In this article, I will detail some of the best sustainable men’s shoes and shoe brands.
As someone who has spent a lot of time researching and trying different eco-friendly footwear, I have hand-picked 13 of the best shoes and brands I would personally wear.
I did in fact end up purchasing a pair of Allbirds Wool Runners, and love them.
It’s a hard choice to narrow it down, but I hope you enjoy the list.
18 Sustainable Men’s shoes and brands
| Brand | Materials | Cert. | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allbirds Wool Runners | Upper Merino Wool Midsole SweatFoam Sugarcane EVA Laces Plastic Bottles Insole Castor Bean Oil Machine Washable | • B-Corp • Carbon Neutral | $110 | Check Website Find out more |
| 8000Kicks | Upper Hemp Bottom Algae Insole Hemp Vegan, Water Proof, Only 4.1 kg of CO2 per shoe, designed & engineered in Portugal | $218 | Check Website Find out more | |
| Loom | Inner Merino Wool Water Proof, Cruelty-Free | $99* | Check Website Find out more | |
| Wildlings Nebula | Upper Knitted Merino mix (55% polyester, 31% pure new wool IVN Best, 7% polyamide, 7% elasthan) Outsole 60% synthetic rubber from approx. 33% recycled material, 25% silica, 15% recycled cork Insole Washi (75 % paper, 25 % polyester) | • Rewilding Europe • B-Corp • 1% for the Planet | $119 | Check Website Find out more |
| Hylo Athletics | Upper Corn Fiber Midsole EVA injected with cornstarch Insole Algae Bloom, Organic Cotton Outsole 100% Natural Rubber | $224 | Check Website Find out more | |
| Greats The Royale Knit | Upcycled Yarn made from recycled plastic bottles 100% vegan & machine washable 100%waxed cotton laces Handcrafted | $119 | Check Website Find out more | |
| Nae Vegan EFE PIÑATEX | Upper Piñatex Pinnapple leaf fibres Lining Microfibre Insole Paperboard agglomerate. Microfiber lined. Outsole: Rubber Made in Portugal | PETA Vegan | $40.80* | Check Website Find out more |
| Saola Tsavo Charcoal | Upper Recycled Plastic Bottles Insole 100% Natural Cork, Harvested algae foam, EVA Outsole 20% Recycled EVA , EVA | • GOTS • 1% for the planet • Global Recycle Standard • Bloom | $119 | Check Website Find out more |
| soleRebels Men’s Freedom H.S | Upper Hand woven msh with recycled threads Liner Cotton Sole Recycled rubber car tyres 100% Vegan, Made in Ethiopia, Handcrafted, Ethical production | Fair Trade | $159.99 | Check Website Find out more |
| Ekn Argan Low | Upper Chrome-free tanned suede (Vegetable) Sole made from recycled materials | Fair Trade | $178** | Check Website Find out more |
| Suavs Men’s The Zilker | 100% Post-consumer recycled thread Vegan | $95 | Check Website Find out more | |
| Cariuma Stone Grey Knit | Upper & Lining: Perfect-fit Bamboo Knit (bamboo and recycled PET) Insole: Removable lightweight memory foam + cork + Mamona oil Outsole: Green EVA made from sugarcane Laces: Made with recycled plastics | • B-Corp • 2 Trees planted | $98 | Check Website Find out more |
| Etiko | Soles Natural latex rubber tapped from a rubber tree Upper Cotton canvas upper and laces | • Fair Trade • GOTS • FSC • B-Corp | $83 | Find out more |
| Giesswein Merino Wool Knit | Upper 100% Natural wool Sole EVA Lining Textile (Merino) Inner SoleTextile (Merino) | $140 | Check Website Find out more | |
| Nisolo Everyday Low Top | Construction Leather Sole Vibram Rubber Laces Cotton Waterproof | • Certified Group Leather • B-Corp • 0% Net Carbon | $150 | Check Website Find out more |
| Rothy’s The RS01 Sneaker | Construction 28 Recycled Plastic Bottles Machine Washable | $169 | Check Website Find out more | |
| Nothing New Men’s Kicks | Made From 100% Sustainable Materials Upper Stonewashed Recycled Cotton Canvas Insoles Ortholite EcoStep Outsoles Made From Rubber & Cork | • Carbon Neutral | $89 | Check Website Find out more |
| Patara Eco Gray Nomad | Upper Upcycled Canvas Laces Recycled PET Insole Natural Cork and Recycled PU Foam Midsole Braided Hemp Detail Outsole Natural Rubber | B-Corp | $98 | Check Website Find out more |
**Price change to USD from foreign currency
1. Men’s Wool Runners – Allbirds
I don’t buy a lot of things including clothes and footwear and have made a pledge to myself to go sustainable next time I need to.
These are one of my favorites and ended up buying a pair of these fantastic sustainable sneakers.
They are available in a bunch of colors with a mix of different colors for the upper and lower.
The great thing about them?
Machine washable.
Just through them into the washing machine to clean them.
How about their sustainability?
These sustainable sneakers are made from eco-friendly and renewable materials.
The upper is high quality ethically sourced merino wool, the midsole is Brazilian sugarcane which is made with the world’s first carbon-negative green EVA, and the sole is made from caster bean oil and merino wool.
Furthermore, the laces are made from 100% recycled polyester, meaning discarded plastic water bottles are refashioned into shoelaces.
All and all, these shoes are carbon neutral so as far as sustainable sneakers and shoe brands go, you won’t go wrong with a pair of Tree Runners from Allbirds.
They also make a good pair of running shoes which are some of the best men’s shoes out there.
2. Sustainable Hemp Shoes – 8000Kicks
These kicks from 8000Kicks (that’s a lot of kicks) are super stylish and come in a couple of colors, black and white, and beige.
What’s special about these?
They are made from hemp.
I had to chuckle as I know what a lot of people are thinking and 8000Kicks actually answer your question.
No, you can’t smoke the shoe.
I’m glad they clarified!
Anyhow, these sustainable sneakers are designed and engineered in Portugal.
They are waterproof because of the fibers and the proprietary coating layer they have. They are made with a hemp upper and a bloom foam algae bottom. They have ‘the world’s first natural hemp insole. They are 100% vegan.
Ultimately a very eco-friendly and stylish sustainable men’s sneaker.
Find out more at 8000kicks.com
3. Loom Footwear
Designed with durability, simplicity, and comfort in mind – Loom shoes are everything eco-friendly shoes should be.
They keep feet dry and fresh regardless of the weather.
With a merino wool interior, the breathable surface of these waterproof shoes regulates temperature, is antibacterial, and is anti-odor.
The H2-Go layer is 100% waterproof, while the wool-lined cushion helps minimize foot pressure while walking.
Loom sustainable shoes are lightweight, reduce foot fatigue, and make long-hour walks more enjoyable.
The flexible form-fitting design allows for a full range of motion, protecting the ankles, knees, and shins from shocks, and are great supportive shoes for men.
These sustainable shoes are vegan-friendly and are made with cruelty-free material from the world’s most eco-friendly farms.
Find out more at LoomFootwear.com
4. Nebula – Wildlings
As soon as I saw these shoes I liked them.
They are super stylish, but also eco-friendly.
They are even lighter than the Hyloathletics weighing in at only 129 grams, perhaps due to the fact that these shoes are actually made of just 3 pieces of material.
A lot of love and thought has gone into the design of these shoes.
The upper of these sustainable shoes is made from a mix of knitted merino and polyester while the insole is a mix of paper and polyester. The sole is comprised of rubber, recycled materials, and cork.
They have a good range of vibrant, colorful, and trendy men’s sustainable footwear ranging from shoes to boots to sandals, and use fair trade practices.
Find out more at Wildlings.shoes
5. Men’s Running – Hyloathletics
I’m glad I came across these.
These are actually advertised as running shoes but could certainly pass for everyday sneakers (at least in my opinion)
There is a lot to like about these.
Firstly, they are machine washable for easy cleaning but they are also super light, weighing just 215g. I highly dislike having heavy shoes when I’m running.
The upper is 100% natural and the shoes are made from corn fiber, a waste product from corn production.
The insole is made from algae bloom with a 100% organic cotton top layer. The midsole is made using EVA with corn starch injected to minimize the amount of EVA used and can be recycled to be used in future shoes.
The outsole is made from 100% natural rubber.
Interestingly, each of these running shoes has a unique identifier code so they can track how many have been made, the production process, and the materials used.
Ultimately, they would like the shoes to return to them when they are done so they can repurpose and recycle them into new shoes.
Another eco-friendly footwear company doing good things with sustainable fashion.
Find out more at Hyloathletics.com
Read our Review of Hylo Athletics Running Shoes (personally tested)
6. The Royale Knit – Greats
I love the fact that you can get these shoes in bright lime green or ‘Neon Algae’. Either way, I’ll take it.
There is a good variation of color with this range, though don’t expect rainbow neon colors, as green is a bit of an outlier.
Their shoes are a bit different from the others as they are made from recycled plastic bottles and believe it or not, they are also machine washable.
No virgin plastic is ever used in their shoes but rather from 7 recycled plastic bottles. They are vegan shoes, sustainable and ethically made with fair trade practices.
The shoes are handcrafted, and the footbed is made from algae foam while the outer from natural rubber.
Their selection includes a large range of men’s shoes ranging from boots, to sneakers to high tops to slip ons.
7. EFE PIÑATEX – Nae Vegan
I do like not having to bother about laces and if you are the same, Nae Vegan may have just the shoes for you.
Definitely for the fashion-conscious male these smart-casual zip sneakers. will look good with nearly any outfit.
The upper is made from pineapple leaf fibers and PLA fibers while the insole is Microfiber lined paperboard agglomerate.
The outsole is made from sustainable materials (rubber).
Nae Vegan has a good selection of vegan shoes including classic sneakers (think low-cut Chuck Taylors) boots, sandals to dress shoes for both formal and casual occasions also using fair trade practices.
Find out more at Nae-vegan.com
8. TSAVO CHARCOAL – Saola
This is one stylish shoe for Saola.
Not only is it super stylish, but it’s also very eco-friendly and made from recycled materials.
These 100% vegan shoes are made from recycled plastic bottles for the upper while the insole is made from cork and algae foam.
The soles are made from EVA and recycled EVA while the laces are 100% organic cotton.
The shoes are super lightweight and have removable insoles so you can put in your own if you need to.
This footwear brand has a good selection of men’s shoes including high and low cuts as well as slip-ons.
Find out more at Saolashoes.com
9. Men’s Freedom H.S – soleRebels
I like the fact that these shoes are completely hand-crafted. All the materials from the hand spinning and hand looming of the textiles are done by hand and ethically made.
It creates their unique style and also gives these shoes a more personable feel.
These unique men’s shoes are also made in Ethiopia. They use used tires to create the soles with hand-loomed hand woven msh material and float midsole and they are also fair trade.
This range also comes in a few different colors which are cool.
They actually have a good collection and if you are one for unique footwear, you will definitely want to check out their range.
They are bright, vibrant, and colorful with shoes ranging from sneakers to boots to slip-ons.
Find out more at soleRebels.com
10. Yucca Soil – Ekn
Fancy some high-quality Portuguese hand craftsmanship?
These shoes by Ekn are handmade in Portugal and feature a biodegradable artificial leather and recycled mesh upper.
With contemporary design elements, mixed with subtle additions for extra durability they are a mix of fashion and longevity.
They have a great range of men’s shoes with vegan options featuring formal and casual options and also have fair trade practices.
Find out more at eknfootwear.com
11. Men’s The Zilker – Suavs
Aptly named ‘Suavs’ these shoes are, well, suave.
They also have a bunch of different pattern options which is nice for those who like the choice.
They have moisture-wicking insoles which means you can easily wear these without socks and not worry about sweat issues.
The shoe is made from 100% post-consumer recycled threads and is super easy to pack as they pack flat.
They have a range of high-cut, low-cut, and slip-on men’s shoes, all of which in my opinion makes them very classy and stylish shoes.
Find out more at suavshoes.com
12. Stone Grey Knit – Cariuma
There are a couple of things I like about these, other than the fact they look great.
First is the buy one plant 2 trees. For every purchase of a pair of shoes, this footwear brand will plant 2 trees in the Brazilian rainforest.
The second is they very clearly and easily show what each part of their shoe is made from.
Interestingly, the upper is made from bamboo and recycled materials (PET), while the insole is made from foam, cork, and mamona oil. The outsole is made from green EVA made from sugarcane and the laces from recycled plastic bottle threads.
Add to that they are 100% vegan and machine washable.
They have a large collection of high-cut and low-cut trendy sneakers, with many color choices.
13. Lowcuts Black & White Organic Fairtrade – Etiko
I’ve got a lot of friends who love that classic lowcut style ‘Chuck Taylor’ kind of sneaker.
Etiko has a good range like this including this fantastic-looking low-cut sneaker.
Made from sustainable materials including organic cotton, canvas upper, and a natural rubber sole fresh from a rubber tree.
No animal glues or toxic dyes are used and they are hand-stitched by certified fair trade employees.
They have a good range of sustainable men’s sneakers including high tops, slip-on, and low cuts, with a number in this classic style many are so fond of.
14. Merino Wool Knit – Giesswein
If you like the properties of merino wool then Giesswein would certainly be worth a look. Like Allbirds, this sustainable footwear brand uses 100% virgin merino wool so it is made from the finest, softest wool available.
The great thing about these men’s shoes is that 1) you don’t need to wear socks and b) they are machine washable, so they are super easy to clean and maintain.
The upper is made from 100% natural wool, and the sole is made from EVA.
These sustainable sneakers are available in a good range of colors for both the sole and upper and they have a range of merino shoes and clothing for men and women.
15. Nisolo – Everyday Low Top
If you or your man are looking to go a little more formal or looking for work shoes, then Nisolo’s dress shoes might be worth a look.
These stylish shoes for men are made from high-quality waterproof leather, while eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton and natural rubber are used for the sole and laces.
The leather used in their shoes is ‘Certified Group Leather’ and not to mention their shoe is 0% net carbon. 100% living wages are also paid to those that make them.
Nisolo has a large selection of shoes for men ranging from sandals and slip-on to formal and work shoes.
16. Rothy’s
This shoe brand is somewhat famous for its shoes being made from recycled plastic bottles, but its men’s shoes are also very stylish.
In 2022 Rothy’s were looking to achieve zero waste, not only that they were looking to use twice recycled materials in their shoes which is a world first.
They have a thread spun from water bottles and their shoes are created from that, along with their laces.
Rothy’s has a good selection of loafers, sneakers, and boots for men.
17. Nothing New – Men’s Kicks
Nothing New believes that fashion doesn’t have to come at the expense of our planet.
These cool men’s shoes are made from various sustainable materials, including recycled plastic/post-consumer materials, organic cotton, and bamboo, and are GRS-certified.
They also use low-impact dyes and environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes along with purchasing carbon credits to ensure they stay carbon neutral.
To date, we’ve saved over 1 million plastic bottles from ending up in landfills. We’re also working on a way to turn used shoes into new ones.
They have a wide selection of shoes for both men and women, including sneakers, loafers, and sandals.
And they’re constantly adding new styles, so there’s always something new to choose from.
18. Patara Shoes
Patara’s shoes are made from a variety of sustainable materials, including recycled plastic, organic cotton, and natural rubber and they have a great range of different and unique shoes.
They are committed to reducing its environmental impact, and all of its shoes are made in an ethically certified, sweatshop-free factory along with being a certified B-Corp Company.
Patara offers a wide range of eco-friendly shoes, from sneakers to dress shoes.
They also offer a selection of accessories made from sustainable materials, such as recycled paper wallets and bags.
With its commitment to sustainability and stylish designs, Patara is quickly becoming a popular brand of eco-friendly shoes.
I hope you enjoyed the list.
Do you have a favorite sustainable men’s sneaker you think deserves to be on the list?
Share it below in the comments!
Growing up in New Zealand I have always had the gift of living in a beautiful, natural environment. With all the changes happening in the world, I wanted to actively try and make a difference (be it big or small) in helping protect nature that we have.
