Are you looking to wear shoes that are both eco-friendly and stylish? Whether you live in a small town or city, these sustainable shoe brands are tried, tested, and approved by an NYC podiatrist.
With the increasing awareness of environmental sustainability, many of us seek products that are eco-friendly and sustainable, including footwear. The good news is that there are many shoe brands that are committed to sustainable and eco-friendly practices, while still offering stylish, comfortable, and fashionable options.
This post is all about sustainable shoe brands personally recommended by me – a podiatrist living and working in New York City.
Best Sustainable Shoe Brands
Here are some of the best sustainable shoe brands to consider when looking for eco-friendly and stylish footwear. (This post also contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link at no extra cost to you. These suggestions do not replace an examination by a licensed podiatric physician. See Terms)
- VIVAIA Best variety of shoe styles (cost varies $69-$129)
- Cariuma Best for every day comfort (average cost of pair $119)
- Vega Most stylish (average cost $150-$175)
- Allbirds Best for walking (average cost $125)
- Nisolo Most transparent (average cost $70-$250)
- Okabashi Best for the beach (average cost $15 – $40$)
- Rothy’s Great for air travel (cost varies $40 – $200)
1. VIVAIA – Best Variety of Shoe Styles for Village Strolls
VIVAIA is a sustainable shoe brand that uses post-consumer recycled products, like plastic water bottles, and eco-friendly materials to fabricate their shoes. They prioritize sustainability, comfort, style, and durability during production. I can personally attest to the comfort and durability of these shoes! Their Margot flats are a favorite of mine to wear for work in New York City. They also offer a variety of wedges, flats, heels, and boots.
In the photo above, I’m wearing the Tamia Wedge while strolling in the East Village. This wedge provides the same comfort and support as the Margot Flats but with a slight heel lift. The wedge offers added support for the foot arch and helps distribute weight evenly across the foot. The shoe’s stretchy material and wide toe box allow bunions and hammertoes to move freely.
Click here to shop VIVAIA Tamia Wedges
2. Cariumas – Best for Everyday Comfort ie: Bodega runs
Cariuma is a Brazilian sneaker brand that uses sustainable materials such as bamboo, cork, and recycled plastic bottles. They prioritize ethical and sustainable practices and offer a range of stylish sneakers.
This brand contains a removable cork insert which is incredibly comfortable. From my experience, walking 20 or 30 city blocks in these is a breeze. The sneakers have a soft toe box and wide widths, making them great for bunions and hammertoes.
This Brazilian sneaker is perfect for fall, spring, and summer, as the shoe materials are both light and breathable. I own the IBI low sneaker seen in photo above, worn while shopping for bodega lilacs. I really enjoy walking around the city in them because they are both lightweight and high impact. Cariumas are available in many colors and styles, and you can shop this style from this link:
Click here to shop Cariumas IBI sneakers
3. Veja – Most Stylish for Sunday brunch
Veja is a French shoe brand that uses sustainable materials such as organic cotton and wild rubber from the Amazon rainforest. They prioritize transparency in their production process and work with fair trade suppliers.
Popular amongst Instagram influencers and New York City fashionistas, this sneaker takes the cake for being incredibly cute and versatile. They style nicely with everything–from a flowery spring dress to your favorite denim jeans or a cute pair of sweats.
My personal experience with Veja is mixed. I love how cute they look; however, it took me some time to break the sneakers in. Allow me to explain: I have a high instep, so the sneakers’ tongue felt uncomfortable on my feet for the first few initial wears. They also have minimal arch support, which could be better if you suffer from heel spurs, as I do. However, the sneakers have a comfortable width. In comparison, they are wider than Adidas stans.
All in all, I included Veja on this list because some of my friends love wearing them. You can shop Veja styles from this link:
Click here to shop Veja sustainable sneakers
What materials are found in sustainable shoe brands?
When looking for sustainable shoes, there are a few factors to consider. One of the most important is the materials used in the shoe. Some sustainable materials include:
- Organic cotton
- Hemp
- Recycled polyester
- Recycled rubber
- Cork
- Bamboo
- Tencel
- 100% recyclable
Another important factor is the production process. Sustainable shoe brands often prioritize using sustainable production methods, such as reducing waste, recycling, and water usage, and sourcing materials responsibly. Up next, are three more brands to consider trying!
4. Allbirds – Best for Walking across town
Allbirds is a popular sustainable shoe brand that uses materials such as merino wool, eucalyptus, and recycled plastic bottles. Their shoes are comfortable and stylish and come in a variety of colors and styles.
The company strives to double the lifetime of its footwear products. I can attest to the quality of their shoes. I’ve owned My Wool Runners since the company first opened in 2018. The quality is superb: my Allbirds have held up for 4+ years! I took this photo in Greenwich Village in front of a film production on Houston Street. New York City is a backdrop for so many TV and movie productions!
Above all, Allbirds are also incredibly comfortable for walking as they contain arch support and a comfy footbed. The shoes’ materials are also soft around the heel and toe box. As a result, they are great for someone who suffers from bunions, hammertoes, or Haglund’s deformities, also known as a “pump bump” (extra bone on the back of the heel.) These two foot conditions can both be very painful, so wearing extra comfy shoes is a must!
Unfortunately, this scarlet color Allbirds from my photo are no longer available, but you can shop similar Wool Runner Style shoes at the link below:
Click here to shop Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzle sneakers
5. Nisolo – Most Transparent Sustainable Shoe Brand for a subway ride Uptown
Nisolo is a sustainable shoe brand that uses eco-friendly materials such as vegetable-tanned leather and recycled rubber. They prioritize fair labor practices and work with ethical suppliers. Every pair of shoe contains a sustainabilty label which includes the health and safety of the company’s workers. In addition, the label also includes carbon footprint of materials used for each pair of shoes.
Click here to shop Nisolo Women’s D’ Orsay Oxfords
6. Okabashi – Best flip-flops for a Rockaway Beach Vacation
Okabashi flip flops are a patented blend of recycled materials, primarily consisting of microplastics recovered from the oceans. Using recycled materials, Okabashi helps reduce the demand for new raw materials, thus lessening the impact on natural resources.
Okabashi operates a closed-loop manufacturing process. So, for example, any waste or excess material generated during production is recycled back into manufacturing. Therefore, this type of production reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills. It also minimizes the overall environmental footprint of their production.
Click here to shop Okabashi Women’s breeze flip flops
7. Rothy’s – Great for travel via JFK Airport or LIRR to Montauk
My friend Kat only takes a flight with her Rothy’s flats! I can see why – they are easy to slip on and off during airport security, comfortable, lightweight, take up very little space, and look cute with everything you probably packed. I wore mine on the Long Island Railroad to the long trip tp Montauk, which is where I’m pictured below. Next, let’s look into how Rothy’s fabricates the shoes.
Click here to shop Rothy’s shoes
Rothy’s shoes use 3D knitting technology from post-consumer plastics, which minimizes waste by producing shoes to precise dimensions. They also contain a carbon-free rubber sole. Rothy’s offers various styles, including flats, sneakers, loafers, and pointed-toe shoes, catering to different fashion preferences. The knitted design gives these shoes a distinct look that can be casual and slightly more formal, depending on the style.
From personal experience, their shoes have a comfortable fit, with a flexible and breathable knit upper that conforms to the shape of your feet. In addition, they offer removable insoles for added comfort and support.
You can find more Rothy’s deals here
In summary, by choosing sustainable shoe brands, you can help reduce your environmental impact while still looking stylish and fashionable. Remember to look for materials such as organic cotton, recycled rubber, and sustainable production methods when shopping for sustainable shoes.
Check out the visual below for a quick summary of the sustainable shoe brands mentioned in this post:
This post was all about sustainable shoe brands tried and tested for you to have an honest comparison.
Thanks for reading, and happy (sustainable) shoe shopping! What is your favorite eco-friendly shoe brand? Leave a comment below.
