The Best Ethical & Sustainable Boots for Fall
As we enter fall it's time trade in the flip flops and break out the boots! If you're looking for new boots that are made with slow fashion practices, this guide will discuss choices of material and some eco-friendly brands.
We've found quality footwear brands that will last you a long time with options in your price range, too. From classic riding boots, to Chelsea boots, to knee-highs or cowboy style, there’s an eco-friendly option waiting for you in any category!
This post does contain some affiliate links which means The Honest Consumer may receive a commission if you decided to purchase. Our commission is at no additional expense to you!
A few ethical and sustainable boot brands we’ll be exploring include:
Read on to learn about the eco-friendly practices these brands use and learn more about sustainable boot shopping.
It's all about knowing what to look for in areas like materials, ethics, and certifications - and, to make things even easier, you can always just pick from one of the amazing options we've vetted on this list.
Finding sustainable products in the fashion industry can be overwhelming, but hopefully this guide makes finding the perfect sustainable pair of boots easier.
What different materials should I look for when shopping for sustainable boots?
When shopping for ethical boots it's important to define what ethical and sustainable means to you as a consumer.
This helps narrow down the type of material to look for when shoe shopping. For example if you try to avoid animal products, it would make more sense to look for vegan shoes.
If you are okay with purchasing responsibly sourced leather products, be sure to look for leather that is a byproduct of the meat industry or up cycled leather products as this is a more sustainable type of leather.
One of the biggest keys is investing in boots that are well made with high quality materials so they are able to last for years to come.
Vegan leather is defined by PETA as material made from polyurethane, a polymer that can be made to order for any designer’s whim. It can also be made from innovative and sustainable materials such as pineapple leaves, cork, apple peels, other fruit waste, and recycled plastic. If you choose to shop for vegan leather boots. try choosing the plant based materials and avoiding the plastic based content.
Recycled materials such as leather scraps or old leather products can be transformed into new can be a more sustainable way to shop for boots.
Leather that is a byproduct of the meat industry. This means no additional animals are harmed in the making of your shoes and accessories.
Vegetable tanned leather is a chemical free process that uses tannins found in different vegetable and plant matter such as bark, leaves, roots, wood, and fruits.
8 Sustainable Shoe Brands with Eco-friendly Boots
These ethical shoe brands focus on fair wages, natural materials, and sustainable shoes. You're sure to find a pair of ethical boots with a low environmental impact.
You're sure to find a pair of ethical boots with a low environmental impact and a brand guaranteed to use ethical practices in this list! You'll also find different styles, and a mix of smaller and popular brands.
BHAVA: VEGAN LEATHER BOOTS
BHAVA is a vegan shoe brand creating high end boots, clogs, sandals, heels, and more.
This cruelty free brands strives to find a compassionate approach to design shoes using leather alternatives that are mindful of the environment and working conditions for those through out their supply chain.
From organic cotton linings, to hand painted embossed cork, and premium recycled microfibers, BHAVA’s creative director travels throughout Europe and India to develop signature fabrications.
BHAVA's boots feature booties, hikers, and knee high styles. With a wide range of colors including burgundy, tan snake, black, brown, and beige, these boots are perfect for the modern woman. BHAVA’s vegan boots range from $125-$300.
NISOLO'S RESPONSIBLY MADE LEATHER BOOTS for MEN & WOMEN
Nisolo is a certified B Corporation crafting high quality, ethically made leather goods using socially responsible practices.
Through their sustainable leather shoes, Nisolo creates steady employment opportunities for shoemakers in Peru & Mexico, allowing artisans to support themselves and their families.
Nisolo uses sustainable practices such as eco-friendly waste disposal systems, leather byproducts from the meat industry, & carbon offsetting to craft leather goods that are meant to last a life time.
On top of paying fair wages, using sustainable practices, & working with artisan abroad, Nisolo also gives back through their Shoe Reclamation Program.
Nisolo is committed to diverting shoes from ending up in landfills through their partnership with Soles4Souls.
The certified B Corp encourages customers to mail in their old shoes which then get donated to Soles4Souls, a non-profit that turns unwanted shoes and clothing into opportunity, by putting them to good use - providing relief, creating jobs and breaking the cycle of poverty. In exchange for donating unwanted shoes, Nisolo customers receive a $30 store credit.
Nisolo boots feature men & woman’s styles including commuter boots, all-weather boots, heeled boots, and everyday boots. Their classic colors are timeless and are a great choice when purchasing shoes that are crafted to last for years to come.
Their boots range from $200-$250. I personally own the Dari Commuter Boots and the Lana Ankle Boots which I love. I’ve had them for a couple years and they’ve held up very well.
The Root Collective Fair Trade Boots
The Root Collective partners with small, independent workshops in Guatemala City, Pastores, Antigua, and other small communities.
The Root Collective's goal is to support existing workshops that are run by local business owners. All of their partners and leather working groups receive beyond fair trade wages.
The Root Collective believes small business has the power to create incredible change in communities through jobs, and they want to support and empower those local leaders to continue to see change through employment.
The Root Collective boots feature unique woven designs and allows for customers to customize their boot by choosing different colors of handwoven fabrics and high quality leather.
This fair trade shoe brand carries boots for men and women. Their boots range from $258-$268, but consumers can find great deals with their "Less Than Perfect" section.
STELLA MCCARTNEY's VEGAN BOOTS
Stella McCartney has been a lead innovator in the world of sustainable luxury. This high end ethical fashion brand is always looking for ways to be more circular.
All of Stella McCartney products are vegan friendly. Ethical shoppers will discover unique knee high boots, platform boots, and combat boots that feature a range of bold colors and designs.
Stella McCartney's shoes feature eco-friendly materials such as faux-leather derby, sustainable wood soles, and Alter Nappa faux leather.
These shoes are particularly unique with their height difference, the collection of shoes at Nordstrom features quite a few platform options which add a fun element. As a high end fashion brand these shoes are going to be a bit more pricey ranging from $700-$1500.
TOMS AFFORDABLE BOOTS for Men & Women
TOMS as expanded way beyond their classic Alpargatas and become more stylish including booties, heeled boots, and more.
While the materials differ from style to style, TOMS boots feature Built-in OrthoLite® Eco X4 Hybrid™ insoles for high-rebound, long-term cushioning made with plant derived and recycled materials.
TOMS started as a one for one shoe company, the social enterprise has shifted their business model to create further impact in developing communities. Now Toms focuses on providing grants and other community outreach programs.
For every $3 made they give away $1 to focus on physical safety, mental health, and equal opportunity. Toms is a certified B Corporation working to expand their sustainable materials. Tom's shoes can range from $100-$170 depending on the style.
VIVAIA - DIVERSE, SUSTAINABLE DESIGNS
Since 2020, VIVAIA has been dedicated to creating superior products for both you and the planet. Their mission is to make a positive impact on the world and the people around them.
VIVAIA has successfully developed a line of high-end footwear and apparel that is both luxurious and fashion-forward, while also being of exceptional quality.
Their sustainable materials include Recycled PET, EVA, Recycled Faux Fur, and more.
At VIVAIA, they focus on producing comfortable shoes that combine cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices for the ultimate in eco-friendly footwear.
DARZAH'S HANDMADE PALESTANIAN BOOTS
Darzah is a non-profit, ethical fashion brand creating authentic, handmade Palestinian products. The embroidery style, tatreez, is a traditional art form passed down through centuries of women.
Their goal is to bring tatreez apparel and décor to the world in order to celebrate and preserve Palestinian heritage.
As a brand that values ethics, they are committed to providing their employees fair working wages and conditions.
The artisans are women from the West Bank who have historically endured marginalization in the form of low-income, gender inequality, and lack of economic opportunities.
Their products are 100% handmade in Palestine. They collaborate with skilled shoe and bag makers in Al-Khalil/Hebron to design the products, and their artisans hand-embroider each piece with a beautiful tatreez motif.
All of the leather is locally sourced from a family-run leather manufacturer in the Al-Khalil region.
Darzah boots can be purchased for $209-$265.
Each and every purchase from Darzah contributes to artisan salaries, employment programs, and job training in the West Bank. To learn more about their work and the “Tatreez Archive,” please watch their fundraising campaign video below.
Darzah is a project of Child’s Cup Full, a non-profit initiative based in Zababdeh, a village located in the northern West Bank.
Child’s Cup Full is focused on economic empowerment for women in the area through Darzah and Zeki Learning, a brand creating educational toys for children.
MATT & NAT VEGAN RECYCLED BOOTS
Passionate and in awe of the world around them, the idea for MAT(T)ERIAL and NATURE came to life in 1995, in the vibrant city of Montreal.
At MATT & NAT, they live by the motto, “live beautifully”. This means they appreciate and cherish the creativity and positivity found in all of us. They value social responsibility, excellence, inclusiveness, integrity, authenticity and, of course, love.
They have and will forever be committed to not using leather or any other animal based materials in their designs. Each season, they continue to explore and utilize innovative ways to improve their sustainable and eco-friendly ways, while still producing high-quality and timeless products.
Over the years, they have been experimenting with different recycled materials such as nylons, cardboard, rubber, cork and now windshield resins. Since 2007, they have been committed to using linings made solely of 100% recycled plastic bottles.
Today, MATT & NAT is proud to announce that they recycle over 9 million plastic bottles annually in the manufacturing of their bags.
MATT & NAT collections can now be found in over 800 boutiques across Canada, the United States, the UK, Japan, Germany and Australia. Their boots can be purchased for $130-$200.
Eco-Friendly Boot Shopping Tip: Do A Mini Brand Audit
Like when shopping for any other sustainable product, it helps to review the ethics of the brand behind your dream boots.
Here are a few quick and easy checkpoints to cover that you should be able to find on their website without issue. Transparency is ALWAYS key in brand shopping, and especially so when it comes down to eco-friendly ethics you want to align with.
Do they consistently use recycled, upcycled, green materials?
Do they actively reduce their carbon footprint by adjusting transport methods? For example, producing locally.
Are the rest of their operations sustainable? What are their production facilities like?
Are their materials sustainably and ethically sourced? Use the guide above to more thoroughly research material use and what to specifically look for.
In addition to reviewing shoe materials, take a look at the packaging they use. Many eco-friendly companies use recycled materials or biodegradable materials to house their footwear.
Again, as with researching any green brand, seeing certifications is always a plus. Common ones to look for are Certified B Corp, 1% For The Planet, Green Business Bureau, and Global Organic Textile Standard, but there are countless more wonderful accreditations they could possess!
Hopefully this guide helped you find some good options if you're looking to purchase new shoes this fall.
Remember, your choice in fashion can impact the world in more ways than one. Consciously choosing to shop from a sustainable brand or business helps you limit fabric wastage, curate a conscious closet, and adopt a lifestyle that doesn't contribute to the depletion or abuse of valuable resources.
Sustainable fashion is totally possible and doesn't have to be hard, including finding a quality pair of shoes with ethical sourcing.
Whether you're in search of a vegan brand, specific fair labor practices in use, or other personally valued qualities, there will definitely be the perfect boot out there for you!
For more ethical & sustainable fashion tips be sure to follow The Honest Consumer on social media, subscribe to our newsletter, & check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory.