I Can’t Believe It’s Not Leather: Cute Vegan Shoes for Everyone

October 24 through 31 is World Go Vegan Week, a celebration of compassion and a time to take action for animals. Today’s guest post is by Cheryl Breuer, a writer and vegan who blogs at Peculiar Girl.

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Leather: Cute Vegan Shoes for Everyone

If the idea of non-leather footwear gives you flashbacks of cheap plastic jelly shoes, I feel your blisters. I fell for that fad in the ‘80s too, and it only took one day of sliding around in my own sweat for me to chuck those suckers to the back of my closet and never look back.

Thankfully, non-leather footwear has come a long way since then. Today, it’s easy to find stylish, comfortable, and affordable vegan footwear.

Even if you aren’t a vegan or vegetarian, buying non-leather shoes is an easy way anyone can help lessen animal suffering. Some people argue that leather is simply a by-product of the meat industry, and therefore does no direct harm. The truth is that the leather industry is highly profitable, generating $1.2 billion in 2010. The production of leather is also environmentally costly, generating significant air, liquid, and solid waste pollution, and requiring an extremely high input of water—estimated as much as 2,000 gallons to produce just one pair of leather shoes.

These are my five favorite pairs of vegan shoes. Keep in mind I live in Madison, Wisconsin, a very casual city where many people prefer to walk or bike rather than drive. I choose my shoes mostly for comfort, but I care about style, too. I may not be as fashionable as Jaunty Dame, but I think I look pretty cute most days. Take a look and see what you think.

1. Jambu Touring – Vegan

No lie, I get compliments on these every time I wear them, which is almost daily from spring through fall. I love the peep toe and the floral detail on the heel, and you would never guess the black material isn’t leather. They were a little more than $100, which is on the high end of what I like to pay for shoes, but I’ve had them for three seasons now and they still look great. Available from Zappos.com.

2. Casual brown boots

I bought these two years ago and they still look brand new. They are super comfy and lined with fleece, so my feet stay nice and toasty on cold Wisconsin days. I like the strappy details on these boots, so I usually wear my jeans tucked inside to show them off. They were around $50 from Ragazzi Vegan. It appears this particular style is no longer available.

3. Mizuno running shoes

I have really narrow feet with high arches, so it’s hard for me to find running shoes that fit snugly and offer enough support. These are the best I’ve found, and they are constructed of all man-made materials. This is the third pair I’ve owned. They run around $100, like any good running shoe. I bought mine at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

4. J-41 Sierra Mary Jane sneakers

I bought these in 2008 for a trip to Peru. I spent long days walking around in them with nary a blister. They breathe really well and the color goes with almost anything. These were also a little pricey, around $80 new, but are still going strong. Now discontinued, they are available for $49.99 in black from Overstock.com.

5. Naturalizer strappy heels

Years of wearing stilettos in my corporate job days ruined my feet. When I started developing bunions several years ago, I switched to sensible shoes for all but the dressiest occasions. These black strappy sandals are fabric, a nice alternative to leather that still looks dressy. I can wear them with dresses, skirts, and slacks. Purchased at Famous Footwear for around $50.

So there you have it… my favorite vegan shoes. Do you try to buy products from non-animal sources? What are your favorites? I’m having trouble finding a dressy (and warm) winter coat that doesn’t contain wool. If anyone has a suggestion, I’d love to hear it.

NOTE: In writing this piece, I realized all of my vegan shoes were made in China. I’ve recently become aware of the poor labor conditions many workers suffer in China and I’m trying to avoid buying products manufactured there. Sadly, it seems nearly impossible sometimes to find anything without “Made in China” on the label. Some of the shoe brands, such as Ragazzi Vegan, say they have strict ethical standards for their manufacturers, and do not use sweatshop labor. In the future, if I can’t find non-leather shoes made somewhere other than China, I will at least focus on brands that enforce higher ethical standards for workers.

About Cheryl

Cheryl Breuer is a writer who helps people find happiness by challenging social norms and stereotypes, and encouraging ethical, compassionate living. You can read more of her writing on her blog, Peculiar Girl, join her on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

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