Best Vegan Shoes: My Favorite Vegan Sneakers, Boots & More
Being vegan is so much more than what you eat. It extends to everything you consume, including what you put on your feet. Most people start a vegan lifestyle with food. The food industry now offers plenty of vegan options, but shoes take more attention. From alcohol to skincare to tattoos, animal-derived ingredients turn up in places you would never expect. Shoes are a big one. Animal leather, suede, wool, and animal-derived glues are all over traditional shoes. Leather production starts with animal hides, so a leather shoe is never a vegan option. Finding vegan shoes that are also genuinely good takes some searching.
The good news: it takes a lot less searching than it used to. Vegan leather, also called faux leather, and other synthetic leathers have improved enormously in recent years. The options across sneakers, runners, boots, and dress shoes are real now. Fashion trends have caught up too, so you can find beautiful shoes without compromise. I’ve been vegan for over fourteen years and these are the pairs I actually recommend. Shoes and brands I’ve worn, tested, or researched properly before putting on this list.
My Favorite Vegan Shoes at a Glance
| Shoe | Best for | My take | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| VEJA Panenka | Best overall | Goes with everything, always | Shop |
| Adidas Samba Vegan | Best classic everyday sneaker | The most-searched vegan sneaker right now | Shop |
| HOKA Mafate Speed 4 Lite TL | Best for walking and travel | I’ve worn these across three countries | Shop |
| HOKA Arahi 9 | Best running shoe | Third pair. Enough said. | Shop |
| Doc Martens Jadon II Mono Vegan | Best boots | Platform energy, no leather | Shop |
| Doc Martens 1461 Oxford Vegan | Best dress shoes | The DM classic, done vegan | Shop |
| Adidas Stan Smith Vegan | Best classic sneaker | White. Clean. Done. | Shop |
| SAYE M70 Muse | Best fashion pick | Garnet & Wine. You’ll get compliments. | Shop |
How I Chose These Vegan Shoes
I’ve been vegan for over fourteen years. Footwear is one of the categories where you have to actually pay attention. This list comes from personal wear, direct research, and brands I’ve followed closely enough to trust. Where I haven’t personally worn a pair, I say so.
My criteria: comfort levels, fit, high quality construction, how they hold up with real daily use, whether I’d buy them again, and whether I can confirm the shoe is made without animal-derived materials. I do not put a shoe on this list just because it’s vegan.
The Best Vegan Shoes: My Picks
VEJA Panenka
Best overall vegan shoe
A great pair of black sneakers belongs in every wardrobe. The VEJA Panenka patent leather is mine. Made with a synthetic upper, an organic cotton lining, and a natural rubber sole, these are the shoes I reach for more than any others on this list. The fit is excellent. The look is clean and versatile. VEJA has built a strong following in the vegan community for their focus on fair trade and supply chain transparency, which shows in the high quality of the product.
What I’d flag: The white version gets dirty fast. The all-black holds up much better. Also worth noting: VEJA makes shoes in a range of materials, including some leather models, so always check the specific product page to confirm the materials before you buy.
Adidas Samba Vegan
Best classic everyday sneaker
I haven’t personally worn the Adidas Samba Vegan, but they’re absolutely on my list. With more searches than almost any other vegan sneaker right now, they’re clearly worth knowing about. The Samba Vegan uses a synthetic upper with no animal-derived materials, keeping the iconic Samba silhouette completely intact. If you want the most recognizable vegan sneaker in the world right now, this is probably it.
What I’d flag: The Samba comes in many versions, not all of them vegan. Make sure you’re buying the one specifically labeled Vegan before adding to cart.
HOKA Mafate Speed 4 Lite TL
Best vegan shoes for walking and travel
These are the shoes I reach for when I need to cover serious ground. The HOKA Mafate Speed 4 Lite TL is technically a trail running shoe, but it crosses over in a way very few performance shoes manage. Light enough for a full hiking day. Grippy enough for actual trails. Cool enough to wear with city clothes when you get back. I’ve gone through several pairs of HOKA and keep coming back to this one. The construction is fully synthetic with no animal-derived materials.
What I’d flag: HOKA doesn’t specifically market these as vegan, but the materials are fully synthetic throughout. Confirm on the current product page before purchasing. They also run slightly large, so consider sizing down half a size.
Shop HOKA Mafate Speed 4 Lite TL →
HOKA Arahi
Best vegan running shoes
I’m on my third pair. That is the most honest thing I can tell you about the HOKA Arahi. It’s a stability running shoe, built for people who overpronate slightly, and it’s one of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn for running. The comfort levels hold up on long runs. Light, breathable, and genuinely good-looking for a trainer. I’ve raced in these and reached for them on long travel days too. Fully synthetic construction, no animal-derived materials.
What I’d flag: Stability shoes are not for everyone. If you have a neutral gait, you might find the support a bit much. Worth getting properly fitted before committing to a stability shoe for the first time. Same note as the Mafate: confirm the current materials on HOKA’s product page before purchasing.
Doc Martens Jadon II Mono Vegan Platform Boots
Best vegan boots
The Jadon II is not a subtle shoe. Eight eyes, grooved edges, visible welt stitching, and a towering platform sole. All of the Doc Martens DNA, none of the leather. Dr. Martens uses their Felix Rub Off synthetic material for this version: a matte-finish faux leather you wipe clean with a damp cloth. The side zip makes these far more wearable than classic pull-on DMs, which anyone who has wrestled with a traditional boot will appreciate. The Goodyear-welted construction is heat-sealed at 700°C and reinforced with the signature welt stitch. All-black monochrome, which means they go with everything.
What I’d flag: These are heavy. That’s the platform plus the DM construction. They are not a light day shoe. They’re also significant in the best possible sense. You know when you’re wearing them.
Shop Doc Martens Jadon II Mono Vegan →
Looking for more options? My dedicated vegan boots guide goes deeper into the category.
Doc Martens 1461 Oxford Vegan
Best vegan dress shoes
One of the most iconic footwear brands in the world produces a dedicated vegan range, and the 1461 Oxford is one of the strongest things in it. A classic unisex option that works for the office, a night out, or anything in between. The 1461 comes with Dr. Martens’ signature yellow stitching, an air-cushioned Goodyear Welted sole, and the brand’s famously sturdy construction. The upper is a high-shine vegan synthetic leather in place of animal leather. Everything else is exactly as you’d expect from a pair of DMs.
What I’d flag: These need breaking in, like all Doc Martens. Wear thick socks for the first few sessions and push through. Worth it.
Shop Doc Martens 1461 Oxford Vegan →
Adidas Stan Smith Vegan
Best classic vegan sneaker
Stan Smith Vegan takes one of the most recognizable shoes ever made and removes the animal-derived materials. The upper is vegan and the outsole is made from rubber waste. Available in a range of colors, though I would start with the classic white. These have been in heavy rotation in my wardrobe for years. You know what you’re getting: a clean sneaker that goes with everything, needs no explanation, and never looks wrong. The Stan Smith Vegan is the real deal.
What I’d flag: These run true to size. White shoes get dirty. A quick wipe with a damp cloth keeps them in decent shape.
SAYE M70 Muse in Garnet & Wine
Best colorful vegan fashion shoe
This is the shoe you buy when you are tired of every other option on this list being black or white. The SAYE M70 Muse in Garnet & Wine is a deep, rich red and it is genuinely interesting. The silhouette sits somewhere between a ballerina flat and a retro football sneaker, which sounds like it shouldn’t work and absolutely does. These are beautiful shoes. SAYE describes the upper as crafted with certified suede, with insoles made from recycled polyurethane recovered from mattress production. Made in Portugal. SAYE also makes other colorful models, so check their new arrivals.
What I’d flag: This is a fashion shoe first. Do not wear it on a hiking trail. Do wear it with a simple outfit and let it do the talking.
Also Worth Knowing: NAE Vegan Shoes
I haven’t personally worn NAE, but I’ve followed them long enough to point you their way. NAE Vegan Shoes is a Portuguese brand with one of the most complete vegan footwear ranges around. Sneakers, boots, vegan sandals, heels, flats: all under one roof, all without animal-derived materials. Models include the Berlin and Kario sneakers, made with materials including AppleSkin and Piñatex. NAE describes AppleSkin as an apple leather made with apple peels and apple skins from the food industry. Piñatex is a leather alternative made from pineapple leaves. Looking for vegan sandals or vegan flip flops for summer? Check their sandals section and new arrivals. If you want to browse a shop built entirely around vegan footwear, across every category and price point, NAE is a great place to start.
Vegan Shoes for Women
All of the shoes on this list work across genders, but if you want picks with a more feminine direction, the SAYE M70 Muse is my top recommendation. The Garnet & Wine colorway is an elegant shoe that earns its place in any outfit. The Doc Martens Jadon II Mono Vegan is a strong boot option for anyone who wants something with real presence. The VEJA Panenka and the HOKA Mafate are both excellent everyday and travel options regardless of how you dress.
NAE Vegan Shoes also has a dedicated women’s collection worth browsing, including heels, pumps, and flats alongside the sneakers.
Vegan Shoes for Men
The Doc Martens 1461 Oxford Vegan is one of the strongest dress shoe options for men in the vegan space right now. The Adidas Stan Smith Vegan and the Adidas Samba Vegan are both excellent everyday sneakers with strong unisex appeal. For running, the HOKA Arahi 9 is available in men’s sizing and is the shoe I’d reach for first.
NAE Vegan Shoes also carries a men’s collection that goes beyond sneakers into dress shoes and boots.
What Makes a Shoe Vegan?
A vegan shoe is made without animal-derived materials. In traditional shoes that means avoiding leather, suede, wool, silk, and glues made from animal products, all of which turn up more than you might expect. A vegan shoe replaces these with synthetic leathers or plant-based materials. Plant-based materials include cotton canvas, cork, and natural rubber. Newer vegan options include apple leather, corn leather, and leather alternatives made from pineapple leaves. Some brands also make linings from recycled plastic bottles.
Not every brand labels their shoes as vegan even when the materials are fully synthetic. And not every shoe from a brand that makes vegan footwear is itself vegan. Always check the specific product page for the current materials list. If formal certification matters to you, look for marks like the Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark or PETA-Approved Vegan directly on the product. Both marks also cover animal testing, not only animal-derived ingredients. Once your shoes are sorted, the same checks work for a vegan bag.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan Shoes
Are Adidas Sambas vegan?
The Adidas Samba Vegan is a specific version of the classic Samba silhouette made with a synthetic upper and no animal-derived materials. Not all Samba colorways or versions are vegan. Look specifically for “Samba Vegan” in the product name before you buy.
Are VEJA shoes vegan?
Some VEJA models are vegan and some use leather. The VEJA Panenka featured in this article uses a synthetic upper, an organic cotton lining, and a natural rubber sole. Always check the materials listed on VEJA’s product page for the specific model you want.
Are Doc Martens vegan?
Dr. Martens produces a dedicated vegan range using their Felix Rub Off synthetic material in place of leather. Look for “Vegan” in the product name or the vegan symbol on the product page. Not all Dr. Martens models are vegan.
Are HOKA shoes vegan?
HOKA does not specifically certify their shoes as vegan, but many of their models use fully synthetic constructions with no animal-derived materials. The Mafate Speed 4 Lite TL and the Arahi 9 both use synthetic materials throughout. Confirm on the current HOKA product page before purchasing.
Are Adidas Stan Smith shoes vegan?
The Stan Smith Vegan is a specific version of the iconic silhouette made with a vegan upper and a rubber waste outsole. Not all Stan Smith versions are vegan.
What brands make vegan shoes?
Some brands are built entirely around vegan footwear, like NAE Vegan Shoes and SAYE. Others have dedicated vegan ranges within a broader lineup, including Adidas, Dr. Martens, and VEJA. A growing number of athletic brands use fully synthetic materials throughout their shoes without specifically labeling them as vegan. Luxury vegan shoe brands exist too. Stella McCartney is the best-known designer name.
Are vegan shoes comfortable?
Yes. Comfort levels depend on the brand and construction, as with any shoe. The HOKA shoes on this list are some of the most comfortable I’ve owned, full stop. Vegan materials are not a comfort compromise.
Where can I buy vegan shoes?
Most brands on this list sell directly through their own websites. For broader selection, ASOS and Zalando both have vegan footwear filters. NAE Vegan Shoes is a good one-stop shop if you want to browse across multiple styles in one place.
Amélie is a health and wellness junky. Certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance in the Vinyasa and Ashtanga styles, she has a Yoga Instructor Certification – Level I (300 hours) and Yoga Instructor Certification – Level II (200 hours) under her belt. She also has a certified Open Water Diver certification with PADI and SSI Scuba Schools International Freediving Level I certification with SSI Scuba Schools International. She’s been vegan for over 15 years and is obsessed with anything wellness-related.