6 sustainable vegan shoe brands for the autumn - boots and other shoes for outdoor life
Summer is almost over in the Nordics and some might long for the autumn to come, other’s don’t want it to end. Wherever you are, something most of us probably do is prepare our closets for the right season. Summer sandals and dresses are packed away while coats and boots take over our closets. A proper jacket or quality boots can probably last for years, but sometimes we wear and tear out our shoes and new ones are needed. To search at second hand is always a good idea before buying new, but when it comes to our feet we need to make sure we have the right size and the fit needed in order not to harm our bodies but to enhance healthy feet. In Scandinavia, suitable shoes for the season are a must and among the places that provide both animal and environmentally friendly shoes are Green Laces! The brand Humans are Vain are also based in Sweden, but for our global readers, we have listed several brands that ship globally so you can find the perfect shoes for you, without any need to look for new ones any time soon. Enjoy the autumn, enjoy the fall.
Thesus Outdoors
This Toronto, Canadian-based brand has aligned itself with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals where People and the Planet are considered in every step of the value chain. Some of their commitments refer to providing vegan shoes of high-quality design that people actually want to wear. Materials used are recycled plastic, recycled polyester and recycled natural rubber. The staff and the direct manufacturing staff have living wages and the goal for 2022 is to have 75% of their materials supplies with living wages too. The factories used are family owned with 50% of production in Sri Lanka and 50% in Portugal. Another commitment is to be carbon positive where the brand has started to measure its footprint and will make sure its emissions are reduced while taking responsibility for the rest.
Thesus Outdoors are proudly BIPOC woman-owned, and women-led. You can find hiking boots and rainboots of different colours and designs.
BHAVA
Bhava has committed to not using any animal products since they see them as one of the major fashion victims. Materials used are instead organic cotton linings, hand-painted embossed cork, and premium recycled microfibers. Comfort and long-lasting design and quality are a part of Bhava’s signum. The shoes are produced in Spain but Good on You Rates the brand as a medium since information about the factories are not good enough. A good choice for one seeking a vegan brand who can’t find better alternatives when it comes to feminine-styled classic boots.
Nae
NAE stands for No Animal Exploitation. The vegan brand NAE was founded in Portugal and are PETA-approved. Some of the materials used are recycled PET, organic cotton and Pinatex (partly made of pineapple leather). All shoes have a recycled car tire outsole and cork and natural latex slip sole and are produced in Portugal where they personally visits the factories regularly. Men’s, women’s and unisex boots, slippers, sandals and heels.
VIRON
Committed to the planet, animals and people, Viron uses recycled rubber, AppleSkin ™, recycled PET, upcycled materials from European warehouses among other sustainable materials. The dye process is environmentally friendly and vegan, natural processes are used such as food waste or flowers. For shipping recycled cardboard is used and you can send your old shoes back and they will take care of them. You can find boots in colours like black, white, pink and green among others. The factories and social commitments are not listed yet but stated to be announced.
Humans are Vain
Humans are Vain are approved by PETA and the shoes are designed Sweden and produced in Portugal. Some of the materials used are recycled PET, recycled rubber, and organic cotton. You can find an extensice list of every single shoe so you know exactly what you are buying. Some of the materials are certified according to best environmental practices such as Oeko-Tex standard 100. Humans are Vain are currently running including our groundbreaking research in collaboration with Stockholm University to 3D print footwear and accessories from old discarded clothes and textile waste. You can read our interview with the founder Chris, who has many years of experience working in the shoe industry before starting his brand, here!
GOOD GUYS DON'T WEAR LEATHER
Born and based in Paris, Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather is a vegan brand with manufacturers in Spain, Portugal and Italy. For each shoe, you can read about the materials used and where it is produced. The lining is Oekotex Standard 100 Class approved, some of the linings are plant-based from recycled corn and another other material used is appleskin™. Boots, sandals, masculine and feminine, this brand has plenty of shoes to offer and an in-depth story behind them.