I’ve been doing a lot of researching and hunting for spring and summer shoes and have finally come up with a list of sustainable shoe brands that don’t compromise style to share with you all. Here are a few questions I ask myself before I make a purchase: 1. Who made them? 2. What are they made from? 3. Are these my style? I also pay really close attention to the business model: how are the products made, and do they give back? Here are the brands and pieces that are on my spring and summer sustainable shoe list.
11 Sustainable Shoe Brands for the Spring and Summer
1. Alice and Whittles
Ethically made rain boots! I actually own a pair of these for rainy spring days, gardening, and when I’m running through the rain to my yoga class. Inspired by humanitarian values and passions to create positive change in the world, every boot is handcrafted using rubber harvested from sustainably managed forests in Sri Lanka. Their minimalist collection screams spring and I love it!
avg. boot price = $160
2. Matt + Nat
Their name, MAT(T)ERIAL and NATure inspires their commitment to social responsibility. They don’t use leather or any animal-based materials and each of their innovative designs are created with sustainability and eco-friendly as their focus. They currently have 4 collections of shoes:
Flair casual collection – comfortable everyday chic shoes like wedges, short block heels and sandals.
Bold sport – athleisure inspired for the “on the go” girl
Klass city – shoes that will take you from your 9 a.m. business meeting to 5:00 happy hour
Sleek city – a more casual version of their “klass city” collection
avg. shoe price = $85-$125
3. Soludos
Travel inspired espadrilles. Their shoes are made from jute in routinely checked factories in China and Spain.
avg. shoe price = $75-$150
4. Everlane
All ethically produced in fair waged factories, the new editor heel and sling backs are my favorite new Everlane shoes for spring. Everlane is so transparent that they give a cost breakdown of their most popular products on their website.
avg. shoe price = $150
5. Allbirds
Sustainable tennis shoes! Allbirds uses sustainable merino wool and tencel (tree fiber) to make their shoes. Plus all of their packaging is 90% recycled materials!
avg. shoe price = $95
6. Nisolo
My go to for leather shoes like mules and booties. Made in Peru, the average salary of Nisolo producers is 27% higher than the country’s fair trade wage requirements. Now for every pair of Nisolo shoes sold, a contribution is made to help protect forests in the Amazon Basin.
avg. shoe price = $150
7. Sevilla Smith
Stumbled upon Sevilla on Instagram, this boss babe hand makes each of her shoes from parts she gets across the US, made to order. Her designs are one of a kind and I”m sure if you wanted to customize a pair she would work with you on it.
avg. shoe price = $250
8. Fortress of Inca
Designed in Austin, Texas and handmade in Peru by fairly paid artisans, Fortress of Inca channels a free-spirited and elegant lifestyle, while bringing the finest quality leather and other natural materials to each pair of shoes.
avg. shoe price = $250
9. Able
The more trendy of sustainable shoes. ABLE is a lifestyle brand focused on ending generational poverty by working with women who have often overcome extraordinary circumstances. They manufacture directly in the communities they wish to impact, both locally and globally, creating jobs and ending the cycle of charity dependency.
avg. shoe price = $98-$125
10. Veja
The ultimate sustainable sneakers. By materials, transparency and fair working conditions, Veja goes above and beyond to meet or exceed expectations. Their design is also right on the money.
avg. shoe price = $98-$120
11. Rothy’s
Work flats made from 100% post consumer recycled water bottles. They also offer fair wages, meals and living accommodations to their factory workers. The pointed flat is my favorite!
avg. shoe price = $125-$120
Shae’s sustainable picks:
