Vegan Practically

When I first started wanting to avoid leather, I found shoes and boots to be the biggest challenge. The vegan options were mostly accidental and, frankly, pretty cheap. I’m a fan of quality footwear. That led me for a few years to allow myself one pair of Blundstones in leather, with self-granted permission to replace them when they wore out. My latest pair, purchased shortly before the pandemic, has hardly been worn because I have found good quality alternatives. When those and my Fluevog ankle boots wear out I won’t need to replace them with leather boots again. Blundstone now has a vegan line.

If you’re seeking to avoid leather and suede, there are actually tons of alternatives: fabric, PVC “leather,” plant-based leather, rubber, plastic, and wood (I won’t likely be talking about wooden shoes, but Dutch clogs have been around for centuries.

So let me tell you where I go for shoes and boots these days. I’ll also mention a few other vegan brands that I discovered in my research for this post and that I will check out in the future. I get most of my shoes online, which is not as much of a size-challenge as you might think.

Vessi. For sneakers and walking shoes, I go straight to Vessi, a Canadian brand of casual shoes. Besides being great quality, comfortable, and stylish (as far as sneakers and such go), they’re waterproof and breathable. That’s a tough combo, but they have managed to pull it off. All four (!!) of my Vessis have proven themselves since I first discovered the brand about three years ago. I have worn them in all weather and my feet have remained dry every single time. When you get your Vessis, they come with a little card that says, “Welcome to the puddle-jumpers club.”

My favourite are the Weekend, which I have in black with white soles. I’m on my second pair. The removable insoles let me swap them out for my orthotics. I also have the Cityscape Classic in red and the Everyday Move Slip-ons in black. They’re both comfortable but I find them a bit clunky or chunky or something. And finally I have a pair of the Weekend Chelsea boot in black. They’re cute and comfy and I covered a lot of ground in them last fall on a trip to Ireland.

Vessis are not a cheap shoe but not exorbitant either. They go on sale periodically. I have only ever purchased mine when they’ve been on sale. Once you get your first pair, they alert you to all the sales. They also have time-limited colour lines, which is why I have red Cityscapes and you can’t get them right now. Returns and exchanges are easy.

Matt and Nat. Another Canadian brand, this time originating in Montreal. Their tagline: “vegan. cruelty free. recycled.” These are super stylish shoes, boots, and accessories. I wouldn’t call them a “go-to” for me. I have exactly one pair of shoes — black and white checkered flats, mule-style — from them that I got on a major sale. I love them to look at but I almost never wear them because whenever I have a choice between dress shoes and sneakers, I choose the sneakers. Still, when I’m shopping for shoes again (I’m on a one-year “no-buy” that applies to clothing, footwear, accessories, and camera equipment), I will check out their sales if I’m looking for something specific. I could use a pair of dressier sandals, but they need to be comfy (suggestions welcome!).

Will’s Vegan Store. This is a UK-based company. They have fantastic shoes, from dressy pumps to hiking shoes and boots. The customer service is really good. I had an issue with the hiking shoes I bought, where one was super comfy and the other had something that was rubbing on the top of my foot to the point of pain and I couldn’t wear it. I mentioned it in my review. They offered to send me a whole new pair. I also bought the block heels in “wine red,” back when I was about to take up a new role at work and I thought (wrongly) I might want heels. They’re gorgeous but so far I have not worn them. If you’re based in the UK, try Will’s for sure. If you’re in Canada, beware of duty. I had to pay an additional $26 in duty and taxes before Canada Post would deliver my shoes. For me, it’s probably not an option I’ll be using a lot. But I can’t fault them for quality, selection, or service. All top shelf.

Vivaia. This is a US-based company that makes their shoes, which range from casual flats to dressier heels, out of recycled plastic water bottles. The company has a sustainability statement on their website that notes that, in terms of materials, they also use rubber and vegan leather. I have a pair of the square-toed flats in black with red soles and detachable red bows that a good friend bought me as a birthday present when I lamented that I couldn’t buy them myself (because of my no-buy year). Such a generous friend! The shoes are comfortable and stylish, with a stretchy knit upper and a soft and comfy footbed. For me, they (and most ballerina-style flats) don’t have enough support to use them as walking around shoes. I’ll probably keep them in my office at work to change into when I get there through the winter. I didn’t have to pay duty or taxes this time but that doesn’t mean that will always be the case. When things come across our border, it’s hit and miss.

Yes We Vibe. This is a fun company that makes vegan shoes and boots in all sorts of funky patterns, and for cheap. I have a pair of “Splendid Bohemian” high tops and “Bohemian Life” boots. I’ve had them for quite some time and they’ve held up reasonably well. They custom print and then ship from China, so it’s a long time between placing the order and receiving it (5-6 weeks). I wouldn’t call them the highest quality shoes or boots ever, but I like them and they are certainly unique. I don’t know anyone else with the same shoes or boots as mine, and every time I wear them someone will compliment them.

Crocs. Well okay I know. But still, Crocs, though not vegan by design, are not made from animals either. And there are actually more styles than the original clog. And the clog makes a great pair of almost indestructible slippers. Though the company does have a report on their website about sustainability, their proprietary material called “Croslite” is mainly composed of polyethylene vinyl acetate, or PEVA. From what I understand, this means it’s a plastic derived from fossil fuels. So that’s a red flag. On the upside, they’re cheap and rarely need replacing (like, I have a pair at my parents’ place that I use as slippers whenever I visit and they’re over ten years old and still going strong).

A company that I haven’t tried but if you’re into splurging is Bohema, based in Poland and specializing in plant-based leathers. Their “about” page mentions “vegetable leather such as Pinatex pineapple leather, apple leather or Vegea grape leather” and their mission is to make products they describe as having “contemporary, but timeless design, innovative materials that are friendly to the planet and animals, as well as exquisite handmade craftsmanship.” Everything is priced in Euros and it’s very expensive. Really nice styles though.

I’m also intrigued by the All-Dai Shoe from Munjoi. This shoe changes from a slip-on sneaker to a sandal to a mule. So that’s kind of amazing. And it comes in a huge selection of colours. It’s made from cotton and hemp in the upper, bloom algae and sugarcane in the sole. The company is very much about sustainability, and claims to have a carbon neutral product. For $98 US, a shoe that can be worn four different ways is an intriguing prospect. The reviews rave about comfort.

This is hardly an exhaustive overview of where you can find vegan-friendly footwear. If you’re buying shoes from companies that aren’t explicitly vegan, there are also options. You just need to be thorough in acquiring information about the materials, including the soles or the trim, which can often be leather even if nothing else about the shoe is leather.

If you have any other recommendations about vegan shoes or boots, please leave them in the comments.