As the demand for sustainable fashion grows, eco-friendly sandals have emerged as a stylish and responsible choice for those looking to tread lightly on the planet.
These sandals offer a perfect blend of comfort, durability, and environmental consciousness, allowing you to enjoy warm weather while minimizing your ecological footprint.
In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of eco-friendly sandals, the difference between eco-friendliness and sustainability, and the top brands you should consider for your next purchase.
Why Switch to Eco-friendly Sandals?
Here’s why you should consider adding eco-friendly sandals to your wardrobe:
Reduced Environmental Impact: Eco-friendly sandals are made from materials that are less harmful to the environment. Using recycled or renewable materials helps minimize waste and reduces the reliance on non-renewable resources. This can lower your carbon footprint and lessen the overall environmental impact of your footwear.
Support for Sustainable Practices: By choosing eco-friendly sandals, you support brands that prioritize sustainable manufacturing processes. These companies implement practices that reduce water and energy consumption, limit pollution, and minimize waste, contributing to a more sustainable industry.
Durability and Quality: Eco-friendly sandals are made with high-quality materials designed to last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Some brands also design their sandals to be easily repairable, extending their lifespan and reducing waste.
Health Benefits: Some eco-friendly materials, such as natural fibers and plant-based components, can be gentler on your skin and overall health than conventional materials that might contain harmful chemicals.
Positive Impact on Brand Practices: Supporting eco-friendly brands encourages more companies to adopt sustainable practices. Your purchase can drive industry-wide change, promoting greater environmental responsibility and ethical behavior.
What Makes Sandals Eco-Friendly?
Beyond just a label, what factors contribute to a sandal’s sustainability? Here’s a closer look at the elements that set eco-friendly sandals apart from conventional options.
Made From Sustainable Materials
Eco-friendly sandals use materials that are renewable, recyclable, or biodegradable. Examples include recycled plastics, natural rubber, organic cotton, hemp, and cork. These materials help reduce waste and the use of non-renewable resources.
Ethical Manufacturing Practices
Ethical production measures are a key factor in eco-friendly sandals. These measures ensure fair labor practices, such as fair wages and safe working conditions, while prioritizing environmentally friendly manufacturing.
Brands committed to ethical production are transparent about their processes and often use responsibly sourced materials, ensuring that the sandals are made in a socially and environmentally sustainable way.
Recyclability and Biodegradability
At the end of their life, eco-friendly sandals are often designed to be easily recyclable or biodegradable. This helps ensure they don’t contribute to landfill waste and can be broken down naturally or repurposed.
Minimalist Design
Some eco-friendly sandals feature minimalist designs that use fewer materials and generate less waste during production. This approach helps reduce the product’s overall environmental impact.
What’s the Difference Between Sustainable and Eco-friendly Sandals?
Sustainable and eco-friendly often overlap, but there are nuances between the terms.
Sustainable sandals prioritize the entire product lifecycle, from material sourcing and production to end-of-life considerations. This includes factors like ethical labor practices, fair trade, and the ability to be recycled or repurposed.
Sustainable sandals often use materials like organic cotton, recycled plastics, or natural rubber, which have a lower environmental impact than traditional materials.
Eco-friendly sandals primarily focus on using environmentally friendly materials and production processes.
While they may not necessarily address other aspects of sustainability, such as ethical sourcing or long-term durability, they still contribute to reducing footwear’s environmental impact.
So, the question now is this: which is better? The answer depends on what environmental and social responsibility aspects are most important to you.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive approach that addresses environmental and social aspects, sustainable sandals might be the better choice.
If your primary concern is minimizing the environmental impact through the use of green materials and eco-friendly production methods, eco-friendly sandals are a solid option.
Best Eco-Friendly Sandals to Add to Your Collection
Here are some top eco-friendly sandal brands we recommend to anyone looking for stylish and sustainable footwear. These brands prioritize ethical production, innovative use of eco-friendly materials, and environmental impact.
Size range: US 7 to 17 1/2 (Men), US 4 to 11 1/2 (Women)
Materials: Natural cork, latex, leather, jute, and Birko-Flor®
Price range: $128 to $250
Known for their contoured footbeds, which promote healthy posture and weight distribution, Birkenstock sandals are ideal for everyday wear. The footbeds are made from natural cork and latex, and the suede lining molds to the shape of your foot over time.
Birkenstock uses jute, a renewable resource, and Birko-Flor®, a synthetic alternative to leather, in many of its designs. Its commitment to using natural, renewable materials and sustainable manufacturing processes has made it a leader in eco-friendly footwear.
Explore our guide to discover how ethical Birkenstock truly is, along with some stylish vegan pairs to grab!
Teva sandals are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who need durable, reliable footwear for hiking, water activities, and casual wear.
Teva has been increasingly committed to sustainability. Many of its sandals now feature straps made from REPREVE® recycled polyester, which repurposes plastic bottles.
The soles are often made from natural rubber and EVA foam, providing excellent grip and comfort.
Teva’s eco-friendly practices extend to their use of plant-based dyes and their initiative to reduce water and energy consumption in production.
Nisolo is a brand that combines style, comfort, and sustainability, making it perfect for work or dressier occasions. It uses vegetable-tanned leather, which avoids the harsh chemicals typically used in leather processing, and natural rubber for its soles.
Nisolo is dedicated to ethical production, ensuring that all workers in its supply chain are paid fair wages and work in safe conditions. Its timeless designs and commitment to quality make it a great investment for those looking for both style and sustainability.
TOMS’s sandals are designed for comfort and versatility, perfect for everyday wear.
TOMS uses a variety of sustainable materials, including recycled cotton and polyester for their straps and natural rubber for the soles.
The brand is also dedicated to giving back, with every purchase supporting charitable initiatives worldwide. TOMS’ blend of eco-friendly materials and socially responsible practices make them an excellent choice for conscious consumers.
Rothy’s has become a popular choice for those with narrow feet, thanks to its flexible, snug-fitting designs.
Sandals are crafted from recycled plastic bottles, spun into a soft, breathable, durable, and comfortable fabric. The soles are made from bio-based TPU, which provides a lightweight yet supportive base.
Rothy’s also takes pride in its 3D knitting process, which minimizes waste during production.
Noah is a popular streetwear brand known for its high-quality clothing and accessories.
Noah’s sandals are a relatively new addition to their lineup, but they’ve quickly become a sought-after item among fashion-conscious consumers.
The brand’s sandals are characterized by sleek and modern designs, often featuring minimalist aesthetics and bold color combinations. Made from recycled materials and natural rubber, these sandals offer a sustainable and comfortable option for everyday wear.
Chaco is a well-established brand known for its durable and supportive sandals, which are often used for outdoor activities. The sandals are designed to provide comfort and support, making them ideal for hiking, camping, and other outdoor adventures.
Chaco incorporates recycled materials and natural rubber into its designs, ensuring sustainability without sacrificing performance.
Sustainable materials: Recycled leather, organic cotton, and natural rubber
Price range: $60 to $120
Able offers a range of minimalist designs perfect for daily wear, from casual outings to more polished looks.
The sandals, in particular, are crafted with comfort in mind, featuring supportive soles and breathable materials.
Able uses recycled leather for a sleek appearance that supports circular fashion principles, reducing waste and reliance on new resources.
The sandals are also made with natural rubber soles that provide flexibility and durability while being biodegradable. The organic cotton straps and linings enhance breathability and softness, ensuring that the sandals remain comfortable even after extended wear.
Size range: Men’s US 7 to 13, Women’s US 6 to 11.5
Sustainable materials: Natural materials like wool, leather, and natural rubber
Price range: $50 to $80
Baabuk offers comfortable and traditional-inspired sandals made from natural materials like wool, leather, and natural rubber. Its designs are often inspired by traditional footwear from around the world, providing a unique and stylish option.
Baabuk’s sandals are comfortable and durable, making them a great choice for everyday wear.
Feel Goodz is a brand that focuses on providing comfortable and affordable sandals. Their designs are simple and practical, making them a great option for everyday wear. Feel Goodz uses recycled materials and natural rubber in their sandals.
Melissa is a Brazilian footwear brand founded in 1979. Known for its unique designs and use of innovative materials, Melissa has gained a global following for its sustainable and cruelty-free approach to fashion.
The brand’s iconic sandals are made from a proprietary plastic called Melflex, which is derived from renewable resources and is both flexible and durable.
Melissa’s sandals are often characterized by their vibrant colors, playful shapes, and collaborations with renowned designers.
VIVAIA is a relatively new footwear brand that has quickly gained popularity for its sustainable and comfortable sandals.
The brand is committed to using recycled materials and vegan leather in its products, offering a cruelty-free and eco-friendly alternative to traditional footwear.
VIVAIA’s sandals are known for their minimalist designs and comfortable fit, making them a versatile choice for everyday wear.
Quince is a direct-to-consumer brand that offers high-quality products at affordable prices. Their sandals are made from sustainable materials like recycled plastic and natural rubber, making them a budget-friendly option for those looking for eco-friendly footwear. Quince’s sandals are designed to be both stylish and comfortable, with a focus on durability and quality.
Summary
Eco-friendly sandals offer a stylish and sustainable alternative to traditional footwear. Not only are they better for the environment but also comfortable and durable, often featuring unique designs that set them apart from conventional options.
Birkenstock, for example, is renowned for its comfortable and durable sandals made from high-quality natural materials like cork and natural rubber.
Teva and Rothy’s offer stylish and sustainable options with a focus on innovative materials and designs, while Nisolo and Able prioritize ethical production practices and fair wages for workers.
If you’re looking for budget-friendly options, Feel Goodz and Noah Italian Vegan Shoes offer affordable, eco-conscious choices at prices ranging from $25 to $60.
Ultimately, the best eco-friendly sandals for you will depend on your personal preferences, budget, and values.
Allow me to introduce myself, Savannah Bailey, a pivotal content writer at EthicalSustainableClothing.com. My initial fascination with fashion's creative realm soon gave way to mounting concerns about its environmental and ethical implications, propelling me toward a fulfilling career in sustainable fashion. Armed with a degree in fashion design, I now utilize my words to educate and inspire, with the goal of sparking transformative change.
My collaborations with ethical fashion brands, coupled with an unwavering love for the great outdoors, have deepened my commitment to sustainability. I employ my exceptional writing skills as a driving force behind a broader movement towards intentional fashion choices, striving to bridge the gap between style and ethics.
Within my role at EthicalSustainableClothing.com, my fervor for sustainable fashion and my advocacy seamlessly blend, propelling our mission forward. I invite you to join me in embracing a more conscious and stylish world, where each decision contributes to a brighter future.
