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Now more than ever the discourse on the fashion industry’s effect on the planet has taken over the conversation. Grappling with either supporting fast fashion brands or breaking the bank to shop more sustainably is a difficult field to mine through and another added stress to our shopping trips these days. If trying to be eco-conscious when shopping seems overwhelming, a great place to start is with your shoe collection.
Most people already are thinking about shoes as an investment, and buying long-lasting products is already a key component to reducing waste in the long term. And luckily, a lot of fashion brands are taking the initiative to reduce their carbon footprints and offer sustainable options for their customers. We’ve rounded up a small sample of sustainable footwear options to get you started!
Allbirds
One of the trendiest sustainable shoe brands at the moment, Allbirds launched in 2016 with the mission to create not only the most comfortable sneaker but also one of the most sustainable ones. Allbirds aims to make all their products out of sustainable materials, and have even invented their own, such as their carbon negative SweetFoam that makes up the soles of their shoes. Allbirds carries a huge array of shoe styles, from running shoes to everyday sneakers to slip-ons. A good place to start is with their Tree Runners, which are lightweight and best for walking.
Cariuma
Cariuma was founded by two friends in 2018, and since then the shoe brand has been working toward making the most sustainable product possible. Since 2020, they’ve increased their vegan shoe offerings from 43 percent to 65 percent by using materials such as bamboo, cork, organic cotton and sugarcane (among many others). Their signature OCA Low canvas sneakers are some of the most popular, and they even offer carbon-neutral shipping.
Veja
Veja is another sustainable shoe brand that has taken the fashion world by storm as of late; it’s hard not to spot those V’s on sneakers when you walk out your door nowadays. Veja uses fair trade and organic raw materials for all of their sneakers; all of their cotton has been certified organic since the branch launched in 2004. Their classic Esplar Sneaker is composed of 46% of “preferred” materials, such as rice waste, EVA from sugar cane, and recycled materials.
SUAVS
Some of the comfiest shoes in the sustainable market, SUAVS uses threads made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic. They also donate any excess product to organizations such as Soles4Souls. Their Zilker Lace-Up Sneaker is breathable, moisture-wicking and washable—all while being comfortable enough to wear all day long.
Rothy’s
Rothy’s has one of the more versatile lines on this list, being best-known for their flats (made famous by Meghan Markle’s love for them). In 2012, they began by turning plastic bottles into shoes, but since then they’ve turned over 125 million single-use plastic water bottles into the thread they use for their shoes. The company is committed to achieving a closed-loop production model by 2023, with its factory in China being fully owned and operated by the company. Their iconic shoe simply known as The Flat is soft, flexible and fully machine washable.
Everlane
Everlane has made a splash creating stylish yet sustainable clothes and accessories since they were founded in 2010. Currently, 97 percent of their apparel that contains polyester and nylon are made from certified recycled fibers, 45 percent of their plastic footwear is made from recycled materials, and 100 percent of their packaging is made from recycled plastic or FSC-certified paper. Their shoe line Tread, specifically, is dedicated to creating carbon-neutral sneakers with the lowest environmental impact. For example, their classic Trainer contains 54 percent less virgin plastic.
Atoms
Atoms was founded with the idea of finding the perfect fit, with many of their shoes coming in quarter sizes for those who fall in between traditional sizes. Their shoes are also 100 percent vegan and 99 percent recyclable. Their staple shoe Model 000 is super lightweight and made from recycled yarn that forms to your foot to help create that perfect fit.
ABLE
ABLE started in 2011 selling scarves handwoven by a handful of women in Ethiopia, and since has grown into a clothing company that aims to create investment pieces that are long lasting and high quality. And that mentality carries over into sustainability; all of their leather is upcycled from discarded animal hides, and all of their partners use a 100 percent recycled, closed-loop water system. Their Savannah Heel in desert sage is made from upcycled Napa leather and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Sanuk
Sanuk was founded in 1997 on the principles of good vibes, fun (sanuk actually means “fun” in Thai) and making people smile with their slides and sandals. They’ve also made the effort to provide sustainable options across their brand, from using sustainable hemp and recycled materials when making their shoes as well as making sure all their shoes are made from vegan materials. For example, the popular Yoga Sandy is made up of 47 percent recycled foam and 6 percent straw.
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