The 8 Best Vegan Shoes for Men in 2022

2022-04-02 08:42:36 By : Mr. Myron Shen

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If shoes are the ultimate style accessory for men, then cruelty-free clogs make a statement. Many materials typically used in men’s shoes such as leather and suede are making way for vegan options, which is kinder to our hairy and scaly companions.

But some vegan kicks can be detrimental to the environment. For instance, a popular animal skin alternative in the shoe industry is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a petroleum-based plastic. PVC contains concerning chemicals like phthalates, and can take up to a century to biodegrade in a landfill.

For Treehugger's list, we’ve instead picked options made from stuff such as recycled plastic bottles, cork, PU (though plastic-based, polyurethane is considered more earth-friendly than PVC), and hemp. Whether you're looking for bold brogues, loungy loafers, or even preppy sneakers, we’ve sussed out the shelves for long-lasting shoes that are kind to animals, the environment, and workers.

Ahead, our edit of the best vegan shoes for men that add a smooth finish to a sharp wardrobe.

Sporty, sustainable and stylish, our top pick of vegan shoes for men is Rothy’s retro-inspired versatile loafer made using plant-based materials and recycled plastic bottles. We love the cleverly-knitted upper made from yarn spun from discarded plastic bottles, making the shoe soft and breathable even on sweaty summer days. The knit technique also reduces material wastage by 30%, as compared to if it had been cut and sewn conventionally.

The loafer is fitted with nubby, grippy outsoles made from plant-based and natural materials. Its super cushiony, double-density insoles are made from plant-based PU. To wash, simply remove the insoles and give them a quick spin around the washing machine, before letting them air dry. Slide on these loafers on naked feet straight from the box. Available in four fabulous shades, including Desert Camo and Forest Camo, be ready to slay the sidewalk.

Enjoy the sunshine with your feet sheathed in affordable, 100% vegan canvas slip-ons in the much-loved espadrille silhouette from TOMS. It’s a part of the certified B Corp’s Earthwise collection that revolves around eco-friendly materials and processes. The Alpargata Heritage Canvas’ upper is blend of eco-fibres such as jute. Its OrthoLite insole is made from sustainable materials, such as recycled rubber, adding a natural spring to your step.

The lovely Mediterranean-inspired shades with dreamy names like Mustang Brown, Majolica Blue, and Olive Washed come from a dyeing process that uses colors extracted from natural botanicals. What’s more, giving back to the community is a top priority for TOMS. Since 2006, it has positively impacted around 100 million people by donating shoes and contributing to causes. The company has committed a third of profits to grassroot efforts, amplifying change from the bottom up. We dig.

Ace the business casual look with the sexy Jake, a classic blucher shoe handcrafted from textured vegan leather by Portuguese cruelty-free footwear brand Nae (which stands for "No Animal Exploitation"). Sharp enough to schlep with suits for board meetings and minimalistic enough to jam with jeans on casual Friday, Nae’s bluchers (a formal shoe with an open throat lacing) are available in shades of brown, black, and even cork should you prefer.

The style is inspired from the classic bluchers, an ingenious invention of Prussian Field Marshall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, who wanted his troops to be comfortable in easy-to-wear boots. The lining and insole of the Jakes are made from OEKO-TEX certified microfibers (meaning free from harmful substances) and are antimicrobial and hypoallergenic. Fitted with Neolite soles (made from synthetic rubber) and Masonite heels (made from wood fiber), these simple yet sophisticated bluchers are perfect for pounding up the corporate ladder.

Don't let fashion distract you from the fact that walking in Hoka One One’s Bondi 6 makes you feel like you're walking on marshmallows. Bondi is the most cushioned line from the company's wheelhouse, and Bondi 6 is completely vegan. Though designed for running, they’re equally forgiving on your knees and ankles, especially if you spend most of the day standing around or clopping on hard surfaces.

The mesh construction is engineered to let your feet breathe, while the heel frame gives you ample support. Fitted with a rubber outsole, the dreamy softness comes from the EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate that gives rubber-like softness and flexibility) midsole that stretches from heel to toe and is especially molded to fit perfectly.

A part of the United Nations Global Compact, a voluntary initiative to embrace universally sustainable principles, Hoka One One is working towards using better materials, reducing waste and improving its manufacturing process, all detailed in its Corporate Responsibility Report. If that’s not enough, the shoes come with a 30-day guarantee where you can exchange or refund them, no questions asked.

Whether you’re hanging off the coast of Capri or just 5 feet from the family’s kiddie pool, strut in style wearing Italian company Noah’s unisex PETA-approved vegan sailing shoes. Classically styled and Italian-made from microsuede, a quality microfiber that mimics suede, they’re water repellent, lightweight, and hypoallergenic.

The non-slip sole is a mix of natural rubber and recycled synthetic materials, so it's grippy even when you’re navigating puddles. Even the glue used in the making is water-based. We love the soft lining, which means you can go sock-free, and the contrasting thread finish. Wear them with shorts or khakis and you’ll have people wanting to yank them right off your feet.

Conscious kicks inspired by Butia Yatay or the jelly palm tree, Yatay Irori are gorgeous PETA-approved vegan waterproof sneakers. They’re hand made in Marche, Italy using a smorgasbord of materials derived from corn, wood, recycled plastic, and even old rubber tires. Earning an A in aesthetics, the sneakers also score high in their green credentials.

Instead of using petroleum-based synthetic leather substitutes, the sneakers are crafted from corn leather made from USDA-certified organic corn. The soft, breathable lining that keeps your feet dry is made from tree pulp sourced from sustainable forests. Recycled rubber tires add buoyancy to the insoles, while recycled plastic bottles helped create the waterproof exterior.

We love that each sneaker has a unique code embedded on the heels. Use the digits to plant a tree when the chucks are mint fresh and to recycle them when they fall apart. Strung with bio-leather laces, it’s good to know they run half a size large before you shop.

Slide into Sanuk’s comfy and cruelty-free sidewalk surfers made from a hardy and hip hemp blend. The upper is an equal mix of hemp and cotton, with a soft, springy foam midsole. A contoured, antimicrobial EVA footbed hugs your foot, lending support.

The outsole is a combination of 47% recycled EVA foam and virgin rubber each, with just a smattering of straw. They're easy to clean, just pop the surfers into the washing machine with a color-safe detergent for a cold spin, letting them air dry. Ruggedly handsome with frayed edges, they’re available in three earthy shades. Consider styling them with breezy and rumpled linen trousers or loose and loungy swim trunks this season.

Dial back to the ‘80s with British heritage brand Grenson’s exaggerated vegan brogue, Archie, perfect for dressing up or dressing down. Almost formal, these English brogues with their bold perforations are anything but subtle. The breathable, lightweight microfiber upper in black grain mimics hide and is recyclable, antibacterial and stain-resistant.

Just a swipe of a damp cloth will keep them looking spanking new. The microfiber lining is extremely absorbent, sucking in eight times its weight in water, keeping your tootsies fresh, dry, and odor-free. The insoles are made from absorbent paper board, the welts from microlight rubber, and the chunky soles from EVA or rubber. Nail the look with a pair of wicked, earth-friendly socks.

We’re partial towards the cleverly designed and extremely comfy Rothy’s The Driving Loafer with a flexible knit upper made from recycled plastic bottles this season (view at Rothy's). Our budget pick is the much-loved espadrille, TOMS Alpargata Heritage Canvas, 100% vegan canvas stomps (view at TOMS).

Put your best foot forward with our pick of vegan men’s footwear. We looked for durable and comfortable shoes which ticked the right boxes when it came to the animal-free materials. Our shortlist also considered other factors such as the company’s impact on the environment, giving back to the community, and and ethical supply chain.

Author Neeti Mehra is a luxury-industry veteran who’s also committed to sustainable, slow, and mindful living. She is an advocate of conscious consumption and believes that a thoughtfully made purchase, however small, can make a difference.

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