The 5 Best Sustainable Shoe Brands for Men
Men's shoes are a great way for guys to get excited about sustainable style. This guide will explore what to look for when shopping for eco-friendly shoes and a few amazing sustainable shoe brands for men.
This post does contain some affiliate links which means The Honest Consumer will receive a commission if you decide to purchase, however, at no additional cost to you!
What Sustainable Materials Should I Look for When Shoe Shopping?
Recycled materials: Recycled materials are great because they use resources that are already in existence. No need to make new raw materials! It's common to see recycled plastics made from recycled water bottles. This is a more sustainable option than virgin plastic because it's using resources that already exist.
Leather: If you choose to go with leather try looking for recycled leather or leather made from byproducts. These are more sustainable options when opting for leather.
Vegan Leather: There are a wide range of vegan leather options. When choosing a vegan option try to choose plant based options as a lot of the vegan leathers are made from synthetic materials that are made of plastic.
Natural materials such as organic cotton or hemp are comfortable in a shoe and can biodegrade at the end of a shoes lifecycle.
How are Shoes Unsustainable?
Unfortunately, most shoes today are mass produced to follow current fashion trends and keep up popular styles in the sneaker industry.
This can result in poor quality materials that don't last a long time and materials that don't take into account the environmental impacts of the overall shoe.
Similarly, because the shoes are mass produced there can be some unethical treatment of factory workers through out the supply chain.
Popular brands such as Nike have been found to have be using sweatshops and child labor. Try to look for brands that use fair trade practices and ensure livable wages.
5 Sustainable Men's Shoe Brands
If you're ready to purchase some new eco-friendly shoes and hop on the sustainable fashion train here are some amazing brands that carry men's shoes.
This list has a wide range of styles including sneakers, loafers, sandals, and more. You're sure to find some stylish shoes with a lower environmental impact.
ROTHY'S SHOES MADE FROM RECYCLED PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES
Rothy’s crafts their 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 loafers, sneakers, sandals, and flip-flops for men and women.
These shoes range from $175-$185.
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. We’re 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.
Nisolo's Artisan Made Leather Shoes
Nisolo is a certified B Corporation crafting high quality, ethically crafted leather shoes and accessories using socially responsible practices.
Through their sustainable leather shoes, Nisolo provides steady employment opportunities for shoemakers in Peru & Mexico, allowing artisans to support themselves and their families.
Nisolo uses sustainable practices such as eco-friendly waste disposal systems, leather byproducts from the meat industry, & carbon offsetting to craft leather goods that are meant to last a life time.
Nisolo's men's shoes feature huarache sandals, woven slip ons, low top sneakers, leather minimalist boot, dress shoes, and more.
Their shoes are a great choice when purchasing shoes that are crafted to last for years to come.
Their shoes range from $130-$260. Nisolo also partners with Soles4Souls to encourage customers to donate their shoes after they are done wearing them.
ALLBIRD'S Eco-friendly SNEAKERS
Allbirds sneakers are made out of natural materials such as eucalyptus and responsibly sourced merino wool.
These breathable materials create a flexible shoe that is great for all day wear. Allbirds also uses eco-friendly materials such as recycled plastic water bottles and castor bean oil for shoe laces and various parts of the shoes.
This sustainable brand is a certified B-Corp. Allbirds styles feature everyday sneakers, running shoes with high flexibility, boat shoes, slip ons for a sleek design, and more.
Their styles have a natural feel and feature minimalist designs with a wide range of colors. A pair of shoes from Allbirds runs from $100-$150.
8000KICKS'S Sustainable 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. 8000Kicks lightweight shoe can be found at the $129 price point and feature both neutral and bold colors.
Ethical shoppers can use the discount code HONEST for 10% off.
DEUX MAINS MEN'S AFFORDABLE MINIMALIST SANDALS
Deux Main’s is a social enterprise in Haiti ethically crafting leather shoes and accessories.
Their sandals are handcrafted with a responsibly-sourced leather upper, paired with an extremely resilient repurposed inner tube sole that is guaranteed to take you 50,000 miles.
This brand creates minimalist sandals for men and women with styles featuring a criss cross, flip flops, slide sandals, and more. I own the Classic Slide Sandals and my husband owns the Men's Flip Flops.
These are incredibly comfortable sandals. I love the tan leather slide style because there is no toe strap and the natural color matches everything.
Deux Main's sandals range from $20 on sale up to $60. A more affordable price point on our list from this eco-friendly footwear brand!
Tips for Men's Sustainable Shoe Shopping
When purchasing men’s shoes, there are a few things to keep in mind for both style and sustainability.
Look for a shoe that is durable and meant to last. It's more sustainable to invest in a product that is going to last you for years than one you will have to quickly replace.
When buying new shoes it's important to find comfortable shoes. Do you need good support? Cushy inserts? Think about if your sustainable shoes need to have anything specific for happy feet.
What materials would best meet your needs? Natural fibers for comfort? Recycled components for durability? Vegan options to match your ethics?
A company should be transparent about what it means to be a sustainable brand. How are they taking action? What measures within their supply chain are being taken to reduce their carbon footprint? Do they use eco-friendly packaging or do their shoes come in a plastic bag. Does the brand do carbon offsets or have a recycling program?
Support an ethical production process and find out where the shoes are made.
You can ask questions directly from the company or do research on their website to ensure you have an idea of how they are working to create a more conscious world through fashion.
Hopefully this guide helped you learn a bit more about eco-conscious shoes for men.
Now, you'll know what materials to look for when you go shoe shopping or maybe you will try one of the shoe companies from this list.
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