In recent years, there has been a growing demand for sustainable fashion. Consumers are becoming more conscious of their purchases’ environmental impact and seek brands prioritizing sustainability. The sneaker industry, traditionally known for its fast-fashion practices, is starting to catch up with this trend. A new wave of sustainable sneaker brands has emerged, offering eco-friendly and fashionable alternatives to the usual suspects.
In this blog post, we’ll look at the best sustainable sneaker brands on the market and why they’re worth checking out. So, whether you’re a sneakerhead or just looking for a comfortable and stylish shoe, discover the top sustainable sneaker brands you should have on your radar.
1. Allbirds
One of the most well-known sustainable sneaker companies is Allbirds, which was established by Tim Brown and Joey Zwillinger with the goal of developing ecologically friendly, stylish, and comfortable sustainable footwear.
About Allbirds
Price Range
Allbirds sneakers typically range in price from $100 to USD 150. While they may be more expensive than some conventional sneaker brands, they are competitively priced within the sustainable fashion industry.
Materials Used
Allbirds use eco-friendly materials like merino wool, eucalyptus tree fibers, and recycled polyester in their sneakers. Additionally, they use a unique sugarcane-based foam in the outsoles and castor bean oil in the insoles, designed to be comfortable and carbon-negative.
Green Business Practices
Allbirds has a solid commitment to sustainability throughout its business practices. They use recycled materials in their packaging, including 90% recycled cardboard for their shoeboxes. The company also aims to reach 100% carbon neutrality in its operations and has made significant progress toward this goal through its investments in renewable energy and carbon offset programs.
Certifications
Allbirds has been certified by several third-party organizations that recognize their commitment to sustainability and ethical practices.They have earned the B-Corporation certification, demonstrating that they uphold strict criteria for environmental and social performance, transparency, and integrity. They are also FSC-certified and only work with WRAP-certified factories in China and South Korea.
Community and Charitable Giving
Allbirds is committed to giving back to the community and supporting important causes. To keep the microenterprise initiatives that generate employment in nations with a shortage of sustainable economic prospects, they have collaborated with charitable organizations like Soles4Souls.
2. Thousand Fell
Thousand Fell is another sustainable sneaker brand that creates eco-friendly and socially responsible footwear. Chloe Marie Songer and Stuart Ahlum founded the company in 2017 to reduce waste and improve environmental and social impact through their products and practices.
About Thousand Fell
Price Range
Thousand Fell’s sneakers are priced between $120 to $140 with a $20 refundable recycling deposit. While they may be more expensive than some mainstream sneaker brands, the company’s commitment to sustainability and ethical practices justifies the higher price point.
Materials Used
The eco-friendly materials used to make Thousand Fell sneakers include sugar cane, palm leaf fibers, coconut husk, and recycled water bottles.
Green Business Practices
Thousand Fell produces zero-waste footwear by making 100% recycled and recyclable shoes in a closed loop. It puts its shoes in a reusable, FSC-certified, carbon-neutral, organic cotton tote bag.
Via its SuperCircle initiative, Thousand Fell will now accept the footwear you no longer want and give you credit toward brand-new gear as an alternative to the circular shoe economy.
Certifications
Thousand Fell has achieved several certifications that attest to its sustainability and ethical practices. The brand is a Certified B Corporation. Additionally, the company is also FSC certified.
Community and Charitable Giving
Thousand Fell has partnered with 1% to donate 1% of its sales to environmental causes. They have also donated sneakers to organizations such as Soles4Souls.
3. 8000 Kicks
Another famous sustainable sneakers brand is 8000 Kicks, founded by Bernardo Carreira and his grandmother Otilia in 2017. The brand is well known for creating the first-ever waterproof hemp shoes to reduce plastic waste’s environmental impact.
About 8000 Kicks
Price Range
8000 Kicks sneakers range in price up to $135; while they may be slightly more expensive than some other sneaker brands, the sustainable materials and ethical practices used by 8000 Kicks make them well worth the investment.
Materials Used
8000 sustainable materials in their sneakers, including hemp, recycled plastic rubber, and recycled foam. They made the uppers and insoles of their sneakers from a highly sustainable and durable material. The outer soles are from bloom foam algae. They carefully selected these materials for their eco-friendliness.
Green Business Practices
8000 Kicks collaborates with manufacturing affiliates to enhance the reliance on sources of clean energy in order to lessen their impact. 8000 Kicks require 72% less carbon dioxide and 70% less water for manufacturing than the typical traditional shoe.
Also, they are spending money on planting trees and operating hemp farms to capture carbon dioxide. Each newly planted plant absorbs 50 kg of atmospheric carbon dioxide on average annually for 20 to 50 years.
Certifications
8000 Kicks’ entire hemp fabric quality has been CITEVE tested. Eco-stylist guarantee their sustainability practices. OEKO-TEX is the industry benchmark for textile quality, ensuring 8000 Kicks use no harmful chemicals or dyes in their sneakers.
Community and Charitable Giving
8000 Kicks during Covid-19 gave around 10,000 masks to firefighters, police officers, and other persons in need. In 2020, they gave 30 pairs of sneakers to City Rescue Mission, a non-profit organization that helps the area’s homeless people with food and clothing.
4. VEJA
Founded by Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion, VEJA is another famous brand on our list. The brand strongly focuses on ethical and sustainable practices, from sourcing raw materials to manufacturing and distributing its products.
About Veja
Price Range
VEJA’s sneakers are priced between $95 to $200, depending on the style and materials used. The brand offers a range of classic and contemporary designs for men, women, and kids.
Materials
VEJA uses sustainable materials in its sneakers, including recycled cotton from textile cotton, recycled plastic bottles, Hexamesh ( 70% organic cotton, 30% recycled plastic bottles), and vegetable-tanned leather. The brand is committed to using eco-friendly alternatives to traditional materials, such as chrome-free leather and low-impact dyes.
Green Business Practices
Veja produces their goods in Brazil, three times more expensive than in China, but they absorb this cost instead of passing it along to the environment and the workers involved.
Community and Charitable Giving
VEJA is devoted to supporting the communities it collaborates with. 90% of the workers hired by the company had health issues when they started, 25% had housing issues, and 40% had been unemployed for over a year.
5. Baabuk
Baabuk is a sustainable sneakers brand based in Switzerland. It has won several awards for its sustainable and innovative approach to footwear, including the ISPO Gold award-winning in the Sustainability category. Galina and Dan founded the brand in 2013 with a passion for wool, which led them to create a sustainable sneaker brand that uses wool as the primary material for their shoes.
About Baabuk
Price Range
Baabuk’s sneakers are priced between $120 and $130, offering various types of sneakers for men, women, and children.
Materials
Baabuk’s sneakers are made from natural and sustainable wool from small family farms in Portugal. The sheep lives in Serra da Estrela National Park, the biggest protected region in the nation, and is known to be mulesing-free.
Green Business Practices
Baabuk has chosen wool as the primary material for its products because it is eco-friendly and sustainable. After all, wool is 50% carbon sequestered through a sheep’s diet, which helps reduce carbon in the atmosphere.
Additionally, Baabuk is committed to reducing waste and encouraging customers to repair their shoes rather than replace them. To facilitate this, they provide a $5 repair kit so that customers can prolong the life of their shoes.
This approach reduces waste and saves customers money in the long run.
Finally, Baabuk’s commitment to sustainability is evident in the design of its products. Their sneakers are machine washable, which reduces the need for harsh chemical cleaning products and helps to prolong the life of the shoes. This design feature also makes it easy for customers to clean and care for their sneakers at home, reducing the need for professional cleaning services.
Community and Charitable Giving
The Miss Baabuka project is a collaboration between Baabuk and the Swiss organization ProSpecieRara, an organization dedicated to conserving and protecting rare and endangered plant and animal species in Switzerland.
As part of this collaboration, the Miss Baabuk project supports ProSpecieRara’s efforts to conserve six rare sheep breed populations by providing financial support and raising awareness for these conservation efforts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sustainable sneakers are no longer just a niche market; with the rise of eco-conscious consumers, sustainable sneaker brands are becoming increasingly popular and available. From recycled materials to ethical production practices, each brand featured in this blog is working towards a more sustainable future for fashion. By supporting these brands, you can positively impact the environment and feel good about the products you purchase, so it’s time to step up and make a difference with your footwear choices.
