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.
Upgrade your wardrobe with these comfortable, vegan sneakers
Read on for some seriously stylish vegan sneakers fit for any mood or event.
1 Saye Vegan M89
Using corn leather, bamboo, and recycled PET, Spanish brand Saye’s vegan sneakers are a retro dream come true (they come in a myriad of colors like green, blue, yellow, salmon, and lilac). The 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.
shop saye
2 Cariuma IBI Knit
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.
Shop cariuma
3 Soludos Ibiza Canvas Sneaker
Celeb-favorite Soludos believes every step matters, which is why the NYC-based brand’s Ibiza Canvas sneaker is made with recycled polyester, recycled rubber, virgin natural rubber, and cotton. The comfortable, knit-style sneakers come in seven colors, including Laguna Blue, Cayenne Red, and Lavender Purple.
shop soludosShop Amazon
4 SeaVees Monterey Sneaker Platform
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 colors like classic black, white, and cactus. They are almost too cute to wear (almost).
shop SeaveesShop Amazon
5 Ella & Witt Adams Sneaker
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.
shop ella & WittShop Shop Like You Give a Damn
6 Veja V-10 CWL Full White
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 V-10 CWL Full White sneaker Canvas Pierre made from materials like Amazonian rubber, recycled polyester, and organic cotton adds comfort and style to any outfit.
shop vejaShop Amazon
7 Adidas by Stella McCartney Ultraboost
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.
shop adidasShop Amazon
8Nikki Minaj Løci Vegan Sneaker
Iconic rapper Nicki Minaj has teamed up with sustainable luxury brand Løci to launch her own line of vegan sneakers. The breathable, chunky-soled bio-leather designs come in a range of prints and colors, including Pink Friday Girls, Roman’s Revenge, and Like My Hunnits Blue.
Shop Løci
Kumi
9 Kumi Hygge/22 Sneaker
Tired of their nine-to-five jobs, co-founders Sergio Carvajal de Con and Alexandra Pardo Gómez del Cerro followed their passion to create Kumi, a sustainable vegan sneaker brand. These lightweight, timeless shoes feature ultra-comfortable gel insoles and are crafted from eco-friendly materials like biogreen vegan leather, recycled polyester, and recycled rubber.
shop kumiShop Ecomarket
10 Vessi Pacific Sneaker
With its patented waterproof knit material, Vancouver-based Vessi is putting innovation to the test. This weather-proof vegan sneaker features a cushioning midsole and is perfect to pack on vacation or throw in your car for whatever adventure the day may hold.
shop vessi
11 So iLL x On the Roam Hemp Wino
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.
shop on the roam
12 Esska Cinda Vegan Metallic
Who says comfort means sacrificing a little glamour? These Cinda Vegan Metallic Sneakers from Esska look as good as they feel, thanks to their lightweight, supportive design and eye-catching metallic details. Prefer something subtler? They also come in muted, neutral shades like dark brown and navy.
shop esska
13 Vegan Gola Classics Women’s Tennis Mark Cox High Trainers
If you’re a fan of vintage, 1970s-style tennis shoes, you’ll want to check out the Mark Cox High Trainers from Gola. Vegan-certified, uniquely designed, and super comfortable, they come in two classic colorways: green and blue.
shop golaShop Amazon
Nae Vegan Shoes
14 Nae Vegan Shoes Redo Unisex Recycled PET Mid Top Sneakers
These mid-top sneakers from NAE Vegan Shoes strike the perfect balance of comfort, durability, and style. They’re also sustainably made, featuring recycled PET materials, organic cotton, and organic rubber.
shop immaculate vegan
For more vegan fashion, read:
JUMP TO ... Latest News | Recipes | Guides | Health | Subscribe
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.