12 Best Ethical and Sustainable Trainers for 2024

Sustainability: Climate-neutral certified, Recycled materials, ethical production

Best for: Sustainable travel shoe

Ships to: UK, EU, & International

Meet the most funded shoe ever on Kickstarter.

Branded as the ultimate travel shoe, Spanish-based trainer brand Tropicfeel creates sustainable trainers perfect for anyone wanting a practical and stylish shoe.

Tropicfeels ethical trainers are lightweight and breathable thanks to the open mesh panelling on the sides of the shoes. Plus, thanks to their elastic laces, Tropicfeel shoes are easily slipped on and off.

Tropicfeel is a transparent brand, using ethical production and recycled materials to create its trainers.

Sustainability: Certified B Corporation uses sustainable materials to create its everyday trainers and running shoes

Best for: Everyday trainers, walking shoes, running shoes

Ships to: Worldwide

Allbirds is one of the most popular sustainable shoe brands on the planet, and for a good reason. The brand uses natural and renewable materials, including eucalyptus tree fibers, ultra-fine merino wool, and recycled plastic bottles, to create its sleek and sustainable trainers.

The San Francisco-based brand creates a range of sustainable trainers and eco-friendly running shoes, which get rave reviews.

Allbirds meets high sustainable and ethical production standards as a certified B Corp.

Sustainability: Vegan trainers, low waste production, shoe recycling scheme

Best for: Running shoes and active trainers

Ships to: UK, EU, & International

Swiss brand On Running creates high-performance trainers perfect if you need a pair of shoes that can keep up with your active lifestyle.

The brand uses recycled materials and ethical production to create its running shoes.

Plus, On Runnings shoes are recyclable at the end of their life, which keeps trainers out of the landfill.

Also available to buy at Office.co.uk, and to shop at Footasylum.co.uk.

Sustainability: Certified B Corporation, using a range of sustainable materials

Best for: Casual trainers,

Ships to: UK, EU, & International

Popular French sustainable trainer brand Veja has gained popularity in recent years thanks to its minimal design and stylish trainers.

With a following of A-listers, including Meghan Markle, Emily Ratajokski, and more, it’s for good reason Veja trainers are one of the most sought-after sustainable trainers brands in the world.

Veja is a certified B Corporation, meaning they balance purpose and profit by using some sustainable materials and ensuring ethical production and supply chain

transparency around its carbon footprint.

Also available to buy at office.co.uk

Check the price at Towerlonden.co.uk

Shop on Veja-store.com

Sustainability: Renewable and natural materials, 100% vegan trainers

Best for: 100% waterproof trainers

Ships to: Worldwide

Meet the world’s first 100% waterproof hemp trainers. You read that right; 8000kicks create their shoes from the natural material hemp, a durable material that requires little water to grow and possesses natural antibacterial properties (which is excellent if you suffer from smelly feet).

8000kicks trainers are lightweight, sturdy, waterproof, and come in neutral tones. We’ve tested a pair ourselves, so why not check out the review here.

Sustainability: Certified B Corporation using sustainable materials and ethical production. Every pair = two trees planted.

Best for: Skate shoes, trainers like vans

Ships to: Worldwide

Cariuma creates sustainable leather trainers able to stand up to skating, traveling, and walking demands.

Since day one, the brand has been committed to sustainable production and has focused on creating ethical trainers as eco-friendly as possible. As a result, Cariuma achieved B Corp status in 2021, thanks to its sustainable production model, ensuring responsible materials sourcing, ethical manufacturing, and supporting environmental protection initiatives.

For every pair of Cariuma’s bought, the brand plants two trees as part of its Amazon reforestation program, which aims to restore and protect crucial parts of the Amazon rainforest.

Sustainability: Biodegradable, vegan trainers made with natural materials

Best for: Retro style trainers, vegan trainers

Ships to: Free UK & EU Shipping, plus international shipping

Flamingos Life is your go-to brand if you’re looking for a cool, retro-style trainer. The brand creates trainers inspired by the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

Flamingos life is a vegan brand designing ethical trainers from natural materials, including hemp, cotton, corn, and natural rubber. In addition, the brand creates its shoes locally in Spain from family-run producers.

Also available to buy on Thought.co.uk

Sustainability: Trainers made from recycled plastic

Best for: Active trainers, running shoes.

Ships to: UK & International

If you’re a trainer fan, you’ve heard of Adidas and may be surprised to find the brand on this list. However, Adidas has teamed up with Parley ocean plastic to create a range of trainers from recycled ocean plastics, including recycled plastic bottles and fishing nets.

The Parley range features the popular PrimeBlue collection of trainers, which feature no virgin polyester but keep the same Adidas performance.

Sustainability: Vegan trainers made with recycled materials

Best for: Luxury trainers

Ships to: UK & International

Stella McCartney is a British luxury designer focusing on creating vegan clothing and accessories from responsible materials.

The designer’s new collection features a range of vegan trainers crafted from ECONYL, a material created from recycled fishing nets.

Although pricier than many other brands featured on this list, Stella McCartney is the perfect choice if you’re looking to combine luxury design with sustainability.

Sustainability: Fully recyclable vegan trainers made from recycled plastic bottles

Best for: Minimal vegan footwear

Ships to: Europe & UK

Are you searching for a vegan alternative to the popular minimalist Stan Smith trainers? Check out Beflamboyant, a Spanish vegan brand creating trainers from bio-based vegan leather made from corn and bamboo.

Beflamboyant shoes are comfortable and breathable, thanks to a super soft bamboo lining, plus they come with a cool jute tote bag.

We’ve tested Beflamboyant shoes and found they were comfortable and stylish, check out our review here.

Sustainability: Certified B Corporation creates ethical trainers from responsibly sourced wool

Best for: Wool sneaker styles

Ships to: Worldwide

Baabuk is a footwear brand creating wool trainers and sustainable sneakers ethically. Wool is naturally breathable, water repellant, and renewable, making it the perfect versatile material to craft sustainable trainer styles.

The wool for Baabuk’s shoes is locally sourced and assembled into trainers in Portugal.

Baabuks wool shoes come in different colors and styles, including the option to customize your own pair completely.

Sustainability: Certified B Corp, using natural and recycled materials, including recycled plastic bottles

Best for: Barefoot footwear

Ships to: Worldwide

For a unique shoe concept, check out Vivo barefoot. A sustainable footwear brand bringing you closer to nature – literally. Vivo barefoot, durable, flexible, and thin soles mean you feel the ground beneath your feet.

The concept behind barefoot-style trainers has been proven to improve balance and stability and improve sensory information to your brain.

The brand creates running shoe styles, hiking boots, and casual trainers.