Vegan sneakers are becoming more and more mainstream. Previously, there were only a few sources for vegan shoes and even fewer examples of sneakers or sports-related shoes.
As the demand for vegan shoes increased, so did the brands that were willing to create them.
If you are buying your first pair or even if you have had vegan shoes before, there are several things that you should be aware of when shopping for them.
Table of Contents
Comparison Chart
| Sneakers | Available colors | material |
| Saucony Originals | 4 | Synthetic-and-mesh |
| Toms Men’s Paseo Vegan Sneakers | 3 | 100% Synthetic |
| Ryder Indestructible Men’s Sneakers | 3 | vegan material |
| Cariuma OCA Low Men’s Vegan Sneakers | 10 | Natural Premium Materials |
| Evolv Rebel Approach Shoe | 3 | Synthetic |
| Prio Running and Fitness Shoe | 1 | Vegan friendly |
| Native Shoes Miles 2.0 LiteKnit Shoe | 1 | Vegan friendly |
| Adidas Continental 80 Vegan Shoes | 5 | 100% Synthetic |
| Gola Comet | 11 | Canvas |
| NAE Men’s EFE Double Zipper Vegan Dress Sneaker | 1 | Ecological and waterproof microfiber |
| Ahimsa Men’s Vegan Sneaker Black | 1 | Vegan friendly |
Continue reading
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| The Modern Vegan’s Boot Guide And Best Options | Best Vegan Shoes Brands in 2021 |
Best Vegan Sneakers For Men
Saucony Originals Men’s Jazz Low Pro Vegan Sneakers
The Jazz is low-profile sneakers for casual wear, walking, and less-strenuous activities.
Created from canvas, hemp, and rubber, they have a textile lining and a fully cushioned insole. The outer rubber sole features Saucony’s usual tread.
These are available in three colors: navy, charcoal/orange, and black.
Pros:
- All vegan materials
- Classic design with neutral color choices
- Easy to care for
Cons:
- No grip or traction in the sole
- No support for long walks or runs
- Not durable even under very careful wear
Toms Men’s Paseo Vegan Sneakers
Toms is famous for donating a pair of shoes for every pair of shoes that is sold.
The Paseo is the vegan choice from the company made of fabric uppers, a synthetic sole, and a cotton twill inner lining.
They are available in several colors, including Navy Slub Chambray, Multi, Charcoal Herring Bone, Drizzle Grey Twill Chambray, and Black Washed Canvas.
Pros:
- Every pair equals a pair of shoes for a child in need
- Classic colors that are appropriate for casual office settings
Cons:
- Weird fit. Most people need to size up by at least one size.
- Even at the correct size, these are described as difficult to get on and off.
- Not as well made as others by this brand.
Ryder Indestructible Men’s Sneakers
Created out of military-grade kevlar with a moisture-wicking mesh lining, the Ryder Indestructible may be the only “sneaker” approved for use on many job sites.
The soles and uppers are puncture-resistant, and the steel toes make this shoe even more indestructible.
It remains comfortable with a flexible, fully padded midsole and weighs in at less than one pound for a lightweight shoe that can manage a full day’s work.
The shoe is available in three colors, Ryder Grey, Ryder Green, and Ryder Black.
Pros:
- Unique shoe in a unique material
- Super lightweight and easy to wear
- The moisture-wicking mesh lining keeps your feet dry all-day
- Tough enough to be worn at a construction site but light enough to be used as a jogging or hiking shoe
Cons:
- Limited color choices
- It may not provide enough support for distance runners or other sports.
Cariuma OCA Low Men’s Vegan Sneakers
Note: an older version of this shoe had a leather insole.
The company has now switched to the all-vegan insole made of mamona oil and cork. Customers can request the new insole if they would like.
There is nothing like the traditional canvas shoe for many people.
Canvas is easy to care for, tends to be less expensive than other materials, and has the advantage of taking dyes quite well, so there are plenty of color options.
The OCA has a memory foam and vegan insole with rubber soles.
Color choices include green, red, yellow, off-white, navy blue, mystic grey, black with a white sole, washed burn sand nude with contrast threading, rose red, and black with a black sole.
For every pair of shoes sold, Cariuma will plant two trees.
Pros:
- A fantastic array of colors to choose from
- Canvas is easy to care for.
- Unique vegan sole
- 2 trees are planted for every pair of shoes sold
Cons:
- A little more expensive than the average canvas sneaker
- Shipping will be delayed at this time.
Evolv Rebel Approach Shoe
The Rebel is the upgraded version of Evolv’s Cruiser. It features a wider footbed, heel cup, and more stability.
The vegan version comes in only one color, “Vegan Jet”. It is created of vegan synthetic material with a rubber sole and a memory foam insole.
The Rebel is water-repellent with the type of traction-giving tread that makes it perfect for hiking, trail running, and other adventurous activities.
Pros:
- Dynamic shoe meant for rougher situations
- Water repellent
- Designed for the wider foot
Cons:
- It may not fit narrower feet correctly
- Limited to only one color option
- It may not be easy to clean
Prio Running and Fitness Shoe
If you have never heard of barefoot or minimalist shoes, you may have never heard of this brand.
Prio is a pioneer of barefoot shoes with everything from running shoes, hiking shoes, and casual sandals for men and women. This shoe uses all vegan material, including a specialized, thin rubber called “FeelTrue” for the sole.
The insole can be added or removed as needed. Prio backs all of their shoes with a 5000-mile sole warranty.
Color choices for this running and fitness shoe include black, charcoal red, lightning blue, and black with white trim.
Pros:
- Very lightweight
- Easy to care for
- The removable insole allows the wearer to customize their experience
Cons:
- Barefoot or minimalist shoes may not be safe or appropriate for every wearer or in every situation
Native Shoes Miles 2.0 LiteKnit Shoe
The LiteKnit shoe is made of a fully elasticized denim upper, an EVA cup outsole, and a padded insole.
It is hand-washable for easy care and has a slip-on design.
The LiteKnit is available in two colors, Jiffy Black and Shell White.
Pros:
- Easy to wear with a slip-on design
- Easy to care for, wash by hand and leave to dry
- Elastic upper allows for comfort even for people who have swelling foot issues.
Cons:
- Sizing has recently changed so that sizing charts may be off
- It may not work well for strenuous or distance activities
Adidas Continental 80 Vegan Shoes
The true Adidas classic sneaker comes back from the 80s with a big twist.
Everything in this shoe is not only vegan. It goes one step beyond.
The uppers are made of polyurethane-coated polyester, and the soles are 90% natural rubber with 10% reclaimed waste rubber.
Inside you will find the most innovative feature of these vegan classics, an EVA foam midsole created from algae.
The process of making this foam cleans gallons of polluted lake water for a win for the animals and the entire planet.
Pros:
- All vegan material
- Algae-based EVA foam midsole provides comfort while also helping to clean up polluted waterways
- Sole is made of 100% rubber, including waste/reclaimed rubber
Cons:
- Only available in white at this time
- The poly coating may flake if not properly cared for
Gola Comet
The Gola Comet looks like a suede sneaker, but it isn’t.
It is 100% canvas with a canvas lining and rubber outsole. It is available in a huge range of colors which include:
- ash/baltic
- deep red/off-white
- graphite/black
- grey/khaki
- khaki/chili
- navy/light grey
- navy/red/white
- navy/white
- off-white/deep red/vintage blue
- sun/navy
- white/dark grey
- white/navy/red
- and white/red/navy.
Pros:
- Amazing range of colors
- Looks like suede but isn’t.
- Easy to care for
- Fully padded insole for comfort
- The classic design can be worn dressed up or down
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than would be expected
- Fewer size options
NAE Men’s EFE Double Zipper Vegan Dress Sneaker
NAE stands for No Animal Exploitation and is a brand dedicated to sustainable shoe manufacturing.
Based in Portugal, they feature uniquely Portuguese designs that are recognizable, just made with vegan materials that cause no harm to animals.
They also commit to not exploiting their human employees and offer some of the best compensation and benefits packages for all their employees in their home country.
These shoes, mainly, have been made with an ecological-friendly Oeko-Tex certified microfiber. It is not only an animal-friendly textile but has been proven to be free of at least 100 common chemicals that can harm humans and are often found in many products from the textile industry.
These solidly designed shoes feature a double zipper closure, so you never have to worry about your shoes coming untied or your shoelaces getting worn out and needing to be replaced.
They put ease into getting dressed for the day through their simple yet attractive appearance and function.
Pros:
- NAE = No Animal Exploitation
- These wonderful shoes are made without harming any animals for the material or testing of the product, nor do they harm any humans by exploitation in manufacturing facilities. Instead, every person touching these shoes during construction is compensated very well for their time and effort.
- Made with a great ecological and Oeko-Tex certified microfiber that is water-resistant and breathes, making these the perfect pair of spring/summer shoes.
Cons:
- The minimalist and double zipper design may not be everyone’s style choice. But if it is your style choice, then you have great taste.
Ahimsa Men’s Vegan Sneaker Black
A wonderful flats-style shoe that is made to fit various people’s styles.
These comfortable shoes feature all the latest in sustainable fashion trends and technology.
First, they are made of 100% cotton exterior, and their body makes them water repellent and breathable.
Next, they showcase the latest in vegan shoe tech with the Biolatex covered in cork for the insole and base of the shoe.
Finally, it is all together with a highly durable water-based adhesive made in a plant that provides major quality control and uses top-of-the-line environmentally friendly production practices.
So, every single part of this shoe was made with entirely sustainable materials that leave very little carbon footprint to put together.
You can wear these shoes with pride, knowing that every step you take in them is one step closer to living a fully vegan lifestyle.
Pros:
- Made with 100% environmentally friendly, vegan, and sustainable materials.
- Very stylish flats style shoe that is unisex and can be worn by absolutely anyone and will match a wide range of people’s different styles.
- The Ahimsa brand was founded by a vegan named Gabriel Silva with the motto of Question Habits, Provoke Change, Without Harm, and lots of respect. This brand is creating a change in the world of vegan shoe design.
Cons:
- A brand-new company and a new style of shoe, there are few reviews of the longevity of the shoes themselves. Although all indications show that these shoes are very well built and will last just as long as the non-vegan oil product-based shoes, we are used to other more known brands.
Buyer’s Considerations
Know Your Materials
Any shoe company can slap the vegan label on a shoe, and some people will accept that. True vegans know that you must read the full label to ensure they are not sneaking animal-derived materials into the shoe. For shoes, that typically means leather and wool. If you see the word “blend” but no real explanation of what is blended with what, there is a higher than likely chance that there might be animal products somewhere.
Fit, Form, and Function
Vegan or not, any shoe’s three most important factors are fit, form, and function. A shoe must fit well to be comfortable and allow for the best performance.
Incorrectly fitting shoes can cause painful blisters and aching feet, leading to knee, ankle, and hip problems. Older people may find that wearing the wrong shoe can cause back issues.
We all want shoes that look as good as they fit and feel. The right shoe can motivate you to get going in the morning.
A bright pop of color from your sneakers makes every outfit just a little more put together. Classic sneakers can even make it as daily wear shoes in the more casual offices around the country.
Finally, the shoe has to function as it is intended. Running shoes need stabilization, support, and comfort for long runs. Hiking shoes need to provide traction and stabilize the ankle.
Tennis shoes should provide the proper support for running while also helping to provide stability during quick, lateral movements.
Vegan Shoes Do Not Have to Break the Bank
Before they were more mainstream, people assumed they would have to pay more for vegan shoes because they were “quirky” or “weird”. With so many companies providing at least a few vegan options within their more popular lines, the prices are decreasing.
There are still a few companies that insist on keeping their prices for vegan shoes a little higher, but if consumers do their research and find similar or better options at other stores, they will work to reduce the prices.
Final Considerations
Before choosing to buy vegan shoes, ask yourself what your motivation might be.
If you are trying to make a difference for animals and the planet, you will have to use additional factors when making your final decision.
These factors might include how much of an impact is made when shipping this item? Is the material being used damaging the ecosystem it is taken from? Look for sustainable materials that do not rely heavily on damaging the planet further.
Some brands do things that offset their carbon footprint, including using reclaimed materials for shipping and planting trees. Some brands may include reclaimed materials in their designs. Every choice is a step toward helping to heal the planet.
Vegan shoes are meant to be an alternative to animal products, so they should create fewer problems, not make more of them.
Some vegan materials are not as durable as leather, but the designers are getting closer.
Most vegan choices are easier to clean because they do not need the special handling that real leather or suede may need.
Once you find the material that works for you, it is essential to watch for sizing. Brands change sizing all the time and may or may not note that on their website descriptions.
Any shoe that does not fit properly may lead to pain or even more serious issues. Get the right shoe at the right price and fit, and you will be much happier with your purchase.