8 Best Sustainable Boots From Ethical Brands

With fall right around the corner, I’m excited to break out my boots! I’ve had some of my favorite boots for years now and I’m determined to make them last. After all, using what you have is the most sustainable thing you can do. And if they need a little TLC, I’ll take them to the cobbler (costs less than buying a new pair). But if you’re on the market for something new, here are a few of my favorite eco-friendly shoe brands making sustainable boots.

FYI, this is a guest post written by Sydney Montagna, a zero waste advocate and aspiring writer. Intro was written by Ariana Storniolo. This post contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase one of these items I will make a very small commission at no extra charge to you. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

8 Best Sustainable Boots From Ethical Brands

Are leather boots eco-friendly?

While real leather is incredibly durable, it’s not exactly the most sustainable material to produce. Here’s a few examples of it’s advantages and disadvantages:

Pros: 

• Renewable: Leather is considered a renewable resource that can be produced ethically.
• Biodegradable: Leather is often biodegradable. It depends on how it was processed and the tanning chemistry being used. So not all leather is biodegradable. Natural leather can take up to 50 years to biodegrade, but synthetic leather can take up to 200 years.
• Durable: Leather is built to last. It’s also one of the easiest materials for shoe cobblers to repair. Which is important, considering 22 billion pairs of shoes are thrown away every year.

Cons: 

• Deforestation: Raising cattle for agriculture (including leather production) is linked to catastrophic sustainability issues like biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, water waste, and deforestation. 
• Water pollution: Tanning leather requires a significant amount of water that can leak harmful chemicals into water sources and harm wildlife. 

However, it truly does depend on the brand, their practices, and the materials used.

It’s best to look for brands that use Leather Working Group – which has set environmental stewardship protocols specifically for the leather manufacturing industry. Vegetable-tanned (less chemicals) and/or upcycled leather is great too!

What is the most eco-friendly shoe material?

The most eco-friendly shoe material can be narrowed down to a few different options. Several factors go into sustainable materials. The consumer wants something that’s durable, yet still reduces the need for plastics and synthetic chemicals. 

A shoe company having sustainable certifications such as: OEKO-TEX, FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)- is a good indicator that they’re using natural, non-toxic materials. 

The three most eco-friendly shoe materials are organic cotton, hemp, and recycled materials. They’re biodegradable and have a lower environmental footprint. Also, be sure to look for brands who package their shoes using eco-friendly packaging. 

Are vegan boots better for the environment?

The short answer is that a lot of vegan shoes are better for the environment, but not all. It will always depend on what materials are used in the manufacturing process. There’s a wide variety of leather alternatives, such as: Teak Leaf, Muskin, SnapPap, Appleskin, algae, and cork. All of these are great vegan alternatives to leather. 

Also, the production of animal leather has a significantly higher environmental impact due to water pollution, greenhouse emissions, etc. Whereas vegan leather production has a much lower environmental impact – just try to avoid any materials that contain virgin plastics.

Last but not least – durability matters too. If you get a vegan boot that only lasts a year, is it more sustainable than a leather boot that lasts ten years before needing repair? We don’t need more shoes clogging our landfills. Consider craftsmanship when making purchases and look for boots made to last (like the ones made from the brands below).

best sustainable boots on the market

Photo credit: Nisolo

Photo credit: Alohas

Photo credit: Christy Dawn

Photo credit: Nae

Photo credit: Sezane

Photo credit: Vivaia

Photo credit: Thesus

Photo credit: Rei

So, what do you think of these sustainable fall boots? Let me know in the comments below!

If you’re looking for more outfit inspo, check out these sustainable clothing brands.

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