Vegan sneaker trends 2024: 5 popular shoes without leather

Leather is bad for the environment. Conventional livestock farming releases huge amounts of greenhouse gases and toxic chemicals are used in the further processing of animal skins – both of which contribute to a poor ecological balance. Now comes the big but: artificial leather is also not environmentally friendly. It is usually made from plastic, which in turn pollutes our oceans. For this reason, vegan sneakers are not automatically “better” than leather shoes. Unless they are made from sustainable materials, such as canvas, organic cotton, cork or natural rubber. Nevertheless, one cannot ignore the fact that it is still better to wear sneakers that no animal had to suffer for. There are also more and more manufacturers who at least make their shoes from recycled materials. The bottom line is that vegan sneakers contribute more to animal and environmental protection than sneakers made of real leather. You can find out what they look like at the end of the assembly line here.

1. Reebok

The American sporting goods manufacturer is known for its wide range of sports shoes and clothing. What many people don’t know, however, is that Reebok is now selling vegan sneakers, even if it’s not entirely clear whether this is a coincidence or intentional. However, the fact is that sneakers like this are in demand completely without leather. The only downside is that the company still uses artificial leather instead of natural materials such as canvas, organic cotton or cork. But there are no animal ingredients in the vegan sneakers, from the glue to the paint.

2. Ethletic

The German label is also known for its sustainable shoes made from fairly traded and sustainable materials. From a purely visual perspective, the sneakers made from organic cotton and natural rubber (FSC-certified) are reminiscent of well-known brands such as Superga or Converse. This makes them particularly popular as well , which are in no way inferior to their competitors. The additional FSC seal means you can be sure that the materials come from sustainable forestry and plantation management and that the vegan sneakers are produced ethically.

3. Veja

The French label is one of the hottest brands Manufacture: After a total of five years of development, the company has succeeded in producing sneakers from environmentally friendly materials. And although over 60 percent of the substances are biodegradable and the sneakers can therefore be described as eco-shoes, they look stylish and modern – and almost feel as if they were made from real leather. And even if the shoes aren’t the cheapest, investing in the vegan sneakers from Veja is definitely worth it.

4. Vans

The American sports shoe manufacturer opened its doors in March 1966. To this day, Vans is one of the most famous sneaker brands around the world. Even though the company makes shoes made of leather, it offers its customers a wide selection made of canvas for men, women and children. Here, responsibly sourced and sustainable materials are used for the production of the vegan sneakers – because Vans also works with various environmental organizations.

5. Converse

The Converse brand is also a long-established company that has been producing shoes since 1908. The best-known model to date is the – better known as Chucks – and has sold over 600 million. In fact, it is also the only example that can be described as “vegan friendly”. In other words, the sneakers do not contain any animal materials. You don’t have to, because Chucks are by far one of the most comfortable shoes you can wear (in summer!).