The 7 Cutest Sustainable Combat Boots (And How To Style Them)
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When it comes to essential styles, combat boots are a classic. First seen in US wars in the 19th and 20th centuries and updated many times in the years since, combat boots are the epitome of “form meets function.”
A good combat boot can be worn with essentially any outfit, from skirts and dresses to tucked-in skinny jeans (gasp, millennial style) to sheer tights and wide-leg trousers. They look effortlessly chic when paired with a leather jacket, turtleneck, or plaid pattern and can take you seamlessly from fall through spring.
Now, with hundreds of iterations available, we’ve found seven of the cutest pairs that are conscious to boot (sorry, not sorry). They’re made with Leather Working Group-certified leather or vegan bio-based leather and finished with rubber, cork, and organic cotton; best of all, they’re structured enough to last you season after season.
1. KOIO
Made In | Italy
Sustainable Materials | LWG-certified Italian leather, cotton laces
Price | $395
As a luxury footwear brand in the heart of Tuscany, every pair of KOIO shoes passes through the hands of 42 makers before reaching your doorstep. Alongside the brand’s dedication to craftsmanship is its equal commitment to sustainability, working only with Leather Working Group-certified leather (and even regenerative leather for its sneakers!). KOIO’s Cortina Combat Boots combine quality cow leather with a cushioned foam insole, high ankle, and waxed cotton laces for possibly the most conscious and charming combat boots we’ve ever seen. Available in sizes 5-11, these black boots will last for years and pair with nearly any outfit.
2. Reformation
Made In | Brazil
Sustainable Materials | LWG-certified leather
Price | $348
Reformation’s Ada Combat Boots look as if men’s most stylish brogues were combined with women’s sleek knee-high boots—meeting right in the middle of your calf with a gorgeous sheen, almond toe shape, and lace-up tie. (There’s also a side zipper, so you can easily throw them on!) Sustainably made in Brazil using LWG-certified leather and slightly waxed, these shoes were consciously made to save over 1500 gallons of water and several pounds of CO2. Available in 2 colors (and in half sizes!), we’d pair these edgy boots with a long winter dress, a plaid skirt, or a motorcycle jacket for some added oomph.
3. Alohas
Made In | Spain
Sustainable Materials | LWG-certified leather or vegan leather (cactus and corn)
Price | €120–€320
If you’re looking for sustainable boots that don’t compromise style for price, we love Alohas’s collection. Choose from nearly four dozen styles starting at under $125; go for the chunky combats that double as rain boots, or try the quintessential design in beautifully unique colors. All pairs are crafted in Spain using LWG-certified cow leather or vegan leather derived from cactus and corn, and we love Aloha’s model of “on-demand production,” which means they’ll make your pair just for you once you place your order. Less waste, more sustainable revenue, and the most thoughtful way to approach our wardrobes.
4. Nisolo
Made In | Peru
Sustainable Materials | LWG-certified leather, partially recycled foam, cotton
Price | $250
Nisolo is one of the top-rated B Corps in the world, and the best-selling All-Weather Amalia Boots are one of our favorites from the brand’s collection. Designed as the “classic combat boots,” they’re available in four deeply rich colors (brandy, tobacco, grey, and black), finished with memory foam insoles, water-resistant and LWG-certified leather, and natural rubber soles. Plus, every pair is thoughtfully made by artisans in South America, who are paid living wages. We love that these boots are durable, chic, and incredibly warm—and did we mention they’re climate-neutral, too?
5. Thesus
Made In | Portugal
Sustainable Materials | Recycled plastic, tree rubber
Price | $198–$220
Thesus (formerly Alice + Whittles) is best known for its boots, The Weekend Boots—made from recycled ocean plastic and PET bottles and recycled and natural rubber. They’re sustainable and simple but effortlessly stylish, with over 15 colorways to choose from. Made for the outdoors, these all-in-one shoes are a mix of hiking boots and combat boots so you can wear them everywhere—from rugged terrains to concrete city blocks. With water-resistant leather, an anti-slip sole, a 2” heel that absorbs traction, and temp-controlled lining, these best-sellers will be just right wherever you go. (And as for styling, we love throwing these on with leggings, shorts, or cargo pants!)
6. Bhava
Made In | Spain & India
Sustainable Materials | Vegan leather
Price | $265
For over a decade, Bhava has been setting a new standard for footwear and believes that you can create durable, sleek, and high-quality shoes without turning to animal byproducts, isntead turing to organic, recycled, and natural textiles. Its vegan leather is European REACH certified, so it doesn’t contain formaldehyde, PVC, PCP, phthalates, or chrome—just a soft, supple material with a cushioned cork interior. Choose from several combat boot styles, all handcrafted in Alicante, Spain, by artisans whose families have been making shoes for generations.
7. Will’s Vegan Store
Made In | Portugal
Sustainable Materials | Vegan leather (organic cereal bio-oil) & recycled rubber
Price | $131
Vegan shoes that don’t break the bank? Yeah, we’re about it. Wil’s Vegan Store’s Aviator 2 Boots come in two colors (black and dark brown) and in sizes US 5-10 for under $150. And they’re about as sustainable as they come, too, with carbon-neutral production, a recycling service for end-of-life, eco-friendly packaging, and vegan materials such as bio-oil and viscose (though there is a bit of polyurethane, there are no PVCs or PFCs). We’re big fans of the extra long laces, small heels, and the chocolate brown if you want to add a little zhuzh to your look.
Featured image is by Reformation
