11 Sustainable Boots For Women (2024)
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As the days of sandals and flip-flops drift away, we’re excited to welcome these chilly temps with calf-high boots and ankle booties. And whether you’re looking for a staple you can wear day in and day out, or for that fine detailing that really elevates a classic style, there’s a perfect boot out there for you!
We’ve pulled together our favorite ethical boots for winter, including fashionable trends like block heels and minimalist colors. And while these do cost a pretty penny, they’re all sustainably and responsibly made and support fair trade work—plus, they’ll last through the seasons.
Pair them perfectly with these cold-weather coats and jackets, sustainable jeans, and these cozy sweaters to complete your look!
Best Overall | Most Stylish | Best For Activewear
1. Nisolo
Best For | Handmade casual boots
Features | Leather Working Group certified, 100% carbon offsetting, artisan-made in ethical working conditions
Size Range | US 5–11
Price Range | $220–$260
Rain or snow, Nisolo’s boots have got your feet covered—literally. Best known for its chukka boots, the brand has paved the way for intentionally designed, responsibly made products. For example, the leather used is always a byproduct of the meat industry—like in our favorite Amalia Boots. Plus, these boots are made ethically in a Nisolo-owned and operated factory in Peru, where all makers are paid fair wages.
2. Sézane
Best For | Parisian-style boots
Features | Made in the European Union, shipped in recycled packaging, third party audited factories
Size Range | US 5–11
Price Range | $22–$520
Sézane effortlessly combines fashion and function for its Parisian-inspired style. This French brand is thoughtful in the sourcing and production of its materials, including for its dreamy Lena Low Boots, which are made from eco-friendly vegetable-tanned leather, a natural and biodegradable process that does not leave harmful chemicals in the environment. The majority of these pieces are made within the European Union, partnering long-term with ateliers. Seamlessly go from day to night with these investment boots.
3. Koio
Best For | Handmade Italian boots
Features | Leather Working Group certified, handcrafted in Italy
Size Range | US 5–11
Price Range | $395
Koio, a luxury sustainable brand, crafts shoes ethically in Italy with high-quality eco-friendly materials. The family-owned brand is so committed to the highest quality of luxury and sustainable design that every pair of shoes passes through the hands of 42 master craftsmen for a flawless finish. Their materials are eco-conscious, aiming not just for climate-neutral but climate-beneficial options like ecosystem-restoring regenerative leathers from the Swiss Alps and LWG-certified leathers from Italy.
4. Reformation
Best For | Dressy or work-appropriate boots
Features | Deadstock and recycled materials, ethically produced, small batch production
Size Range | US 5–11
Price Range | $298–$598
It’s no secret that we are big fans of sustainable brand Reformation, whose denim, formal dresses, and shoes are consistently top of our lists. Their boot collection similarly delivers on style and sustainability, using deadstock fabrics and ethical production, so you can feel good about your beautiful new kicks. We especially have our eye on the Remy Knee Boot, which is made from deadstock denim and comes in six colors, or the Edie Ankle Boot, which is the perfect snug fit for slipping under pant legs (and is also made from deadstock).
5. On
Best For | Athletic boots
Features | Circularity program, International Labor Organization and Ethical Trading initiative standards
Size Range | US 5–11
Price Range | $150–$329
Sustainable athletic wear company On is at the forefront of technological innovation when it comes to running shoes that are as high performing as they are environmentally friendly. In their Zurich-based lab, the brand has created materials from carbon emissions and bio-based renewable materials that will help guide the industry away from fossil fuels and into the future. With a line of clothing and shoes designed to be recyclable and transformed into new products, we are especially excited to take these sustainable (and adorable!) boots on our next hike.
6. Patagonia
Best For | Buffalo hide work boots
Features | Vegetable tanned leather, recycled materials in soles, handmade by 5th generation cobblers in Portugal
Size Range | US 6–11
Price Range | $369
Patagonia is well-known for its rigorous eco-friendly and sustainable practices, and these work boots are no exception. Made from byproduct hides of the brand’s humanely harvested meat for their popular Patagonia Provisions® Buffalo Jerky, these tough yet comfy work boots are durable, breathable, and naturally moisture-wicking. The soles are crafted in part with recycled rubber, and the leather is treated with wet-green tanning technology that uses tannins from waste olive tree leaves (aka, safe for the environment and safe for you!).
7. The Root Collective
Best For | Ankle boots with cute details
Features | Artisan made, fair wages, made-to-order
Size Range | US 5–11
Price Range | $268–$298
The Root Collective adds a bit of flair to your wardrobe with its multi-style boots. Handcrafted in Guatemala using genuine leather, the Root Collective partners with artisans to provide fair and empowering employment in areas that need it most. While we love all of its designs including those with the patterned heel, and we’re big fans of this burgundy pair—neutral and fitting for transitioning seasons. The Root Collective’s easy-zip leather boots are our absolute go-to for when we want to travel in style and comfort, making getting through airport security a breeze.
8. ABLE
Best For | Elevated everyday boots
Features | Eco-conscious and recycled materials, ethical manufacturing
Size Range | US 5–12
Price Range | $158
If there’s one style we always look to ABLE for, it’s statement boots! Handmade by women around the world, these boots are sleek, stylish, and sustainable—using responsibly sourced leather and eco-friendly foam padding. The Dorset Boot, our favorite, comes in a rich, classic black—a gorgeous addition to our winter wardrobe and beyond. Our editor loves her snakeskin printed boots from ABLE’s past collections—the heel is higher than you’d think, but the shoes are still so comfortable and walkable. Keep an eye out for their new prints, they don’t disappoint.
9. Zou Xou
Best For | Lug boots
Features | Made on-demand by artisans, family-owned Leather Working Group certified tanneries, vegetable tanning
Size Range | US 5–11.5
Price Range | $320–$325
Zou Xou (prounounced ‘zu – ‘zu) is a slow fashion and footwear brand bringing you the best from Buenos Aires, Argentina. The brand offers both ready-to-ship and made-to-order collections so you can get the perfect fit, every time. Each pair is expertly handcrafted by Argentinian shoemakers using age-old techniques in small batches. These are boots you’ll love for a lifetime.
10. Thesus Outdoors
Best For | Hiking-style boots
Features | Eco-friendly, natural, and recycled materials, water-based vegan glue, handmade in a family-run factory in Portugal
Size Range | US 6–12
Price Range | $198–$209
Thesus Outdoors aims to be sustainable by design; more than 90 percent of its materials are eco-friendly and traceable, and the brand is aiming to close that 10 percent gap! Its footwear is crafted with fair trade natural rubber, recycled plastics, and reclaimed ocean waste—including its famed weekend boot. Our editors have personally tried this shoe and love it for weekend hikes around LA or trips with friends to the mountains. While we wouldn’t recommend it for long-distance trekking, it’s a perfect boot for nature escapes and weekend adventures. Like Timbs, but sustainably made.
11. Beklina
Best For | Artsy boots
Features | Ethically handmade in Peru, some recycled materials
Size Range | US 5–11
Price Range | $320–$360
Beklina was one of the original eco-boutiques to be found online, since its launch in 2006. For more than 15 years, this brand has curated quality products include handmade clogs, swimsuits, and more—all of which is produced ethically in Peru, Nepal, and the USA. We love these ribbed clogs for their hand-carved heel, durable Italian leather, and a deep black that’s sure to match any wardrobe.
Featured image from Koio
