Having grown up in Michigan, I know value of quality boots. And when the company making them is committed to sustainability, you can be confident they’ll be built to last. A pair of sustainable winter boots are truly an invaluable addition to your footwear collection.
All of the companies listed below have sustainability at the forefront of their business. Through their choices of materials, methods and manufacturing processes, they make footwear that’s high-quality, ethically produced, stylish, and comfortable.
With so many different styles of eco friendly winter boots to choose from, you’ll be spoiled for choice!
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What to Look for in Sustainable Winter Boots
There are a few key components to producing sustainable boots. And despite what you might think, it’s not all about fabric choice.
Here’s what makes winter boots sustainable:
- Materials should be made from natural fibers (like Piñatex leather) or repurposed material (like PET yarn)
- Manufacturing processes should minimize waste and energy use, and avoid using chemicals that are harmful people and the environment
- Working conditions should be transparent, with an emphasis on safety and fair wages
- Vegan winter boots cannot contain animal products or be tested on animals, including animal by-products (like many glues)
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100% Vegan Winter Boot Brands
Astral
Founded in 2002, Astral specializes in sustainable outdoor gear and is loved by hiking enthusiasts around North America. You can find their eco friendly shoes in stores like REI as well as online.
Many of Astral’s shoes are quick-drying and lightweight, which makes them ideal for camping, hiking and rambling. Their use of recycled polyester and responsibly sourced materials means that all their shoes are vegan.
Astral’s top sustainable winter boots:
- Merge (women’s)
- Halestorm Hemp (men’s)
- Merge (men’s)
Vegetarian Shoes
Whether you’re looking for soft, cozy boots, tough, steel-tipped boots or something high-topped, Vegetarian Shoes has got the sustainable winter boots for you.
They have an impressive range of styles, and despite the name, all of their boots are completely vegan.
Vegetarian Shoes has a secret ingredient: a synthetic Microfibre material used in yachting upholstery. This leather-style material is much more breathable and formed the basis for the entire company!
Best boots from Vegetarian Shoes:
- Snugge Boot (unisex)
- Caribour 2 Boot (unisex)
- Snowdon Boot (unisex)
- Veggie Trekker MK5 (unisex)
Native
Native’s mission is to have every one of its eco friendly winter boots be 100% life cycle managed by 2023, ensuring that every one of their shoes is recycled and repurposed into new items once they’re finished with.
As a part of this, all of their Nova Hydroknit shoes contain fabrics made from 50% recycled PET yarn, which is combined with an interior waterproof membrane. This makes them breathable and waterproof at the same time.
Native’s best vegan winter boots:
- Nova Hydroknit (unisex)
- AP Apex (unisex)
- Chamonix (unisex)
- Fitzsimmons Citylite (unisex)
Will’s Vegan Shoes
If you’re looking for winter boots that ensure an animal-friendly approach, then Will’s Vegan Shoes is the company for you.
All of their products are registered with the Vegan Society and proudly bear their trademark. They are also PETA Approved, making their cruelty-free winter boots an excellent choice for animal lovers.
What’s more, Will’s Vegan Shoes even extends their eco friendly approach to their packaging, which many companies overlook.
All of their sustainable winter boots will come to you in non-treated paper and cardboard packaging, and their supply chain is carbon neutral and plastic free.
Will’s Vegan Shoes top winter boot options:
- Insulated Dock Boots (women’s)
- Insulated Aviator Boots (women’s)
- Biker Boots (women’s)
- Sneaker Boots (men’s)
- Insulated Waterproof Chelsea Boots (men’s)
Sustainable Brands with Vegan Winter Boot Options
FYI: Not all of these brands can guarantee that their glues do not contain any animal by-products, but all other materials are vegan and cruelty-free. Although more and more glue brands are removing animal by-products, if this is a deal breaker for you, make sure you get your new eco friendly boots from certified vegan companies!
The North Face
Unless you grew up under a rock, chances are you’ve heard of The North Face. They are a leading name in sustainability and ethical practices, so it’s no surprise that they’re now introducing more vegan products.
While there are still only a handful of vegan winter boots available, The North Face is likely to put out more with time. Many of their products use leather and suede, so make sure you triple check the materials.
That being said, quite a few of their products also use recycled materials, making them extra sustainable. Their vegan boot range is no different–all of these shoes are partially made using 100% recycled PET ripstop material on the uppers.
The North Face has recently confirmed they do not use any glues with animal by-products in their shoes, so their ThermoBall range is completely vegan and cruelty-free.
The North Face’s ThermoBall™ vegan winter boots range (all women’s):
- ThermoBall™ Insulated Lace Up Tall Snow Boot
- ThermoBall™ Insulated Progressive Zip-Up Snow Boot
- ThermoBall™ Button Boot
Hunter
Since moving to the UK, I’ve fallen in love with Wellington boots (or ‘Wellies’), and Hunter is my favorite brand. Luckily, you can get them worldwide now!
If, like me, you live somewhere that gets a lot of rain and are looking for some vegan winter boots built for the weather, Hunter should be top of your list. I was really happy to learn that while they are not a 100% vegan brand, Hunter stock over 250 vegan boots and accessories for men, women and children.
Hunter’s top winter boot picks for rainy days:
- Original Short Rain Boot (Women’s)
- Original Roll Tall Snow Boot (Women’s)
- Original Insulated Snow Boot Short (Men’s)
Jambu
Jambu is a fantastic sustainable brand based in the USA. Their shoes are designed to be stylish, comfortable, AND affordable.
They believe that comfort should never mean sacrificing style, nor should style be prohibitively expensive. If you’re on a tight budget and find most sustainble fashion options out of reach, this is a great option.
All of their vegan products are certified and do not use glues with animal by-products.
Jambu’s coziest vegan winter boots:
Cougar
Cougar is a popular Canadian shoe brand that make durable and sustainable winter boots you’ll love. They’ve been crafting shoes for over 70 years, so they know what they’re doing!
Although many of their shoes use leather and fur, they do have a few vegan options made with nylon and synthetics. Cougar do not use any glues with animal by-products, so you can rest assured that you’re getting 100% cruelty-free winter boots.
Great vegan winter boot options from Cougar (all women’s):
Kamik
Kamik is another awesome Canadian brand offering a wide range of cozy and warm cruelty-free winter boots. Kamik is committed to making sustainable products, and being a green company.
All of Kamik’s winter boot linings are made using up to 100% recycled plastic content, and on average they save 3 plastic bottles.
Additionally, all of their domestically-made rubber boots are 100% recyclable. If you send them an old pair of Kamik rain boots they will recycle them into something new!
Kamik guarantees no animal by-products are used in their glues, so all their synthetic shoes are 100% vegan.
A few of Kamik’s vegan winter boots:
- Snowvalley 2 (women’s)
- Sugarloaf (women’s)
- Icebreaker (men’s)
- Forester (men’s)
SOREL
SOREL ensures that all of their materials are responsibly sourced, and they are very transparent about their supply chain. They also pay fair wages and benefits and strive to have a positive work environment for all employees.
Unfortunately SOREL cannot guarantee that their glues are vegan, so they do not label their cruelty-free winter boots as such.
SOREL’s extra warm eco friendly winter boots:
- Kinetic Boots (women’s)
- Whitney II Short Lace (women’s)
- Explorer Carnival (women’s)
- Out ‘N About Puffy Mid Boots (women’s)
- 1964 PAC NYLON Boot (men’s)
Looking for more sustainable fashion options? Check these out!
