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Are you looking for shoes like Vans? We’ve rounded up the best sustainable Vans alternatives from sustainable brands focusing on using eco-friendly materials and ethical production.
Vans shoes have dominated the casual footwear market since the brand entered the scene in 1966. Thanks to their classic skate shoe style, the brand’s popularity grew popular among skaters and BMX riders across California.
Fast forward forty years, and the Vans shoe is still a classic staple in both the skating community and fashion world and today is owned by one of the largest shoe manufacturers in the world VF Corp.
As we look toward a more sustainable future, however, it’s important we support footwear brands using more sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing.
We’ve compiled the best sustainable footwear brands creating high-quality and sustainable shoes that look like Vans.
The Best Sustainable Shoes Like Vans
1. Cariuma
Sustainability: Certified B Corporation using sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing. Every pair = two trees planted.
Best for: Skate shoes like Vans, slip on styles
Ships to: Worldwide
Cariuma is the ultimate sustainable Vans alternative. The Brazilian footwear brand focuses on creating its shoes as eco-friendly as possible using sustainable materials, including responsibly sourced leather, suede, and natural fabrics, including organic cotton and bamboo.
The result is a high-performance sneaker that can keep up with everyday wear and the demands of a skateboarding shoe, thanks to its cushioning soles and robust design. In addition, the brand has styles to rival Vans Old Skool, Vans authentic, and Vans slip on styles.
Read our full guide to Cariuma’s sustainability here.
| Cariuma Pros | Cariuma Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Sustainable brand using high quality materials | ❌ Not a vegan brand |
| ✔ Great choice of styles and colors | ❌ Some reviews say they can take a while to break in |
2. Allbirds Lounger Slip Ons
Sustainability: Sustainable and natural materials, including eucalyptus tree fibers, carbon-negative EVA sole, and recycled plastic laces. Certified B Corp.
Best for: Shoes like Vans slip on
Ships to: Worldwide
Allbirds are one of the most popular sustainable shoe brands right now, thanks to their ultra-comfortable sustainable sneakers.
The brand is a certified B Corp, meaning they meet high ethical and environmental production standards.
We love the Allbirds slip on style as an alternative to the Vans style, as it’s made with natural fibers and features a durable EVA sole made from sugarcane.
However, one drawback of Allbirds is that they don’t offer any vegan styles.
| Allbirds Loungers Pros | Allbirds Loungers Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Super comfortable and can wear without socks | ❌ Not a vegan friendly |
| ✔ Sleek and minimalist style | ❌ Shoes run small & no half sizes available |
3. Etiko
Sustainability: Vegan sneakers with sustainable materials and ethical production
Best for: Sustainable shoes that look like Converse Chuck Taylor and Vans Old Skool
Ships to: Worldwide
Etiko is perfect if you’re looking for shoes like Vans but with a more sustainable edge.
Etiko is an Australian brand creating shoes that do good for people and the planet. The brand only uses sustainable materials, including hemp and a natural rubber sole, making its shoes in audited ethical factories.
We love the slip on and skate-style shoes which look like Vans but aren’t; they’re much more eco-friendly.
| Etiko Pros | Etiko Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Get great reviews | ❌ Ships from Australia (long distance shipping = more carbon emissions) |
| ✔ Vegan friendly brand |
4. SeaVees
Sustainability: 1% for the Planet company using natural rubber and recycled materials to craft its footwear
Best for: Slip-on shoes like Vans, high-top shoes similar to vans, flat-sole shoes
Ships to: Worldwide
If you’ve never heard of SeaVees, you need to check this brand out, as they do the perfect Vans dupes but with their own classic twist.
The brand also has a seriously cool story. It was founded in 1964 but closed for over 40 years before being rediscovered in a thrift shop in 2008. Fast forward to today, and SeaVees are making a name for themselves by creating cool sneakers made from a range of natural and sustainable materials.
Plus, the brand gives back to the environment, donating 1% of all profits, and supporting non-profit organizations that help restore our oceans – Now that’s a shoe brand we can get behind!
| SeaVees Pros | SeaVees Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Affordable (most styles less than $80) | ❌ Only ships to the US & Canada |
| ✔ Brand supports environmental organizations |
4. Ethletic
Sustainability: Fair Trade, PETA-certified vegan sneakers
Best for: Vegan shoes like Vans
Ships to: Worldwide
Ethletic is a stand-out sustainable sneaker brand creating award-winning styles ethically and sustainably. The brand uses eco-friendly and fair-trade materials like organic cotton to create its best-selling shoes.
The brand has styles similar to the Vans authentic and Vans slip-on models in its Fair Skater, Kole, and Hiro styles. In addition, Ethletic also has a range of cool patterns and colors in its collection.
The brand has a fully traceable supply chain so you know exactly where your shoes are made!
| Ethletic Pros | Ethletic Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Fair Trade, ethically made, and using sustainable materials! | ❌ Sizes can run a little big |
| ✔ Comfortable long lasting shoes | |
| ✔ Great selection of styles like Vans |
5. Rothy’s Slip On Sneaker
Sustainability: Minimalist shoes made from recycled plastic bottles
Best for: Slip-on and minimalist sneakers
Ships to: Worldwide
If you’re looking for shoes like Vans made from recycled plastic, look no further than Rothy’s, an American shoe brand turning recycled plastic bottles into sustainable shoes.
Like Vans, Rothy’s features a minimal drop sole and a slip-on style. Rothy’s shoes are completely machine washable, making them easy to care for and maintain.
Unfortunately, Rothy’s doesn’t have the same slip-on sneaker styles available in its men’s collection and currently only offers one slip-on style for men.
| Rothy’s Pros | Rothy’s Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Brand using recycled materials | ❌ Not as much choice in styles as other brand on the list |
| ✔ Sleek design | ❌ Pricier than other brands |
6. Vessi Weekend Sneaker
Sustainability: 100% vegan footwear, made using reduced water and energy usage.
Best for: Waterproof shoes
Ships to: Worldwide
On the hunt for waterproof shoes like Vans, check out Vessi, the Canadian shoe brand standing out from the crowd by creating 100% waterproof knitted sneakers made from 100% vegan materials.
The Weekend Sneaker style is an excellent Vans alternative, as it features a thick flat style sole, similar to Vans. In addition, each of Vessi’s shoes is vegan, waterproof, and machine washable. Plus, the brand has recently released a knitted slip on style.
However, one drawback is the lack of color choice, with the Weekend style only available in five colors.
| Vessi Pros | Vessi Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Brand using recycled materials | ❌ The brand isn’t as transparent about it’s supply chain |
| ✔ Completely waterproof | ❌ Pricier than other brands |
7. Suavs Zilker
Sustainability: Shoes made from recycled plastic bottles
Best for: Minimalist shoe with minimal drop sole
Ships to: the US & International
SUAVS Zilker shoe is a great alternative to Vans. The model features a minimalist sole with 3-5 mm heel to toe drop and is available in either white or gum sole styles.
SUAVS creates its uppers from 100% post-consumer recycled threads and has diverted almost one hundred thousand plastic bottles away from landfills and into its signature shoes.
SUAVS also makes a slip on shoe that looks like Vans slip on, the Barton; however, the shoe has a limited color choice and is currently only available in black.
Check out our SUAVS vs Allbirds comparison, here.
| SUAVS Pros | SUAVS Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Brand using recycled materials | ❌ Limited style and color choice compared to some other brands |
| ✔ Lightweight and perfect for travelling |
8. Tropicfeel
Sustainability: Certified B Corp, creating travel shoes from recycled materials
Best for: Travel shoes
Ships to: Worldwide
Meet the most funded sneaker ever on Kickstarter, Tropicfeel.
Tropicfeel is a wildcard for the list of shoes like Vans. The brand doesn’t have any styles that match the skate shoe look of Vans. However, they are still a fantastic alternative to Vans.
Tropicfeel shoes are travel-friendly, easily packable, and ultra-comfortable for all-day wear. Plus, the brand uses sustainable materials and ethical production to create its sneakers.
| Tropicfeel Pros | Tropicfeel Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Perfect for travelling | ❌ Not totally waterproof |
| ✔ Lightweight |
9. 8000kicks
Sustainability: 100% waterproof sneakers made from hemp
Best for: Waterproof shoes that look like Vans
Ships to: Worldwide
Shoes made from hemp? Yep, you read that correctly.
8000kicks is the revolutionary shoe brand creating waterproof sneakers from the breathable, renewable material hemp.
The brand is launching its new release sneaker, the Seeker, which is perfect if you’re looking for sustainable shoes that look like Vans.
The Seeker features a flat minimalist sole and skate shoe style. Plus, it’s completely vegan and made with no animal materials.
| 8000kicks Pros | 8000kicks Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Completely waterproof | ❌ Limited choice of styles |
| ✔ Made from hemp |
10. Allbirds Tree Pipers
Sustainability: Sustainable and natural materials, including eucalyptus tree fibers, carbon-negative EVA sole, and recycled plastic laces. Certified B Corp.
Best for: Lace-up minimalist shoe style
Ships to: Worldwide
We’ve included Allbirds on this list with the Allbirds loungers, but we think Allbirds Tree Pipers are also a great option when looking for shoes like Vans.
The Tree piper model is lightweight, features a minimal flat sole, and is available in various colors.
As mentioned previously, Allbirds use sustainable materials and ethical production to create its shoes, making them a great sustainable alternative to Vans.
We’ve tested the shoes personally; you can read our thoughts here.
| Allbirds Tree Pipers Pros | Allbirds Tree Pipers Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Super comfortable and breathable | ❌ Not waterproof |
| ✔ Sustainable materials | ❌ Not suitable for Vegans |
11. Thousand Fell
Sustainability: Recycled shoes made from recycled materials and plastic bottles
Best for: Stan Smith style shoes, and shoes like Vans Old Skool
Ships to: The US
Thousand Fell is smashing the sustainable shoe market with its minimalist shoes, which rival Vans and Stan Smith styles.
Thousand Fells’s minimalist design features a flat skate-style sole with a 21mm outsole height. The footwear brand creates its shoes from recycled materials, including recycled plastic bottles and natural rubber soles. Plus, Thousand Fell’s shoes are entirely vegan and cruelty-free.
| Thousand Fell Pros | Thousand Fell Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Vegan brand | ❌ Can scuff easily |
| ✔ Completely recyclable shoes | ❌ No canvas options available |
12. Sperry
Sustainability: SeaCycled™ range includes shoes made from recycled plastic and five recycled plastic bottles per shoe.
Best for: Shoes like Vans authentic
Ships to: the US & International
Sperry’s SeaCycled™ range includes some great shoes that look like Vans Authentic skate shoes.
Made with recycled ocean and land plastics, up to five plastic bottles are used to create each pair of SeaCycled™ shoes.
Unfortunately, a drawback is that Sperry only currently produces this style in its men’s range.
| Sperry Pros | Thousand Fell Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Canvas can be easily cleaned | ❌ Limited styles like Vans |
| ✔ Recycled materials |
13. Bohempia
Sustainability: Hemp shoes ethically made in the EU, PETA-Approved Vegan certified
Best for: Shoes like Vans slip-on
Ships to: the EU & International
If you’re looking for an ethical skate shoe like Vans, check out Bohempia, a cool European brand creating hemp skate shoes.
Hemp is a fantastic alternative to cotton as hemp requires less water and can be grown without pesticides – it makes sense to us!
Bohempia creates classic slip on styles with a flatbed sole, barefoot minimalist styles, lace-up high-tops, and low styles like the Vans Authentic style.
| Bohempia Pros | Bohempia Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Barefoot Vans alternatives | ❌ Only available in Europe & UK |
| ✔ Flexible sole |
Wrapping Up: Shoes Like Vans
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our recommendations for the best sustainable shoes like Vans.
If you want to check out other sustainable brands, make sure you read our guide on the best sustainable sneakers, knit shoes, and sustainable backpacks.
Enjoyed this Shoes like Vans article? Check out our Toms alternatives, and shoes like Converse!
