What You Should Know About Ethical and Eco-Friendly Footwear

May 1st, 2022
Name Team

The term "vegan" has been around for a long time. We're used to thinking of it as a noun (for example, a person who does not consume animal products). Second, it can be used as an adjective (containing no animal products). While adopting a vegetarian, dairy-free, plant-based vegan diet is fairly simple, incorporating veganism into your overall lifestyle may be a little more difficult at first. Choosing high-quality shoes for your ecologically aware wardrobe can be tricky. There is a lot to consider, including style, material, durability, comfort, and personal preferences.

What precisely are Vegan Shoes and Boots?

A vegan shoe or boot is footwear that was made without the use of any animal products. This policy prohibits the use of leather, suede (animal skin), animal hair, wool, shearling, silk, and certain types of shoe glue derived from animals. All of these components were gained through the use of animal cruelty, and we believe they should not be used in any product at all.

Looking at the label on the underside of the eco friendly sandals will instantly disclose whether or not your desired brand is made from one of these materials. However, even if the sign says "textile," it is difficult to verify that the shoe is 100 % vegan without a label plainly indicating that it is, or without conducting extensive web research to ensure that it is.

What Materials Are Used in Vegan Shoes?

To begin, vegan shoes are not made from animal materials such as skin, hair, wool, or any other animal component. They are also not made of leather. While some customers prefer leather shoes due to their durability, vegan shoes may be equally as durable and attractive as leather shoes. Vegan shoes can be made from a variety of natural materials or with vegan leather as the upper. According to PETA, vegan shoes are typically produced from plants such as mushrooms, bananas, or apples, as well as synthetic materials such as polyurethane (PU), microfibre, and rubber, among others. The firms featured below use a variety of materials in their products, including vegan suede, organic cotton, hemp, repurposed rubber, and others. The variety of materials available is dependent on the brand.

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Polyurethane (PU)

Polyurethane is a sort of synthetic leather made from high-quality polymers that is commonly used for the uppers and bottoms of shoes in a range of shapes and colors.

However, because leather tanning needs harsh chemicals and enormous amounts of water, as well as the fact that it comes from a dead animal, some argue that the production of PU is harmful to the environment. In this case, though, PU obviously outperforms leather tanning.

Vegan shoemakers are continually looking for more environmentally responsible ways to make their products, therefore I'm optimistic that waterproof vegan shoes without PU will be accessible on the market in the near future.

Cotton

Cotton is a soft and airy cloth that, because to its breathability, creates wonderful vegan shoes for the summer. Organic cotton is a lovely renewable resource that is gaining popularity.

Because of its comfort, it is a popular material for vegan shoes for females, as well as vegan shoes for business and other formal events. It is, on the other hand, difficult to waterproof, which could be a disadvantage.

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Natural and Recycled Rubber

Natural rubber is generated from the rubber tree and is often used in the soles of vegan shoes for men as a substitute for leather. It is environmentally friendly and may be recycled.

As a result, some vegan shoe manufacturers go the additional mile and only use recycled rubber for the soles of their shoes. It is a beautiful, versatile substance that is both long-lasting and cruelty-free!

Cork

Cork is a popular material for vegan shoes due to its organic and natural qualities. It has a variety of enticing features for its intended use, including being lightweight and fire resistant.

Its airy and anti-bacterial properties make it a popular material for vegan wedges and vegan sandals. When done correctly, it provides a shoe an all-natural aspect that customers prefer.

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Why Isn't Leather a Vegan or Ethical Material?

Leather boots, sandals, backpacks, and coats are popular due to their durability; nevertheless, leather is not vegan due to the death of animals necessary to create them. Aside from the negative impact on animals, we must consider the tanning process itself. Traditional leather tanning involves the use of harsh chemicals that can have a negative impact on the people and environment in the towns surrounding the tanning facility. This approach has the potential to contaminate water supplies and air quality with toxic substances, leading in health problems for those who live nearby.

What About Vegan Leather?

Vegan leather is a term often used by popular sustainable shoe manufacturers to describe their products. Unlike traditional leather, which is derived from animal skin, vegan leather can be made from polyurethane, a polymer that can be customized to your specifications. Vegan leather is a synthetic material that has the appearance and feel of genuine leather. According to PETA, vegan leather may be made from a number of materials such as pineapple leaves, cork, apple peels, and recycled plastic. We've recently seen an increase in the number of fashion brands using plant-based vegan leathers, which contain less plastic.

Making vegan shoes from recycled rubber, cardboard, and plastic can assist to reduce waste and the carbon footprint associated with footwear manufacture. Furthermore, the great majority of rubbers created in the United States are synthetic and sourced from petroleum waste. Natural rubbers, on the other hand, are made from plant latex. Natural resin found in plants is comparable, but there is also synthetic resin, which looks and functions like plastic.

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What Characteristics Should Be Looked For?

When shopping for minimalist-style clothing, I think it's important to consider factors like durability, timeless design, and color. Durability is essential because we want our purchase to last as long as possible after we make it. By investing in high-quality items that are built to last, we as customers get more bang for our buck while also preventing shoes from ending up in landfills. Ageless style and color are important because they allow us to use our shoes with a wide range of garments while remaining attractive. Keeping your shoe collection to a minimal minimum allows you to save space in your closet while still looking attractive.

Are Vegan Shoes Expensive?

Vegan shoes can be quite expensive due to the materials utilized. In addition to their core products, the companies in our directory adhere to ethical business standards and transparency throughout their supply chains, which means they advocate for fair wages, environmentally responsible manufacturing, and other social impact programs. This could result in the consumer having to spend more money. However, I advise cautious customers to consider it an investment in their own particular style and closet. These shoe companies will continue to produce high-quality goods that will last a lifetime for many years to come. These aren't your normal, low-cost sneakers that you'll have to replace in a year or two.

However, the brands listed below offer pricing ranges ranging from $40 to $200 each pair, so no matter what type of shoe you choose, there should be something to meet your budget. Another cost-effective option for getting ecologically friendly shoes is to shop secondhand or on websites such as Poshmark. If you look hard enough, you might be able to get any of these vegan shoe names at a low price on secondhand and thrift store websites.

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Conclusion

Being a part of the vegan shoe industry's practice of being ecologically friendly and ethical is becoming increasingly vital to the business. To save the planet, there must be a movement away from unsustainable animal-based approaches and toward ecologically beneficial plant-based methodologies. There are numerous solutions available that you may not have considered at first.

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