9 Sustainable Sandals To Slide Into Summer 2023
The Good Trade editors endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here.
Summer’s here and we are ready. From sipping Aperol spritzes at outdoor happy hours, to hanging out at the beach, to visiting our local farmer’s market for the most delicious strawberries, we are embracing all of the warmer weather activities and the fashion that comes along with it. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite brands that are bringing ethical and fair trade sandals to the masses. We love all the new recyclable styles and are partial to easy slides ourselves. Happy summer (and shopping)!
Don’t forget to check out our complete guide to sustainable shoes (and running shoes too, if that’s your thing!).
Best Overall | Most Affordable | Best for Comfort
1. Allbirds
Best For | Cushy, gender neutral slide sandals
Our Pick | Sugar Sliders
Price | $50
Known for their washable wool sneakers, Allbirds also makes an ultra-comfortable sandal that will keep your feet secure, supported, and cool all day long. In keeping with their sustainable goals, these sandals are made from their unique SweetFoam®, a material derived from sugarcane and the world’s first carbon-negative green EVA. Even the straps are made from 100% recycled polyester. We love the cherry or pistachio colorways for a fun, summery pop of color even when you’ve skipped the pedicure.
2. Native Shoes
Best For | Water-friendly sandals
Our Pick | Spencer LX Sandals
Price | $30
Change happens one (literal) step at a time. Native Shoes wants us to feel better and lighter with their animal-free and eco-friendly sandals. These beach-ready sandals are hand-washable, water-resistant, and super affordable. And by 2023, all of Native Shoes’ products will be upcycled and repurposed. Wear to the shore, a waterfall, or anywhere in between.
3. Alohas
Best For | Sandals for work
Our Pick | Viviana – Beige Vegan Leather Sandals
Price | €140,00 (discounts available with pre-order)
Alohas makes eco-friendly, sustainable sandals handcrafted in Spain using an on-demand model that reduces carbon emissions, fights overproduction, and creates no waste. They handpick providers by working with the Leather Working Group to find ethically sourced leather from environmentally certified suppliers. Alohas also makes vegan options with plant-based material that is sleek and sophisticated enough to shake up your workwear on those sweltering summer days.
4. Reformation
Best For | Strappy sandals
Our Pick | Magda Ankle Tie Platform
Price | $278
A leader in both trends and sustainability, Reformation has been climate neutral since 2015, with the goal of becoming climate positive by 2025. They also track all their products’ environmental impact with RefScale, publishing everything on their site for full transparency. We love their strappy sandals to instantly transform a casual summer ‘fit into a sexy date night look, or to refresh our favorite wedding guest dress.
5. beek
Best For | Leather sandals
Our Pick | Gallito Leather Slide Sandal
Price | $280
Beek’s commitment to sustainable feminine footwear that’s comfortable and chic makes it easy to strut in style at all hours of the day. You’ll find quality leather sandals made with soft vegetable-tanned leather and toxin free metallics—in addition to each sandal having molded arch support so your feet don’t get exhausted. They also age well the more you wear them! With every purchase, five meals are provided to a child in need through partnered food banks. Consider us hooked—we’ll take every pair possible.
6. Birkenstock
Best For | Classic footbed
Our Pick | Arizona vegan platform
Price | $110
And now for the brand that won’t need an introduction: German-based Birkenstock has been making shoes since 1774, though it wasn’t until 1902 when they developed the first ever footbed with contoured arch support. While you are probably most familiar with their suede and leather models, the brand also touts a vegan line with sustainable cork and latex for their same iconic look. The sandals are made from Birko-Flor® synthetic leather, which is comfortable, easy to clean, and made to last for decades.
7. Everlane
Best For | Flat sandals
Our Pick | The ReKnit City Flatform Sandal
Price | $135
Everlane’s sandals are the perfect edition to your capsule wardrobe for this and many summers to come! Choose from their ReKnit line of sandals made from recycled materials, or try their Leather Working Group certified leather styles for a classic pair that you can wear with shorts, dresses, or your favorite summer linens. We love that the brand is transparent about their pricing and factories, so you can choose something you love that also supports the things that matter to you.
8. VIVAIA
Best For | Block heels
Our Pick | Square-Toe Block Heel Slide
Price | $97
VIVAIA was founded in 2020 with the goal to create timeless, comfortable, and environmentally conscious women’s footwear. The brand uses recylced materials in their stylish but wearable shoes, marrying function with design in a sustainable way. Their moisture-wicking insoles are antimicrobial and breathable, so you can confidentally wear these cute heels to work without worrying about stinky feet at the end of the day.
9. Nisolo
Best For | Huaraches
Our Pick | Brandy Huaraches
Price | $138
When we think of sustainable and ethical footwear, we immediately think of Nisolo. Their line of boots, oxfords, mules, and sandals are all made ethically working with partners in Peru, Kenya, and Mexico. This offers jobs to more than 500 workers across their supply chain. Nisolo is best known for their huaraches, inspired by pre-Columbian Mexico and perfect for airy summer days.
Featured image is from Alohas
