The avoidance of animal products is not only reflected in the diet of many vegans, but also in their wardrobe. As a result, leather-free sneakers are experiencing a real hype.
Leather is bad for the environment. Conventional livestock farming releases huge amounts of greenhouse gases and toxic chemicals are used in the processing of animal hides – both of which contribute to a poor ecological balance. Now comes the big but: artificial leather is not environmentally friendly either. 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, it cannot be denied that it is still better to wear sneakers for which no animal had to suffer. In addition, there are 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 from real leather. 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 now sells vegan sneakers, although it is not entirely clear whether this is a coincidence or intention. However, the fact is that popular sneakers such as the do without leather at all. The only downside is that the company still uses synthetic 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. The sneakers, made from organic cotton and natural rubber (FSC-certified), are reminiscent – purely visually – of well-known brands such as Superga or Converse. This makes them particularly popular and that are in no way inferior to their competitors. The additional FSC seal means you can be sure that the materials come from sustainable forest management and plantations and that the vegan sneakers are produced ethically.
3. Veja
The French label is one of the hottest brands that After a development phase lasting five years, 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 of real leather. And even if the shoes are not the cheapest, investing in Veja’s vegan sneakers 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 range of made of canvas for men, women and children. Responsibly sourced and sustainable materials are used to produce 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 most well-known model to date is the – better known as Chucks – and has sold over 600 million. In fact, it is also the only model that can be described as “vegan friendly”. In other words, the sneakers do not contain any animal materials. And they don’t have to, because Chucks are by far the most comfortable shoes you can wear (in summer!).
More information can be found here.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
