The benefits of choosing a vegan lifestyle can extend to your health, sustainability, and of course, the well-being of cute and beautiful animals otherwise exploited by big industry. For the most strict, going vegan doesn’t just involve removing animal-based foods from your diet but also avoiding and advocating for products that avoid animal products altogether–cosmetics, toiletries, even apparel, and footwear.
The number of vegans among outdoor enthusiasts communities is undoubtedly on the rise. Still, the dominance of leather in hiking shoes (and in rock climbing shoes) is only beginning to be challenged by the use of synthetic leather and fibers. When done right, these manmade materials can be just as capable as leather, without any harm done to any animals.
What Makes a Vegan Shoe?
To pass the first step in our vegan shoe litmus test, we’re looking at whether the boot uses leather on its upper, the portion that sits atop the sole and secures your foot. This may seem obvious, but it’s not uncommon for bootmakers to use a combination of synthetic fibers and leather (or suede) together, so it’s essential to look closely and check technical descriptions carefully.
With the uppers of the boots cleared, there are only a couple more opportunities for animal products to appear: mainly liners and laces. Leather laces don’t typically come on boots made from synthetic materials, but that’s no reason to overlook that detail. Interior liners and insoles are other places to check for the use of both wool and leather as insulators. A shoe's sole and last can also conceal animal products, so again, keep a close eye on product descriptions.
All shoes on this list have met the aforementioned criteria and been cleared as a vegan option (if you catch an error, give us a shout at hello@fieldmag.com).
Whether you’re devoted to removing animal-based products from your life or simply looking for a leather alternative, consider one of these cruelty-free, vegan options for your next pair of vegan hiking shoes from our favorite brands.
