The Best Vegan Trainers You'll Actually Want to Wear

When it comes to shopping for vegan trainers, it can be hard to find styles that really have it all, especially if you're a sneakerhead. Historically, the footwear industry has been pretty bad for sustainable change, and most sneaker brands have neglected their vegan offerings, opting to deck out most sneaker styles in leather or suede. On the flipside, a lot of vegan shoe brands just don't hit the nail on the head when it comes to styling. But why does it have to be so hard to find the perfect vegan sneaker?

Thankfully, a lot of brands are starting to wake up to the importance of creating a vegan offering, for both animal-friendly and sustainability reasons. Outright activism, plus industry pushes to reduce carbon footprints and environmental impact means that brands have had to reassess exactly what goes into their sneakers, and how they can make them a bit more planet-friendly. Whilst we can't see leather or suede trainers going away anytime soon, a lot of brands have started to expand their current ranges with vegan-friendly versions of their top silhouettes, meaning that stylish vegan sneakers are now much more readily available.

But what makes a shoe vegan? What exactly are vegan trainers made from? Well, as the standard definition for vegan goes, these trainers won't be made up of any animal products or by-products. That means that leather is out, suede is out, sherpas and wools and even certain types of glues are out. To replace these, brands often bring in synthetic faux leathers and suedes, knitted materials made with recycled fibres, and occasionally fruit-based fibres, such as grape leather, to recreate the materials we're used to seeing on our shoes.

Generally, most brands are quick to tell you if certain styles are vegan, with many adding the availability to filter it in on their site. If not though, it's definitely worth looking at the materials list, much like you'd look at the ingredients whilst food shopping. It's also worth familiarising yourself with the iconography on the interior labels or sole stickers as these are a super quick way to be able to tell if your shoes are leather or not while you're browsing your local sneaker store.

Luckily, a lot of brands are beginning to realise the demand for change and provide cruelty-free sneakers. Nike, adidas and New Balance Air Max 90 Veja have a stronger vegan offering. Brands like Converse and Vans often use canvas for their trainers, and sustainable fashion brands like PANGAIA New Balance 990v5 Vegan Sneaker.

So what are we taking into account when we're talking about the best vegan trainers? Well, obviously, firstly they have to actually be vegan. That means they have to fulfill the criteria above and be free from any animal products or derivatives. Then, we'll take into account the style of the trainers (we have to want to wear them, of course!) as well as the quality of the materials used, and their overall comfort levels. Basically, the latter considerations are how we'd judge any sneaker.

do have vegan versions of their most popular silhouettes, but companies like.

Price: £200

Air Jordan 4 New Balance 990 gracing the feet of some very stylish city gal on your Instagram feed, but did you know they now make a vegan version of the sneaker? Originally sporting a suede and mesh construction, the Air Jordan 4 Sneaker boasts a fully synthetic upper for a cruelty-free finish. Although you're much more likely to see them on the city streets, the 990 was originally a running shoe, so it also comes with a cushioned midsole and Ortholite insoles for added comfort and cushioning. As with all the brand's 990 styles, the shoe was made in the USA for a high-quality finish, so although expensive they're definitely a great investment buy.

Price: £170

Although they're not technically a footwear brand, sustainability-focused label PANGAIA are all about creating comfy eco-friendly products that use innovative vegan materials and will stand the test of time. Known for their cozy tracksuits that are made from recycled cotton and eco-friendly dyes, PANGAIA's first foray into footwear came with their If you're looking for something a little more sporty, the, a minimalist style lace-up shoe that uses (you guessed it, grape leather) to counteract the waste from the wine industry. Not only is the low-top trainer feature eco-friendly uppers, but they also come with a part-recycled rubber sole that's made from repurposed industrial waste.

Price: £120

If you're not aware of Veja yet, they're a brand you should definitely get to know. Sustainability is a big brand focus, and whilst not all their styles are vegan, they do have a great selection of shoes that are. The Veja URCA CWL is one of those. It's a classic style that'll go with just about anything, and features an upper made from organic cotton that comes coated from a resin made from P.U, cornstarch and ricinus oil. Other detailing comes from vegan suede panels on the logo and heel tab, and the sole is made from Amazonian rubber from fair trade sources, and other eco-friendly materials such as sugar cane, recycled EVA and more organic cotton. Available in a couple of colours, this versatile vegan trainer is definitely one to add to your shoedrobe.

Price: £75

If you're looking for a real classic, adidas actually brought out a vegan version of their iconic Stan Smith. The animal-friendly version of the classic retro sneaker is made with vegan alternatives to animal and animal-derived products, and also features the brand's Primegreen technology, which means that 50% of the upper is made from recycled materials, and the outsole is also made from rubber waste. They still feature all the iconic branding and details you can expect from a Stan Smith, so if you're looking for a stylish, yet planet-friendly pair of shoes, they're definitely worth checking out.

Price: £100

have a stronger vegan offering. Brands like AF1 classic canvas Chuck Taylor Next Nature Converse All-Star Canvas. Part of Nike's "Move to Zero" initiative that's driving the brand to use more sustainable materials, reduce their emissions and cut down on waste, these "Next Nature" Air Force ones swap the classic style's leather upper for a synthetic alternative. Depending on how strict you are though, it's worth reading the small print - Nike say that the "synthetic materials, glues and colours do not contain detectable amounts of animal content," which to us sounds pretty safe, but interpret that as you will.

Price: £200

If you're looking for something a little more sporty, the Ultraboost is always a great bet, and you're safe in the hands of Stella McCartney with the Stella McCartney x adidas Ultraboost 20. The cushioned running shoes are made with Parley Ocean plastic, which means that the yarns used to construct the shoes are made from 50% ocean waste like plastic bottles, and the rest is made from recycled polyester. It's not the first time that adidas have worked with the Parley team either, the shoe forms part of a longstanding partnership is in a bid to reduce plastic waste. The Boost cushioning in this pair makes for a super comfortable ride, and they're versatile enough to take you from the gym to, well, wherever you want to be really.

Price: From £90

Nike's sustainable "Happy Pineapple" collection saw the Swoosh brand team up with Pinatex for a collection of shoes that were made from pineapple leaves. The pack featured classic styles like the Air Max 90, and Vans often use canvas for their trainers, and sustainable fashion brands like and the Converse All-Star Canvas, and came in a cute light yellow, coral, orange and green colourway. These aren't available on Nike anymore, but a couple of other retailers still have them in stock.

Price: £52

No prizes for guessing this one. Although Converse don't claim to be vegan (and some styles use do use animal products) the classic canvas Chuck Taylor is a safe bet. Coming in both high-top and low-top versions, the lace-up shoe is vegan-friendly in its canvas make-up, and uses a vegan-friendly glue too

Price: £245

Okay, we've stuck a bougie pick in here, but this collab is underrated. If you're looking for some vegan trainers with a designer spin on them, look no further than the Jan, 2022 3:53 PM. Designed by Rick Owens and Veja's running shoe experts, the upper comes made from recycled plastic bottles. Underfoot, the insole is made from a mix of rubber from brazil, sugar cane, jute, recycled EVA and more plastic bottles, and the sole is part-made from rubber from the Amazonian forest, along with other natural materials.

Price: £80

No one said high-heat releases and vegan trainers couldn't co-exist! If you're a serious sneakerhead, you'll be pleased to know that even Kanye West (now Ye's) Yeezy brand has opened up its offering. Although speculation remains as to whether other styles are vegan (that old glue issue again!) the futuristic Foam Runner is. Made from an EVA and algae mix, the slip-on shoe is certainly one of the boldest options out there, but a refreshing pick nonetheless. Keep an eye out for the drops or cop via resale, as these eco-friendly babies sell out every time.

It's important to remember, that like the rest of the fashion industry, the footwear industry is far from perfect, and although these shoes might be vegan, they might not necessarily be sustainable. Although many brands are moving towards using more natural materials and recycled elements in their trainers, synthetic leathers are still a long-lasting and hardwearing choice for vegan trainers, albeit not particularly environmentally friendly. The environmental impact of producing synthetic materials such as faux leather and suede is worth considering if your vegan values align with a general effort to be more sustainable.

Even so, we hope we've given you some serious inspo and reassurance that high-heat vegan footwear is out there and readily available. Don't forget to shop our selection, and why not check out some of our other articles below?