Do you think that vegan trainers are shoes only biology teachers wear? Do the words ‘vegan trainers’ remind you of people who only eat herbs, nuts, and lentils? Well, vegan trainers are having a moment, and these babies have been selling like hotcakes! Being made from non-animal materials, these trainers are perfect for anyone with a vegan -or hamburger- lifestyle. All rumours aside, vegan trainers are just as good as a pair of premium leather trainers, but they contribute to a better world. Buying a pair of vegan trainers is a small step for men, but a giant leap for mankind. :) Do you want to spoil your feet and our planet with a pair of super-duper cool vegan trainers? Here are the 6 best and most eco-friendly vegan trainers.
How can shoes be vegan?
Vegan shoes are made of materials that do not come from animals. For a fully vegan shoe, not only the shoe is made from vegan materials such as recycled PET bottles. The supplies used, like glue and dye, do not contain animal ingredients as well.
Some seemingly vegan shoes may contain animal-derived ingredients. We give you 2 examples:
- Plastic soles and laces are commonly made with animal fat.
- Glue is not vegan by nature. Most adhesives contain collagen from animals as an ingredient.
Many brands are aware that vegan is super hot and the newest staple on the block in the fashion scene. Often they use phrases like ‘vegan leather’ to show that the shoes are not made from animal materials. Don’t let these words fool you, because there is a ‘but’. Vegan leather often consists of polyurethane (PU), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PU and PVC are absolutely not animal-derived, but formerly known as ‘cheap and fake leather’. Also, PU and PVC are anything but innovative materials, and not biodegradable by nature. Although the term ‘vegan leather’ is correct, PU and PVC are only fancy words for plastic. Plastic. Just let this word sink in for a minute. We probably don’t have to tell you what plastic does to the environment; it harms our planet -plastic soup!- and is very eco-unfriendly. In other words: plastic is not sustainable. Shoes made of PU and/or PVC is not what want if you’re looking for eco-friendly footwear.
Note: even if shoes are mainly made from polyester, hemp, canvas or cotton, they are not vegan unless they clearly state they are.
6 best vegan and eco-friendly trainers to shop for
To vegan or not to vegan, that’s not the question anymore. Many non-vegans are adopting -parts of- the vegan lifestyle, making vegan brands super hot. The range of vegan clothing and shoes is growing rapidly, making it easier than ever to buy eco-friendly and sustainable trainers and other items. But no matter how eco-friendly the lifestyle, no one wants to buy a pair of cheap, ugly, fake leather shoes, vegan or not. That’s why we’ve collected the 6 most beautiful and eco-friendly trainer brands on the market! The choice is yours. :)
#1 Veja
Veja shoes may not be vegan per se -they also produce trainers made of sustainable leather- but the brand is famous for its vegan line. Veja is all about sustainability. And with the vegan line, everything revolves around people, animals and nature. The vegan trainers of Veja are made of recycled polyester, organic cotton or -biodegradable- corn waste. Also, there are no chemicals or other polluting substances used during the production. Due to their sustainability, a pair of Veja shoes can last up to 10 years! All you have to do is check if your Veja trainers fit well, and you’ll enjoy them for years to come.
#2 Superdry Basket trainers
Superdry hoodies are immensely popular, but there’s more to the brand than cool hoodies. In 2020, Superdry introduced its very first vegan footwear, and the vegan Superdry Basket trainers have been highly sought-after ever since. The Basket collection has both high and low-top styles that go with everything. Each pair is processed and manufactured using no animal products. Superdry? Super cool!
#3 TOMS
They may not look like your typical trainer, but TOMS trainers are vegan to the max. TOMS shoes are very eco-friendly and include materials like natural hemp, organic cotton, and recycled polyester. The boxes they come in are made from 80% recycled post-consumer waste and printed with soy ink. Besides being sustainable, TOMS shoes are super comfy and you can walk on them for miles and miles. And, even better, for each pair you purchase, TOMS gives a new pair of shoes to a child a need around the world.
#4 Adidas Ultraboost trainers
Adidas is a brand on a mission! The brand is new to the vegan scene and planning to be plastic-free by 2024. And boy, are they on their way! The Adidas Ultraboost trainers have been given a sustainable makeover; each pair is made from recycled ocean plastic, making the Ultraboost very eco-friendly. Besides being friendly to the environment, the shoes are super comfortable.
#5 Asics Gel-Lyte III
They are insanely comfortable, having a moment, and hit our sweet spot: the Asics Gel-Lyte III is a sustainable take on the 90s trainer. The mesh upper is made from recycled polyester, and non-animal materials are used. Even the glue and dye do not contain any animal ingredients! It might be even better news, but these babies are very Y2K.
#6 Puma Suede
Huh? How can suede be vegan? Suede is thought of as leather! Well, Puma has turned its classic suede trainers into a new classic made of recycled material. The outer sole of the trainer is derived from rice husks, making the classic trainer eco and budget-friendly. Puma Suede the new generation feels like the old skool model, but it’s now made of non-animal derived materials.
