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The conventional footwear industry is a dirty business; it produces more than 20 billion pairs of shoes a year. About 300 million pairs of shoes end up in landfills each year, with most taking 30-40 years to decompose because they’re predominantly made up of plastic and polymers.
Avoid conventional kids’ shoes made with toxic dyes, glues, and polluting materials. They are made with toxic and synthetic materials such as nylon, synthetic, or other petroleum-derived materials.
❌ Conventional shoes, midsoles, and insoles are environmentally harmful and made of petroleum-based foam.
❌ PFAS: they contain toxic PFAS that are not only harmful to you but alos to the environment. They are found especially in waterproof footwear
Avoid Greenwashing kids shoes made by brands that pretend to be sustainable, eco-friendly, and claim to be made with safer materials when it is not. They will use misleading marketing claims to convince you to buy their products.
Many came with vegan leather alternatives, bringing more plastic to the world:
❌ PVC: Most vegan leathers today are made from PVC, made with petroleum. PVC is, for this reason, harmful to the environment.
❌ PU is another synthetic vegan or faux leather. By definition, PU stands for Polyurethane, a plastic polymer derived from petroleum. Even less than PVC, PU still requires petroleum.
❌ Chrome Tanned Leather: 90% of the leather is chrome tanned. Chrome tanning is a widely used method in the leather industry, involving the treatment of animal hides with chromium salts, primarily chromium(III) sulfate. Toxic wastewater from tanneries can contaminate local ecosystems.
❌ Toxic dyes: toxic to the workers and the environment.
The best kids’ shoes are made with organic, natural, and sustainable materials. Here is the most eco-friendly kids’ shoes on the market, made with renewable resources and also by-products, which is made with plant-based material that would have been wasted.
🌿 Organic Hemp: Hemp has long fibers, which bring a big edge in durability when making fabrics. For that reason, hemp is in many ways the strongest natural fiber available. According to the Hemp Foundation, hemp can be even stronger than steel.
Certifications
✅ USDA Certified Biobased: This certification ensures that the brands are reducing their reliance on petroleum, increasing their use of renewable agricultural resources, and contributing to reducing adverse environmental impacts.
✅ PETA-approved vegan
✅ Recycled materials: 100% of this sneaker’s lining is recycled polyester. It also has a sole made with recycled rubber.
✅ ReCORK: Recycled Cork replaces this foam with a totally sustainable alternative that is more comfortable, cushioning, light, durable, and, of course, way safer, sustainable, and eco-friendly.
🔎I searched for the best sustainable brands on the market, and so excited to introduce you to these approved shoe brands. On this page, you will find the best organic and sustainable shoes on the market made by responsible brands using the most natural materials available.
My number one sustainable shoe brand recommendations are:
Shop with my links to support my research! 💖
15% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
10% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
💚Vessi Sustainable Waterproof Shoes.
While conventional waterproof shoes are made with PFAS and other toxic chemicals, Vessi was able to create a waterproof shoes completely sustainable and friendly. Keep water out and feet breathing, snow, slush, and mud too.
Dyma-tex® 100% waterproof technology: Unlike other waterproof materials, our technology is directly integrated into the knit. It's engineered with thousands of nano-sized pores small enough to keep water out while letting sweat and heat escape. No harsh chemicals, coatings, or sprays here!
The waterproofing is built into the shoe's material: not only will the shoes stay waterproof forever, but there is also no use of harmful chemicals or animal by-products.
💚 Stormburst High Top is Vessi's most adventure-ready design combines the comfort of a sneaker with the grip and coverage of an outdoor boot. It is my favorite model.
MATERIAL: Vegan, The midsoles of our shoes are made out of lightweight EVA and outsoles are made of rubber.
🌿 Stonz Cruiser™ Original Shoes for Toddler
These sustainable Toddler Shoes are crafted with hypoallergenic, low-VOC materials.
They are vegan-friendly products that are free from harmful chemicals like flame retardants, formaldehyde, lead, and phthalates.
APMA recognizes products that have been found beneficial to foot health. Each product is reviewed by a group of podiatrists to ensure it promotes foot health.
Cruiser™ Original Baby is a safer option than other brands that don't test for their baby footwear, making it a better choice.
Featuring a breathable 95% polyester and 5% elastane air mesh upper, it keeps little feet cool and comfortable during active play.
The zero-drop sole and wide toe box promote natural alignment, balance, and healthy foot development, while the flexible natural rubber outsole offers slip-resistant traction and durability.
MATERIAL: 95% polyester and 5% elastane
🌿 Origo Sustainable Shoes for kids: The Easy Hook & Loop in cotton canvas Kids.
100% Vegan classic kids' sneaker, made with black cotton canvas upper and amber sole. Two hook & loop closures make it easy for kids to put on themselves.
Made with Cotton Canvas, vegan, breathable, and a sustainable choice.
Introducing Gen 3, the latest iteration of our Origo line. Your everyday sneaker, in classic Burgundy cotton canvas. Lightweight and easy to wear. Gen 3 offers an enhanced and roomier fit, taking the Origo collection to the next level.
commitment to the planet: putting natural materials and sustainability first, and crafted by skilled artisans in León, Mexico.
MATERIAL: Cotton Canvas
🌿 This small slip-on sneaker brings casual comfort
Knit from Rothy’s signature thread (spun from plastic water bottles).
Soft, creamy white upper with a patterned rainbow detail on the toe.
Rainbow insoles, bright white outsoles, and a fun rainbow heel stripe.
Features Rothy’s signature blue halo.
✅ Rothy’s factory is the world’s first shoe manufacturer to receive both LEED Gold and TRUE Zero Waste Platinum certification.
✅ Rothy’s has purchased 1,356,434.34 kilograms of yarn, which is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, as certified by the SCS Recycled Content certification.
MATERIAL: 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, as certified by the SCS Recycled Content certification.
MADE IN: designed in their San Francisco design studio, made in Dongguan, China, where they own and operate their factory.
I don't recommend Hush Puppies since they found PFAS in their products
Hush Puppies shoes sparked a water contamination crisis