Vegan Shoes Made in Europe – Discover 10 Ethical European Brands
On the hunt for sustainable fashion, vegan shoes have emerged as a popular choice for conscious consumers. But not all vegan shoes are created equal. If you are looking to make an even more eco-friendly choice, consider vegan shoes made in Europe. In today’s fashion landscape, embracing personal style while making ethical choices has become paramount. The demand for vegan shoes made in Europe is soaring, as consumers seek shoes that align with both their values and aesthetic preferences. Let’s delve into some remarkable European brands that are leading the way in crafting exquisite, cruelty-free footwear.
Why Choose Vegan Shoes Made in Europe?
Opting for vegan shoes made in Europe offers several compelling benefits:
- Stringent Environmental Standards: European manufacturers adhere to rigorous environmental regulations, ensuring sustainable and eco-friendly production processes.
- Superior Craftsmanship: European artisans are renowned for their meticulous attention to detail, resulting in high-quality, durable footwear.
- Ethical Labor Practices: European labor laws protect workers’ rights, promoting fair wages and safe working conditions.
What are Vegan Leather Material Options?
1. Polyurethane (PU) Leather: One of the most common vegan leather materials, PU leather, is made from a plastic polymer. It is versatile, affordable, and widely used in the fashion industry. Modern PU leather is designed to mimic the look and feel of real leather, offering a cruelty-free alternative that is also more eco-friendly than its PVC counterpart. However, PU Leather is not the best option since it is not very durable and also not biodegradable.
2. Microfiber: Microfiber vegan leather is another popular option. It is made from ultra-fine synthetic fibers, providing a high-quality, durable, and breathable material that closely resembles animal leather. Microfiber is often used in high-end vegan shoes for its superior performance and aesthetic appeal. Also this option is not biodegradable, and therefore not the best option.
3. Cork: Cork is a natural and renewable material harvested from the bark of cork oak trees. It is lightweight, water-resistant, and biodegradable, making it an excellent choice for sustainable footwear. Cork leather is not only eco-friendly but also offers unique texture and appearance.
4. Piñatex: Piñatex is an innovative material made from the fibers of pineapple leaves. It is a byproduct of the pineapple industry, providing a sustainable alternative to leather. Piñatex is strong, flexible, and has a distinct, textured finish that adds a unique touch to vegan shoes.
5. Mushroom Leather: Mushroom leather, or mycelium leather, is a cutting-edge material derived from the root structure of mushrooms. It is biodegradable, requires minimal resources to produce, and has a leather-like texture. As a relatively new entrant to the vegan leather market, mushroom leather is gaining popularity for its sustainability and innovative production process.
6. Recycled Materials: Some vegan leather is made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles or reclaimed rubber. These options help reduce waste and give new life to materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.
Is Vegan Leather Better Than Real Leather, Even if Genuine Leather is Reused from Industry Waste?
- Environmental Impact: The production of real leather involves significant environmental concerns, including deforestation, water consumption, and chemical pollution from tanning processes. Even when leather is reused from industry waste, the initial environmental footprint of its production remains considerable. Vegan leather, especially when made from sustainable materials like cork, Piñatex, or mushroom leather, generally has a lower environmental impact.
- Animal Welfare: Vegan leather is inherently cruelty-free, as it does not involve the use of animal products. This aligns with the values of those who advocate for animal rights.
- Durability and Performance: Modern vegan leathers are designed to be durable and high-performing. While traditional PU leather might not match the longevity of high-quality real leather, newer materials like microfiber, Piñatex, and mushroom leather offer excellent durability and performance. Additionally, innovations in vegan leather technology continue to close the gap in quality between vegan and real leather.
- Ethical Considerations: Using leather, even if it is repurposed from industry waste, still perpetuates the demand for animal products. Opting for vegan leather supports the development and growth of cruelty-free alternatives, fostering a market that prioritizes sustainability and ethical practices.
When it comes to vegan shoe brands, there are several that stand out for their commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and stylish designs. Vegan shoes made in Europe: Discover our top 10 brand picks. Some of the best ethical sneakers and shoes worth considering.
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Top 10 European-Made Vegan Shoe Brands
Flamingos Life
Spain
Flamingos’ Life offers a unique range of vegan shoes made in Europe, combining style and sustainability. Proudly made in Spain, the brand uses eco-friendly materials like recycled plastics, natural rubber, and organic cotton. Flamingos’ Life is committed to reducing environmental impact and promoting ethical practices. Discover their fashionable and durable vegan shoes, perfect for conscious consumers seeking both style and sustainability.
- Expertly crafted with high standards of quality and sustainability
- Utilizes recycled plastics, natural rubber, and organic cotton
- Dedicated to transparency, fair labor, and reducing environmental footprint
- Offers contemporary designs that are built to last, aligning fashion with environmental responsibility
Shop Flamingos Life unisex vegan shoes made in Europe
MoEa
france
MoEa is a Paris-based footwear brand founded in 2021 with a mission to revolutionize the sneaker industry through sustainable innovation. The name “MoEa” stands for Mother Earth, reflecting the brand’s dedication to environmental responsibility. Co-founded by Achille Gazagnes and Benoit Habfast, MoEa combines cutting-edge design with eco-friendly materials to create stylish, vegan sneakers that don’t compromise on performance or aesthetics.
- Plant-Based Materials: MoEa utilizes bio-based leathers made from fruits and plants, including pineapple, cactus, corn, apple, and grape, to replace traditional leather and plastic materials.
- Handcrafted in Europe: Each pair of MoEa sneakers is meticulously handcrafted in Guimarães, Portugal, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship and supporting local artisans.
- Sustainable Production: The brand emphasizes local production within the European Union to minimize carbon emissions and promote ethical manufacturing practices.
- Certified and Transparent: MoEa collaborates with organizations like FAIRLY MADE® to measure and reduce the carbon footprint of their products, ensuring transparency and accountability in their sustainability efforts.
Shop MoEa vegan shoes made in Europe for women
Shop MoEa vegan shoes made in Europe for men
Saye
spain
SAYE is a Barcelona-based sneaker brand designing vegan, sustainable sneakers handmade in Portugal and Spain. Using innovative materials like Corn Nappa, Apple Nappa, Bamboo Yarn, and Recycled Rubber, they champion responsible consumption and transparent, ethical production. With a commitment to reducing their footprint, SAYE plants a tree for every pair sold and is working toward B-Corp certification.
- Vegan sneakers handmade in Portugal & Spain
- Materials: corn, apple, cactus, bamboo, organic cotton, recycled rubber & PET
- Transparent supply chain with BCome
- Plants one tree per pair, supporting social & sustainability projects
Shop SAYE vegan shoes made in Europe for women and men (unisex)
Zeta
france
A French sneaker label from Bordeaux that proves fashion can be stylish and 100% vegan. Zèta creates minimalist sneakers using innovative, plant-based and recycled materials like grape waste from wine production. Made ethically in Portugal, every pair is designed with zero-waste principles and full transparency, making Zèta a standout in Europe’s vegan fashion scene.
- Made from grape waste and other plant-based, recycled materials
- 100% vegan & cruelty-free sneakers
- Commitment to zero-waste and circular design principles
- Ethically produced in Portugal with European craftsmanship
- Radical transparency in sourcing and production
Shop Zeta vegan shoes made in Europe for women
Shop Zeta vegan shoes made in Europe for men
Humans are vain
Sweden
Humans Are Vain is a forward-thinking Swedish footwear brand founded in 2019 with the mission to prove that style and sustainability can go hand in hand. Born from a rejection of fast fashion, the brand creates contemporary vegan sneakers and shoes that combine Scandinavian minimalism with cutting-edge, eco-conscious materials like apple leather and recycled ocean plastics. Every pair is made in small batches in Portugal, ensuring ethical production, premium quality, and reduced environmental impact.
- Innovative Materials: Apple leather, recycled PET, and ocean plastic transformed into stylish footwear.
- Circular Economy: Shoes designed for recycling, supporting a waste-free future.
- Scandinavian Design: Minimalist, contemporary sneakers and shoes for everyday style.
- Certified & Ethical: PETA-approved vegan brand with Ethy-verified sustainability practices.
Shop humans are vain unisex vegan shoes made in Europe
COG
france
COG is a French brand committed to creating stylish, sustainable, and ethical vegan sneaker. Their vegan shoes are designed and manufactured in Portugal, ensuring the highest standards of craftsmanship and sustainability. COG uses innovative materials like recycled PET and vegan leather to produce vegan shoes that is both eco-friendly and fashionable. The brand emphasizes transparency, ethical production practices, and a dedication to minimizing environmental impact.
- Vegan shoes are designed and manufactured in Portugal, known for its high-quality footwear production
- Utilizes materials like recycled PET and vegan leather
- Committed to transparency and ethical production
- Dedicated to minimizing environmental impact through sustainable practices
Nae
Portugal
Nae (No Animal Exploitation) is a Portuguese brand dedicated to creating high-quality vegan shoes made in Europe. They use materials like Piñatex, cork, recycled PET, and ecological microfiber. Nae is committed to ethical production and environmental sustainability.
- Wide range of styles, from casual to formal of vegan shoes for women and men
- Innovative materials such as Piñatex and cork
- Ethical and sustainable production processes in Portugal – vegan shoes made in Europe
Shop Nae vegan shoes made in Europe for women
Shop Nae vegan shoes made in Europe for men
Noah
Germany
NOAH is a German brand that offers high-quality, stylish vegan shoes with a focus on sustainability and ethical production. Made in Italy, NOAH’s vegan shoes blends traditional Italian craftsmanship with modern, eco-friendly materials. The brand uses innovative vegan leathers such as microfiber, organic cotton, and natural rubber, ensuring their European-made vegan shoes are both durable and environmentally responsible. NOAH is dedicated to creating fashionable vegan shoes made in Europe without compromising on ethics or the environment.
- Vegan shoes are designed and manufactured in Italy, renowned for its exceptional shoe-making heritage
- Utilizes vegan leathers such as microfiber, organic cotton, and natural rubber
- Committed to fair labor practices and transparent production processes – Made in Italy
- Focuses on reducing environmental impact through the use of sustainable materials and practices
Will’s Vegan Store
United Kingdom
Will’s Vegan Store offers a stylish collection of women’s vegan shoes, crafted with the highest ethical standards in Portugal and Italy. The brand is dedicated to sustainability, using eco-friendly materials like Ecolabel-certified vegan leather and recycled rubber. With a commitment to cruelty-free fashion, Will’s Vegan Store provides durable, fashionable shoes that aligns with your values. Discover their range of vegan shoes for women and step into a greener, kinder future.
- Designed and manufactured in Portugal and Italy, ensuring exceptional craftsmanship and ethical production
- Uses Ecolabel-certified vegan leather, recycled rubber, and other eco-friendly materials
- 100% vegan shoes, committed to promoting animal welfare and sustainable practices
- Combines contemporary design with long-lasting quality, offering fashionable choices for conscious consumers
Shop Will’s Vegan Store vegan shoes for women
Shop Will’s Vegan Store vegan shoes for men
Ella & Witt
Germany
Ella & Witt is a German brand dedicated to producing stylish, high-quality vegan shoes. Crafted in Europe, their footwear combines contemporary design with sustainable and cruelty-free materials. Ella & Witt uses innovative materials like vegan leather, recycled PET, and other eco-friendly alternatives to ensure their products are both durable and environmentally responsible. The brand is committed to ethical production practices, transparency, and reducing their environmental footprint.
- Vegan shoes are designed and manufactured in Europe, ensuring high standards of quality and ethical production
- Utilizes vegan leather, recycled PET, and other eco-friendly materials
- Dedicated to fair labor practices and transparency in their production processes
- Aims to minimize environmental impact through the use of sustainable materials and responsible manufacturing practices
Shop Ella & Witt unisex vegan shoes made in Europe
Choosing vegan shoes made in Europe is a step towards a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry. European production ensures high environmental and labor standards, while a variety of innovative vegan leather materials offer stylish and durable alternatives to animal leather. Ultimately, vegan leather provides a cruelty-free option with a lower environmental impact, making it a preferable choice for conscious consumers. Whether you are drawn to the sustainability of cork, the innovation of Piñatex, or the ethical implications of going vegan, there are plenty of reasons to make the switch to vegan shoes made in Europe.
Editor’s note: Feature image from Flamingos Life. All images are from brands mentioned. Brand recommendations (unpaid advertising).
