Do Your Feet & The Environment A Favor And Stop Making This Mistake When Shoe Shopping

Best slip-on: Cariuma Oca Low

A favorite here at Mindbodygreen, the Oca Low shoe is our pick for the best slip-ons—but we haven’t met a Cariuma style that we don’t love. Made with recycled plastics, sustainably sourced natural rubber, and GOTS-certified organic cotton canvas, the Oca Lows are as sustainable as it gets.

Lobkova explains that, while these sneakers are completely flat (which can put a lot of strain on the Achilles tendon), the cork insole is naturally firm and durable. 

The removable soles offer great arch support as is, but can also be replaced with custom orthotics. Best of all, the brand is a Certified B Corp and plants two trees in the Brazilian rainforest for every pair of sneakers purchased.

Read our full Cariuma brand review here.

Best everyday: Thousand Fell Lace Up

This brand is extremely popular for its range of eco-friendly footwear made in lace-up, court, or slip-on styles. Our favorite, the Lace-Up, has the most reviews from shoppers who rave about the style’s design, comfort, and durability.

These sneakers are stain-proof and water-resistant—a win if you’re always struggling to keep your sneaks clean—and made from sustainably sourced materials. The soles are made from recycled rubber that offers just the right amount of cushioning and support, while remaining lightweight and breathable.

Mindbodygreen commerce editor, Carleigh Ferrante, says she considers these lace-up sneakers an especially solid pick for travelers. “They don’t require a break-in period, and the sustainable materials are odor-resistant—so you’ll not only skip the blisters but also smelly luggage!”

Best ballet flat: Alohas Rosalind Ballet Flats

Sustainable shoes can be timeless. Case in point: The Rosalind Ballet Flats from Alohas. The unstructured shoe is designed with Leather Working Group-certified leather, which means that all of the leather materials used to make the shoe are certified low impact and contribute to less pollution.

Being a ballet flat, this pick isn’t the most supportive for long days on your feet. Still, it boasts a comfortable fit complete with elasticized backs and flexible soles.—and the delicate bow detailing only adds to this shoe’s appeal.

Best breathable: Allbirds Tree Runners

Featuring a breathable TENCEL Lyocell upper, castor oil and sugarcane foam, and recycled water bottle shoe laces, the Tree Runner is as sustainable as (new) shoes get. Flexible and soft, these shoes feel comfortable and lightweight during long days on your feet (i.e., traveling, errands, etc.)

According to Nelya Lobkova, Surgical Podiatrist, founder of Step Up Footcare, and biomechanics consultant for KLAW, Allbirds’ upper wool blend can be especially comfortable for those with forefoot deformities, such as bunions and hammertoes.

However, Lobkova notes that Allbirds are relatively unsupportive. If this is an important factor for you, we recommend swapping out the removable insole for a custom orthotic.

In a comparison of Allbirds to Cariuma, mindbodygreen contributing writer Jamey Powell wrote, “I’ve known about these shoes for so long and can’t believe I’ve been sleeping on them. They’re truly so comfortable and great for walking the dog, running errands, or just bopping around town.”

Best sneaker: Nike Air Max Dawn

The Nike Air Max Dawns are the first sneaker to feature the brand’s new foam technology, Nike Grind, a type of recycled foam made from scraps of Nike shoes and other materials. It’s made with at least 20% recycled materials, including recycled polyester, rubber, and Nike Grind foam.

Plus, the shoe is part of the brand’s Move to Zero sustainability initiative, which aims to create a zero-carbon and zero-waste future. Also nice: a lightweight, flexible construction feels good on the feet—and the fact that the shoe’s sole is responsive and stable only adds to its appeal.

We’re also partial to the colorways, which include traditional black or white, along with a few brighter, poppier hues. If you're looking for a sneaker that will serve you well, pair with any outfit, and be planet-positive, this is one to consider.

Best sandals: Teva Original Universal

Teva uses recycled cotton fibers and materials sourced from farms that utilize sustainable growing practices. This style in particular is perhaps the brand’s most popular; you can likely spot it all around the world, which is a testament to the timeless comfort and versatile style of the shoe.

The shoes feature quick-dry webbing made from recycled plastic, adjustable polyester yarn straps, and a molded EVA midsole with heel cupping and arch support.

 Perhaps our favorite attribute: The shoes are treated with Life Naturals, a responsibly sourced peppermint-based antimicrobial that fights the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

With thousands of positive reviews, there’s no denying that this is an ideal choice for a wide range of activities, from walking and errands to light hiking and boating.

Best stylish: Veja V-90

There’s a lot to love about Vejas: sustainable materials, comfortable, worn-in leather, a cushioned insole, and the fashionable design. Truly, snagging a pair of the V-90’s is a no-brainer.

As far as the materials are concerned, this shoe is constructed from organic cotton (grown without the use of harmful pesticides or herbicides), as well as fair-trade leather certified by the Leather Working Group, a group that ensures animals are treated humanely and the environment is protected.

What’s more, the Amazonian rubber sole is harvested from sustainable forests. Overall, this everyday shoe is a great choice for those in the market for a stylish, comfortable, and sustainable sneaker.

Best recycled: Rothy’s The Point II

Perhaps one of the most truly sustainable options on our list, this pick from Rothy’s is made using recycled plastic bottles and fishing nets. In fact, each pair of shoes utilizes about 10 plastic bottles.

The brand offers a recycling program that allows customers to return their old shoes to be recycled into new ones, effectively closing the loop on their manufacturing process. And, if fair labor practices are something of value to you, rest assured knowing the company is committed to using ethical labor practices and doesn’t use any animal products in its shoes.

The latest iteration of the brand’s most popular flat has a more spacious toe box, added elastic for more stretch, and the brand’s supportive insole for increased comfort and support.

Best boot: Reformation River Boot

Reformation is a solid go-to for sustainable footwear that looks fashionable and feels incredibly luxe. Sure, the price tag is on the higher side, but these River Boots are worth every penny.

They’re made with a variety of sustainable materials, including recycled polyester, organic cotton, natural rubber, and bovine leather from the Leather Working Group, and are designed to be recycled at the end of their life. Also nice: Reformation has a commitment to social responsibility and donates a portion of its profits to environmental causes.

I (the writer) personally purchased a pair of my own and love how fashionable they look. Between the three-inch block heel and high-knee fit, they offer a subtle flair of elegance to any outfit. I’m obsessed with the color options (black, black croc, and ruby), but ultimately kept it classic with the black leather.

Quality

Quality is key, especially since shoes are worn daily for many activities. Whether you want something for walking, wearing to the office, or exercising, you’ll find a high-quality option on this list.

Expert Insight

The sustainable shoes on our list fit the criteria outlined by the experts we interviewed. We considered foot health and kept comfort top of mind.

Reviews

Everyone has different feet, so it’s hard to speak from one perspective. To ensure we’re offering a breadth of options, we took customer reviews into consideration. Many styles on our list boast five-star reviews from the people who have tried them and wear them regularly.

Materials

Materials can make or break your experience with a shoe and the impact it has on the environment. We considered fabrics and types of material used in each shoe to ensure comfortable, blister-free wear while also keeping sustainability top of mind.