9 Brands Making Sustainable Shoes For Men
Men's Sustainable Sneakers And Shoes For All Occasion
While many apparel and lifestyle brands have made the switch to fair trade practices, that’s not always the case for footwear production. Often, shoes are manufactured in potentially dangerous working conditions or with forced labor.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Isn’t it time our shoes matched our ethics?
These fair trade shoe brands for men ensure fair wages, full-scale benefits, and safe working environments for employees. So whether you need kicks for a night out on the town or laid-back days in the office, these sustainable and ethical footwear companies have you covered.
Looking for more menswear options? Head here for our guide to fair trade fashion brands for men.
1. Allbirds
Based In | San Francisco, CA
Ethics | Certified B Corp, natural materials & recycled packaging, WRAP-certified production facility, gives back
Best For | Lounging shoes
Price Range | $95–$145
Imagine the coziest shoes in the world that aren’t just sustainable, but fair trade, too. Welcome to Allbirds. Made with materials like merino wool or eucalyptus tree fibers, Allbirds uses sustainable sourcing methods whenever possible, right down to the recycled plastic shoelaces. As a certified B Corp, the brand also gives back. For errands, walks in the park, or just lounging around, these fair trade shoes belong in every closet.
Shop Allbirds Shoes
2. Nisolo
Based In | Nashville, TN
Ethics | Artisan-made, beyond fair trade wages, transparent production practices, certified B Corp
Best For | Chukkas & ankle boots
Price Range | $130–$260
To say we are fans of the B Corp Nisolo would be an understatement. This brand's thoughtful and intentional approach to crafting beautiful shoes using ethical and fair trade practices is unparalleled. Every producer and artisan working for Nisolo receives fair trade wages, safe working conditions, and healthcare. The Chukka and Ankle boots are some of our favorites, effortlessly elevating your look no matter what time of day.
Shop Nisolo Shoes
3. M.Gemi
Based In | New York, NY & Florence, Italy
Ethics | Fair trade, family-owned factories, gives back
Best For | Loafers
Price Range | $228–$348
Luxury redefined: That’s the mantra of M.Gemi, an Italian high-end shoe brand. The brand works with Italian family-owned factories, where artisan skills have been passed down for years. The company ensures ethical and safe working environments, too. We recommend investing in the loafers, which are hand-burnished and outfitted with blake stitching. We’ll be picking up a pair for every fashion-forward guy we know.
Shop M.Gemi Shoes
4. Veja
Based In | Paris, France
Ethics | Ethical production, organic materials, low waste, vegan options, gives back
Best For | Casual sneakers
Price Range | €80–€245
Since 2005, Veja has been crafting shoes that last, while minimizing the negative impact on people and the planet. The brand uses natural wild rubber when possible and sources organic cotton up to a year before production, mutually working with farmers to create a sustainable and fair trade supply chain. The simple, unisex designs mean shoes that transcend style, and, at an affordable price point, we know you’ll want to try a pair or two!
Shop Veja Shoes
5. Matt & Nat
Based In | Montreal, Canada
Ethics | Vegan, fair wages, eco-friendly & recycled materials
Best For | Slip-ons
Price Range | $95–$175
Matt & Nat has been part of the fair trade and cruelty-free vegan movement for 25+ years. Based out of Montreal, the M&N team builds relationships with its factories and works diligently alongside the makers. Utilizing sustainable materials, like 100 percent recycled plastic bottles, cork, and rubber, these shoes are more than just a fashion statement—they’re better for the world. We dig the slip-ons for weekends, hangouts with friends, and dress-down Friday.
Shop Matt & Nat Shoes
6. Cariuma
Based In | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Ethics | WRAP-certified factories, fair wages & conditions, carbon-neutral shipping, sustainable & organic materials, gives back
Best For | Seasonal kicks
Price Range | $79–$129
Cariuma aims to make sustainable sneakers with the smallest footprint possible. The brand sources only natural and recycled materials like organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled PET and transforms them into super comfortable sneaks, in a multitude of styles and colors (including Pantone picks!). Each ethically made pair, once in recyclable packaging, is sent via carbon-neutral shipping. Sustainable, affordable, and stylish.
Shop Cariuma Shoes
7. Octobre
Based In | Paris, France
Ethics | Vegetable-tanned leather, natural & sustainable materials, ethically made in Europe, gives back
Best For | Casual espadrilles & sandals
Price Range | £80–£245
Octobre, the menswear branch of ethical brand Sézane, embodies Parisian style like no other. From brogues to chukkas to sandals, every pair of shoes have been thoughtfully designed to withstand the test of time. All materials are responsibly sourced, and 95 percent of production stays within ateliers in Europe. We’re big fans of the modern espadrilles, the perfect summer shoe no matter what you pair it with. Octobre gives back to organizations on a monthly basis.
Shop Octobre Shoes
8. Native Shoes
Based In | Vancouver, Canada
Ethics | Fair trade, ethically made, vegan, cruelty-free, gives back
Best For | Outdoor & water-friendly shoes
Price Range | $25–$110
Native Shoes are vegan, fair trade, and all about keeping things lite, especially while in the outdoors. Believing that animals and humans should be treated equally and with respect, no hair or hide is used for this footwear. With factories in China and Vietnam, the Native Shoes team plans site visits several times a year to ensure fair wages, steady hours, and safe conditions. The best part? They recycle shoes through The Remix Project or Zappos for Good.
Shop Native Shoes
9. FAIR
Based In | Portugal
Ethics | Fair trade, vegan, sustainable
Best For | Formalwear & boots
Price Range | €70–€179
FAIR means For All Its Rights, and this brand lives up to that philosophy by prioritizing ethical and fair trade shoe production. These beautiful vegan shoes are crafted in Portugal under safe working conditions. Plus, the brand uses sustainable materials, including PVC-free, OEKO-TEX certified, and eco-friendly microfibers. All in all, these shoes are about as mindful as they come—which makes them well worth the price. There’s something for every conscious man at FAIR.
Shop FAIR Shoes
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