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We’ve tested and reviewed sustainable shoes for a decade — here are the best eco-friendly shoe brands for men, all with ethical labor practices.

While many apparel and lifestyle brands have made the switch to fair trade practices, that’s not always the case for footwear production. Often, shoes are manufactured in potentially dangerous working conditions or with forced labor. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Isn’t it time our shoes matched our ethics?

We’ve rounded up a list of sustainable men’s shoes for you! These fair trade shoe brands are making everything from sustainable men’s sneakers to work boots to water shoes while ensuring fair wages, full-scale benefits, and safe working environments for their employees. So whether you need kicks for a night out on the town or laid-back days in the office, these sustainable and ethical footwear companies have you covered.

Our criteria:

Our editors have worn, researched, and corresponded with sustainable shoe brands for years. We’ve selected nine of our favorite brands based on the rigorous qualifications outlined below. We update this list frequently with new faves.

  • ETHICAL PRACTICES | These sustainable shoe brands follow strict ethical practices in their processes, including ensuring fair wages and safe working environments. We’ve prioritized shoe brands that give back to their communities and offer inclusive sizing in their footwear. 
  • ECO-FRIENDLY/SUSTAINABLE | Each of these shoe brands sustainably produces their footwear, including using all natural materials and recycled/upcycled materials where possible. 
  • COMFORTABLE | We’ve personally tested these shoe brands and can confirm they are comfy and supportive for all-day wear.
  • AFFORDABLE | Sustainable shoes can be an investment, and we’ve made sure to include our favorite options at more affordable price points on this list.

Looking for more menswear options? Browse our list of fair trade fashion brands for men and our men’s underwear guide.


Best Overall | Most Affordable | Best Vegan


1. Allbirds

B corp
Eco friendly packaging
Gives back
Natural materials
Second hand

Best For | Athleisure shoes
Ethics
| Certified B Corp, natural materials & recycled packaging, WRAP-certified production facility, gives back
Size Range
| 8 – 14
Price Range
| $98 – $160

Imagine the coziest shoes in the world that aren’t just sustainable, but fair trade, too. Welcome to Allbirds. Made with materials like merino wool or eucalyptus tree fibers, Allbirds uses sustainable sourcing methods whenever possible, right down to the recycled plastic shoelaces. As a certified B Corp, the brand also gives back. For errands, walks in the park, or just lounging around, these fair trade shoes belong in every closet. You can read our editor’s Allbirds review here for a firsthand look at the brand.

Our Editor’s Review | “As a former cross-country athlete and a current hobby runner, I found Allbirds cute and supportive enough for most runs. But, I do overpronate — and they weren’t able to offer the same support as my other running shoes. Now that I’m used to running in them, I would recommend them for shorter runs or everyday wear.” – Emily McGowan [Read the full review.]


2. Cariuma

B corp
Eco friendly packaging
FSC
Gives back
Natural materials
OEKO-TEX® certified
Plant trees
Recycled materials

Best For | Seasonal kicks
Ethics
| WRAP-certified factories, fair wages & conditions, carbon-neutral shipping, sustainable & organic materials, gives back
Size Range
| 5 – 13
Price Range
| $95 – $159

Cariuma aims to make sustainable sneakers with the smallest footprint possible. The brand sources only natural and recycled materials like organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled PET and transforms them into super comfortable sneaks, in a multitude of styles and colors (including Pantone picks!). Each ethically made pair, once in recyclable packaging, is sent via carbon-neutral shipping. Sustainable, affordable, and stylish.

Customer Review | “These are excellent shoes. This is my second pair of carameI-color Cariumas. They are very comfortable, and I wear them for work (in the office). I also have a black suede pair. I frequently receive compliments on my shoes. This is my 8th pair of Cariumas, and I always order them one size larger than my normal shoe size (11 rather than 10).” – Paul C. (Read all reviews.)


3. Alohas

Handcrafted
Made to order
Natural materials

Best For | Leather sneakers
Ethics
| Sustainable leather, cotton, ethically made in Portugal
Size Range
| 5 – 14.5
Price Range
| $170 – $250

Designed in Barcelona and crafted locally in Spain and Portugal, Alohas sneakers combine timeless style with a modern, avant-garde edge. Made from sustainable leather in a variety of colors and patterns pattern, these shoes have unique features like low-top silhouettes, exposed stitching, and logo accents for a chic yet casual look. Sitting on durable rubber soles with a comfortable 2cm heel, they’re meticulously handcrafted by artisans committed to ethical and sustainable practices.


4. Veja

B corp
Fair trade
Gives back
Natural materials
Recycled materials
Vegan

Best For | Casual sneakers
Ethics
| Ethical production, organic materials, low waste, vegan options, gives back
Size Range
| 9 – 12.5
Price Range
| $120 – $210

Since 2005, Veja has been crafting shoes that last, while minimizing the negative impact on people and the planet. The brand uses natural wild rubber when possible and sources organic cotton up to a year before production, mutually working with farmers to create a sustainable and fair trade supply chain. The simple, unisex designs mean shoes that transcend style so we know you’ll want to try a pair or two!


5. KOIO

FSC
Handcrafted
Natural materials
Recycled materials
Vegan

Best For | Timeless, neutral sneakers & boots
Ethics
| Handmade in Italy, LWG-certified Italian cow leather, FSC-certified natural rubber, organic cotton, recycled & regenerative materials
Size Range
| 7 – 13
Price Range
| $155 – $345

KOIO blends modern design, sustainable Italian craftsmanship, and everyday comfort to create luxurious footwear that suits any and every occasion. Handmade in Tuscany by 42 skilled artisans, these shoes are crafted using locally sourced LWG-certified Italian cow leather, FSC-certified, and regenerative materials. There are vegan footwear options too! For versatile footwear that pairs effortlessly with tailored looks or casual denim, you can’t go wrong with this thoughtful brand.

Customer Review | “Super comfortable sneaker. True to size, not bulky, not thin. Have worn it with a suit and with jeans and it always fits well in either occasion. Will definitely purchase another pair” – C.B. (Read all reviews.)


6. Quince

Budget friendly
Eco friendly packaging
Natural materials
OEKO-TEX® certified
Plastic/Pfas free

Best For | Boots and slippers
Ethics | BCSI-certified ethical production, sustainable & organic materials, OEKO-TEX certified, virgin plastic-free
Size Range | 7 – 13
Price Range | $60 – $80

For the minimalist, Quince is a one-stop shop for your year-round essentials: One pair of outdoor shoes, and one pair for indoors. Their Eco Cotton Canvas Everyday Sneaker is a workhorse that can take you from the office to errands to out on the town, coming in classic white or black. Pick up your new pair of slippers, which you can opt for in a festive clog style, a classic shearling boot, or as a no-slip gripper slipper.

Customer Review | “I got the sneakers in white and they look and feel great. Much higher quality than I expected at the pricepoint.” – Alex (Read all reviews.)


7. Native Shoes

Budget friendly
Cruelty free
Fair trade
Gives back
Recycled materials
Vegan

Best For | Outdoor & water-friendly shoes
Ethics | Fair trade, ethically made, vegan, cruelty-free, gives back
Size Range
| 4 – 13
Price Range
| $50 – $135

Native Shoes are vegan, fair trade, and all about keeping things lite, especially while in the outdoors. Believing that animals and humans should be treated equally and with respect, no hair or hide is used for this footwear. With factories in China and Vietnam, the Native Shoes team plans site visits several times a year to ensure fair wages, steady hours, and safe conditions. The best part? They recycle shoes through The Remix Project or Zappos for Good.

Customer Review | “Super happy with the Apollo 10 as it requires basically no break-in process. As you wear it more, the shoe feels molded to your feet, which is great as you can slip on and off. I have wider feet and am usually a TTS US9 and chose to go half a size up, which allowed for more room around the toe. The additional heel padding is also a great touch!” – Matt (Read all reviews.)


8. Thousand Fell

Biodegradable
Circular fashion
Natural materials
Recycled materials

Best For | Zero-waste sneakers
Ethics | Zero-waste, recyclable sneakers, recycled & sustainable materials, closed-loop process
Size Range | 8 – 13
Price Range | $125 – $135 (+$20 recycling deposit)

The first-ever recycled sneakers came from Thousand Fell, launching the brand into a TGT fave! Using materials like recycled water bottles, sugar cane, and coconut husk, their comfy footwear is as sustainable as it is stylish. Their closed-loop process makes it easy to update your sneaks when you’re ready – simply send them back to the brand and they’ll recycle your old shoes into new ones, while you enjoy shopping credit for your next pair!

Customer Review | “I searched all over for some plain white sneakers that were comfortable to walk in and finally found these!” – Zachary L. (Read all reviews.)


9. Nisolo

B corp
Climate neutral
Gives back
Handcrafted
Natural materials

Best For | Chukkas & ankle boots
Ethics
| Artisan-made, beyond fair trade wages, transparent production practices, certified B Corp
Size Range
| 8 – 13
Price Range
| $150 – $280

To say we are fans of the B Corp Nisolo would be an understatement. This brand’s thoughtful and intentional approach to crafting beautiful shoes using ethical and fair trade practices is unparalleled. Every producer and artisan working for Nisolo receives fair trade wages, safe working conditions, and healthcare. The Chukka and Ankle boots are some of our favorites, effortlessly elevating your look no matter what time of day.

Customer Review | “This was my first pair of Nisolo chukas and will not be my last. Ever since I purchased I have loved and wear it daily, so much I am going to come back and purchase the other colors” – Bruce G. (Read all reviews.)


Featured image is from Cariuma