Top 7 Sustainable Shoe Brands
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#1 Sustainable Shoe Brand
This coolest shoe brand on this list is repurposing used tires by turning them into the soles of their shoes. And that company is Indosole!
The Best Sustainable Shoes Today
Have you been looking for a sustainable shoe option in a market that is flooded with fast-fashion? I’ve curated a list with 7 of my favorite eco-friendly shoe options! The companies on this list are working hard to reduce their carbon footprint, while bringing us high-quality shoes that we can feel great about!
Now let’s dive into the shoes that support a greener future, one conscious swap at a time!
1. Indosole - Slides
Indosole noticed a problematic industry that was wrecking havoc on our environment - tire waste! And they decided to do something about it. This company has been repurposing tire waste by turning it into incredibly durable and comfortable shoe soles! Way to go Indosole! When I discovered this brand, I tried out their slides (linked below), and was immediately impressed by them! They are cute, comfy, waterproof, all-terrain, and made responsibly as a certified B corporation. I have found them to be incredibly durable. I have been wearing them almost daily for years without any obvious signs of wear and tear. I have never owned a more durable pair of shoes - these things were truly built to last! I highly recommend these shoes if you are in need of a new pair!
(affiliate link)
2. Earth Runners
If you haven’t heard of the barefoot shoe movement that is taking people by storm, let me introduce you to one of the front runners on the market. Earth Runners. Trust me when I say these sandals are what your feet have been asking you for, whether you realize it or not! While they may not look like the most comfortable shoe in the world, I have yet to find a pair that outranks them in terms of comfort. I have worn them on hikes, while gardening, to the beach, and they have never left me with aching feet.
They allow my feet to move in a natural way - the way they were meant to move! They don’t crunch my toes or overly support my arches, which allows my foot muscles to remain strong. The innovative, adjustable strap design holds them securely to my foot in all the right places, which allows me to walk without having to scrunch up my toes to hold them in place.
If you don’t know what I mean by “scrunching my toes,” take a few steps in your current sandals and really pay attention to what your toes are doing each time you lift your foot to take a step! Now think about how awkward that repetitive crunching is for your toes. Our feet were not meant to move like that, over and over, day after day. Between this and the narrow sneakers that have been in fashion for way too long, it’s no wonder so many people have foot pain and bunions!
Earth Runners remove all of that from the equation. They are simple, and exactly what our feet need. They allow natural movement, while remaining highly durable. This company also sells new straps, if yours wear out over the years, which you can simply replace on your current Earth Runners - which directly extends the life of your sandals. I love that they offer this eco-friendly option to their customers, because the longer we can make our shoes last, the less cumulate waste there will be.
I bought these circadian sandals, and have been wearing them for years. They have several different sole thickness varieties, and offer many cute strap colors! I am more of a neutral palate kinda gal, so I went with the black straps, and I can get away with wearing them with most of my outfits!
3. Thesus Outdoors
I think these are the cutest hiking boots! In fact, they are the boots I ordered to wear for my mountainside wedding ceremony! They are vegan, made with >95% natural and recycled materials, including recycled rubber and marine plastic collected by fisherman. They come in several really cute color varieties! They are both comfortable and durable! After my first pregnancy, my feet grew half a size, so I ended up handing these down to my little sister, but maybe one day I will get another pair for myself!
4. Nothing New
These Women’s Saga One shoes by Nothing New are SO cute! I don’t have a pair, but I think I could wear them with almost every piece of clothing I own. They are made using up-cycled and sustainable materials, eco-leather, plant-based embellishments and rubber soles for longevity. Additionally, and most impressively, instead of using heavy glues, they use stitch construction, which provides not only a more durable shoe, but is also so much kinder to our planet. This company said goodbye to harmful heavy glue byproducts and emissions, and to that I say THANK YOU!
5. Allbirds - Women’s Tree Runners Everyday Sneakers
This company is a front-runner when it comes to truly, eco-friendly footwear. Buckle up, because this company puts a lot into their mission for a greener planet! These shoes are made using FSC-certified TENCEL™ Lyocell, a sugarcane-based green EVA midsole, Bio-based TPU eyelets, recycled plastic bottles, a castor bean oil-based insole, ZQ merino wool heel lining, AND they are machine washable which will keep them fresh - extending their lifespan for the wearers that prefer their shoes looking new! Thank you Allbirds for bringing us so many eco-friendly shoe options to choose from!
Speaking of, I am also obsessed with their Women’s Canvas Pipers which are made with organic cotton!
(affiliate link)
6. REI - Used Shoe Rack
After my feet grew half a size during my pregnancy, I was in need of a new pair of hiking boots. I wanted an affordable option that was also eco-friendly, but I was having trouble finding something that checked both boxes. And then I discovered that REI actually has a rack in their store with second hand items, including hiking boots! I was lucky enough to find a pair that fit me perfectly, and they are the pair I have been using ever since. They are planet friendly by giving a second life to a pair of shoes that was no longer wanted, and they are sold at a discounted price. If you are in need of some new hiking boots, I recommend checking out your local REI to see if they have something on their second hand rack that meets your needs!
7. Going Barefoot
Okay, hear me out. As silly as it seems to have going barefoot as an item on this list, what is more sustainable than consuming less, and recognizing that we don’t actually need another pair of shoes. Truly, what is “greener” than that?! Do we really need a new pair of fuzzy slippers to wear around the house? Or can we walk around the house in a pair of socks that we already own? This is just to say that as consumers looking to create a more sustainable future for ourselves and our children, it is our responsibility to think twice before we purchase something. Ask yourself if it is something you really need - and then think about whether or not you already have a similar item that you can make work! If not, try to support brands that focus on the same mission and values that matter to you.
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