Are you looking for the best organic shoe brands with planet-friendly materials and circularity initiatives? We crafted a list of natural shoes women and men choose on repeat! The sustainable options below run the gamut from eco-friendly boots and sandals to runner-approved sneakers. The materials of choice? Organic cotton, wool, cork, jute, hemp, and natural rubber.
It’s no secret that, unlike organic shoes, most “regular” footwear is heavy on non-biodegradable synthetics. While the affordable price point can be enough to lure us in, it’s important to remember that footwear heavily contributes to landfill pile-ups that are slowly but surely seeping into the Planet. In fact, Quantis claims that the footwear industry is responsible for 1.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions stemming from the production chain and materials used.
Unfortunately, of the 22 billion pairs of shoes thrown away every year, it takes between 30-40 years for just one pair to decompose. The biggest offender? Running shoes! The average pair has a carbon footprint of about 30 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent. Yikes!
What are organic shoes?
The term “organic shoes” typically refers to footwear made from natural materials that have been produced without the use of synthetic chemicals or pesticides. These materials can be anything from natural fibers such as cotton, wool, or hemp to cork, wood, or natural rubber. What’s more, the best organic shoe brands make sure that their entire supply chain is as transparent as possible –from the raw materials down to the last stitch. Lastly, natural shoes are almost always produced under fair labor conditions without the environmental impact of traditional manufacturing methods.
Which type of material is best for organic shoes?
Luckily for us, the best natural shoe brands create ultra-comfy and sustainable footwear using some of the best organic materials in the world. While the best material will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the wearer, here’s a list of options to consider:
🧵 Organic cotton
Organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or other harmful chemicals. Plus, the farming process of organic cotton fabric uses less energy, releases fewer greenhouse gases, and due to the improved soil quality, uses significantly less water. It’s a soft, breathable material that is ideal for making shoes and sustainable clothing, especially for those with sensitive skin.
🌱 Hemp
Hemp is a durable and sustainable material that can be used to make an array of shoe types, including organic sneakers, sandals, and even boots. It is resistant to mold, mildew, and bacteria, making it an ideal material for people with allergies or sensitive skin. Additionally, hemp plants grow quickly and require little water or fertilizer, making them a low-impact crop compared to other fiber crops like cotton. They also absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere than most plants, helping to mitigate climate change. Last but not least, hemp fiber is completely biodegradable, meaning it breaks down naturally over time and doesn’t contribute to landfill waste.
🍂 Cork
Cork is a renewable and biodegradable material harvested from the bark of cork trees. It is lightweight, durable, and water-resistant, making it an ideal choice for biodegradable and organic shoes. Cork oak trees require little water and no pesticides or fertilizers to grow, making them a low-impact crop. Additionally, the harvesting process is non-destructive and does not harm the tree or the surrounding ecosystem. Let’s not forget that cork oak trees absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate climate change. So it’s really no wonder why the best organic shoe brands make beautiful sandals out of this fantastic material.
Natural rubber
Natural rubber is made from the sap of rubber trees and is a sustainable alternative to synthetic rubber. It is flexible, durable, and water-resistant, making it a fantastic option for soles and insoles. Synthetic rubber, on the other hand, is typically made from petroleum-based materials and is not biodegradable. Using natural rubber soles reduces reliance on non-renewable resources and helps to reduce waste. What’s more, Natural rubber is a durable material that can withstand wear and tear over time. It is also resistant to abrasions, making it ideal for use in shoes that are exposed to rough surfaces or environments.
🐑 Wool
Wool is a natural and renewable material that is soft, warm, and moisture-wicking. Sheep can be shorn once or twice a year, providing a continuous supply of wool without harming the animals. Granted, organic shoes made of wool can be a bit more expensive, but given that they are strong, durable, and withstand wear and tear over time, they certainly are a worthy investment.
Here are our top picks! Spoiler alert: You’ll want to keep these options from our favorite natural shoe brands in heavy rotation for years to come.
8 Organic Shoe Brands For Men & Women: Sneakers, Sandals & Boots
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1. 8000Kicks
Best for: Unisex organic sneakers made of hemp
Materials: Hemp, Algae,
Ships to: Worldwide
Meet 8000Kicks –the world’s first hemp sneaker! We’ve tested a pair ourselves, and you can check out the review here. Known as one of the best organic shoe brands for lightweight, sturdy, waterproof sneakers, 8000Kicks offers an array of minimalistic options.
Plus, the shoes weigh as little as 240g and boast stellar anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties. Additionally, the natural shoe brand added a coating layer that protects the fabric and its properties from stains, liquids, and dust particles. They’re comfy, practical, and look good!
We also caught up with founder Bernardo, to discuss all things hemp footwear—make sure to check out the Q&A!
2. Cariuma
Best for: Organic sneakers for men and women
Materials: Natural Rubber, cork, organic cotton, recycled plastic
Ships to: Worldwide
Next up, Cariuma! The eco-friendly shoe brand offers versatile and super stylish footwear backed by strong, sustainable credentials. In addition to using sustainable and biodegradable materials in order to minimize waste in the production process; they have a closed-loop manufacturing system that recycles materials and reduces their carbon footprint.
Cariuma’s sneakers are ethically crafted with 100% organic cotton uppers and 100% vegan insoles made from organic mamona oil and cork, and the certified B-Corp also uses recycled plastic bottles to make the laces, labels, uppers, and threads of its shoes.
Plus, for every purchase, they’ll plant two trees. What more can we ask for?
3. Baabuk
Best for: Unisex organic wool sneakers
Materials: Natural Portuguese mulesing-free sheep wool, rubber, REACH certified color dyes
Ships to: Worldwide
Babuuk’s wool sneakers are naturally breathable, water-repellant, and renewable, making them a stellar option for everyday sustainable sneakers.
The shoes are designed in Switzerland, and made from Portuguese mulesing-free sheep wool. The certified B-Corporation also offers a recycling buy-back program to help us get rid of our old organic shoes as sustainably as possible.
We’ve tried a pair of their classic sneakers, and love how stylish and soft the shoes are!
4. Biankina
Best for: organic sandals for women
Materials: natural rubber, jute, cork, certified recycled plastics
Ships to: Worldwide
If you’re on the hunt for vegan, sustainable sandals like Birkenstock, then check out Biankina! The eco-friendly shoe brand opts for 100% natural materials, including jute, natural rubber, cork, and recycled plastic, to produce eco footwear ethically in the heart of Spain by talented artisans.
Plus, the memory foam insole conforms to your feet for ultimate comfort. Last but not least, two trees will be planted with every purchase!
5. Rawganique
Best for: Natural hemp sandals, eco-friendly clogs, and organic boots for women and me
Materials: Hemp, Linen, Organic Cotton, natural rubber
Ships to: Worldwide
Rawganique might be touted for their cloud-like, organic cotton comforters and hemp clothing, but have you seen their organic shoe line? You can find handmade, organically grown hemp lace-up sandals and boots, finished with 100% natural rubber soles. In order to give their natural shoes some color, they use low-impact, biodegradable fiber-reactive eco-dyes, which are completely non-toxic and earth friendly.
Plus, Rawganiques ethical shoes are made responsibly and sweatshop-free in America and Europe. Overall, we love the unique look and “earthy” feel of hemp footwear.
6. Noah
Best for: Organic boots for women and men & vegan dress shoes
Materials: vegan Microsuede and microfiber
Ships to: Worldwide
Lauded as one of the best organic shoe brands of 2024, Noah crafts premium quality boots for men and women based on the principles of classic Italian shoemaking. Breathable, water-repellent, and soft to the touch, these organic boots are made with microsuede – a material similar to suede leather – and microfiber material that looks similar to Nappa leather.
Some options like the “Bettina “are also enhanced with vegan fur padding, while the men’s “Claude” is reinforced with non-slip soles. All shoes are PETA-approved and made in Europe under fair and safe working conditions.
7. Heydudes
Best for: men’s and women’s organic slip-on shoes
Materials: organic cotton and hemp, natural rubber, recycled cork
Ships to: Worldwide
This natural shoes brand crafts lightweight, comfortable, stylish, and affordable shoes, including sneakers, sandals, and platforms! The Wendy and Wally collections are a unique take on the classic comfy walking shoe, lined with a light cotton lining for simple and breathable strides.
All of Heydude’s organic shoes are equipped with flex & fold technology and carry an easy-on system with elastic laces.
8. Allbirds
Best for: Women’s and men’s organic sneakers
Materials: Wool, TENCEL™ Lyocell, sugarcane-based green EVA, recycled plastic & more
Ships to: Worldwide
Allbirds is not only one of the best organic shoe brands of the last decade but also a highly innovative company that needs to be on your radar.
First and foremost, they use water-repellent Puddle Guard® technology in their sustainable ZQ Merino wool sneakers to help keep shoes from getting soggy. Other natural shoe styles like the “Tree Dasher” are created ethically with fully renewable materials such as leftover stock yarn. Let’s not forget the SuperLight Foam technology that offers a barely-there feel and light-as-air fit. Plus, avid runners will definitely appreciate the “Tree Flyers.”
Wrapping Up: Best Organic Shoe Brands
We hope you enjoyed the article and have found organic shoes that for your future outings. It’s safe to say that natural materials like organic cotton, rubber, and cork will always be fantastic options for sandals, sneakers, and boots. If you’re looking for the best repairable shoes, ethical boots, or shoes made from recycled plastic, make sure you check out our guides.
