Top 10 Sustainable Shoes for Eco-Friendly Fashion (2025)

 

Choosing sustainable shoes means picking footwear designed to reduce waste, pollution and social harm. Traditional shoes often rely on plastics and toxic glues, with billions of pairs discarded in landfills annually. In contrast, sustainable shoes use recycled or natural fibers (like organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, or recycled rubber) to minimize environmental impact. They also emphasize ethical production – fair wages, low-energy factories, and minimal packaging. Many brands even offer repair or recycling programs to close the loop on waste. In short, by buying sustainable shoes you support materials and methods that are better for the planet and for your feet. Key benefits include:

Eco-friendly Materials:

Crafted from organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, recycled rubber or plastics – avoiding toxic chemicals.

Durability & Repair:

Designed to last longer and often repairable, so you buy fewer replacements.

Ethical Practices:

Fair trade and B Corp certifications ensure safe labor and community support.

Comfort & Health:

Natural fibers like merino wool or TENCEL are breathable and non-toxic, improving comfort and foot health.

Below is our list of the top sustainable shoes that combine style, comfort and eco-conscious design, for both men and women

worldwide.

1. Allbirds Wool Runners –Comfy, Natural-Fiber Sneakers

Allbirds has become famous for ultra-comfortable sneakers made from renewable resources. These B Corp–certified shoes use ZQ-certified Merino wool and FSC-certified TENCEL™ lyocell (from eucalyptus trees) in their knit uppers. The insoles are made from sugarcane-based “SweetFoam” and recycled plastic laces, keeping materials natural and recycled. Allbirds’ wool runners are machine-washable and impressively durable, reducing the need to buy new shoes often. The brand’s operations are highly eco-minded: each pair is carbon-neutral, shipped in ~90% recycled cardboard, and the ReRun program lets customers resell or recycle old pairs to keep them out of landfills.

Eco-Materials:

Uses merino wool and TENCEL lyocell (wood pulp) in the upper.

Comfort & Care:

Plush, moisture-wicking knit fabric; easy to wash. Sugarcane-based midsole foam and recycled plastic laces add cushioning.

Green Commitment:

Certified B Corp; tracks carbon footprint and uses ~90% recycled paper packaging.

2. Veja V-10 – Ethical Canvas Sneakers

Veja is a pioneer in ethical fashion sneakers. The French company uses organic cotton canvas and wild rubber tapped sustainably from Amazonian rubber trees for its soles. In fact, roughly 85% of Veja’s materials are eco-sourced: recycled PET plastic yarn, organic cotton, chrome-free leather (or plant-based leather), organic jute, and bio-resin made from corn and castor bean oil. Veja factories in Brazil follow fair-trade standards, paying decent wages and minimizing energy use. They even publish their carbon footprints by model. Veja shoes are classic low-top styles worn by men, women and kids, with a sleek “V” logo.

Sustainable Materials:

Approximately 85% recycled and natural fabrics (recycled PET, organic cotton, jute) and soles from Amazonian natural rubber.

Ethical Production:

Fair-trade farms and tanneries; transparent supply chain; recyclable packaging. The company recycles or refurbishes returned shoes.

Style & Comfort:

Timeless unisex sneakers (e.g. Veja V-10) that pair well with casual outfits. Durable canvas upper with cushioned insole.

3. Rothy’s The Point –Recycled Plastic Flats and Sneakers

Rothy’s is known for its washable, sleek women’s and men’s shoes made from recycled plastic bottles. Their knit uppers are crafted from 100% post-consumer PET plastic (each pair repurposes multiple bottles). Thanks to this yarn, Rothy’s shoes are lightweight, breathable and stretchy. They’ve collectively recycled over 200 million plastic bottles into footwear to date. In addition to flats (like The Point), Rothy’s now offers lace-up sneakers and loafers. All Rothy’s styles are machine-washable, odor-resistant, and quick to dry. Many models use non-toxic, plant-based foam for cushioning and even biodegradable soles in some lines.

Recycled Uppers:

100% recycled-

plastic knit. Turning waste bottles into soft, durable fabric.

Machine-Washable:

Easy care – just toss in the laundry. The construction resists stretching out.

Eco Impact:

Over 200 million bottles converted into shoes. The company plants trees and continues expanding sustainable materials (recently introducing algae-based foam linings).

4. Adidas x Parley – Ocean-Plastic Running Shoes

Adidas has a flagship eco-line made in partnership with Parley for the Oceans. These Parley sneakers (like UltraBOOST Uncaged) use yarn spun from plastic waste intercepted from beaches and fishing nets. In fact, Adidas released a version whose upper is 95% recycled ocean plastic from the Maldives, and an outsole made of recycled rubber. In 2017 Adidas produced about 1 million Parley shoes using over 11 million recycled plastic bottles. These athletic shoes are performance-ready (running, training, even soccer cleats) but built with a green conscience.

Recycled Components:

Knitted uppers from Parley ocean plastic yarn; midsoles/outsoles include recycled and re-ground rubber. Each pair can repurpose dozens of plastic bottles.

Performance:

Modern athletic silhouettes (boost cushioning, lightweight mesh) ensure comfort and support for sports or casual wear.

Environmental Goal:

Part of Adidas’s “Move to Zero” initiative – phasing out virgin plastic. Large-scale recycling (millions of bottles) and carbon-reduction targets.

5. Cariuma OCA Low – Vegan Sneakers with FSC Materials

 

Cariuma (from Brazil) makes laid-back sneakers for men and women using a mix of organic and recycled materials. Uppers are crafted from GOTS-certified organic cotton or OEKO-TEX bamboo fabric, and they use sustainable cork for the heel tab and insole. Cariuma soles are natural rubber, and their laces are a plant-based yarn. The brand even uses rPET and recycled nylon in some styles, and a castor-bean oil–derived PU (“mamona oil”) as a vegan leather. All materials are colored with eco-friendly, Bluesign-approved dyes. Cariuma’s factories are WRAP-certified for fair labor, and each pair is shipped carbon-neutral in 100% recyclable packaging. For every shoe sold, Cariuma plants two trees in the Brazilian rainforest.

Plant-Based Fabrics:

Organic cotton canvas, bamboo-based textiles, natural rubber soles, sustainable cork footbeds.

Green Packaging:

Shipped carbon-neutral with soy-ink printing; packaging made from recycled materials.

Giving Back:

B Corp certified. Every purchase plants two trees in the Amazon. Comfortable comfort sneakers in retro-inspired colors.

6. Birkenstock Arizona – Renewable Cork Sandals (and Boots)

Birkenstock’s classic sandals (worn by men and women) are a model of natural-material design. The contoured footbeds are made from layers of sustainably-harvested cork and natural latex rubber. Cork is peeled from oak trees in a way that lets the bark regrow (harvesting repeats every 7–9 years without harming the tree). The footbed layers are bound with water-based, solvent-free glue to avoid harsh chemicals. Jute fiber reinforces the insole, and the straps use leather or vegan leather. Birkenstocks are extremely durable and supportive – many fans wear the same sandals for years.

Natural Footbed:

A mix of renewable cork (elastic and insulating) and natural latex creates cushioning and support. The cork is an annually sustainable resource.

Non-Toxic Manufacturing:

Uses water-based adhesives (no PVC solvents) and good-quality leather or eco-leather.

Iconic Comfort:

Anatomically shaped footbed that molds to your foot. The sandals (and their newer closed-toe boots) resist wear and retain value for a long life on your shelf.

7. LØCI EVO – Vegan Recycled Ocean-Plastic Sneakers

LØCI (pronounced “low-key”) offers stylish unisex trainers made entirely vegan. These shoes use innovative recycled fabrics and bio-based materials – for example, the EVO sneaker has an upper made from recycled ocean plastic fibers and a lining of “bio-leather” grown in labs. The soles are rubber (often with a recycled component). LØCI is a Certified B Corp and donates 10% of profits to conservation charities. The shoes are cruelty-free and emphasize minimal packaging. They’re built for everyday wear – soft, breathable, and ready straight out of the box (very little break-in needed).

Materials: 100% vegan

– includes recycled fishing nets/ocean plastic and a polyurethane alternative made from plant oils.

Ethical:

Fair production in Asia; small batches; B Corp certified. 10% of profits fund biodiversity protection.

Style:

Sleek streetwear sneakers (Echo and EVO models) with subtle color-accents. Unisex fit; flexible and cushioned.

8. Nisolo Demi Oxford – Fair-Trade Leather Shoes

 

Nisolo makes premium leather footwear (boots, oxfords, sandals) for men and women with a strong ethical focus. Their factory in Peru is worker-owned; every employee earns a living wage rather than minimum wage. Nisolo is a Certified B Corp and gives detailed info about its supply chain. In fact, each pair sold contributes to environmental and social causes: Nisolo protects Amazon rainforest trees as part of its mission (every sale helps prevent deforestation). The shoes themselves use high-quality vegetable-tanned leather (sourced from Silver or Gold LWG tanneries) and solid soles, so they last for years.

Handcrafted Fairly:

Leather uppers stitched in Peru with attention to detail. Classic designs (e.g. Demi Oxford, Collective Mule) that age beautifully.

Social Impact:

Direct trade model – artisans are paid living wages, and Nisolo uses profits to fund reforestation in the Amazon.

Durability:

Premium full-grain leather and Goodyear welt or stitched construction make these shoes repairable and long-lasting.

9. TOMS Alpargata – Earthwise Canvas Slip-Ons

TOMS, known for pioneering one-for-one giving, now also emphasizes sustainable design. Their Earthwise collection requires that each shoe include at least one major eco-material. For example, many TOMS Alpargata slip-ons and espadrilles use organic cotton canvas, recycled denim, hemp or Tencel Lyocell in the upper. They’ve even introduced models with recycled strobel boards and jute blends. TOMS shoes have always had simple, comfortable styling – think classic flat slip-ons – and the Earthwise line looks just like the originals but with greener fabrics. Even the packaging is eco-friendly: boxes are 80% recycled cardboard and sourced from sustainably managed forests.

Earthwise Materials:

Canvases with recycled cotton, TENCEL (eucalyptus fiber), hemp and jute. Many models also have 50% recycled polyester insoles.

Packaging: 80% recycled-content shoe boxes; all paper from FSC-certified forests.

Giving Model:

Beyond materials, TOMS still donates a pair or gives funds for each purchase – maintaining their social mission.

                         Conclusion:

Choosing sustainable shoes means supporting products made with less waste and more conscience. The brands above prove that eco-friendly footwear can be stylish, high-performing and comfortable. For example, Adidas’s Parley sneakers turned 11 million plastic bottles into 1 million running shoes, and Rothy’s has upcycled 200+ million bottles into fashion footwear. When you shop, look for natural or recycled materials (organic cotton, recycled rubber, cork, recycled PET, etc.), and certifications like Fair Trade or B Corp. By opting for these sustainable sneakers, boots or sandals, you help reduce landfill waste, protect ecosystems and support fair labor. In the end, sustainable shoes deliver the style and comfort you want and the planet-friendly benefits we all need.

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