Home » Vegan and Sustainable sneakers: Size and fitting

Vegan and Sustainable sneakers: Size and fitting

October 21, 2020May 22, 2021 by Pablo

This post was last updated on May 22nd, 2021 at 09:41 am

Vegan and Sustainable sneakers are the future! The constant rise and launch of new brands prove it. The big brands are slowly following this evolution. The sneaker’s future looks green and sustainable.
Discover the overview of sustainable shoes, size charts and fitting guides on this dedicated post. Don’t print this page as it will harm our Nature 😉

The difference between Vegan, Sustainable and Eco Friendly sneakers

In short we’ll explain the difference between the terms Vegan, Sustainable en Eco Friendly.

What is a Vegan Sneaker? What makes a shoe vegan?

When a sneaker is labeled “vegan”, it means there’s no animal harm involved in any step of the design, development, production, and distribution process. This means no materials of any animal origin are used. The global organization is called Peta and all info from them you can find on their website.
Peta stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview, and focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: in laboratories, in the food industry, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry.

All brands must be approved by Peta, so their products can have the Peta Approved Vegan Stamp.

What is a Sustainable Sneaker? What makes a Shoe Sustainable?

A sustainable sneaker can be described as a product where the design, development, manufacturing, distribution, and selling processes have been performed in such a way that minimizes negative environmental impacts, conserve energy and natural resources, are safe for employees, communities, and consumers, and are economically sound.
When you’re interested in the matter, check https://www.shoesustainability.com/, an initiative of the FDRA (the US footwear industry’s business and trade association)

What is an Eco Friendly sneaker? What makes a shoe Eco Friendly?

In many reports or experts’ notes, the terms Sustainable shoes and Sustainable shoes are mixed up. Let’s say that these terms are indeed very similar. Eco-Friendly or Eco-Friendly sneakers are also taking into account the afterlife of the shoe. (on top of all other sustainable features)
What is done when a shoe is worn or broken? Do we throw it in the garbage? Do we recycle shoes? Or do the brands that made the sneakers also offer a circular solution.
The circular economy in the shoe business means the brands collect the shoes and separates the parts for compost and mixed waste. Or the brand reuses the old shoes to make new shoes.
When a sneaker brand achieves to be really zero waste, they can claim they are Eco Friendly.

How to measure your feet for the perfect Vegan and Eco Friendly sneakers size

We always recommend measuring both feet, so you can convert shoe sizes between the US, UK, and European size systems: Here’s a simple how-to post about it. It’s good to measure your feet once a year, as feet change when getting older, and our Size charts and fitting guide will help you get the appropriate size. How to Measure your Feet ? Read all about it here.
Probably you don’t feel like reading or quickly want to buy those sustainable and Eco-friendly Sneakers.
To make it easy, we summed up our tips to measure your feet:

Measure your or your kid’s feet in the afternoon.
Stand When Measuring, but with smaller children this is not needed
Wear socks
Be precise
Measure both feet
Stand on a piece of paper
Start drawing
Measure the length of your feet
Find your width fitting by drawing or with measuring tape
(for infants, toddlers and little kids shoes, this step is optional)
Determine your size in the conversion charts

Sustainable Sneakers Brands (75 and counting!)

8000Kicks – Waterproof Cannabis Vegan Sneakers

Empowering customers to opt-in for a more sustainable lifestyle by providing a superior eco-friendly footwear solution. And the way 8000kicks is going to do that is by making hemp great again and using all it’s super properties to make super products.

Are 8000Kicks sneakers Vegan? Yes
Are 8000Kicks sneakers Sustainable? Yes
Are 8000Kicks sneakers recyclable? No, We didn’t find any recycling program, however, the Sneakers are made of materials with 100g of harmful algae inside, 72% less CO2 used and 70% less water used
Do 8000Kicks Sneakers come in Children’s sizes? No, a teenager size 36 will be able to wear them.
Do 8000Kicks Sneakers fit true to size? Yes, follow your measurement in centimeters or inches. Discover the full 8000Kicks collection here.

Adidas Clean Classics

Classics shouldn’t stand in place. That’s why the Clean Classics pack reimagines iconic silhouettes with new, eco-conscious processes. The result is something endlessly stylish and totally sustainable. Each shoe meets the Primegreen standard, signifying at least 50% of the upper is made from recycled materials. The models: Stan Smith, Sleek, Continental, Superstar, and Supercourt.

Are Adidas Clean Classics sneakers Vegan? Yes
Are Adidas Clean Classics sneakers Sustainable? Yes
Are Adidas Clean Classics sneakers recyclable? No.
Do Adidas Clean Classics Sneakers come in Children’s sizes? No, a teenager size 36 will be able to wear them.
Do Adidas Clean Classics Sneakers fit true to size? Yes, follow your measurement in centimeters or inches. Discover the full Adidas Size Chart here.

Adidas Edgebounce Parley Shoes

ADIDAS Edgebounce 1.5 Parley Shoes Black SIZE-CHARTS

Adidas Edgebounce Parley Shoes

EDGEBOUNCE 1.5 PARLEY SHOES, A CUSHIONED, VERSATILE SHOE FOR POWER RUNS AND GYM BURSTS.

These ultra-breathable shoes feature a lightweight mesh upper crafted with yarns sourced from recycled plastic. The women’s-specific design features a wide forefoot and heel platform for enhanced stability while running or cross training.

Are Adidas Edgebounce 1.5 Parley sneakers Vegan? Yes
Are Adidas Edgebounce 1.5 Parley sneakers Sustainable? Yes
Are Adidas Edgebounce 1.5 Parleysneakers recyclable? No.
Do Adidas Edgebounce 1.5 Parley Sneakers come in Children’s sizes? No, a teenager size 36 will be able to wear them.
Do Adidas Edgebounce 1.5 Parley Sneakers fit true to size? Yes, follow your measurement in centimeters or inches. Discover the full Adidas Size Chart here.

Adidas FutureCraft

Adidas Ultraboost 20 Primeblue

Adidas Primeknit upper wraps the foot for targeted support that enhances movement. Primeblue features Parley Ocean Plastic® which is made from recycled waste, intercepted from beaches and coastal communities before it reaches the ocean.

Are Adidas Ultraboost 20 Primeblue Vegan? Yes
Are Adidas Ultraboost 20 Primeblue Sustainable? Yes
Are Adidas Ultraboost 20 Primeblue recyclable? No.
Do Adidas Ultraboost 20 Primeblue come in Children’s sizes? No, a teenager size 36 will be able to wear them.
Do Adidas Ultraboost 20 Primeblue fit true to size? Yes Discover the full Adidas Size Chart here.

Ahimsa

AKS Fair Trade

All my Eco

Allbirds

As a certified B-corporation and by far one of the most know Eco brands on the Planet; Allbirds stands for Simplicity in design, confidence in comfort and made from nature.

Are Allbirds sneakers Vegan? Yes
Are Allbirds sneakers Sustainable? Yes
Are Allbirds sneakers recyclable? Yes, however, they don’t offer a recycling program; Allbirds works together with solesforsouls, so lightly used Allbirds find new life all around the world
Do Allbirds Sneakers come in Children’s sizes? No, a teenager size 35 will be able to wear them.
Do Allbirds Sneakers fit true to size? Yes, Allbirds sneakers fit true to size. Discover the full review on Allbirds sneakers here.

Arcas Bear

Avesu

Avre

Baabuk

Bangs

Basq Company

BeFlamboyant

Bleed Clothing Eco4Sneaker

Bohempia – Czech Hemp Vegan Shoes

Cariuma

Converse Renew

Dope Kicks

Dr Martens 1460 Vegan

Flamingo’s is a Spanish brand and is pretty new on the market. The style and design of eco-friendly sneakers are timeless and cool.

ANIMAL FREE CORPORATION – IN THE BUSINESS TO SAVE THE PLANET

Are Dr Martens 1460 Vegan? No, but they released a Vegan version of their iconic 1460 model
Are Dr Martens 1460 Sustainable? No
Are Dr Martens 1460 Vegan recyclable? No, Dr. Martens has a lifetime warranty collection and uses packaging from 100% post-consumer waste materials. That’s it
Do Dr Martens 1460 come in Children’s sizes? Yes, also in the vegan verrsion
Do Dr Martens 1460 Vegan fit true to size? yes, although generally the Dr Martens 1460 boots fit roomy. Check the full Dr Martens 1460 Size Charts and fitting here.

Ecoalf

Eco Vegan Shoes

Ethletic

Etiko

Flamingo’s

Flamingo’s is a Spanish brand and is pretty new on the market. The style and design of eco-friendly sneakers are timeless and cool.

ANIMAL FREE CORPORATION – IN THE BUSINESS TO SAVE THE PLANET

Are Flamingo’s sneakers Vegan? Yes
Are Flamingo’s sneakers Sustainable? Yes
Are Flamingo’s sneakers recyclable? No, however, they don’t offer a recycling program; Each of the Flamingo’s sneakers has a social project associated with it, with which they manage to balance their impact and improve the lives of the most vulnerable living beings.
Do Flamingo’s Sneakers come in Children’s sizes? No, a teenager size 36 will be able to wear them. The sneakers come in Unisex sizes
Do Flamingo’s Sneakers fit true to size? No, Flamingo’s should be bought 1 size smaller than usual. When you’re in between sizes, you better size down.

Freewaters

Genesis Footwear

GiessWein

Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather (100% vegan)

Greats Royale Knit

Groundies

Humans Are Vain (100% vegan)

Inkkas

Keep

Komrads (100% vegan)

Matt & Nat

Muki

Nae

Native Shoes

New Movements

Nike Air Max 2090

Nike Air Vapor Max 2020 FK

Nike Space Hippie 03

Natural World

Noah

No Saints

Nothing New

Novesta

On Cyclon

Pangaia

Po-Zu

Purple Impression

Reebok UPC UK Corn and Cotton Shoes

Rens

Rothy’s

Salubata

Saola

Saye

Sole Rebels

Thies (adults and kids)

Thousand Fell

Tommy x Lewis

Tommy Zero Waste Sneakers

TOMS Earthwise

Tread by Everlane

Tretorn

Tropic Feel

Vegetarian Shoes

Veja

The idea behind a pair of VEJA: standing up with one foot in design and the other in social responsibility. VEJA chose to make sneakers, because this product is a symbol for our generation and our era.

Are Veja sneakers Vegan? No, as Veja also offers leather and suede sneakers, however, we consider Veja to be Vegan-friendly.
Are Allbirds sneakers Sustainable? Yes
Are Allbirds sneakers Recyclable? Now, they don’t offer a recycling program; Veja is a brand that is so real and authentic that it deserves our full YES on this question.
read about the VEJA project here.
Do VEJA Sneakers come in Children’s Sizes? No, a teenager size 36 will be able to wear them.
Do VEJA Sneakers fit true to size? Yes, VEJA sneakers fit true to size.
Read the full Veja Eco Sneakers review on size-charts here.

Why consider Vegan and sustainable sneakers?

For our planet’s sake, all of us should pay attention to everything we buy to buy products that have a minor impact on the environment.

Some Key facts:

More than 23 billion pairs of sneakers are made every year, around 15% or more than 300 million pairs end up in the garbage, each year!
It takes about 35 years for a pair to fully decompose.
Sneakers are one of the most wasteful retail items to produce. However, the major brands keep on launching new styles, new co-labs, new limited editions each year. No signs of any slow-down whatsoever.
Sneakers are fast becoming a favorite in the footwear scene. Women’s sneaker sales grew 37 percent in 2020, while high heel sales fell by 11 percent.
Young shoppers become are getting more concerned about the environmental impacts caused by the clothes and shoe industry.
Many start-up brands find it’s way into this sneaker niche and also the major brands become more aware to offer sustainable alternatives.

The picture in this post is by Jonathan Borba via Pexels

Brands, Comfort Size Charts, Fitting, Shoe Size Chart, Shoe size charts, Sneakers, Sustainable Size Charts