The 7 Best Vegan Minimalist Shoe Brands
Picking out high quality shoes for your sustainable closet can be tricky. There is a lot to consider such as style, material, durability, comfort, and values. This style guide explores how to find vegan shoes with minimalist style.
The recommended shoe brands use a wide range of eco-conscious materials and have responsible practices within their business model, so you can feel confident wearing footwear your feet will appreciate.
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What are vegan shoes made with?
For starters vegan shoes are not made with animal products such as skin, fur, wool, or any other animal part. While some consumers choose leather shoes due to the durability, vegan shoes can be just as durable and stylish.
Vegan shoes can be made with natural materials or vegan leather. PETA states that vegan shoes are commonly crafted with plants such as mushrooms, bananas, or apples or from synthetic materials like polyurethane (PU), microfiber, or rubber.
The brands recommended below use a wide range of materials suck as vegan suede, organic cotton, hemp, repurposed rubber, and more. The variety of materials depends on the brand.
Why isn't leather vegan?
Leather boots, sandals, bags, and jackets tend to be popular due to their durability, but leather is not vegan due to the killing of animals. On top of the negative impact on animals we must consider the tanning process.
Traditional leather tanning uses harsh chemicals that can negatively impact the people and environment within the nearby communities. This process can contaminate water sources and air quality with toxic chemicals causing health concerns for people living nearby.
What about vegan leather?
Popular sustainable shoe brands use the term vegan leather. While leather is traditionally made with animal skin vegan leather can be made from olyurethane, a polymer that can be made to order.
Vegan leather mimics the look and feel of traditional leather. PETA reports that vegan leather can also be made from pineapple leavers, cork, apple peels, and recycled plastic. Recently we've seen more fashion brands pop-up using plant based vegan leathers as they tend to have less plastic.
What should I look for when shopping for minimalist shoes?
When shopping for minimalist style fashion I think it's always important to consider the durability, timelessness of the style, and color. The durability of the item is important because we want our purchase to last as long as possible.
By investing in high quality items crafted to last we get a better value as the customer and we keep shoes from ending up in the landfill.
The timelessness of the style & color of the shoe is important because this allows us to wear our shoes with a wide range of outfits. This allows you to keep your shoe collection to a minimum & frees up some extra space in your closet.
Are vegan shoes expensive?
Vegan shoes can be expensive due to the materials. The brands listed in our guide also use ethical practices and transparency through out their supply chain which means they advocate for fair wages, sustainable factories, and have additional social impact initiatives.
This can add to the the cost the consumer pays. However, I encourage conscious consumers to consider it an investment in their wardrobe. These shoe brands craft high quality products that are built for years to come. These aren't the your cheap traditional shoes you will have to replace within a year.
However, the brands below range in price points from $40-$200 a pair so depending on what type of shoe there should be something for your budget. Another affordable option for shopping sustainable shoes is shopping secondhand or checking out sites like Poshmark.
You just might be able to find some of these vegan shoe brands on secondhand and thrift shop websites for a discounted rate.
7 Vegan Minimalist Shoe Brands to Love
If you're looking to find some eco-conscious shoes these brands use vegan materials and feature minimalist style. These are great options for anyone rocking a capsule wardrobe or trying to minimize the amount of shoes in their closet.
The best thing about purchasing minimalistic shoes is that they can typically be matched with a wide range of outfits. Instead of investing in a wide shoe collection consider selecting a few minimalist styles that can be worn for years to come.
This is better for your wallet, your closet, and the planet.
Kallie & Co.: Affordable Vegan Flats for Women
Kallie & Co. is a vegan shoe company focusing on slow fashion, fair trade practices, sustainable materials, & artisan craftsmanship. These unique shoes are ethically made, feature unique, yet timeless style, and give back. As a cruelty free shoe brand Kallie & Co. does not use any materials that come from animals.
This socially responsible shoe company focuses on vegan suede, hemp, organic cotton, & recycled materials. Kallie & Co. sources as many materials as they can locally in Mexico.
Kallie & Co. mainly focuses on crafting vegan flats or women with signature styles including their classic minimalistic flats for daily wear and their penny loafer inspired shoes for fun and formal occasions. These can be adorable dress shoes.
Kallie & Co.'s shoes range in price from $67-$73. I own the Natalia Flats and they are my personal favorite fair trade flats ethically handmade in Mexico using detailed faux leopard, vegan suede, and recycled man-made materials. I adore a fun statement shoe! 10/10 recommend this bold leopard print shoe
8000Kicks: Unisex Vegan Sneakers Made from Hemp
8000Kicks is an innovative sustainable shoe brand crafting high quality sneakers from hemp. These vegan shoes are strong, flexible, light weight, and splash proof.
Along with the sustainable fibers of the shell of the shoe, the insole and outsole are also consciously crafted. The outsoles are made from recycled algal blooms. By using algal blooms this helps remove harmful algae from waterways and gives the shoe a lightweight feel.
The insoles of 8000Kicks shoes are also made hemp creating a comfortable feel. This lightweight shoe is great for everyday use and pairing with casual outfits. I've been wearing my 8000Kicks and I love the feel of them. There is plenty of room and they keep my feet dry which is great for living in Seattle.
8000Kicks' uni-sex signature style sells for $130, but The Honest Consumer followers can use the discount code HONEST for 10% off. Be sure to check out my full review of 8000Kicks here.
BHAVA: Vegan Minimalist Shoes
BHAVA is a vegan shoe company creating high end boots, clogs, sandals, heels, and more. This cruelty free brands strives to find a compassionate approach to design shoes using leather alternatives that are mindful of the environment and working conditions for those through out their supply chain.
From organic cotton linings, to hand painted embossed cork, and premium recycled microfibers, BHAVA’s creative director travels throughout Europe and India to develop signature fabrications. BHAVA's chic shoes range from $99-$300.
Rothy's Shoes Made from Plastic Bottles
Rothy’s crafts their vegan shoes shoes from eco-conscious materials such as recycled plastic water bottles, plant based materials, & algae-based foam. Rothy’s shoes feature a wide variety of casual shoes including flats, sneakers, sandals, and flip-flops for men and women.
These shoes range from $65-$125. Rothy’s believes “Being sustainable means more than just using recycled materials. It also means fostering an inclusive, positive work environment for our team members around the globe.
Rothy’s is proud to offer exceptional health and wellness perks to all the Rothy’s family in our San Francisco HQ, our China workshop and beyond.” Rothy’s also offsets their carbon footprint through their partnership with Carbonfund.org.
Deux Mains: Vegan Sandals
Deux Mains has a vegan range of shoes called the Alternative Leather collection. Their vegan options feature shoes and accessories made from 100% recycled and repurposed rubber from discarded inner tube. Rest easy, knowing it's Plastic-Free and Water Repellent.
Everything from Deux Mains is handcrafted by highly skilled artisans in a solar-powered factory in Haiti. When I was studying abroad in Haiti I had the honor of visiting Deux Mains work space. This brand is doing wonderful things and I definitely recommend checking them out.
I even purchased a pair of shoes when I was there and I must say these sandals are great for warmer weather. Deux Mains shoes range from $20 on sale up to $60. Deux Mains has vegan products for men and women.
TOMS Shoes That Give Back
TOMS Shoes vegan collection features winter boots for cold weather, trendy high tops, summer sandals, and their classic Alpargata for everyday wear, and more. TOMS has shoes for men, women, and even has some vegan kids' shoes which is great.
TOMS Shoes start at $40. While Toms started as a one for one shoe company, the social enterprise has shifted their business model to create further impact in developing communities. Now Toms focuses on providing grants and other community outreach programs.
For every $3 made they give away $1 to focus on physical safety, mental health, and equal opportunity. Toms is a certified B Corporation working to expand their sustainable materials.
Stella McCartney: High End Luxury Shoes
Stella McCartney has been a lead innovator in the world of sustainable luxury. This high end ethical fashion brand is always looking for ways to be more circular. All of Stella McCartney products are vegan friendly.
Ethical shoppers will discover unique clogs, faux leather boots, fancy heels, cute sneakers, and more. Stella McCartney's shoes feature eco-friendly materials such as faux-leather derby, sustainable wood soles, and Alter Nappa faux leather.
These shoes are particularly unique with their height difference, the collection of shoes at Nordstrom features quite a few platform options which add a fun element. As a high end fashion brand these shoes are going to be a bit more pricey ranging from $300-$700.
Hopefully this guide helps your discover a few eco-conscious shoe brands to explore and tips for finding the best option for the footwear in your closet.
For more tips & tricks on sustainable living be sure to follow The Honest Consumer on social media, subscribe to our newsletter, & check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory.