10 Best Sustainable Sandals

When it comes to sustainable fashion, finding the perfect pair of stylish and eco-friendly sandals can be challenging. However, many shoe brands create sustainable sandals from recycled materials, vegan leather, and natural rubber. This article will explore the top 10 best sustainable sandals that prioritize sustainability and offer comfort and style.

1. Slide into Sustainability

If you’re looking for a fashionable slide that is also sustainable, look no further. Many shoe brands now offer slide sandals made from recycled plastic bottles. These sandals are not only eco-friendly but also incredibly comfortable. The recycled materials used to make these slides are carefully sourced and are part of the brand’s effort to reduce waste and promote sustainability.

Example brands:

Here are some example shoe brands that offer slide sandals made from recycled plastic bottles:

1. Nike: Nike, a well-known athletic footwear and apparel brand, has introduced a line of eco-friendly slide sandals made from recycled plastic bottles. Their commitment to sustainability is reflected in these comfortable and stylish options.
2. Adidas: Adidas, another major athletic brand, has embraced sustainability by creating slide sandals using recycled materials, including plastic bottles. Their eco-friendly designs prioritize both comfort and environmental consciousness.
3. Reebok: Reebok offers a range of slide sandals crafted from recycled plastic bottles, providing a sustainable choice for those seeking comfort and style in their footwear while contributing to reducing plastic waste.
4. EcoStep: EcoStep is a brand dedicated to environmentally friendly footwear. They specialize in producing slide sandals made from carefully sourced recycled plastic bottles, ensuring comfort and a reduced environmental footprint.
5. Allbirds: While Allbirds is known for its sustainable footwear, they also offer slide sandals made from recycled materials, including plastic bottles. Their commitment to reducing waste is evident in their innovative designs.
6. Teva: Teva, a brand famous for its outdoor and adventure footwear, has embraced sustainability by creating slide sandals that incorporate recycled plastic bottles in their construction. These sandals are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
7. Chaco: Chaco offers eco-friendly slide sandals from recycled plastic bottles, catering to individuals who appreciate comfort and sustainable footwear choices.
8. TOMS: TOMS, known for its philanthropic endeavours, has extended its commitment to giving back to the environment with slide sandals made from recycled materials, including plastic bottles.

2. The Appeal of Vegan Leather

Vegan leather sandals are an excellent choice for sustainable footwear options. These sandals are made from eco-friendly materials that mimic the look and feel of traditional leather without the animal cruelty associated with it. Vegan leather sandals are stylish and contribute to promoting a more sustainable fashion industry.

Here’s a list of some brands that offer vegan leather products, which are animal-friendly alternatives to traditional leather:

1. Matt & Nat: Matt & Nat is a famous brand known for stylish vegan leather bags, wallets, and accessories. They prioritize sustainability and use materials like recycled plastic bottles and cork in their products.
2. Stella McCartney: Stella McCartney is a luxury fashion brand specializing in cruelty-free and sustainable fashion. They offer a range of vegan leather handbags, shoes, and accessories.
3. MATT & NAT: MATT & NAT is a Canadian brand that offers a wide range of vegan leather bags, backpacks, wallets, and accessories. They are committed to using sustainable materials in their designs.
4. Bhava Studio: Bhava Studio creates eco-friendly and vegan leather footwear, including boots, sandals, and heels, using microfiber and recycled synthetics.
5. Corkor: Corkor is known for its vegan leather bags, wallets, and accessories made from cork, a sustainable and renewable material.

3. Embrace Ethical and Sustainable Fashion

Choosing brands that prioritize ethical and sustainable practices is essential when shopping for sandals. Many shoe brands focus on ensuring a living wage for their workers and reducing their environmental impact. By supporting these brands, you get a pair of high-quality sandals and contribute to a more sustainable and fair fashion industry.

Here’s a list of shoe brands that prioritize fair wages for workers and environmental sustainability in their manufacturing processes:

1. TOMS: TOMS is well-known for its “One for One” giving model, where they donate a pair to a person in need for every pair of shoes sold. They also emphasize ethical manufacturing practices and sustainable materials.
2. Patagonia Footwear: Patagonia, a renowned outdoor clothing and gear brand, extends its commitment to environmental responsibility to its footwear line. They focus on sustainable materials and fair labour practices.
3. Vivobarefoot: Vivobarefoot specializes in minimalist and sustainable footwear. They prioritize ethical manufacturing, and their shoes are designed to have a minimal environmental impact.
4. Veja: Veja is a French footwear brand that strongly emphasizes transparency in its supply chain. They use eco-friendly materials and ensure fair wages for their workers.
5. Nisolo: Nisolo is dedicated to producing high-quality, ethically made footwear. They work closely with artisans in Peru and other countries to ensure fair wages and sustainable practices.
6. Allbirds: Allbirds, known for its comfortable and sustainable shoes, aims to reduce its environmental footprint by using renewable materials and focusing on ethical manufacturing.

4. The Magic of Recycled Materials

One of the key contributors to sustainable fashion is using recycled materials. Many shoe brands use recycled materials in their sandals, such as rubber and plastic. These materials are carefully collected, processed, and repurposed to create stylish, eco-friendly sandals. By choosing sandals made from recycled materials, you are actively reducing waste and helping to create a circular economy.

Here’s a list of shoe brands that incorporate recycled materials, such as rubber and plastic, into their sandal designs:

1. Nike: Nike has tried using recycled materials in its footwear, including sandals. They have introduced sandals with recycled rubber soles and other sustainable materials.
2. Adidas: Adidas is known for its commitment to sustainability, and they have created sandals using recycled rubber and plastic materials as part of their eco-friendly initiatives.
3. EcoRight: EcoRight offers a range of eco-friendly sandals made from recycled rubber and other sustainable materials. They prioritize both comfort and environmental responsibility.
4. Teva: Teva, a brand known for outdoor and adventure footwear, incorporates recycled plastic into some of its sandal designs, contributing to sustainability in the industry.
5. Chaco: Chaco offers sandals made with recycled rubber and other eco-friendly materials, making them an excellent choice for durable and sustainable footwear.
6. Keen: Keen produces sandals with recycled materials, including rubber and plastic, and is dedicated to reducing its environmental impact.
7. Xero Shoes: Xero Shoes designs minimalist sandals with recycled rubber outsoles and focuses on sustainability in their production processes.
8. Feelgoodz: Feelgoodz offers flip-flops and sandals made from recycled rubber and natural materials, promoting comfort and environmental consciousness.
9. VIVOBAREFOOT: VIVOBAREFOOT incorporates recycled materials into their minimalist sandals and promotes a sustainable approach to footwear.

5. The Beauty of Natural Rubber

Natural rubber is another sustainable material commonly used in the production of sandals. Unlike synthetic rubber, natural rubber is derived from trees and is biodegradable. This means that when your sandals reach the end of their life, they will break down naturally, reducing their environmental impact. Sandals made from natural rubber are sustainable, extremely durable, and comfortable.

Here’s a list of shoe brands that utilize natural rubber, a sustainable and biodegradable material, in the production of their sandals:

1. Havaianas: Havaianas is a well-known brand for flip-flops and sandals, and they often use natural rubber for their soles, emphasizing comfort and sustainability.
2. Rainbow Sandals: Rainbow Sandals offers durable and comfortable sandals with natural rubber soles. They prioritize quality and eco-friendliness in their products.
3. Birkenstock: Birkenstock is famous for its comfortable and supportive sandals, which often feature natural rubber in the sole, promoting comfort and sustainability.
4. OluKai: OluKai produces sandals inspired by Hawaiian culture, and they incorporate natural rubber into their designs, focusing on durability and environmental responsibility.
5. Tretorn: Tretorn is known for its casual and sporty footwear, including some sandals with natural rubber components, reflecting its commitment to sustainable materials.
6. Mandala: Mandala is an eco-friendly footwear brand that uses natural rubber in their sandals while emphasizing sustainability and style.

6. Leather Working Group Approved

Sustainable options are also available for those who prefer the timeless appeal of leather sandals. Look for sandals made from vegetable-tanned leather, a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional leather. Additionally, choose sandals from brands that are part of the Leather Working Group, an organization dedicated to promoting sustainable practices within the leather industry.

Here’s a list of shoe brands that offer leather sandals made from vegetable-tanned leather, a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional leather:

1. Nisolo: Nisolo creates leather sandals using vegetable-tanned leather and emphasizes ethical production practices, ensuring fair wages and sustainable materials.
2. Bryr Studio: Bryr Studio specializes in handmade leather sandals crafted from vegetable-tanned leather, reflecting their commitment to quality and sustainability.
3. Birkenstock: Birkenstock offers leather sandals, including some with vegetable-tanned leather, known for their comfort and durability.
4. Trippen: Trippen is a German brand that uses vegetable-tanned leather to create unique and sustainable leather sandal designs.
5. Ancient Greek Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals incorporates vegetable-tanned leather into their handmade, timeless sandals inspired by Greek craftsmanship.
   

7. A Wide Range of Sustainable Materials

When it comes to sustainable sandals, the options are endless. Many brands use sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and recycled fibers to create sandals. These materials reduce the environmental impact and offer unique textures and designs. Explore brands that use sustainable materials to find the perfect pair of sandals for your summer wardrobe.

Here’s a list of shoe brands that use sustainable materials such as organic cotton, hemp, and recycled fibers to create eco-friendly sandals:

1. TOMS: TOMS offers a wide range of sustainable sandals, often featuring organic cotton and recycled materials in their designs and their philanthropic efforts.
2. Simple Shoes: It specializes in sustainable footwear and incorporates organic cotton, hemp, and recycled materials into their sandal collections.
3. Sanuk: Sanuk combines creativity with sustainability, using materials like recycled yoga mats and hemp in comfortable and environmentally friendly sandal styles.
4. Freewaters: Freewaters is dedicated to producing sustainable and comfortable sandals, using recycled plastics and organic cotton in their designsand while also supporting clean drinking water initiatives.
5. Nomadic State of Mind: Nomadic State of Mind creates handcrafted, rope-style sandals using recycled and eco-friendly materials, perfect for a beachy look.
6. Ssekos Designs: Ssekos Designs offers customizable sandals with sustainable elements like organic cotton and recycled materials while supporting educational opportunities for women in Uganda.
   

8. Sandals for Every Occasion

Sustainable sandals are not limited to casual beachwear. Many brands now offer styles suitable for multiple occasions, from formal events to outdoor adventures. Whether you need a pair of stylish sandals for a night out or durable sandals for hiking, sustainable options are available to suit your needs.

Here’s a list of shoe brands that offer sustainable sandals suitable for various occasions, including formal events and outdoor adventures:

1. Birkenstock: Birkenstock offers a range of sustainable sandals that can be stylish and comfortable for various occasions. Their cork footbed sandals are known for their quality and versatility.
2. TOMS: TOMS provides sustainable sandal options for casual wear and outdoor activities, focusing on comfort and style.
3. Chaco: Chaco is known for its durable and adjustable outdoor sandals, perfect for hiking and outdoor adventures while promoting sustainability.
4. Xero Shoes: Xero Shoes offers minimalist and sustainable sandals for casual and outdoor activities, prioritizing natural movement and eco-friendliness.
5. Earth-friendly Brands: Brands like Earth Shoes, Earth Origins, and Earth Spirit create comfortable and sustainable sandals for various occasions, emphasizing eco-friendly materials and environmental support.
6. KEEN: KEEN produces sandals suitable for hiking and other outdoor adventures, often incorporating sustainable materials and ethical production practices.
   

9. The Rise of Eco-Friendly Shoes

Eco-friendly shoes are becoming increasingly popular, and sustainable sandals are no exception. Many brands are now dedicated to creating stylish and environmentally friendly shoes. Choosing eco-friendly sandals reduces your carbon footprint and supports brands prioritizing sustainability.

Here’s a list of eco-friendly shoe brands that prioritize sustainability and offer stylish sandals to help reduce your carbon footprint:

1. Veja: Veja is a French brand known for its sustainable and stylish footwear, including eco-friendly sandals from organic cotton and wild rubber materials.
2. Rothy’s: Rothy’s offers eco-friendly sandals fibresfrom recycled plastic bottles, providing both style and sustainability.
3. Allbirds: Allbirds, renowned for its sustainable sneakers, also offers eco-friendly sandals made from materials like eucalyptus tree fibers
   

10. Sustainable Sandals for Women

Lastly, it’s essential to highlight the wide range of sustainable sandals available for women. From chic flats to trendy wedges, there are plenty of options. These sandals are designed with style and sustainability, allowing women to make a fashionable statement while positively impacting the planet.

Here’s a list of sustainable sandal brands that offer a variety of stylish options for women, ranging from chic flats to trendy wedges, all designed with both fashion and sustainability in mind:

1. Nisolo: Nisolo is known for its elegant and ethically made women’s sandals, offering a range of styles suitable for different occasions.
2. Bryr Studio: Bryr Studio creates handcrafted leather sandals for women featuring chic designs made from sustainable materials.
3. Ancient Greek Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals offers a collection of women’s sandals inspired by Greek craftsmanship, focusing on style and sustainability.
4. Fortress of Inca: Fortress of Inca produces women’s leather sandals that combine fashion-forward designs with ethical and sustainable practices.
5. Mona: Mona offers women’s sandals made from eco-friendly materials and features stylish options for fashion-conscious consumers.
6. Po-Zu: Po-Zu designs sustainable and stylish women’s sandals, including options for various occasions.
7. Nae Vegan Shoes: Nae Vegan Shoes creates a variety of fashionable vegan sandals for women, prioritizing both style and sustainability.
   

Conclusion

There are numerous sustainable sandal options available today that prioritize both style and sustainability. Whether you prefer vegan leather or natural materials like recycled rubber, a sustainable shoe brand exists. By choosing ethical and sustainable sandals, you are making a fashion statement and contributing to a more sustainable fashion industry. So, step into sustainability and embrace eco-friendly sandals for a greener future.