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We’ve worn and loved shoes from sustainable brands for a decade — these are our top picks for vegan shoes at a range of prices.
Leather has long been a go-to material for shoes, but a growing movement is pushing for footwear made without animal-derived materials. Each year, the global leather industry uses products from more than a billion animals to make fashion goods, and leather production can also raise concerns about chemical use, waste, labor conditions, and environmental impact. For shoppers who want to step away from animal leather, vegan shoes offer another way to think about what goes into the shoes we wear every day.
And vegan doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style, comfort, or longevity. Today, brands are experimenting with everything from recycled textiles and plant-based materials to innovative leather alternatives, creating shoes that look and feel just as considered as their traditional counterparts. Some are also rethinking how shoes are made altogether, from responsible manufacturing and fair-wage jobs to lower-impact materials and more thoughtful production practices.
Our criteria:
We’ve spent the past decade researching, wearing, and corresponding with sustainable footwear brands to find shoes that are better for people, animals, and the planet. For this guide, we looked specifically for vegan and cruelty-free shoes that don’t sacrifice comfort or style. We regularly update this piece with new brands and styles that meet the standards below.
- VEGAN & CRUELTY-FREE | Every brand on this list offers vegan footwear made without animal leather or other animal-derived materials. We’ve also looked at each brand’s materials and manufacturing practices to better understand its approach to cruelty-free footwear.
- COMFORTABLE | Vegan shoes should be comfortable enough to actually live in. We’ve personally worn shoes when possible, researched materials and construction, and scoured customer reviews to find styles that offer the support and comfort you want for everyday wear.
- THOUGHTFULLY MADE | Vegan doesn’t automatically mean sustainable. We look for brands using lower-impact, recycled, plant-based, or otherwise thoughtfully sourced materials, along with more responsible manufacturing practices where possible.
- A RANGE OF PRICES | Vegan footwear can range from affordable everyday styles to more expensive investment pieces. We’ve included options at different price points so you can find a pair that works for your wardrobe and budget.
If you want to incorporate more vegan goods into your wardrobe, check out our guide to vegan handbags as well!
1. Rothy’s
Best For | Vegan clogs and loafers
Vegan Materials | Recycled plastic, natural rubber, algae-based foam
Price Range | $119–$249
Rothy’s believes in doing things better. Using recycled plastic, natural rubber, and algae-based foam, these sustainable shoes have the lightest footprint around- carbon footprint, that is. Plus, they’re fully machine-washable! Rothy’s is on a mission to be zero-waste, setting ambitious sustainability goals that embody what it means to be cruelty- and waste-free.
2. Thousand Fell
Best For | Vegan slip-ons
Vegan Materials | Bioleather fabric, recycled yoga mat insoles
Price Range | $125–$135 (+$20 recycling deposit)
Thousand Fell is a vegan sneaker brand so committed to eliminating fashion waste that they started a recycling buy-back program called SuperCircle. This experiential recycling program pays customers to participate in their circular economy, aiming to recycle and reuse every pair of Thousand Fell shoes in their supply chain. Their thoughtful designs include bioleather fabric that resists water and stains, keeping your toes dry, stylish and ultra comfy on the recycled yoga mat insole.
3. Alohas
Best For | Vegan leather flats and loafers
Vegan Materials | Vegan leather, fabric
Price Range | $195 – $375
For on-trend styles made to last, Alohas’ vegan ballet flats, loafers, and sneakers are perfect for any transitional wardrobe. Based in Barcelona, they craft small drops of new styles to avoid unnecessary stock and waste. They offer vegan leather and fabric designs in multiple styles and colorways, so you can choose what best fits your taste! We love their Rosalind Vegan Leather Ballet Flats in a deep burgundy for the crisp fall days ahead.
4. Native
Best For | Waterproof vegan shoes
Vegan Materials | Repurposed algae biomass
Price Range | $25-$110
Native keeps it cruelty-free across the board, from infant sandals to adult hiking boots, using neither hair nor hide in their comfy, stylish shoes. These recyclable shoes are made with care as the company continues to examine its carbon footprint and raise its eco-friendly standards. The brand’s Native Shoes Remix™ Project recycles well-loved shoes into community-centered programs, like playground construction. We love the waterproof Jefferson style, made from Bloom material derived from repurposed algae biomass, an innovative plastic alternative.
5. Matt & Nat
Best For | Vegan heels & sandals
Vegan Materials | Recycled windshield glass resin, recycled plastic bottles, cork
Price Range | $90–$250
Matt & Nat believes in living beautifully and mindfully, crafting vegan shoes with synthetic leathers made from recycled windshield glass resin, recycled plastic bottles, and cork. The result is cruelty-free shoes that will stay in your wardrobe for years. We love the wide range of vegan shoes, from comfortable everyday heels to vegan sneakers you can wear all around town. We admire Matt & Nat’s commitment to transparent, ethical practices.
6. Vivaia
Best For | Vegan flats
Vegan Materials | Recycled plastic bottles, recycled faux fur, natural rubber, herbal insoles, rice husks
Price Range | $89 – $299
Vivaia sits at the intersection of everyday comfort, elevated style, and innovative materials. Their mission is rooted in reusing natural, sustainable materials so each pair of shoes they produce helps divert waste from landfills. One method is transforming recycled plastic bottles into yarn used to create different styles. Typically, they reuse up to 6 bottles in one pair of shoes! We have our eyes on a pair of the Margot Slingback Heels, which are comfortable and versatile enough for a day-to-night look with built-in arch support.
7. Stella McCartney
Best For | Vegan boots
Vegan Materials | Cruelty-free leather alternatives
Price Range | $325–$1,495
Stella McCartney blends luxury with sustainability. We love its mission and ethics, which treat people, the planet, and animals equally. The brand is always fur-free, uses recycled materials, and constantly strives to reduce its environmental impact. If you’re in the market for luxury vegan footwear, call it quits: From their iconic platforms to recyclable trainers, you really can’t go wrong.
The post The Best Vegan Shoe Brands In 2026 appeared first on The Good Trade.
