Even if you feel like Cinderella looking for the animal-free equivalent of a glass slipper, these vegan shoe brands can help you before the clock strikes midnight.
And beyond responsible materials, the brands we’ve included in this list prioritize human rights, transparency, and other eco-attributes.
Our Brand Rating System now takes this further and assesses brands based on a wider variety of criteria, including chemical use and production waste. Here are the details if you want to learn more. And look out for rated vegan brands on the list below who have opted in for extra transparency.
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 Top Vegan Shoe Brands
8000Kicks make durable shoes from hemp and other vegan materials. They are made ethically in OEKO-TEX certified factories and directly audited by the brand. 8000Kicks has been comprehensively rated and reviewed by us – find the full rating here.
Thousand Fell’s catalog of comfortable vegan shoes is the first of their kind—a completely closed-loop, zero-waste, recyclable shoe that can be sent back for repurposing. We can also personally vouch for how comfortable and durable they are.
For high fashion that’s low impact, veer your virtual shopping cart to VEERAH. This women’s vegan shoe brand isn’t just PETA-approved; they’re also planet-approved thanks to their use of innovative plant-based vegan fabrics. Their HEDY ankle boots, are a personal favorite, thanks to their super comfort and versatility.
Index: Vegan-Friendly Shoe Brands
- 8000Kicks Jump to brand
- Thousand Fell Jump to brand
- Veerah Jump to brand
- Alohas Jump to brand
- VIVAIA Jump to brand
- Native Shoes Jump to brand
- Matt & Nat Jump to brand
- Will’s Vegan Store Jump to brand
- NAE Jump to brand
8000Kicks
Compostable
All or some products are compostable, either in an industrial facility or at home
Ethical 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 materials
Repairs 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 products
OEKO-TEX 100
PETA
Price Range: $99–$199
About 8000Kicks
As a maker of sneakers using ultra-sustainable hemp fabric, there are—dare we say—8000 reasons to love 8000Kicks.
They’re waging war on plastics with their durable and sustainable materials. And as far as eco-vegan shoe brands, they’re setting the bar pretty high. (Vegan shoes made from cannabis sober cousin won’t have the same impact.)
8000Kicks keeps it simple with a few staple styles, like the Explorer V2 and the Seeker—available for both men and women.
Since we fancy ourselves as explorers, we had to try the eponymously named shoes and found ourselves able to explore all day in these lightweight, ultra-comfortable sneakers.
8000Kicks’ Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
OEKO-TEX certified hemp fabric is at the top of the list for vegan shoe materials.
Not only are these vegan shoes made of solid hemp fiber uppers and the world’s first hemp insole, but they also have soles made out of either recycled rubber or algal blooms.
Hemp shoes retain the fabric’s beneficial properties, making them antimicrobial, flexible, durable, dust-proof, antibacterial, and splash-proof.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Factories in China and Portugal stitch together vegan shoes. Details like specific manufacturing locations for products and average salaries are shared in 8000Kicks’ FAQs.
Because hemp grows well in China, 8000Kicks keeps its supply chain smaller and can pay better salaries than countries like Bangladesh and Cambodia.
Both factories are regularly inspected to ensure they meet ethical conditions.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
8000Kicks works with factories that use renewable energy to power a portion of their production. With Bloom certification, you can rest assured that your vegan shoes are associated with clean air and water.
My Personal Review of 8000Kicks’ Explorer V2:
“I’ve worn the Explorer V2 for women for about 18 months. The waterproof feature is game changing so I use these for being out and about, walking the dog, playing in the garden with my son – especially on rainy days, and I love that my feet stay beautifully dry. These shoes work with everyday casual looks and are super functional. The sizing is a little big for me (usually a size 8 works fine though I am in between sizes) which means the back of the shoe feels quite rigid so I wouldn’t personally use them for running but they’re great for other activities. I love the innovation that has gone into these shoes. Bernardo and his team have been pushing the boundaries for a while now (in the best way) and I’m excited to see what they do in the future.”
Review by Joy McConnochie, SJ’s Co-founder
My Personal Review of 8000Kicks’ Explorer V2:
The Explorer V2s have been my trusty companions for three years now, and I wear them every single day. They’ve handled everything from my daily routine to five-mile runs and rocky hikes. While the soles are starting to show some wear, the uppers are still holding strong. The fit is nice and spacious but not excessively wide, which works perfectly for my narrow feet, though I did find they run a bit larger than I anticipated. The waterproof feature has proven to be a fantastic perk—especially in my rainy area—letting me skip the boots for quick outings. Plus, I love the all-black design; it hides dirt so well, which is essential given how often I wear them!
Review by Lyall Mabin, SJ’s Co-founder
Thousand Fell
Thousand Fell has not been rated.
Price Range: $125–$135 (+$20 recycling deposit)
About Thousand Fell
Thousand Fell is one of the best vegan shoe brands that heels our sustainable soles with the first completely closed-loop, zero-waste, recycled, and recyclable shoe.
Seriously.
When the slip-ons, sneakers, or flat-court vegan shoes reach the end of their lifespan, you can send them back for repurposing or composting, which gets you $20 off your next pair.
Suffice it to say, our little low-waste living hearts were thrilled to try out their Women’s Slip-On and Women’s Lace-Up styles.
Thousand Fell’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Thousand Fell’s sustainable sneakers may look like traditional leather, but they’re made from recycled bottles with a recycled rubber outsole.
The material is coated with water-resistant corn waste resin and a natural quartz barrier, preventing stains.
The insoles are crafted from repurposed rubber yoga mats, alongside sugar cane, coconut husks, palm leaf fibers, and an aloe vera-coated sock liner.
Supply chain & labor practices:
The recycled shoes are designed in New York City and manufactured in a family-owned factory in Brazil. The factory uses as many locally sourced sustainable materials as it can.
Thousand Fell is also a member of Textile Exchange.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
The US-based vegan shoe brand uses a circular process, meaning the returned pairs are either refurbished for donation or repurposed for raw materials in either their shoes or by other companies.
Thousand Fell ships each pair in reusable organic tote bags and FSC-certified shoeboxes, and uses micro-warehouses and bikes to minimize its carbon footprint for NYC-area shipments.
My Personal Review of Thousand Fells’ Slip-On & Lace-Up:
“While I can’t verify Thousand Fell’s 2.4 million step claim just yet, my experience with the Women’s Slip-On and Lace-Up shoes is that they truly live up to the brand’s description of being “comfy AF”. What stands out about the Slip-On style is its snug fit; unlike other slip-on skate shoes that can slip off unexpectedly, these hug the foot securely while still allowing for some stretch. Similarly, the Lace-Ups offer a soft, snug fit with extra support compared to the Slip-Ons, making them perfect for extended wear and longer distances.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
My Personal Review of Thousand Fells’ Slip-Ons:
“After testing Thousand Fell’s slip-ons, I’m super impressed by their comfort and cushioning. Their simple, minimalist design is perfect for pairing with any casual men’s outfits. I was a bit unsure about the all-white color at first, but was happy to discover that the smooth material cleans up easily, keeping them looking fresh”.
Review by Christopher Ryan, SJ’s Menswear Tester
Veerah
Veerah has not been rated.
Price Range: $248–$498
About VEERAH
We’re head over heels for the luxury vegan shoe brand VEERAH.
The vegan shoes are designed to strut, with high-quality ethical heels, flats, mules, sandals, boots, and bridal options to strut down the aisle in your sustainable wedding dress.
The name VEERAH is derived from the Sanskrit word for warrior, and bold pairs like the HEDY Ankle Boot will certainly make you feel like one—or at least we do when wearing the pair we’ve tried.
Not only are they named after inspiring actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr, who pioneered the modern wireless communication systems, but they’re so comfortable we can wear them all day—which is normally quite the feet for us when it comes to heels.
The almond-shaped toe box looks sharp without cramping our toes and wide feet, and the chunky heel is stable and the perfect height for those who aren’t prodigious at walking in high heels (guilty as charged…).
VEERAH’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
VEERAH only uses cruelty-free, PVC-free, and PETA-approved vegan materials, including polyurethane, apple leather, bamboo leather, recycled leather, algae foam footbeds (blended with some traditional foam), and resin-coated rubber outsoles.
Some of the vegan footwear includes renewed plastics, while the linings are made from organic cotton or TENCEL™ lyocell fabric.
Even the YKK zippers are made from recycled PET bottles!
Supply chain & labor practices:
VEERAH ensures their partners follow their Code of Conduct, using the ILO labor standards and the UN’s Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights.
The luxury vegan shoes are handcrafted in small-scale facilities in New Taipei City of Taiwan and the Guangdong Province of China, where workers are paid above living wages.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
VEERAH provides removable and reversible accessories like brooches, tassels, and straps so you can breathe life into a pair of vegan leather shoes without needing another purchase.
Each pair also comes with a pretty purple storage bag made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.
My Personal Review of Veerah’s Ankle Boots:
“I personally own the HEDY Ankle Boot, named in honor of the incredible actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr. (All their models are named after inspiring female figures). As someone who is very much NOT a high-heel person, I’m really happy to report these cute and classy boots pass even my comfort standards. Most importantly, I have wider feet, and these don’t pinch my toes or feel like they’re squishing my feet. I also love the removable ankle strap, which I can use to slightly dress up or down the look.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Alohas
Alohas has not been rated.
Price Range: $90–$170
About Alohas
Founded in Hawaii, Alohas waves hello to a new wave of footwear production practices.
The women’s vegan shoe brand uses a pre-order business model to fight against fast fashion and only produce what’s necessary.
This slow fashion model allows customers to select from beautiful pumps, boots, heels, sneakers, and more.
One of our favorites is the Beige Vegan Leather Sandals for its elegant design that works with countless outfits, making it the perfect addition to your minimalist wardrobe.
Alohas’ Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Most of Alohas’ shoes are made from recycled polyester or polyurethane uppers, and Cuerolite outsoles. We’re not 100% certain what Cuerolite is and will be reaching out to check.
Some designs incorporate cotton denim, cellulose, and plastic or zamak for the finishings.
However, they’re not exclusively vegan (many are LWG-certified leather shoes) but their “Vegan” shopping tab makes finding vegan leather shoes simple.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Alohas designs their vegan shoes in Barcelona, handcrafted in Alicante by trusted artisans in small-scale facilities the Alohas team visits regularly.
They source and produce materials locally whenever possible and have a zero-tolerance policy of discrimination.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Alohas uses an on-demand production process, meaning they wait for orders to come in before producing every time they launch a new collection. This creates 0% excess material, saving resources and carbon emissions.
Their website also offers a carbon offset feature, enabling customers to opt in and reduce their carbon footprint by funding native forest regeneration and renewable energy projects.
VIVAIA
VIVAIA has not been rated.
Price Range: $97–$199
About VIVAIA
VIVAIA is a vegan-friendly shoe brand that doesn’t sacrifice style, comfort, or quality in any of its pairs.
The brand is in its infancy but is dedicated to creating quality, modern footwear that doesn’t harm the environment or animals.
There are countless styles, like heels, flats, loafers, boots, and flats. Most are for women, but they do cater to men’s fashion needs, too.
VIVAIA’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
VIVAIA crafts its footwear primarily from recycled PET collected from the ocean. Some styles contain more than six plastic bottles per pair.
Other eco-friendly materials include hemp fiber, GRS-certified recycled faux fur, rice husks, herbal insoles, and natural rubber.
They use wool for some of their knit sustainable flats and boots, so the brand is not 100% vegan-friendly, but there are plenty of vegan options.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Cruelty-free shoes are made in China, where they regularly audit conditions to ensure fair and healthy working environments.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
VIVAIA uses low-waste production processes, which has reduced production waste by over 30%.
They use 90% recycled cardboard and 10% ordinary cardboard for their shoe boxes, alongside completely recycled shoe fillers.
My Personal Review of VIVAIA’s Mia Square-Toe Adjustable Sandal:
“The Mia Square-Toe Adjustable Sandal has a slim sole and a minimalist profile, but I was pleasantly surprised by the cushioned insole that keeps my feet comfortable throughout the day. And the stretch knit uppers? They’re so soft and flexible, I could easily wear them all week without needing a break!”
Reviews by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Native Shoes
Native Shoes has not been rated.
Price Range: $32–$110
About Native Shoes
Encouraging us to Live Lightly™, Native Shoes is all about products that create a happier, lighter, healthier world.
In addition to being one of the best vegan shoe brands for women and men, they also have an impressive selection for kids.
Compared to the footprint of 10-20 kg CO2e found in most shoes, Native’s stylish vegan shoe collection, sandals, boots, flats, mules, and slip-ons are much lighter— around 4 kg CO2.
Choose between a literal rainbow of colors and designs, including some pop-culture-based ones, like the Jefferson Star Wars™ Print, to show your support of both planet Earth and the intergalactic Rebel Alliance.
Native Shoes’ Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
25% of Native’s PETA-approved vegan shoes are made with a sugarcane-derived Sugarlite upper paired with injection-molded bio-based EVA.
Some incorporate recycled materials (repurposed algae or rPET) in the upper. Others use solvent-free vegan suede, corn-based PU, organically-grown cotton, and cork.
We’d avoid those made with microfleece, synthetic PU, and fossil fuel-based EVA.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Their factories in Vietnam and China adhere to ethical practices, like the prohibition of forced labor, monitoring of working hours, and regulation of wages.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
With science-based targets to reduce their environmental impact, Native’s moving to use more renewable energy.
Once worn out, figuring out what to do with old shoes from Native is simple.
Not only are Native vegan shoes hand washable, but the Native Shoes Remix™ recycling initiative takes well-loved Native soles and repurposes them as playground flooring, insulation, seating, or donations to those in need.
Inclusivity:
Although not an Indigenous-led company, their name honors their HQ location on the stolen territory of Canada’s Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations—in addition to donating to various charities.
My Personal Review of Native Shoes’ Fitzsimmons Citylite Bloom:
“Bye-bye, stiff rubber boots! These lace-up ankle boots are such a breath of fresh air—light and super comfy. They mix fun colors with solid performance, and the laces give them a snug fit that outshines any slip-on, so they’re great for whatever I’m up to, from city strolls to country hikes. Plus, my feet don’t sweat as much in these, but the neoprene sock liner still keeps them nice and toasty. The extra padding around the heel and ankle makes them perfect for all-day wear without the dreaded blisters.”
My Personal Review of Native Shoes’ Jefferson Sugarlite™:
“The Jefferson Sugarlite™ from Native Shoes has become my go-to all-around summer shoe, especially for water activities. It’s an amazing water shoe that dries super quickly once I’m out, so I can seamlessly go from beach to street without sacrificing style or comfort—because no one likes walking around in wet shoes!”
Reviews by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Matt & Nat
Matt & Nat has not been rated.
Price Range: $45–$190
About Matt & Nat
Known for their premium vegan bags, purses, and accessories (like men’s vegan belts), Matt & Nat is also one of the most popular vegan leather shoe brands.
To go along with their sustainable raincoats, they have rugged weather models like the LANEY boots, a classic Chelsea boot that’s functional and fashionable.
Or shop for women’s sneakers, flats, vegan heels, sandals, skate shoes, mules, and running shoes. There’s also a smaller selection for men.
Everything is PETA-certified vegan and cruelty-free.
Matt & Nat’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
All styles are crafted from primarily recycled materials, although the exact materials aren’t always specified, so we wish for greater transparency there.
Especially since some models are still made of waterproof recycled PVC, though the brand is currently trying to phase out this unsustainable type of plastic—though at least it’s recycled.
The best vegan shoes are made with 100% recycled PVB (polyvinyl butyral), a PVC alternative soured from old car windshield glass resin.
Supply chain & labor practices:
The Matt & Nat CEO personally visits their SA8000-compliant partner factories 2–3 times a year, in addition to local managers who monitor it on a more frequent basis.
Audits are conducted to ensure fair trade wages, clean workspaces, and zero child labor.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Using 100% recycled materials in their bag linings has helped Matt & Nat recycle more than 9 million plastic bottles yearly.
They claim to aim to “become fully sustainable” but don’t detail any specifics on this plan.
Community & charitable giving:
To recycle unwanted Matt & Nat vegan handbags, give them back to the brand to be donated to Dress For Success.
Will’s Vegan Store
Will’s Vegan Store has not been rated.
Price Range: $54–$194
About Will’s Vegan Store
#MakeAPositiveChoice with Will’s Vegan Store.
The PETA-approved vegan company has been supplying animal-free essentials long before vegan shoe brand lists were even a thing.
The London-based and award-winning cruelty-free footwear brand offers vegan hiking shoes, winter boots, vegan work boots, and a range of other options.
For a staple all-around shoe you can wear rain or shine, you can’t go wrong with the Waterproof Chelsea boots—and don’t worry, waterproofing is thanks to a PFC-coating
Will’s Vegan Store’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Everything down to the glue in Will’s vegan work shoes is backed by REACH, ECO Label, and OEKO-TEX certification.
Uppers are either Italian vegan bio-based leather made from European cereal crops or 100% PU eco suede.
All shoes have a natural and recycled rubber outsole and insoles from recycled plastic (PU or TR). They’re incorporating more linings made from TENCEL® and organic cotton.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Will’s works with manufacturing partners in Italy and Portugal.
In addition to EU law enforcing workplace safety, Will’s employee benefits include parental leave, compensation for victims of discrimination, fair pay, and more.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Everything—from material manufacturing to shipping—is certified carbon-neutral and plastic-free.
Some of their manufacturing partners use renewable energy, and you can recycle your pre-loved Will’s vegan shoes for a small fee.
NAE
NAE has not been rated.
Price Range: $66–$203
About NAE
Combining environmental sustainability and vegan fashion, NAE (short for “No Animal Exploitation”) is one of the best ethical vegan shoe brands for women and men alike.
Choose between vegan work shoes, sneakers, heels, sandals, boots, and more.
NAE’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
NAE uses natural, recycled, and synthetic materials, some of which are OEKO-TEX certified.
The most sustainable materials include Piñatex, organic cotton, cork, apple leather, recycled PET, a corn-rPET blend, and vegan leather.
Also, expect to find a few less sustainable materials, like polyurethane (PU), PLA, and synthetic microfiber, which are certainly avoidable.
Supply chain & labor practices:
NAE’s shoes are manufactured in fair work environments in Portugal or Spain.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
The manufacturing process is carbon-neutral, with steps taken to minimize chemical and water requirements.
My Personal Review of NAE’s High-Top Lace-Up Boot:
“Years ago, I tried out the High-Top Lace-Up Boot, and I’m STILL wearing them with little signs of wear outside some pilling of the recycled PET upper. When I worked in a coffee shop, these were my go-to work shoes because I could wear them for 10 hours straight on tiled floors without experiencing ANY foot fatigue and leg pain.
I especially love the lugged soles that are super grippy, making them perfect for everything from slippery kitchen floors to varied types of outdoor terrain.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Where can I buy the flip flop and calf cover boot like? What are the name of them?
Hi Jeanne, apologies, I’m not sure what you mean – are you referring to an image in this article? Perhaps helpful: this list of vegan sandals, flip flops and this one of boots?