Strappy sandals, platform high heels, knee-high boots … While all of these footwear options are great when a special occasion strikes, none beat the versatility of a good pair of sneakers. Lightweight trainers, trendy chunky kicks, and basic slip-ons all add their very own special touch to an everyday outfit. Whether you’re taking on the city streets for a full day of errands or prepping for a night out with your best pals, you can always trust the staple sneaker to solve your wardrobe dilemma.
However, for those seeking vegan-friendly materials, it can be tricky to find a pair sans wasteful and cruel materials like leather, plastic, and animal-based glue. Luckily, as the fashion world slowly turns to a more eco-conscious, animal-friendly approach, there are more options than ever to fuel your (vegan) shopping habits. With the likes of Nike, Adidas, and even Gucci creating veganized versions of their iconic styles, it’s time we put the vegan sneaker on the map. Read on for some seriously stylish vegan sneakers fit for any mood or event.
Saye
1 Saye Vegan Modelo ‘89, $177
Using corn leather, bamboo, and recycled thermoplastics recovered from automotive factories, Spanish brand Saye’s first vegan sneaker is a retro dream come true (it even comes in a myriad of pastel colors like green, blue, yellow, salmon, and lilac). The three-year-old brand is focused on becoming a zero-waste brand while fighting for fair work conditions and fighting deforestation by planting two trees for each sneaker sold.
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Avre
2 Avre Infinity Glide Shoe, $145
Women-owned Avre (which stands for Authentic, Versatile, Responsible, and Empowered) is taking eco-friendly to the next level with its stylish sneakers made from recycled water bottles. The Southern California-based brand’s slip-on Infinity Glide is uber-comfortable, durable, and washable, to boot, so your next outdoor hike or all-day mall trip will be a breeze.
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3 Cariuma IBI Knit, $119
Comfort meets style in these unisex lace-up sneakers from Rio de Janeiro-based Cariuma. The brand’s quality-over-quantity ethos carries over to this easy-to-wear, machine-washable style made with bamboo, cork, recycled PET, plastic bottles, and sugarcane. And the company even plants two trees in the Brazilian rainforest per shoe sold. Now, if we could only decide on which color to run around in.
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P448
4 P448 John Vegan Apple Forest, $315
The Italian shoemakers at P448 are taking your style to new heights in these low-top kicks created with Italian apples. The green-and-black apple leather trim adds a subtle glam to the vegan style made with recycled laces. Super cute and environmentally friendly? That’s a forever staple in our closet.
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Soludos
5 Soludos Ashore Sneaker, $109
Celeb-favorite Soludos believes every step matters, which is why the NYC-based brand’s Ashore sneaker is made with four post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. The comfortable, knit-style sneakers come in three classic colors including simple white, sophisticated gray, and dusty pink options.
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SeaVees
6 SeaVees Monterey Sneaker Platform, $110
Founded in the ‘60s and revitalized in the ‘00s by Steven Tiller, SeaVees is responsible for positioning sneakers as an everyday shoe in modern American society (it was primarily for the gym or a kids-only option back then). SeaVees now offers a variety of vegan styles including these platform lace-up sneakers in plain colors and adorable prints such as flowers or hearts. It’s almost too cute to wear … almost!
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Ella & Witt
7 Ella & Witt Adams Sneaker, $161
Founders Birgit and Torsten Lasar named German label Ella & Witt after two of the residents at their local animal sanctuary, gander Ella and cow Frau Witt. Ethically produced in Portugal, the vegan Adams sneaker—named after American animal-rights activist and writer Carol J. Adams—is created with corn leather made from corn waste and recycled PET bottles. Grab your favorite pair of jeans and a white tee for the ultimate cool-girl fit.
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Veja
8 Veja Campo Canvas Pierre, $135
After a visit to a fast-fashion factory in China, founders Sebastien Kopp and Francois-Ghislain Morillion knew they wanted to create a brand focused on social responsibility, fair trade, and sustainability. Enter: wildly popular, celebrity-favorite French brand VEJA. A classic staple, the Campo Canvas Pierre made from vegan suede, recycled Amazonian rubber, and organic cotton adds comfort and style to any outfit.
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9 Adidas by Stella McCartney Ultraboost, $250
Iconic eco-conscious designer Stella McCartney partnered with the German sports apparel company back in 2005 and has since created fun, innovative designs meant to inspire anyone wearing them. Case in point: the Ultraboost (made with recycled plastic materials) is functional yet stylish for all the workout fiends out there. The apparel and shoe brand also carries veganized versions of its popular styles, Samba and Continental 80.
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Awkward Souls
10 Awkward Souls The Scoop Sneaker, $85
Awkward Souls is on a mission to create an inclusive community that celebrates all that makes us different. Its easy-to-wear, slip-on-style kicks feature a padded footbed for comfort and fun, vibrant colorways to encourage standing out in the crowd.
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Løci
11 Reed x Løci Vegan Sneaker, $160
Vegetarian actress Nikki Reed teamed up with sustainable luxury brand Løci to launch a line of vegan sneakers, which were included in 2021’s Oscars nominee gift bags. The breathable low-cut sneaker comes in various colors ranging from black and beige to sage and is made with 100-percent recycled materials.
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Kumi
12 Kumi Hygge/22 Suede Sneaker, $176
Tired of their nine-to-five jobs, co-founders Sergio Carvajal de Con and Alexandra Pardo Gómez del Cerro followed their passions to create sustainable vegan brand Kumi. With an old-school skater-inspired design, these lightweight, anti-slip sneakers come in eight different colorways and add a retro look to every fit. Plus, each pair is made with recycled cork and plastic water bottles for an eco-friendly, breathable feel.
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Vessi
13 Vessi Everyday Move Slip-Ons, $145
With its patented waterproof knit material, Vancouver-based Vessi is putting innovation to the test. This weather-proof vegan sneaker features increased arch support and is perfect to pack on vacation or throw in your car for whatever adventure the day may hold.
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On the Roam
14 So iLL x On the Roam Hemp Wino, $119
Climbing apparel brand So iLL partnered with Aquaman and Game of Thrones actor Jason Momoa to design these function-meets-style vegan shoes. The low-top, lace-up shoe features a hemp-and-cotton blend upper and an insole made by BLOOM Foam, a company that turns harmful algae blooms into sustainable materials.
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Aruka Sanchir (@ruukes) is a writer based in Los Angeles, CA.
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission, but in no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
