The Top 3 Sustainable Shoe Brands of 2024 – Athletic Shoes

The Ultimate Guide to Walking the Talk

March 29, 2024

The Top 3 Sustainable Shoe Brands according to Karma Wallet
Introduction

The shoe industry known for its swift pace and high waste. Shoe brands undergoing a sustainable transformation. Brands are using eco-friendly practices and sustainable materials such as organic cotton, vegan leather, and recycled plastic bottles.

This shift shows increasing customer demand, and is similar to what is happening in fast fashion.

At Karma Wallet we evaluate each brand’s social and environmental impact. Using our rating system, we’ve identified three standout brands.

Why choose sustainable shoes?

These brands are not just creating another pair of shoes. They’re setting a new standard for what it means to be a sustainable shoes brand. They offer options for vegan sustainable shoes, sustainable shoes for women, and men’s sustainable shoes.


Top 3 Sustainable Shoe Brands

Best Overall: Allbirds

To view their Karma Wallet profile, click here.

Allbirds is our top choice for a sustainable shoe. They craft eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and eucalyptus tree fiber into comfortable shoes. This brand is a beacon for sustainable shoes brands, leading the charge in eco-friendly innovation.

Founders: Tim Brown and Joey Zwillinger

Interesting Fact: Allbirds created world’s first shoe made from merino wool.

Website: allbirds.com

Best for Planet: Icebug

To view their Karma Wallet profile, click here.

Icebug stands out for its dedication to the planet. It is a leader in sustainable shoes, noted for its vegan shoe offerings. With a focus on reducing its carbon footprint, Icebug exemplifies how sustainable shoe brands can positively impact the environment.

Founder: Torbjörn Svensson

Interesting Fact: Icebug is the world’s first climate-positive shoe company. They go beyond offsetting carbon emissions. Icebug actually removes more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it creates.

Website: icebug.com

Best for People: Vivobarefoot

To view their Karma Wallet profile, click here.

We love Vivobarefoot for their focus on both human and planetary health. They offer sustainable shoes for women and men. Their commitment to safe working conditions, living wages, and supply chain transparency sets them apart.

Founders: Galahad Clark and Asher Clark

Interesting Fact: Galahad Clark is part of the Clark family renowned for creating the global shoe company Clarks.

Website: vivobarefoot.com

Other Sustainable Shoe Brands To Check Out

Nisolo: Timeless design. Every-day function. Next level comfort. Learn more here.

TOMS: TOM’s self-adopted mission is to use business to improve lives. Read more here.

CARIUMA: A shoe that gives back to people and planet. See more here.


How to Make Eco-Friendly Choices For Footwear

The shoe industry, like fast fashion and beauty, harms the environment through carbon emissions, water pollution, and waste production.

Brands that produce shoes in excess contribute to these issues. Extra shoes often end up in landfills where they take centuries to decompose.

Opting for brands offering sustainable shoes, and focusing on tan leather alternatives like vegan leather, is crucial. Top brands, including Allbirds, Icebug, and Vivobarefoot are pioneers in the industry. Others are now following, as seen by Nike’s sustainable shoes. These brands use of recycled materials and ensuring their supply chains promote safe working conditions and fair wages. They represent the best sustainable shoes available, actively working to reduce waste and implement eco-friendly practices.

Supporting sustainable shoe brands sends a strong message. It shows a demand for products made in ways that are kinder to the planet and its inhabitants. Every purchase from a sustainable brand contributes to a larger movement towards environmental stewardship and social justice.

The shoe industry faces challenges. Its contribution to environmental and social issues is alarming. Luckily, the emergence of sustainable shoes brands offers a beacon of hope.

By choosing to support these brands, consumers play a crucial role in promoting a more sustainable and ethical future. So, when considering your next pair of shoes, remember the power of your purchase.

Opting for brands that prioritize sustainability can make a significant difference in the world.

Karma Wallet Makes it Affordable

Overall, choosing sustainable shoe brands allows you to align your values with your fashion choices.

With the Karma Wallet Card, you can see the impact of all your spending directly in your app. You can also earn cashback from thousands of sustainable brands, like these and these.

You can read more here about why prepaid debit cards help you and the world.