Sustainable Shoes
Conventional Shoes
❌Avoid conventional shoes made with toxic dyes, glues, and unsustainable materials.
They are made with toxic and polluting materials such as nylon, synthetic, or other plastic-derived materials.
Greenwashing Shoes
Greenwashing is when a brand pretends to be clean, green when it is not. It is a marketing tactic designed to mislead customers into buying their products.
Many came with vegan leather alternatives bringing more plastic to the world:
❌PVC: most vegan leathers today are currently made from PVC, made with petroleum. PVC is for this reason harmful to the environment.
❌PU is another synthetic vegan or faux leather, by definition, PU stands for Polyurethane, a plastic polymer derived from petroleum. Even less than PVC, PU still requires petroleum.
Sustainable Shoes
The best organic shoes are made with natural and sustainable material
✅ Here is the most eco-friendly vegan leather on the market made with renewable resources and also by-products, that is made with plant-based material that would have been wasted.
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🍍Pineapple leather: made with leaf fiber leather Piñatex®inatex
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🍏Apple leather:
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🌵Cactus Leather: DESSERTO USDA-certified cactus is grown in an organic farming system in the fertile and mineral-rich region of Zacatecas, Mexico. Cactus naturally regenerate the soil. It takes approximately only 3 leaves of cactus to create one linear meter of Desserto.
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🥭 Mango leather: Fruit Leather created by Koen Meerkerk and Hugo de Boon crafted from natural mangos
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🍄Mushroom leather: Mylo
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🌳 Cork: one of Portugal’s most treasured sustainable materials. This process is mindful of the trees with a goal of sustainable production every 9 years for a 150-year lifespan. Animal-free and plastic-free, each product is handcrafted in small batches by skilled Portuguese artisans.
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🌿Organic Textile: organic hemp or organic cotton
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✅ USDA Certified Biobased: This certification ensures that the brands are reducing their reliance on petroleum, increasing their use of renewable agricultural resources, and contributing to reducing adverse environmental impacts.
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✅ PETA-approved vegan
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✅ Recycled materials: 100% of this sneaker's lining is recycled polyester. It also has a sole made with recycled rubber.
✅On this page, you will find the best organic and sustainable shoes on the market
My number one sustainable shoe brand recommendation is AllBirds
💖 Shop with my links to support my research!
AllBirds Women's Wool Runners
💖 Incredible soft and comfortable and low carbon footprint. Made with superfine New Zealand Merino wool, which they developed into our very own material with a premium Italian mill.
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Renewable Materials
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Machine Washable
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Minimizes Odor
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Flexibly Conforms To Your Movements
💖 It’s soft and itch-free on the inside, durable on the outside, and ethically sourced to ZQ Merino’s high standards for a cozy fit that treads light on the planet.
Contoured and delightfully bouncy, our Brazilian sugarcane midsole is called SweetFoam™
💖 The layered castor bean oil, which emits less carbon than petroleum-based foam, and ZQ Merino wool for a cushiony, moisture-wicking, and odor-reducing insole.
The laces are made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester. One old plastic bottle becomes one pair of shoelaces.
💖 Wool Runner is carbon neutral thanks to sustainable practices, like using natural materials and buying offsets.
MATERIAL: 🌳 ZQ Merino to ensure their wool is held to high standards of farming, land management, and animal welfare.
🌳One recycled plastic bottle equals one pair of Allbirds laces.
🌳The packaging is made from 90% recycled cardboard
Vivaia Eco- friendly Shoes
💖Many of you have asked me for a sustainable shoe brand.
Most shoes on the market are made conventionally, some of them carry 𝙋𝙁𝘼𝙎 like Wolverine Worldwide, maker of Hush Puppies, Keds, Chaco, Sperry, and Merrell brands that have been accused of contaminating our water. These chemicals are harming both the wildlife and humans that come in contact with them. And have you noticed the strong odor conventional shoes emit?
🙊I once had a Steven Madden pair of shoes that were way too smelly to wear! This brand has been accused of violating CA Proposition 65 warning law requirements by failing to inform consumers of toxic chemicals used in their materials. You can find a lawyer’s notice of violation here.
Why keep buying toxic products from irresponsible and greedy shoe manufacturers when we can find nicer, safer, and eco-friendly shoes?
✅Here is one of my recommended shoe brands: Vivaia, sustainably made with 3D technology, with renewable material in a zero-waste process!
💚Not only are they super pretty, but they are flexible, lightweight, highly elastic, and extremely comfortable, thanks to the latex foam, typical of eco-friendly mattresses.
Latex foam is a new experience for your feet and you can wear them all day long!
💚Let's talk about the materials: 🐠 Knit upper, made from 6 ocean-found plastic bottles
𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙚: made with soft, natural latex foam
𝙊𝙪𝙩𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙚: made with carbon-free rubber, shock resistant, fungus-proof, and odor resistant
💦Did I mention they are fully machine or hand washable? You can also wear them to the beach! They will arrive to you in a 90% recycled cardboard box, without artificial colors or odors.
🌎 To help prevent these environmental impacts, the best thing to do is to recycle ♻️ or donate your used shoes, so that they do not end up in landfills.
AllBirds Women's Tree Breezers
💖 Crafted with silky-smooth eucalyptus tree fiber and a fitted collar, our ballet flat never misses a beat.
Made With Eucalyptus Tree
Silky-Smooth Material
Ribbed Collar For A Perfect Fit
CARE: Pull out the insoles. Slip your shoes into a delicates bag and toss them in the washing machine—gentle cycle with cold water with your favorite organic detergent. When they’re done, shake off any excess water and let them air dry.
Handy tips: Don’t put them in the dryer. And don’t worry, they’ll go back to their original shape in no time.
You can hand wash your insoles on their own.
🌳 Proprietary knit feels silky smooth, breathable, and pleasantly cool thanks to eucalyptus tree fiber responsibly sourced from FSC® Certified forests.
🌳 They layered castor bean oil, which emits less carbon than petroleum-based foam, and ZQ Merino wool for a cushiony, moisture-wicking, and odor-reducing insole.
MADE IN: South Korea
Koio Capri Pink Quartz Made in Italy
🌱This sneaker is made from leather that's Gold-certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG). They also offer a vegan version!
💖Comfortable, ultra-durable, and sustainable
✅LWG Gold-certified leather: it's responsibly tanned in a facility that safely and carefully manages emissions, energy and water consumption, and waste.
✅ FSC®-certified natural rubber: 50% of this sneaker’s sole is Forest Stewardship Council®-certified (FSC®) natural rubber. This certification ensures the rubber is sourced from a forest that’s responsibly managed to prevent deforestation.
✅ Recycled materials: 40% of this sneaker’s sole is recycled rubber. It also has an OrthoLite® Hybrid insole made with recycled foam and rubber from previous production processes.
MATERIAL: Lined with LWG-certified Italian leather (Cow), Set on a 100% rubber sole (50% natural, 40% recycled, 10% conventional). Threaded with waxed cotton laces. Fitted with a removable OrthoLite® Hybrid™ insole. Finished with hand-painted edges
MADE IN: Handmade in Tuscany, Italy. Designed in New York
Koio Vegan Sneakers Made in Italy
🌱The Vegan 01 is the first sneaker from Pale Blue Dot, Koio's brand of planet-saving vegan sneakers.
💖Ethically made from apple leather in a Wind colorway, it's set on a partially recycled rubber sole for all day comfort and has organic cotton laces—because organic is better for the planet and all of us humans.
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Made in Portugal
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Constructed from Apple leather
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Lined with soft recycled material
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Set on a partially recycled rubber sole
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Threaded with organic cotton laces
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Fitted with a natural latex and cork insole
✅ Vegan Apple Leather: with 22% coming from waste!
✅ USDA Certified Biobased: The upper leather of this sneaker is USDA Certified Biobased and
✅ PETA-approved vegan. This certification ensures that we are reducing reliance on petroleum, increasing the use of renewable agricultural resources, and contributing to reducing adverse environmental impacts.
✅Recycled materials: 100% of this sneaker's lining is recycled polyester. It also has a sole made with recycled rubber.
MATERIAL: Apple leather in a Wind colorway, partially recycled rubber soles, organic cotton laces.
MADE IN: Made in Portugal. Designed in New York
Koio Sandals Made in Italy
🌱 The Koio Rose is handcrafted in Italy from Italian leather in a fresh Lilac colorway, it has slim foot-framing straps and rests on a comfortable 2.25-inch block heel. It's detailed with an adjustable buckle so you can customize the fit.
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Handmade in Tuscany, Italy
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Constructed from LWG-certified full-grain Italian leather (Goat)
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Lined with LWG-certified Italian leather (Goat)
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Set on a 2.25-inch block heel
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Detailed with an adjustable buckle fastening
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Fitted with a cushioned insole
💖FSC®-certified natural rubber: 50% of this sneaker’s sole is Forest Stewardship Council®-certified (FSC®) natural rubber.
MATERIAL: made from leather that's certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG), meaning the hides are responsibly tanned in facilities that safely and carefully manage emissions, energy and water consumption, and waste.
MADE IN: Italy designed in New York
AllBirdsWomen's Wool Runners
💖 Incredible soft and comfortable and low carbon footprint. Made with superfine New Zealand Merino wool, which they developed into our very own material with a premium Italian mill.
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Renewable Materials
-
Machine Washable
-
Minimizes Odor
-
Flexibly Conforms To Your Movements
💖 It’s soft and itch-free on the inside, durable on the outside, and ethically sourced to ZQ Merino’s high standards for a cozy fit that treads light on the planet.
Contoured and delightfully bouncy, our Brazilian sugarcane midsole is called SweetFoam™
💖 The layered castor bean oil, which emits less carbon than petroleum-based foam, and ZQ Merino wool for a cushiony, moisture-wicking, and odor-reducing insole.
The laces are made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester. One old plastic bottle becomes one pair of shoelaces.
💖 Wool Runner is carbon neutral thanks to sustainable practices, like using natural materials and buying offsets.
MATERIAL: 🌳 ZQ Merino to ensure their wool is held to high standards of farming, land management, and animal welfare.
🌳One recycled plastic bottle equals one pair of Allbirds laces.
🌳The packaging is made from 90% recycled cardboard
Dooeys House Loafers
💖 Dooeys are stylish house shoes. These slip shoes are comfortable and made with sustainable eco-friendly material to wear all day.
These slip shoes are cozy, lightweight, and made from plant-based & recycled materials.
Great for:
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Working from home
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Hosting a dinner party
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Binging on Netflix
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Cooking up a storm
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Having a girls night
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Tackling a house project
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Staying on top of your self-care game
💖 Design in Amsterdam made in Portugal
Stylish, comfortable house shoe that still captured the coziness of a traditional slipper. Finding nothing with earth-friendly materials, actual foot support, and cool style, she created it.
MATERIAL: Made from premium, plant-based & recycled materials like apple leather, sugarcane soles, recycled plastic lining, recycled polyester suede, and cork insoles
Design in Amsterdam made in Portugal
Rothy's The Driver
🌿Made to go places, our women’s slip on loafer in a sun-faded pink combines versatile style with unmatched comfort for a fresh spin on the iconic driver.
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Soft, flexible upper in a sun-faded pink. No break-in period, ever.
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Dual-density insoles in tan create a comfortable feel.
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Gum outsoles with raised nubs for extra grip and durability.
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A cream and tan stripe grace the heel of the shoe.
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Fully machine washable, so they’re like new again and again.
✅ In 2022, Rothy’s factory workshop achieved LEED Gold certification, and Rothy’s factory offices achieved LEED Platinum.
✅ In 2023, Rothy’s factory aims to be TRUE-certified for zero waste.
✅ Rothy’s has purchased 1,356,434.34 kilograms of yarn, which is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, as certified by the SCS Recycled Content certification.
INGREDIENTS: 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, as certified by the SCS Recycled Content certification.
MADE IN: designed in their San Francisco design studio, made in Dongguan, China, where they own and operate our factory.
Rothy's The Driver
🌿Made to go places, our women’s slip on loafer in a sun-faded pink combines versatile style with unmatched comfort for a fresh spin on the iconic driver.
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Soft, flexible upper in a sun-faded pink. No break-in period, ever.
-
Dual-density insoles in tan create a comfortable feel.
-
Gum outsoles with raised nubs for extra grip and durability.
-
A cream and tan stripe grace the heel of the shoe.
-
Fully machine washable, so they’re like new again and again.
✅ In 2022, Rothy’s factory workshop achieved LEED Gold certification, and Rothy’s factory offices achieved LEED Platinum.
✅ In 2023, Rothy’s factory aims to be TRUE-certified for zero waste.
✅ Rothy’s has purchased 1,356,434.34 kilograms of yarn, which is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, as certified by the SCS Recycled Content certification.
INGREDIENTS: 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, as certified by the SCS Recycled Content certification.
MADE IN: designed in their San Francisco design studio, made in Dongguan, China, where they own and operate our factory.
Rose Canvas OCA Low
This much-loved, signature sneaker is the OCA. Crafted from high-end, raw materials, it features lightweight cushion technology, the perfectly weighted rubber sole, and a classic cap-toe design for a crazy-comfy, go-to look.
Rio de Janeiro is bursting at the seams with color.
From the Escadaria Selarón’s world-famous mosaic tiles to the kaleidoscopic costumes of Carnival, the OCA Low in Rose Canvas captures the festive culture of Brazil.
Handcrafted using a robust canvas, the OCA Low Canvas exists at the intersection of functionality and style.
MATERIAL:
Insoles:100% vegan made from organic mamona oil bio-based with cork insert with CARIUMA logo, it ensures optimal comfort and fit, better for the planet, they also come with added arch support.
Upper: Cotton canvas
Lining: Cotton canvas
Sole: 100% slip-resistant rubber
Laces: Made with recycled plastics, and debossed metal aglets
Construction: Handmade vulcanized sneaker; stitched midsole
The OCA Low boasts a unique cap toe design and a fully-stitched lightweight outsole for a durable, long-lasting shoe.
Finishing our OCA Low sneakers with debossed metal aglets...it’s all in the details!
Baublerella Blister Prevention Hydrating Balm
🌿Now you can step out fearlessly and walk comfortably in any shoe after applying this clean-crafted hydrating balm.
Blisters Bee Gone® Blister Prevention Hydrating Balm is a fast-drying formula infused with 100% pure Texas Beeswax to create a barrier and protect feet from blisters, while coconut & almond oils hydrate tired feet for soft, smooth skin.
Apply on problem areas to create an invisible shield, telling blisters to buzz off but do not apply on broken skin.
✅ 100% pure Texas Beeswax
✅ Protects feet from blisters
✅ Hydrates tired feet for soft, smooth skin.
INGREDIENTS: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, (Pure Texas) Beeswax, Glycine Soja (soybean) Germ Extract, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Silica, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate.
Rawganique Vegan Handmade Sneakers
🌳 Handmade organic hemp high top sneakers. Wn 5 - 10 I Mn 7 - 13. Breathability for healthy feet. Waterproof using our natural wax. We use low-impact biodegradable fiber-reactive dyes and the brown varies with each dye batch (sometimes lighter and sometimes darker).
🌱Hemp Zippered High-Top Sneaker. These handmade High Top Organic Hemp Sneakers feature a handy zipper so you don't have to lace up - just zip in and out and you're gone on your way, one eco-friendly footstep at a time.
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Vegan. Leather-free. 100% natural plant-fiber canvas.
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Breathable, Free from forever chemicals like PFAS
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Footbed lining and shoe upper is 100% hemp
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Hemp fiber wicks away moisture keeping feet dry
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Sweatshop-free. Hand-made by longterm shoe artisans in Europe.
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Biodegradable. Eco-friendly.
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100% hemp shoe laces
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Natural is unbleached, dye-free
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Black & brown low-impact, biodegradable eco-dyes
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Elastic-free, Hypoallergenic
MATERIAL: Vegan. Leather-free. 100% natural plant-fiber canvas.
