Culture Sustainable Fashion The Best Vegan Shoes for Men Rothy's Driving Loafer is our top pick for animal-free footwear. By Neeti Mehra Neeti Mehra Neeti is a freelance writer for Treehugger who covers sustainability and conscious living. She has edited three magazines during her career and she is currently a columnist and is a contributor to a host of publications. Learn about our editorial process Updated July 18, 2022 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Culture History Travel Sustainable Fashion Art & Media Holidays Community We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Getty. If you want to avoid animal-based materials such as leather and suede, there are a range of vegan options when it comes to footwear. However, some vegan kicks can be detrimental to the environment. For instance, a popular animal skin alternative in the shoe industry is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a petroleum-based plastic. PVC contains concerning chemicals like phthalates, and can take up to a century to biodegrade in a landfill. For Treehugger's list, we’ve instead picked options made from stuff such as recycled plastic bottles, cork, polyurethane (though plastic-based, it's considered more earth-friendly than PVC), and hemp. Whether you're looking for classic dress shoes, loungy loafers, or even preppy sneakers, we’ve sussed out the shelves for long-lasting shoes that are kind to animals, the environment, and workers. Ahead, our edit of the best vegan shoes for men that add a smooth finish to a sharp wardrobe. The Rundown Best Overall: Rothy's The Driving Loafer at Rothys.com Jump to Review Best Budget: TOMS Men's Alpargata Heritage Canvas at Amazon Jump to Review Best Office: Nae Vegan Shoes Jake at Nae-vegan.com Jump to Review Best for Walking: HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 6 at REI Jump to Review Best Boat Shoes: Noah Italian Vegan Shoes Sailing Shoes at Noah-shop.com Jump to Review Best Sneaker: Yatay Model B1 at Goldengoose.com Jump to Review Best Casual: Sanuk Vagabond St Hemp at Journeys.com Jump to Review Best Dress Shoe: Matt & Nat GABE Men's Vegan Oxford at Mattandnat.com Jump to Review Best Overall Rothy's The Driving Loafer 4.9 Rothy's View On Rothys.com Sporty, sustainable and stylish, our top pick of vegan shoes for men is Rothy’s retro-inspired versatile loafer made using plant-based materials and recycled plastic bottles. We love the cleverly-knitted upper made from yarn spun from discarded plastic bottles, making the shoe soft and breathable even on sweaty summer days. The knit technique also reduces material wastage by 30%, as compared to if it had been cut and sewn conventionally. The loafer is fitted with nubby, grippy outsoles made from plant-based and natural materials. Its super cushiony, double-density insoles are made from plant-based PU. To wash, simply remove the insoles and give them a quick spin around the washing machine, before letting them air dry. Slide on these loafers on naked feet straight from the box. Available in four fabulous shades, including Desert Camo and Forest Camo, be ready to slay the sidewalk. Best Budget TOMS Men's Alpargata Heritage Canvas 4.9 Toms View On Amazon View On Toms.com Enjoy the sunshine with your feet sheathed in affordable, 100% vegan canvas slip-ons in the much-loved espadrille silhouette from TOMS. It’s a part of the certified B Corp’s Earthwise collection that revolves around eco-friendly materials and processes. The Alpargata Heritage Canvas’ upper is blend of eco-fibres such as jute. Its OrthoLite insole is made from sustainable materials, such as recycled rubber, adding a natural spring to your step. The lovely Mediterranean-inspired shades with dreamy names like Mustang Brown, Majolica Blue, and Olive Washed come from a dyeing process that uses colors extracted from natural botanicals. What’s more, giving back to the community is a top priority for TOMS. Since 2006, it has positively impacted around 100 million people by donating shoes and contributing to causes. The company has committed a third of profits to grassroot efforts, amplifying change from the bottom up. We dig. Price at time of publish: $48 Best Office Nae Vegan Shoes Jake Nae View On Nae-vegan.com Ace the business casual look with the sexy Jake, a classic blucher shoe handcrafted from textured vegan leather by Portuguese cruelty-free footwear brand Nae (which stands for "No Animal Exploitation"). Sharp enough to schlep with suits for board meetings and minimalistic enough to jam with jeans on casual Friday, Nae’s bluchers (a formal shoe with an open throat lacing) are available in shades of brown, black, and even cork should you prefer. The style is inspired from the classic bluchers, an ingenious invention of Prussian Field Marshall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, who wanted his troops to be comfortable in easy-to-wear boots. The lining and insole of the Jakes are made from OEKO-TEX certified microfibers (meaning free from harmful substances) and are antimicrobial and hypoallergenic. Fitted with Neolite soles (made from synthetic rubber) and Masonite heels (made from wood fiber), these simple yet sophisticated bluchers are perfect for pounding up the corporate ladder. Price at time of publish: $154 Best for Walking HOKA ONE ONE Men's Bondi 6 Running Shoe 4.2 Hoka View On REI View On Amazon View On Hokaoneone.com Don't let fashion distract you from the fact that walking in Hoka One One’s Bondi 6 makes you feel like you're walking on marshmallows. Bondi is the most cushioned line from the company's wheelhouse, and Bondi 6 is completely vegan. Though designed for running, they’re equally forgiving on your knees and ankles, especially if you spend most of the day standing around or clopping on hard surfaces. The mesh construction is engineered to let your feet breathe, while the heel frame gives you ample support. Fitted with a rubber outsole, the dreamy softness comes from the EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate that gives rubber-like softness and flexibility) midsole that stretches from heel to toe and is especially molded to fit perfectly. A part of the United Nations Global Compact, a voluntary initiative to embrace universally sustainable principles, Hoka One One is working towards using better materials, reducing waste and improving its manufacturing process, all detailed in its Corporate Responsibility Report. If that’s not enough, the shoes come with a 30-day guarantee where you can exchange or refund them, no questions asked. The 8 Best Hiking Boots of 2023 Best Boat Shoes Noah Italian Vegan Shoes Sailing Shoes Noah Italian Vegan Shoes View On Noah-shop.com Whether you’re hanging off the coast of Capri or just 5 feet from the family’s kiddie pool, strut in style wearing Italian company Noah’s unisex PETA-approved vegan sailing shoes. Classically styled and Italian-made from microsuede, a quality microfiber that mimics suede, they’re water repellent, lightweight, and hypoallergenic. The non-slip sole is a mix of natural rubber and recycled synthetic materials, so it's grippy even when you’re navigating puddles. Even the glue used in the making is water-based. We love the soft lining, which means you can go sock-free, and the contrasting thread finish. Wear them with shorts or khakis and you’ll have people wanting to yank them right off your feet. Price at time of publish: $191 The Best Sustainable Sunglasses for Bright Days Ahead Best Sneaker Yatay Model B1 Yatay View On Goldengoose.com Conscious kicks inspired by Butia Yatay or the jelly palm tree, Yatay Model 1B are vegan waterproof sneakers. They’re hand made in Marche, Italy using a smorgasbord bio-based materials. Earning an A in aesthetics, the sneakers also score high in their green credentials. Instead of using petroleum-based synthetic leather substitutes, the sneakers are crafted from non-food plant sources. Natural rubber soles add buoyancy to the insoles, and is also biodegradable. We love that each sneaker has a unique code embedded on the heels. Use the digits to plant a tree when these kicks are new, and learn how to recycle them if they fall apart. Strung with recycled cotton and polyester laces, it’s good to know they run half a size large before you shop. Price at time of publish: $350 Best Casual Sanuk Vagabond St Hemp Sanuk View On Journeys.com View On Sanuk.com Slide into Sanuk’s comfy and cruelty-free sidewalk surfers made from a hardy and hip hemp blend. The upper is an equal mix of hemp and cotton, with a soft, springy foam midsole. A contoured, antimicrobial EVA footbed hugs your foot, lending support. The outsole is a combination of 47% recycled EVA foam and virgin rubber each, with just a smattering of straw. They're easy to clean, just pop the surfers into the washing machine with a color-safe detergent for a cold spin, letting them air dry. Ruggedly handsome with frayed edges, they’re available in three earthy shades. Consider styling them with breezy and rumpled linen trousers or loose and loungy swim trunks this season. Price at time of publish: $60 Best Dress Shoe Matt & Nat GABE Men's Vegan Oxford Matt & Nat View On Mattandnat.com For formal occasions, a classic Oxford is great choice. This pair from Matt & Nat is classic in every sense except it's not made from the traditional leather, but instead a polyurethane leather alternative, which is available in black and brown. This pair has wingtip detailing, but if you prefer a pair without this addition consider the ITOKI design (available in brown).We also like that Matt & Nat is committed to ethical manufacturing, with routine audits of its factories to ensure fair wages and safe working conditions. Price at time of publish: $165 Final Verdict We’re partial towards the cleverly designed and extremely comfy Rothy’s The Driving Loafer with a flexible knit upper made from recycled plastic bottles this season. Our budget pick is the much-loved Heritage Canvas Alpargata from TOMS. Why Trust Treehugger? Put your best foot forward with our pick of vegan men’s footwear. We looked for durable and comfortable shoes which ticked the right boxes when it came to the animal-free materials. Our shortlist also considered other factors such as the company’s impact on the environment, giving back to the community, and and ethical supply chain. Author Neeti Mehra is a luxury-industry veteran who’s also committed to sustainable, slow, and mindful living. She is an advocate of conscious consumption and believes that a thoughtfully made purchase, however small, can make a difference. The 9 Best Eco-Friendly Sneakers of 2023