Sustainable alternatives to New Balance shoes (and other popular shoe brands) are becoming increasingly important as more people seek environmentally friendly options.
After all, everyone needs shoes. Literally, they are probably the only piece of clothing that is universally similar across the world. And for good reason – if your feet are hurting, you won’t feel good.
In recent years, since about the time “kicks” has referred to shoes, comfort sometimes took a backseat to style. New Balance came along and made it all better. Low prices, fresh styles, comfortable insoles.
But now, there is another aspect that is at the forefront: the environment. It’s more important than ever to have a set of sneakers that not only look good and feel good, they need to be good for the environment as well.
Read on to discover 8 sustainable alternatives to New Balance shoes that will revamp your shoe closet for years to come!
Check out this article on Sustainable Shoes & Sneakers For Men if you’re on the lookout for more sustainable options!
Top 7 Sustainable Alternatives To New Balance Shoes
1. Cariuma
Cariuma embraces personal style over status-quo trends – and they empower conscious consumers to buy quality over quantity (which is really the only true answer to sustainability).
Their materials are sourced responsibly and all Cariuma shoes are produced in ethical factories with a strict code of conduct for day-to-day operations.
Best of all, this brand believes in giving back to the community and fellow eco-friendly organizations.
Price Range: From $95+
Size Range: Men’s US 5-13 | Women’s US 5-13
Materials: Organic cotton, bamboo, sugarcane, cork, mamona oil, recycled nylon, recycled PET, leather & suede & rubber
Location/Shipping: Brazil, ships to the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal & Singapore
2. Veja
Fresh styles and helping tackle the plastic problem facing the planet?
With Vejas, approximately 3 plastic bottles are used to create every pair of their fashionable sneakers!
This upcycling process is not only eco-friendly, but it creates a smart fabric that is also breathable and water-repellent. Wow!
Price Range: From $145+
Size Range: Men’s US 9-13 | Women’s US 4-10
Materials: Organic cotton, leather, suede, Amazonian rubber, bio-based EVA, sugarcane, recycled bottles, recycled polyester & more!
Location/Shipping: Brazil, ships worldwide
3. Saola
Saola is made up of a group of outdoor-loving, adventurous people who are dedicated to making a difference. They challenge the norms and continually look for better solutions.
And they may have come up with the perfect solution for environmentally sustainable shoes. Eco-construction is the central pillar of Saola’s shoe development.
Whether made from algae, recycled plastic, organic cork, or one of their other innovative materials, you can be sure that this brand is giving their all in trying to make the best product possible – for you and the environment.
Price Range: From €99.95+
Size Range: Men’s US 7.5-13 | Women’s US 6-10
Materials: Grape-based leather, ZQ merino wool, castor seeds, recycled plastic bottles, knit, recycled EVA, natural rubber, recycled cork, recycled PU & organic cotton
Location/Shipping: Vietnam, ships to Europe
4. Flamingos Life
These shoes are meant to do two things: make you look good and help improve the current ecological crisis.
They do this by using vegan materials, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and lowering the associated water footprint.
The end result is a shoe that you can feel good about wearing – no matter how many pairs you buy.
Price Range: From $170+
Size Range: Men’s US 7-12 | Women’s 4-9.5
Materials: Organic cotton, natural rubber, bamboo & corn waste
Location/Shipping: Spain/Portugal, ships worldwide
5. VivoBarefoot
VivoBarefoot is simply a good brand. They repurpose plastic waste by giving it a second life in their shoes, and they are produced using animal-free materials.
Their signature high abrasion, firm-ground outsole has low-profile, multi-directional lugs for extra traction and durability in any terrain.
Go ahead and hike those wet terrains or clamber over dry, rocky surfaces. VivoBarefoot has got you covered.
Price Range: From $120+
Size Range: Men’s US 7-17 | Women’s USA 4.5-11
Materials: Organic cotton, leather, hemp, bio-based polymers, natural rubber, bloom foam, recycled plastics (recycled PET) & recycled EVA
Location/Shipping: Worldwide
6. Native Shoes
It seems the heavier the world gets, the more it needs lightness. And Native Shoes is on a mission to create a lighter, healthier, happier world for everyone. Each time you wear a pair of Native Shoes, you are making an impact.
‘Live Lightly’ is this brand’s motto, both with footwear and philosophy. It’s a sentiment that has been passed along from soul to sole since the company’s inception in 2009.
Through their simple formula of innovation, sustainability, originality, and – the key ingredient – lightness, Native Shoes strives to beautify our environment and lighten our carbon footprint on the world.
Price Range: From $75+
Size Range: Men’s US 3-13 | Women’s US 6-12
Materials: EVA & bio-based materials
Location/Shipping: Canada, ships worldwide
7. Greats
Greats doesn’t just make shoes, they make shoes made to be worn for the rest of your life. And they like to make them in a responsible way.
All of their shoes are made by top-rated factories that meet the highest standards of labor and environmental practices – and with each shoe, seven bottles stay out of oceans and landfills.
It’s impossible to make physical goods and be 100% sustainable, but Greats is about as good as it gets.
They are always taking meaningful steps towards decreasing our carbon footprint while making comfortable, stylish, well-crafted kicks.
Price Range: From $149+
Size Range: Men’s US 6-15 | Women’s US 6-12
Materials: Premium leather, natural rubber, EVA foam, Algae foam, recycled plastic & recycled cotton & polyester
Location/Shipping: USA
There you have it! So many sustainable alternatives to New Balance shoes! There are so many great sustainable alternative brands that are high quality, affordable, and leave little or no carbon footprint.
These amazing brands are changing the shoe game and doing so much good for the earth. Investing your dollar to support these sustainable companies is such an easy way to vote for a greener planet!
Want to shop some of the most revolutionary companies? IndieGetup makes it easier for you to have access to clothing with a conscience. Click here to visit more brands we love that are creating a greener future.
About The Author
Konstantina Antoniadou
A sustainability writer who helps conscious readers discover eco-friendly fashion, beauty, and home products.
Recently, she completed a series of courses in sustainable fashion, business models for sustainability, and consumer neuroscience at Copenhagen Business School to deepen her expertise in promoting sustainable practices in consumer industries.
Currently, she is attending a 6-week seminar on Chemicals and Health at Johns Hopkins University to better understand the toxicity of commonly found household chemicals and their health impacts as well as how to select products that are better for the environment and health.
