not overly wide, which works well for my narrow feet, though I do find them to run slightly larger than expected. The waterproof feature, which I originally dismissed, has turned out to be a great bonus—especially in my rainy climate—eliminating the need for boots on quick outings in light rain. I also love the all-black color scheme, which effectively conceals dirt, something I appreciate given how much use these shoes get.”
Review by Lyall Mabin, SJ’s Co-founder
My Personal Review of 8000Kicks’ Explorer V2:
“I’ve been wearing the Explorer V2 for women for the past 18 months, and I’m really impressed. The waterproof feature is a total game changer. I wear them while walking my dog, playing outside with my son, and running errands, and even on rainy days, my feet stay perfectly dry. I did find the sizing a bit on the large side, so I wouldn’t go for a run in these. However, they’re fantastic for various other activities. I truly appreciate the innovative design behind these shoes, and I can’t wait to see what Bernardo and his team do next.”
Review by Joy McConnochie, SJ’s Co-founder
Thousand Fell
Price Range: $125–$135 (+$20 recycling deposit)
About Thousand Fell
Thousand Fell was founded with the idea that sneakers shouldn’t end up in landfills.
This NYC-based brand creates closed-loop vegan eco-friendly shoes that are repairable and recyclable.
Choose from classic styles like eco-friendly slip-on shoes and retro-inspired Court shoes.
You pay a $20 recycling deposit, and when they finally wear out, you can send them back to Thousand Fell and receive $20 towards your next pair.
Thousand Fell’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
The main material for the body is a vegan leather made from recycled plastic bottles coated with a corn waste resin and a natural quartz barrier making it stain and water-resistant.
Outsoles are made from natural rubber and insoles from recycled rubber yoga mats.
Cushioning is thanks to castor bean oil, and you can say goodbye to stinky feet (and socks) with the aloe vera-coated sock liner.
Supply chain & labor practices:
This brand’s eco-friendly skate shoes are designed in New York City and made in Brazil in a family-owned factory.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
The brand’s circular process means that their women’s and men’s eco-friendly shoes are taken back and either refurbished for donation or reclaimed for raw materials. These materials are then upcycled into new shoes or recycled by third party-partners.
Each pair comes wrapped in a reusable organic tote bag and an FSC-certified shoebox that doubles as a shipping box.
Thousand Fell uses micro-warehouses and bikes to reduce the carbon output of NYC-area deliveries.
Community & charitable giving:
A member of 1% for the Planet, they also partner with Soles4Souls to donate refurbished shoes to those in need.
My Personal Review of Thousand Fells’ Slip-On & Lace-Up:
“I own the Women’s Slip-On and Women’s Lace-Up and love how comfortable they are. The lace-ups are a classically styled sneaker that I’ve worn all day long with no complaints, thanks to the super comfy cushioned insoles. They seem well-made, so I reckon Thousand Fell’s claim that they’re good for 2.4 million steps is to be believed. I also love that I can send them back for recycling when they eventually wear out.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
My Personal Review of Thousand Fells’ Slip-Ons:
“I’m a big fan of the Men’s Slip-Ons, which have an impressive amount of cushion and comfort for a minimalist-style shoe. They’re super easy to clean (which is fortunate as I went for the all-white version) and are a really versatile style. The fit is great, too, no issues with the heels slipping or sliding off when I’m walking around, and the slip-on style is just really convenient”.
Review by Christopher Ryan, SJ’s Menswear Tester
Baabuk
Price Range: $99–$159
About Baabuk
Baabuk started with a family trip and a love for wool. Then the first Baabuk slipper was born.
The Swiss brand has since extended its range to include wool sneakers and boots in several unisex and gender neutral designs and, in our opinion, the best selection of colors. Some of the two tones seriously pop.
Check out their wool Ballerina Flats for cute and comfortable sustainable shoes. And their Blacknose Sky Woolers for an ultra-comfortable merino lining, with a snug toe box and narrow fit. This one’s a winner for cold climates while you do some urban hiking.
Baabuk’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Baabuk’s star material is mulesing-free, ethical wool, which they source from Portugal and New Zealand.
The soles of the sustainable slippers are made from natural latex, and their sneakers have TPU and natural rubber soles.
The Portuguese workshop uses REACH-certified dyes.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Baabuk is a Certified B Corp, and provides a breakdown of its score on their website.
Their shoes are made in workshops in Nepal and Portugal, both of which provide safe working conditions, support female employment, and pay 25% above the national average wage.
In the logistics center in Switzerland, Baabuk has partnered with the BVA Foundation to help employ people with mental and physical disabilities.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Their wool sustainable winter shoes are machine washable, and you can buy replacement insoles and a repair kit to keep them going for longer.
You can also send old shoes back to Baabuk where they’ll be donated or recycled for their raw materials.
Community & charitable giving:
Baabuka partners with ProSpecieRara to help protect six native endangered sheep breeds in Switzerland—they even have a sheep named after them called Miss Baabuka.
My Personal Review of Baabuk’s Sky Wooler:
“I own the high-rise Sky Woolers in Navy Moka, and they’re hands down one of my favorite everyday shoes, no matter the season, thanks to the water-repellant wool upper and a merino lining that keeps my feet at the perfect temperature. They’re not really built for exercising in (the sole is flat and not very cushioned), but they’re super comfy for everyday casual wear, especially in winter when I want warmth without the heaviness of winter boots.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
My Personal Review of Baabuk’s Urban Woolers:
“Don’t you love it when you get a compliment while waiting in the supermarket queue? I was wearing my Urban Woolers from Baabuk in Honey Grey and received a “cute shoes” compliment from the much cooler women behind me. Made my day! Aside from the style kudos, these are extraordinarily comfortable and the ease with which they can be slipped on thanks to the stretchy laces is so handy. They’re warm and surprisingly go with so many things. I’m a big fan of these gems!”
Review by Joy McConnochie, SJ’s Co-founder
ABLE
Price Range: $85–$165
About ABLE
For sustainable shoes USA, Nashville-based ABLE has our toes covered (or uncovered, depending on the design).
Whether you’re looking for new office shoes, heels, flats, sandals, or sneakers, ABLE’s affordable eco-friendly shoes are made to last.
For breezy and stylish sustainable summer shoes, their Mika Clog Sandals are a versatile wardrobe staple. Featuring a criss-cross toe strap, a padded insole, and lightweight wooden heel, these shoes are built for comfort and ethical style.
ABLE’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Most of ABLE’s shoes are made from leather, sourced from discarded animal hides and processed using semi-veg tanning (a hybrid process of chrome and vegetable tanned leather processing).
They also use tweed, rubber, and memory foam for some of their shoes.
Supply chain & labor practices:
ABLE works with five manufacturers in Ethiopia for most of their products. Their jewelry is produced at their headquarters in Nashville.
One of the first fair trade shoe brands to publish its lowest wage and a co-founder of the Lowest Wage Challenge, ABLE continually advocates for living wages and safe working conditions for every worker in its supply chain.
This women-run company empowers its female employees with living wages, company ownership, full maternity pay, options for 100% paid health care, and infertility and adoption support.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
To minimize waste, ABLE collaborates with its leather partners to design repairable shoes (which feature a lifetime warranty) that will make the most efficient use of materials. They donate denim scraps to become housing insulation.
The brand is transitioning to 100% recyclable shipping materials and their vendors use recyclable or upcycled packaging as available in their communities.
Community & charitable giving:
ABLE works to support all of its suppliers in providing stable, equitable, empowering work for women all over the world.
The Root Collective
Price Range: $138–$298
About The Root Collective
The Root Collective was founded to create a positive impact where it’s most needed.
The brand’s eco-friendly dress shoes and bags provide much needed jobs to Guatemalan artisans.
Catering to all of your fair trade footwear needs, you’ll find boots, flats, sustainable heels, sandals, and sneakers in plenty of styles and colors.
Their Casey sandals are perfect for sunny weather. Choose between solid leather or designs with a handwoven cotton strap.
The Root Collective Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
TRC’s eco-friendly women’s shoes are primarily leather, mostly sourced from a Leather Working Group certified tannery. Some designs also feature handwoven cotton.
Outsoles are either wood and rubber or leather and rubber.
Supply chain & labor practices:
The Root Collective shares (with permission) the stories of some of their artisans to help illustrate a less than flat social impact of their flats and more.
They work with several workshops in Guatemala, where workers earn 50-400% above the local minimum wage.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
The Root Collective prioritizes small batch and made-to-order production to reduce waste and avoid fast fashion.
Community & charitable giving:
You can buy and sell your pre-loved shoes from The Root Collective on their online marketplace.
Bhava
Price Range: $195–$345
About Bhava
Bhava is ethical, vegan, and here to help you hit the town in good-for-you, sustainable women’s shoes.
Test-driven in NYC, each fashion-forward design is made to be kind to your feet regardless of the urban terrain you’re traversing.
The Gaia sandal is a summer essential for minimalist wardrobes. Available in beige, black, or white, the style features a minimal toe loop and cross-over ankle strap for support.
Bhava also sells knee-high boot uppers. Pair them with one of their compatible models of ankle boots for the ultimate piece of flexible footwear.
Bhava’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Bhava uses REACH-certified Italian vegan leather that does not contain PCP, formaldehyde, PVC, phthalates, azo dyes, or chrome.
Other materials include cork fabric, organic cotton, eco Ultrasuede, wood and natural rubber.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Sustainable boots to sandals, everything is handmade in either Spain or Mumbai (which is 100% female owned and operated).
Carbon commitments & green practices:
The soles on each pair of Bhava’s vegan sustainable shoes are repairable.
They also offer an eco-friendly shoe care kit containing gentle, non-toxic products to help keep your shoes in tip-top shape.
VEJA
Price Range: $70–$245
About VEJA
Are VEJA shoes sustainable?
Yes! French-brand VEJA has been making sustainable athletic shoes for nearly 20 years and its industry-defying business model is as transparent as the holes in your old running shoes (read: you can see right through them).
You’ll find high-performance footwear for men and women, as well as those for your mini-me.
VEJA also has plenty of vegan-friendly options, like the Urca CWL Low Top Sneaker. These eco-friendly canvas shoes are made from a coated organic cotton canvas.
VEJA’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
VEJA’s preferred sustainable materials (which account for 85% of those used) are recycled PET, and natural materials including organic cotton, chrome-free leather, organic jute, and CWL (a coated organic cotton leather alternative).
The coating for the CWL is a 54% bio-based resin made from P.U., cornstarch, and castor bean oil.
They also use bio-based materials for cushioning and Amazonian natural rubber for outsoles.
All are regularly tested for toxins, evidenced by required supplier reports.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Produced in Brazil, VEJA ensures safe, equitable working conditions and fair wages for everyone involved in the production process.
The Certified B Corp also sets the price for the cotton they purchase for the entire year, to encourage financial security and better ecological practices among suppliers.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Using renewable energy and carbon reduction practices, VEJA publishes its exact carbon footprint, as well as the emissions for each sneaker model.
You can drop off your old VEJA shoes to stores in New York and France, where they’ll be cleaned and refurbished or recycled.
Community & charitable giving:
To staff its Parisian warehouse, VEJA partners with Log’ins, a social inclusion company that provides job opportunities, professional development, and social support to disabled people.
Cariuma
Price Range: $79–$169
About Cariuma
Cariuma came into being when two guys from Brazil decided that sneakers could be better—both for the consumer and the planet.
Their vintage-inspired, eco-friendly shoes for men and women include vegan sneakers and sustainable skate shoes, carefully designed for comfort and durability.
Check out their collaboration with National Geographic for some nature-inspired footwear.
Cariuma’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Cariuma uses several natural materials including GOTS-certified organic cotton, BCI cotton, natural rubber, OEKO-TEX-certified bamboo, sustainable cork, and leather and suede from LWG Gold-Rated tanneries.
They also use recycled materials including nylon and rPET, and mamona oil, a plant-based alternative to petroleum.
All materials are dyed using bluesign® approved dye chemicals.
Supply chain & labor practices:
This Certified B Corp’s sustainable men’s shoes and women’s shoes are made in a WRAP GOLD-certified facility. Workers receive living wages and benefit from a safe and respectful working environment.
Annual audits ensure compliance with Cariuma’s Code of Conduct and the brand shares the level of traceability it has across the different tiers of its supply chain.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Featuring protective toe caps and fully stitched outsoles, these eco-friendly skate shoes are made to last.
Each pair ships carbon-neutral in recyclable and recycled materials, printed with soy-based ink.
Community & charitable giving:
For every pair sold, two trees are planted in the Brazilian rainforest.
Our Personal Review of Cariuma Catiba Pros:
“Lyall and I both bought a pair of the Catiba Pros which we’ve worn for about 18months – 2 years. We’re also both 90s nostalgia tragics so the style of these and how they look with almost any outfit is definitely our thing. I am super impressed with how hard wearing they are (with all the added protection for actual skaters, unlike me) and how comfortable high tops can be (I don’t remember them being this comfy). They are a little harder to get on, they are high tops I guess but that’s also partly me being lazy and trying to squeeze in without adjusting the laces. The white suede does mark easily so I try not to wear these if I’m doing anything off the beaten track…“
Review by Joy McConnochie, SJ’s Co-founder
Dooeys
Price Range: $130-$140
About Dooeys
Looking for sustainable slip-on shoes?
Designed in Amsterdam and made in Portugal, Dooeys sustainable slip-on shoes are the ultimate comfy at-home shoe.
This sustainable shoe brand’s women’s styles include vegan leather loafers, mules, and sandals, all of which are 100% vegan.
The House Loafers in Blush Cinnamon are bestsellers. With a cozy lining and supportive insoles, they’ll keep your feet happy whether you’re working from home, kicking back, or getting on household chores.
Dooeys Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Dooeys uses vegan leather made from apples, recycled plastic bottles, organic cotton, and recycled polyester.
They also used recycled rubber and foam, cork, and sugarcane EVA for the inserts and soles of the shoes, along with a coconut fiber husk footbed.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Prioritizing small batch production, Dooeys shoes are handmade in a small, ethical factory in Portugal.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Dooeys shoes are wrapped in recycled materials that double as shipping packaging, and shipping is carbon offset.
My Personal Review of Dooey’s House Shoes:
“We live on a little backyard homestead and I love how versatile Dooey’s House Shoes are. I can go from working in the office to watering the garden to cooking dinner, all without having to change my shoes. The open back is airy enough for wear in warmer weather, while the Sherpa fleece lining keeps my tootsies toasty on cold mornings.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content