Sustainable Products: Eco-friendly Shoes

Diamonds aren't a girl's best friend; a great pair of shoes is. What can a diamond do for you that a slingback or espadrille can't? Shoes can even glitter, sister. And they're cheaper. You can change your shoes without changing your man and no one wonders. Try that with your pretty diamond ring, even if you bought it for yourself.

Here's a selection of some eco-friendly shoe shopping options:

Planet Shoes has a great selection of shoes that are "produced from recycled materials, animal-friendly products, gentler chemicals or manufactured in plants with environmentally sustainable initiatives." They have lots of tennis shoes, winter boots, sandals, and slippers (like these) but not so much on the dressy, stiletto side of things. Read on.

Moo Shoes is delicious, eco-friendly, and vegan. They have a great selection of women's dress shoes. I lovethese.

Vegetarian Shoes and Bags kind of says it all in the name. Big selection, and the best price range. I need to a new skirt to go with these.

Simple, a nice little shoe company, has these great eco-sneaks for people who "care about the planet but don't want to look like a hippie." A little retro, a little skater, and they look comfy for a walk to the farmer's market... or just to your own herb garden.

Soft Start Shoes offers "sandals, shoes, boots and sheepskin soled moccasin slippers for the entire family! The ultimate in high quality soft soled leather shoes -- the next best thing to bare feet!" They are all hand-crafted; they also have a vegan selection.

Mohop Shoes are handmade by owner Annie (great name) in her Chicago studio. She uses rubber made from recycled tires, sustainable wood, and "the most environmentally-friendly woods, glues, sealers and inks that she can source." So every shoe is unique and can be worn differently every day by adjusting the ribbons on the "strapping system." Go see how amazing they are; my description is not doing them justice.

Charmone Shoes are on the pricier end of the sustainable shoe price range, at least as far as my shoe budget is concerned. But they are beautiful and luxurious; for those who favor more European design sensibility, this is your shoe.

ShopGreenRohini is a kind of shopping mall of green wear, from clothing to shoes. You'll probably see some familiar faces, but you'll find new items there too. Worth the time to browse through the options.

For constant updates on all eco-friendly shoes, visit the GreatGreenShoes blog and subscribe.

For further reading on sustainable fashion, visit (surpise!) the Sustainable Fashion blog.

Image Credits: Jim Snapper.

6 Comments so far!!

MollyL Says:

Don't want to look like a hippie? Who do you think stayed true to sustainability and organics and everything green while you guys(or your parents) went to the disco and voted for Bushes? No thanks required, just don't make this another "fashion" that's here today and gone tomorrow, like last time.

Atula Says:

wow..the choices are endless...how come I never really knew there were so many varieties to chhose in shoes that are stylish and do a thing or two for the environment.

chris1203 Says:

Wow. After reading this article, I will have to try some of these shoes. They are attractive, too.

Lyndsey Says:

I am so happy to have this resource. It will alleviate my guilt over being a serial killer of shoes. I don't do it on purpose, but I seem to wear shoes down and out very quickly. Perhaps it's all the vitis to cobblestoned Quebec City. In any case, I always felt bad about that material being thrown out so often. I usually damage them so much, I can't even give them to charity.

Katharina Says:

:-) My Planet Shoes are not quite so... uh... noticeable as these are :-) but I adore them. They are sooo very comfortable.

Heretoday Says:

My feet are not shoe-friendly. They are very wide and hard to fit. Can anyone tell me which of these shoe brands have wide sizes? Thanks.