Shop for shoes the vegan way! Thanks to many vegan footwear companies, it’s easy to embrace a cruelty-free lifestyle from head to toe.
Whether you’re looking for comfy sneakers, colorful high heels, or stylish booties, there are so many vegan shoe options for every need — day or night, rain or shine.
Here’s our go-to guide to vegan footwear, so you can treat your feet and be cruelty-free.
First off, here’s what to look for…
Take a look at the tag or box. If you see a diamond or textile symbol (it looks almost like a hashtag with lots of lines), then that’s a sure sign your feet will be covered in animal-free material.
Also, look for magic words like “100 percent synthetic” or “all man-made.” This basically translates into: good to go.
Here’s a list of some common animal-free materials for shoes:
- Bamboo
- Corduroy
- Cork
- Cotton
- Denim
- Dinamica
- Faux fur
- Faux animal-skin
- Gor-tex
- Hemp
- Jute
- Microfiber
- Recycled rubber/natural rubber
- Polyurethane/PU
And here’s what to avoid…
If you see a symbol that looks like an outline of a cowhide (sometimes it also has a diamond inside it), that means the shoe is either made from leather or coated leather. Both come from animals — meaning both are not vegan-friendly.
But leather isn’t the only thing to avoid. Here’s a list of animal-derived materials that we don’t want to put on our feet (or anywhere else):
- Any animal skin (alligator, snake, crocodile, you get the point)
- Fur
- Leather
- Silk
- Suede
- Tweed
- Wool
For an Ugg alternative, try Pawj
Who doesn’t want a pair of snuggly shoes?! Pawj shoes look like Uggs but better — because they’re cruelty-free. Instead of using animal-derived materials, Pawj uses synthetics and faux furs.
Plus, it’s a family-run business dedicated to creating a life that’s better for animals. What’s not to love about that?!
For vegan sneakers, try Native Shoes
Native Shoes has everything from sandals to boots, but the Plant Shoes — which are completely plant-based and biodegradable — are the ultimate everyday shoe for grabbing groceries, running errands, or doing whatever else that’s on your to-do list.
For vegan flats, try Rothy’s
Plastic water bottles transform into adorable flats at Rothy’s. The leopard-prints, pointy toes, and durable loafers will make you wonder how they could turn something like plastic into something so cute. They proudly use vegan, recyclable materials, making Rothy’s one of the most eco-friendly footwear options.
For vegan heels, try Susi Studio
Made of micro suede and rubber, Susi Studio’s Hey Simone heels are perfect for day or night. We also love how the heel comes in different colors depending on what you’re looking for.
But no matter what shoe you choose, everything is made with vegan materials. Susi Studio’s mission is to make “vegan footwear for the modern woman” and that also promotes conscious living.
For vegan ankle booties, try MooShoes
From blue booties with heels, to tan booties with zippers, MooShoes curates and creates cruelty-free options for every style. MooShoes is also a vegan-owned business, so you can shop with peace of mind knowing you’re supporting a cruelty-free company.
For vegan rain boots, try Roma Boots
Roma Boots are made from natural rubber and cotton to create super-chic designs that will make your rainy day as cute as possible. Not to mention, for every pair of boots purchased, they donate to a child living in poverty.
For vegan slippers, try Etsy
Etsy is an amazing resource for so many things, including vegan slippers! Treat your toes to vegan crochet, hemp, or cool canvas slippers in so many different styles. And feel good knowing you’re likely wearing something handmade with love.
For vegan sandals, try the vegan Birkenstock collection
Birkenstock features a vegan collection with shoes made of microfibers and cork-latex that are just as cute as they are comfortable. But be mindful, some of their shoes are made with leather and suede — so shop with care.
For patterned vegan socks, try Conscious Step
Brighten up your day with a pair of cute socks from Conscious Step. Not only are the designs vegan certified and adorable (think: elephants and colorful polka dots) but for every pair of socks purchased — a donation is made to a nonprofit. You can even shop with a specific cause in mind like breast cancer awareness, elephant protection, or animal rescue.
For everyday socks, try MD socks
Wool-free and comfy-as-can-be, MD socks on Amazon are made of mostly bamboo. They’re breathable, durable, and soft, so your feet can feel good while you get on with your day!
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