Affordable Eco-Friendly Shoes From Sustainable Brands
The image of a luxurious walk-in closet, lined with shelves of dozens of pairs of shoes in all colors and styles, was idealized in Hollywood movies and magazines when I was growing up. Now, in the age of Amazon, mass production, and fast fashion, this is the reality for more and more people. You can now find shoes that are so inexpensive you could own a pair to match every outfit – but at what cost to people and planet?
The good news is that there are plenty of affordable, eco-friendly shoes made by responsible brands. If you want to start a sustainable lifestyle, why not start at the bottom and work your way up? Check out the nine price-conscious sustainable shoe options we’ve lined up for you below.
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Casual and Affordable Earth-Friendly Shoe Choices
8000 Kicks – Etiko – Allbirds
More Dressy or Technical & Reasonably Priced Green Shoe Brands
Slightly Pricier, Value-Driven Sustainable Shoe Brands
Rothy’s – Ponto – Beckett Simonon – Koio
Why is it important to choose eco-friendly shoes?
Let’s start at the beginning. Thirty pounds of carbon dioxide emissions are created during the extraction of materials and manufacturing of a typical pair of running shoes. Over 60% of the world’s 22 billion pairs of shoes are made in China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Many of the facilities where these shoes are made are unsafe for workers, who are not paid a fair or living wage and may be working too many hours. Someone, somewhere, is paying for the low cost of those rows and rows of cheap shoes in that big closet.
Next, we must consider the materials used to make most of these shoes. Plastics, foam, synthetic rubber, chemical-laden leathers, and toxic adhesives and dyes are commonly used to make shoes of all kinds. Not only is handling these harmful substances a hazard for workers, but when shoes are discarded in landfills, they don’t biodegrade and leach chemicals into the ground and waterways.
Looking specifically for eco-friendly hiking shoes or boots? Check out our article “Best Sustainable Hiking Boots and Shoes.”
What should you look for in a sustainable shoe?
When it comes to textiles and other materials, some innovative ideas are hitting the shoe industry market. From bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, palm leaf fibres, recycled plastic, lyocell, to upcycled rubber, cork, sugarcane, and merino wool, the list seems endless. There are even brands creating shoes that are 100% biodegradable! If the materials used in a pair of shoes you covet aren’t made uber clear in their description, that’s an indicator to keep looking.
Ensuring your shoes were made responsibly may take more than “looking at the label.” Check out the brand’s website, and if they don’t have any easy-to-find information about their supply chain or ethics in manufacturing, move on. Another easy way to spot an ethical brand is to look for all-around sustainable fashion certifications like B Corporation, Fair Trade Certified, Cradle to Cradle, and WRAP certification. Keep in mind that many small brands cannot afford these certifications, so a lack of them does not necessarily mean you should forego a brand.
Creating eco-friendly and ethical shoes is possible with so many better options for sustainable materials and fibers available. These sustainable footwear brands are doing just that, and now we can have great shoes that we can feel good about in every way. Let us help you shoes wisely (I can’t resist a good pun!)
Hoping to create a more sustainable home? You may also be interested in our article “Creating a Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Bedroom.”
the most Budget-friendly sustainable footwear
Casual & Affordable earth-friendly shoe choices
You may not need to own dozens of pairs of shoes, but one definite staple is a casual sneaker, slip-on, or sandal. Perhaps you prefer a comfortable loafer or flat? These sustainable shoe brands have those affordable, eco-friendly shoe styles, too!
8000 Kicks
What we love about them:
- 8000 Kicks creates wallet-conscious and eco-conscious footwear.
- They are OEKO-TEX gold standard certified, guaranteeing no toxic substances or dyes are used.
- They create vegan, eco-friendly, and water-repellent hemp shoes with ecological soles made from algal blooms.
- The average emissions for a pair of running shoes is 14 kilograms of CO2 – 8000 Kicks has reduced that to 4.1kg of CO2.
- 8000 Kicks also sponsors Bloom, a CO2 capture and water cleaning partner.
- Free shipping and exchanges in the E.U. and the U.S. for orders above $90.
Styles available: Men’s and women’s sneakers, slip-ons, running shoes, and boots. 8000 Kicks periodically releases signature limited edition shoes such as the “Weedo” and “German Legalization Sneaker.” 8000 Kicks also sells backpacks, pouches, wallets, belts, masks, and laptop cases.
Price range: $75 – $199 (excluding limited editions)
Deals & Discounts: Save 10% off your order with code 8000KICKSANDSS; “deals” section on the website in main menu.
Etiko
What we love about them:
- Etiko makes budget-friendly and ethical footwear.
- They are a Fair Trade Certified and Social Trader’s Certified B Corporation.
- They use GOTS-certified 100% organic cotton on all of their products.
- They are cruelty-free and do not use animal ingredients or animal-derived glues in their products.
- Etiko’s cardboard paper packaging is FSC-certified.
Styles available: Men’s and women’s sneakers (kids, too), flats, slip-ons, and thongs/flip flops. Etiko also sells clothing like shirts, tank tops, hoodies, and underwear.
Price range: $10 – $90
Deals & Discounts: “Clearance” section on website in main menu.
Allbirds
What we love about them:
- Allbirds creates economical, environmentally friendly shoes.
- They are a Certified B Corporation with FSC Certification.
- Their materials include recycled plastic bottles, recycled nylon, BIO-TPU, and foam soles made from sugarcane.
- Allbirds created their own Trino® and TrinoXO™ materials made with responsibly harvested eucalyptus tree fibers and merino wool for maximum sustainability.
- They collaborated with Adidas to create the Adizero x Allbirds 2.94 kg CO2e — an ultralight running shoe with an ultralow carbon footprint.
- Allbirds is set to launch the Mo.onshot, the landmark net 0.0 kg CO₂e carbon footprint shoe, sometime in 2024.
Styles available: Men’s and women’s sneakers (kids, too), flats, slip-ons, and hiking/trail runners. Allbirds also sells tees, hats, socks, underwear, and more!
Price range: $73 – $160
Deals & Discounts: “Sale” section under men’s, women’s, and kids’ shoes; sign up for their mailing list to receive periodic exclusive offers.
more Dressy or technical & Reasonably priced green shoe brands
Another type of footwear you’ll likely need in your wardrobe is a dressy shoe, boot, or platform for those more formal occasions. As a teacher for fourteen years, I needed something more professional and comfortable as I was on my feet all day. If you’re an outdoor or wilderness enthusiast like me, you’ll also need running shoes or hiking footwear. No sweat; these budget-friendly sustainable footwear brands have you covered.
Will’s Vegan Store
What we love about them:
- They are Certified Carbon Neutral and 100% PETA-approved cruelty-free.
- Their affordable eco-friendly shoes are made in Italy and Portugal under European Union employment
- Their footwear is made from animal-free materials, such as bio-based vegan leather from organic cereal crops.
- You can return your old shoes for a small fee to be turned into new WVS outsoles and uppers.
- They ship for free to the U.S. in plastic-free packaging.
Styles available: Men’s and women’s dress shoes, pumps, sandals, loafers, sneakers, flats, slippers, hiking boots and shoes, and stylish boots. Will’s Vegan Store also sells bags, wallets, belts, skirts, jackets, knitwear, and more!
Price range: $56 – $212
Deals & Discounts: None – in their own words: “We don’t do fast fashion. We don’t discount to sell more. We design and manufacture, and stock to be sustainable so you buy less, reducing your impact on the environment.”
Nisolo
What we love about them:
- Nisolo creates beautiful and classically stylish low-cost eco-conscious footwear.
- They are a Climate Neutral, Certified B Corporation with Leather-Working Group certification.
- Although not a vegan option, leather resists wear and tear, making Nisolo’s footwear super long-lasting.
- Nisolo is committed to never using plastic or fossil fuel-based materials unless they are 100% recycled and recyclable at the end of their life.
- All their products come with a sustainability facts label, evaluating sustainability impact scored by ten categories across People and Planet.
- They partner with Ecosphere+ to invest in forest conservation in the Peruvian Amazon.
Styles available: Men’s and women’s dress shoes, pumps, sandals, loafers, mules, sneakers, flats, slip-ons, and boots. Nisolo also sells backpacks, bags, wallets, belts, and socks.
Price range: $50 – $280
Deals & Discounts: Sign up to receive 15% off your first order; sale section on the website in main menu; and periodic sales throughout the year.
Slightly pricier, Value-driven sustainable shoe brands
Although these brands may have a slightly higher price tag, you can occasionally find deals. Regarding affordable, eco-friendly shoes, choosing quality over quantity is also always a smart investment.
Rothy’s
What we love about them:
- Products produced with 100% recycled plastic bottles and/or natural or renewable materials.
- They have repurposed more than 630,000 pounds of ocean-bound marine plastic.
- They are the world’s first shoe manufacturer to receive both LEED Gold and TRUE Zero Waste Platinum certification.
- They create algal-based footbeds and Strobel boards.
Styles available: Men’s and women’s loafers, drivers, sneakers, clogs, mules, sandals, flats, slip-ons (kids, too), and boots. Rothy’s also sells all kinds of handbags, shoulder bags, clutches, pouches, and wallets.
Price range: $99 – $249
Deals & Discounts: Receive $20 off your first purchase with code WELCOME20; “Final Few” section on the website; periodic sales throughout the year; and they offer a 20% discount to teachers, first responders, medical professionals, and students!
Ponto
What we love about them:
- Their products are made with eco-friendly materials such as recycled leather, deadstock suede, BCI-certified cotton denim, bio-based sugarcane foam, and regenerated Tencel.
- They partner with Blumaka to create soles from leftover foam.
- Ponto works closely with Sneaker Impact to extend the life of your shoes. When you are ready to give any and all of your footwear another life, you can return them for circularity.
- Their packaging is made from 100% recycled materials.
Styles available: Men’s and women’s sneakers, boots, and limited editions such as Mary Jane’s. Ponto also sells eco-friendly laces and insoles.
Price range: $129 – $179
Deals & Discounts: “Sale” page on the website.
Beckett Simonon
What we love about them:
- They are a Certified B Corporation creating hand-crafted shoes with a made-to-order business model.
- Their leather is sourced from Gruppo Mastrotto, a tannery in Arzignano, Italy that is Gold-Rated by the Leather Working Group.
- They developed their own lasts (foot-shaped molds) and have refined them over years based on real customer feedback.
- Soles are made from a mix of natural, synthetic, and recycled rubber.
- Workers have many benefits, such as health care, pension contributions, paid vacation, plus more.
- Shipping boxes boxes are Earthpact Certified or 100% recycled and FSC certified.
- They provide free shipping and returns in the U.S. and a 30-day money back guarantee.
Styles available: Men’s and women’s dress shoes, pumps, loafers, sneakers, flats, slippers, and boots. Beckett Simonon also sells bags, wallets, and belts.
Price range: $169 – $259
Deals & Discounts: Join the VIP list for 15% off your first purchase; limited time offers are periodically available.
Koio
What we love about them:
- Their shoes are 100% hand-crafted by artisans and made in Italy.
- Their Regenerative Collection uses leathers from regenerative farms in the Swiss Alps, and the shoes in this line are 99% biodegradable.
- They make some unique retro-style shoes for those who like a little funk for their feet.
- The Pale Blue Dot Collection consists of planet-saving shoes made with innovative plant-based materials, such as apple-based leather, recycled rubber, natural latex, and cork.
- They have a recycling program – send your old Koios back using a prepaid shipping label to be deconstructed and receive $50 toward your next pair!
Styles available: Men’s and women’s loafers, sneakers, boots, flats, and sandals. Koio also sells many shoe care accessories.
Price range: $67 – $365
Deals & Discounts: Use code KOIOFIRST25 to get $25 off your order of $150 or more.
Final thoughts about affordable eco-friendly shoes
If there’s one way to be more sustainable on a budget, it’s practicing minimalism and choosing fewer, long-lasting items over many cheaply-made inexpensive ones that get tossed in the landfill. Plenty of inexpensive, eco-friendly shoe selections are on the market today, and with a bit of research, you’re sure to find the pair for you! Remember that another thrifty environmentally conscious shoe option is checking out your local second-hand store for some gems in your size. Either way, you’re sure to have very happy feet!
All products recommended to you on Successfully Sustainable are independently researched in depth. To avoid waste and lead a minimal lifestyle, we test products only when required. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about this here.
