Buying vegan apparel is not only a great way to avoid animal products — it also helps protect our environment. For products like snow boots, leather and sheepskin are go-to materials. But they don’t have to be! Below are 7 vegan options for boots that will keep you warm and dry while lasting for years.
Shopping for Winter Vegan Boots
But first, let’s talk about why this is important.
Leather, the material often used for products like snow boots, relies on cattle production. The cattle industry is notorious for releasing methane into the air. And if you thought CO2 was bad, methane has twenty-eight times the warming potential. That means our earth getting warmer, faster.
Cattle production can contaminate our water, too.
But it’s not just leather you need to look out for– often, the glue that fastens different parts of the shoe together is made from animal products, too.
That’s why it’s important to check the labels on your shoes, take a look at a company’s website, or even shoot an email to their customer service centre to make sure that the shoes you’re considering are truly vegan.
When you’re shopping vegan, it can be especially hard to find boots that will keep you warm all winter. Leather and sheepskin might be go-to materials for companies, but they’re not the only options.
These seven options show that you can stay warm, dry, comfortable, and fashionable, all while helping the planet. We’ve done the research to help you find winter boots that aren’t just a good fit for your feet– they’re a fit for your values, too.
100% Vegan Winter Boots
Dock Boots from Will’s Vegan Store
These men’s boots, made from dark brown vegan suede, offer water resistance and ankle support.
They’re a perfect fit for winter hikes, or just shovelling snow out of your driveway. And for anyone who’s ever gotten those annoying white smudges on their boots from rock salt on the roads, fear not — these boots won’t stain.
Will’s Vegan Store was founded in 2012 with a mission of creating ethical clothes.
For Will’s, this means doing no harm to animals AND ensuring that the people who make their shoes work in safe, healthy environments, with great pay and benefits.
They use recycled materials, their manufacturing process is carbon neutral, and they don’t use any plastic, even for packaging.
Check out this video review from YouTuber Shawn Remy, showing how great his Will’s shoes look and feel, even after a year of hard use.
Aspen Hiker Boot from Bhava
This comfortable pair of women’s boots is made from vegan leather, with vegan shearling to keep you warm all through those cold winter months.
Every pair of Bhava shoes gets taken for a New York City “test-drive,” where its durability and comfort is put to the test.
Bhava is not only committed to creating vegan, planet-friendly shoes– they want their shoes to be friendly for your body, too. That means no sprained ankles or foot pain from low-quality shoes.
For maximum comfort, this pair of boots includes a removable faux-shearling insole, which you can pop out if you get too toasty, and a cork insole, which you can put in for added cushion.
These boots give you options.
Handmade with cruelty-free and recycled materials, in ethical conditions by generations of artisans dedicated to quality, Bhava shoes are a win-win-win-win.
Bergen Encore from Jambu
UPDATE: Feb 2020 – Unfortunately these appear to have been discontinued. Keep reading for other great options!
This pair of men’s boots from Jambu gives you the classic winter footwear look, but in vegan form.
The materials are all animal-product free, and the outsole is made from durable partially-recycled rubber.
The outer materials will keep you nice and dry through the snowy months, while the inside will keep your feet warm and comfortable.
Jambu’s products are made with outdoor adventures in mind. That’s why this pair of boots features a sole with lots of traction and memory foam footbed.
You can go for winter walks without fear of slipping on the ice or slush, keeping your feet supported all the way.
Plus, you get the knowledge that your shoes are environment- and animal-friendly.
The Caribou Boot by Vegetarian Shoes
This durable, stylish pair of boots is a perfect fit for anyone who’s getting ready for a tough winter.
The boots offer a robust sole that’ll keep you from slipping on the ice, and a soft, warm lining that’ll keep the snow out. (Anyone who lives in a place with snowy winters knows how important that is!)
These women’s boots, from Vegetarian Shoes, are made from faux suede.
And very importantly, they’re manufactured under ethical working conditions in Portugal.
Lace these up for a winter hike– just don’t forget to use a waterproofing spray on them before you set off!
Misty Camel Faux Sheepskin Vegan Boots from Beyond Skin
This cute, comfy pair of women’s boots are a great alternative to the famous Uggs.
You can pull them all the way up to keep your calves nice and warm, or roll them down once (or twice!) to show off the faux shearling inside.
Beyond Skin is dedicated to making shoes that are vegan and environmentally sustainable in safe, fair, and equitable working environments.
They’re certified cruelty-free and sweatshop-free, and the reviews on the website speak for themselves.
Jeffery Boots from Ahimsa
If you live in a place where it’s cold, but not too wet, these durable boots are a great option.
They may not keep the snow out, but they’re great for keeping your feet supported while you’re out and about. And no more struggling to get into your shoes — the lacing hooks make pulling these boots on quick and easy.
These ones are made from vegan leather and recycled materials.
Instead of employing third-party manufacturers that didn’t share their values, Brazilian company Ahimsa created their very own factory.
That way, they have control over every step of the process, and can make sure that every product comes from a sustainable, safe, healthy, and ethical working environment.
Theirs is the only 100% vegan shoe factory in the world.
Alicia Boot from Eco-Vegan Shoes
This beautiful pair of knee-high women’s boots can take you from fall to winter to spring.
They’re designed to keep you safe in slippery conditions, but these boots are more versatile than classic winter boots.
You can wear them to work or for a winter walk, and then pair them with lighter clothes once the ice thaws out. And the cute design hides a seriously durable sole, with plenty of traction.
They’re made from vegan leather.
Eco-Vegan shoes is dedicated to being kind to animals, workers, and the environment.
In conclusion…
Many of us have been told that for high-quality, durable winter shoes, you have to buy leather.
But that’s actually not true!
Vegan materials aren’t just as good as leather — they’re often better.
While leather and suede gets ruined by slush, snow, and rock salt, vegan materials stay strong and look great.
They can last longer, they’re breathable, and they’re more water resistant.
Instead of having to meticulously clean your shoes and protect them from the elements, you can just live your life, trusting that your shoes continue to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable as the winters pass by.
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