24 Best Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Sneakers for 2022

Sustainability: Eco-friendly materials, Certified B Corp, shoe donation program.

Price: $$ – $$$

Best for: Stylish and ultra-comfortable everyday sneakers

Drawbacks: No completely waterproof styles (only water resistant)

Allbirds are sustainable sneaker brand from San Francisco. They’re growing quickly thanks to their reputation as being ‘the world’s most comfortable shoes‘.

Allbirds are a B Corp, which is proof of their sustainable efforts. They also have a Forest Stewardship Council certification – that means that their materials meet standards to ensure the protection of forests around the world.

Allbirds ethical sneakers are made from of eco-friendly materials such as merino wool, recycled plastic bottles, and TENCEL™ Lyocell.

If that’s not enough to convince you, Allbirds top it off by donating used and returned Allbirds to communities in need of shoes all over the world.

Sustainability: Recycled, and eco-friendly materials, 1% of sales go to environmental conservation causes

Price range: $$

Best for: Travelling and adventure shoes

Drawbacks: Thin mesh on Canyon model may not be suitable for winter

Tropicfeel make the perfect sustainable sneaker for anyone who loves to stay active, travel, and look good at the same time.

Their sneakers are light weight and breathable, deisgned to be comfortable all day long, whether you’re hiking up a steep trail or exploring a new city.

They’re quick-drying, and contain a blend of features to make them waterproof, comfortable, lightweight, and slip-on.

Tropicfeel’s production process is transparent, and they donate 1% of their sales to protect the environment for future generations.

Sustainability: Sneakers made from coffee grounds and recycled plastic.

Price: $$ – $$$

Best for: Waterproof recycled sneakers

Drawbacks: Not all half sizes are available

Meet Rens, the 100% vegan and waterproof sneaker made from recycled coffee grounds – yes, you read that right.

Rens takes coffee grounds which are the by-product of the food industry, and transforms them into a coffee yarn. The yarn is combined with recycled plastic bottles to create Ren’s signature sneakers.

Each pair of Rens shoes comprises six recycled plastic bottles and 150 grams of coffee waste.

Rens are easy to slip on, and owners of Rens sneakers comment on how comfortable their sneakers are for all-day wear.

The brand has recently released its third performance style the Nomad sneaker which features a thicker sole and laces.

Sustainability: Completely vegan-friendly shoes made with thread from 100% post-consumer recycled plastics

Price: $$

Best for: Travel shoes, slip-on sneakers

Drawbacks: Not as transparent about where shoes are made as other brands on the list

Looking for easy to clean, lightweight sneakers made from recycled plastic bottles? Then check out SUAVS, the stylish knitted sneaker brand designing breathable sneakers from recycled threads.

SUAVS are machine washable and fold flat for easy packing if traveling regularly. A key point of SUAVS is that they’re breathable sneakers with a moisture-wicking knitted upper, meaning you can wear them without socks, and your feet won’t get sweaty.

Some reviewers say that they can give blisters on the first few wears, so we recommend wearing them before traveling and wearing them for long days walking.

Sustainability: Vegan handmade sneakers from sustainable materials. Every pair supports in the planting of trees. Recycled, plastic free packaging.

Price range: $$

Best for: Minimalist vegan leather sneakers

Drawbacks: Flat sole some may find uncomfortable with foot problems.

Beflamboyant are a refreshingly different vegan sneaker brand, creating high-quality sustainable sneakers, from sustainable and cruelty-free materials.

This PETA-approved brand creates unisex vegan leather sneakers ethically in Portugal. The vegan leather is made from corn, and the heel and laces from recycled PET.

We’ve personally tested Beflamboyant’s new Manimal sneakers and were really impressed at how high-quality the vegan leather looks and feels in person. The inner lining is made from bamboo, a renewable, natural material which is naturally breathable and moisture wicking.

Sustainability: Using natural materials such as hemp and cotton. Turing millions of recycled plastic bottles into their signature thread. They are working towards zero waste and a carbon-neutral supply chain.

Price: $$$-$$$$

Best For: 3-D knit and handcrafted, fully machine washable sneakers in cool neutral shades.

Drawbacks: Potential to release micro plastics when washing.

Rothy’s is a stylish, sustainable shoe brand with a difference. They are leading the industry on a push for production circularity by 2023. Their collection of shoes are durable, comfortable, and fully machine washable, so you can enjoy them for years to come. Rothy’s is also piloting their shoe recycling program this year.

Their signature recycled thread has recycled millions of plastic bottles and diverted 100 tonnes of virgin plastics out of the ocean. In addition, they work with natural fibers such as cotton and hemp for their iconic shoe collections.

Sustainability: Fair Trade Certified, vegan, Certified B Corp

Price: $$

Best for: Vegan alternative to Converse

Drawbacks: Reviews say shipping may take longer than expected to some areas.

Etiko is an Australian brand creating sustainable sneakers from organic cotton. They’re completely vegan and free of toxic chemicals.

The brand is Fair Trade Certified and transparent about its supply chain.

Etiko has a wide range of styles available, and they’re a great alternative to popular brands like Converse or Vans.

Sustainability: Eucalyptus upper, sugar cane midsole, carbon neutral, Certified B Corp.

Price: $$ ($95)

Best for: Smart-casual summer shoes.

Drawbacks: Flat sole without full arch support.

The Tree Pipers are the latest addition to Allbirds‘ line up of sustainable sneakers.

These low-top, lightweight, minimalist sneakers are made from sustainable materials like sugar cane and eucalyptus, and are completely carbon neutral as the brand offsets all carbon created during the manufacturing process.

We’ve personally tested the Allbirds tree pipers and love them, you can find out more about our thought here.

The Tree Pipers are available in blue, white, and gray, and they’re a great choice if you need a versatile summer sneaker.

Sustainability: B-Corp Certified, wool sourced from mulesing-free sheep, follow traditional, ethical processes when producing their sneakers. Pay their workers 25% higher than national averages, hiring process to promote diversity.

Price range: $$ – $$$

Best for: Comfy minimalist wool shoes.

Drawbacks: Not vegan product as made from wool.

Babuuk are an awesome sustainable shoe brand making shoes for women and men.

First of all, they’re a B Corp, part of the global movement of business as a force for good. They meet all the guidelines for social and environmental performance and ensure their processes benefit their workers, community and environment.

Their wool sneakers are sourced from sheep in Portugal and New Zealand. In Portugal, their sheep live in the protected Serra da Estrela Natural Park, a large protected area, and are all mulesing-free. The farms in New Zealand are chosen for their sustainable water and soap washing processes that involve recycling to make sure no local water sources are polluted.

Babuuk’s sneakers are minimal, stylish, and comfy.

For a look behind the scenes with the founder of Baabuk, check out the interview here.

Sustainability: Vegan leather

Price: $$$

Best for: Vegan alternative to popular brands like Nike.

Drawbacks: Some styles scuff easily.

Veja sneakers are instantly recognizable by the signature ‘V’ logo.

They create a range of sustainable vegan sneakers that are cruelty-free and ethical.

They’re stylish, too. In our opinion, Veja’s sneaker designs rival any other leading sneaker brand in terms of looks, and as most of their sneakers have a minimalist design they can be dressed up or dressed down as you please.

Sustainability: Recycled plastic trash turned into shoes

Price: $$$

Best for: Classic Adidas styles in recycled materials.

Drawbacks: Not as ethical as other brands listed.

Adidas x Parley is a great ongoing collaboration between the major sportswear brand Adidas, and Parley For The Oceans, which is an ocean conservation and awareness project.

The Adidas x Parley shoes look great. You’ll find some of Adidas’ popular trainers in there such as the Alphabounce.

The trainers are made from at least 75% upcycled plastic trash collected from beaches and coastal communities. As well as this, they’re produced in low energy, low water usage process meaning you get the benefits of sustainability combined with the performance of Adidas shoes.

Sustainability: Upcycled materials

Price: $$

Best for: Ethically made Converse

Drawbacks: Not as ethical as other brands listed

You probably don’t associate Converse with ethical sneakers, but as it turns out, they’re making some interesting shoes to promote upcycling.

They have a few different versions of the Renew shoes. Firstly, they do one-of-a-kind Chucks made from recycled and previously used jeans. They collaborate with Beyond Retro, a sustainable fashion brand, and vintage retailer, to source the pre-used jeans that can be turned into shoes.

As well as this, they have a range of shoes whose upper is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.

If you’re a Converse person, it’s definitely worth checking out the Renew range for your next pair.

Sustainability: Vegan, sustainable materials

Price: $$

Best for: Luxury style at fair prices

Drawbacks: Made from recycled plastic.

Matt & Nat are a vegan brand from Montreal creating a range of clothes, accessories, and – you guessed it – sneakers.

Like Veja, their selection of shoes are minimalist and stylish, and can definitely be worn with a wide range of outfits.

Another benefit of Matt & Nat’s sustainable sneakers is that they’re actually very affordable, considering their style. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the market for some new fashionable minimalist sneakers.

Sustainability: Oil free production, ethical mulesing-free merino wool, 100% Austrian production, zero material waste or scraps

Price: $$

Best for: Minimal and comfortable wool sneakers.

Drawbacks: Not vegan as made from wool.

Giesswein is a third-generation family-owned Austrian brand creating a variety of ethical minimalist sneakers.

Their sneakers are made with 100% mulesing free merino wool, which is breathable, waterproof, and super comfortable.

The brand makes all of their shoes in Austria, with zero material waste, zero oil usage, and high-tech water recycling systems.

We’ve tested Giesswein’s and can confirm that the quality is high, and the comfort isn’t going to let you down.

Sustainability: Vegan materials

Price: $$$$

Best for: High-fashion sneakers.

Drawbacks: Pricier than other shoe brand recommended.

Stella McCartney is a completely vegan brand and always has been. It’s impressive considering the scale of their operations.

They use a variety of sustainable materials instead of the materials sneakers are traditionally made from.

For example, the recycled polyester they use has a 24x lower impact on the environment than Brazilian calf leather does.

If you’re looking for luxury sneakers, Stella McCartney is a great option.

Sustainability: Plant based materials, completely animal-product free, no harmful glues, natural rubber, and eco-friendly dyes.

Price: $$

Best for: Unique designs to help you stand out.

Drawbacks: Not waterproof or suitable for walking long distances.

Kengos is creating unique and sustainable knitted sneakers from plant-based, renewable materials, including eucalyptus, corn, cotton, and cork.

Instead of using synthetic rubber, polyester, or adhesives, they opt for natural rubber and a unique knotting design to hold their shoe together. The bespoke 1Knot™ construction method allows every pair of Kengos to be easily dissembled at the end of their life cycle and recycled.

We’ve personally tested Kengo’s sneakers, and love the refreshing simplicity of this shoe, not forgetting to mention, they look very unique.

This sustainable sneaker brand will help you stand out from the crowd with its cool designs. Kengos come in 7 vibrant colors, all created with environmentally friendly dyes.

Sustainability: Eco-friendly materials

Price: $$$

Best for: High-tops for everyday use.

Drawbacks: Flat sole with minimal arch support.

Nothing New make low and high-top sneakers that are simple, but stylish.

Every pair uses 5.6 plastic bottles that are repurposed into canvas, which saves ~160 gallons of water per pair when compared to traditional 100% cotton canvas sneakers. They also use materials like recycled cotton, organic cotton, and post-industrial recycled fishing nets.

All of their recycled plastic meets the Global Recycle Standard so you know they’re not cutting corners when it comes to sustainability. The outsoles are made from recycled rubber and cork.

What’s more, they’re super comfy. The Ortholite Eco-Step insoles will keep your feet happy all day long.

Sustainability: Plastic reduction, eco-friendly leather, recycled materials, carbon offset program

Price: $$ – $$$

Best for: Casual sneakers that can be dressed up or down

Drawbacks: Reviews say they can be uncomfortable until broken in.

The sole in Everlane’s Tread sneakers is 94.2% free from virgin plastic, compared to most sneaker soles which is made entirely from plastic. They use recycled and natural rubber that would otherwise go to the landfill, cutting emissions by 54%.

It’s worth nothing that Everlane’s shoes use real leather, so if you’re looking for a vegan shoe, these aren’t for you. On the bright side, the leather is sourced from a Gold Certified tannery, with a 46% lower carbon footprint than most leather tanneries.

The inside of the shoes is made from recycled plastic bottles, using around 9.5 bottles per pair.

Everlane has also partnered with NativeEnergy to offset their carbon emissions, making these sneakers carbon neutral.

Sustainability: Knit uppers from recycled plastic bottles, leather from LWG gold tanneries, and a 2-year warranty

Price: $$$

Best for: Walking, hiking, and everyday shoes

Drawbacks: Expensive price point; however, a 2-year warranty is included.

Want to find the best-fitting sneakers? Check out Casca, which designs its insoles with 3x the padding and comfort of regular insoles.

The brand also has a feature of smart 3D technology to custom print bespoke insoles to match your exact foot shape.

Casca uses recycled plastic bottles to create its Avro knit shoes, which come with a durable mountaineering grade sole and an anti-roll heel for extra stability.

The Avro knit shoe is currently only available in grey, white, and black shades. We hope the brand will expand its collection to include a range of vibrant colors.

Sustainability: Completely vegan waterproof sneakers, made from animal-free materials, with reduced water and energy usage

Price: $$

Best for: Walking in colder climates

Drawbacks: The waterproof nature of these shoes means feet can get sweaty in hot climates.

Vessi is the new vegan shoe brand on the block, standing out from competitors thanks to their unique, completely waterproof sneakers.

The brand champions the use of more eco-friendly materials and sustainable production that uses 30% less water and 600% less energy than conventional non-vegan alternatives.

Vessi creates six different waterproof styles from sneakers to slip-on, each with a lightweight, bouncy sole with added grip for traction in wet weather.

One drawback of Vessi shoes is the limited color choice available in the everyday sneaker style. Currently, Vessi only offers black, white, and grey shades.