5 Sustainable and Ethically Made Sandal Brands to Know
Sandals can be quite the divisive shoe style. Wear them with socks and you could be labeled a fashion noob. Wear flip-flops and suddenly you’re too cool to care. From our perspective, wearing sandals is the closest we can get to walking barefoot while still wearing shoes. So if you’re looking to test the waters of adopting a grounding practice, strengthen your ankles and feet, or just have really sweaty feet in the summertime, sandals might be the shoe for you! Maybe the dudes always rocking socks and sandals are onto something. Below, we’ve curated a list of five sustainable sandal makers who are making an effort to create sandals from repurposed and ethically sourced materials. Your toes may be exposed, but the planet is protected!
Remember, whenever you’re buying a new pair of sandals (or shoes in general) take a moment to think about that piece traveling with you throughout your life. Are you going to be wearing those shoes in a year? Five? Ten? We always want to make purchases that we plan to use for years into the future and that will have an easy journey into their next lives should we have to say goodbye sooner than expected. Woah, that got emotional; onto some susty sandal recs!
1. Nomasei
Nomasei is a sustainable Italian shoe brand committed to timeless and honest luxury, ethical commitments, and transparency. Their cotton is GOTS-certified organic and their leathers are Reach certified.
2. Nisolo
Nisolo is a sustainable brand that prioritizes ethical production practices by working directly with artisans in countries in the Global South, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions, while also utilizing sustainable materials and processes to minimize their ecological footprint.
3. Indosole
Indosole repurposes discarded tires into stylish and durable footwear, diverting waste from landfills and reducing the environmental impact of tire disposal. Their innovative production process also utilizes minimal water and energy, while supporting fair wages and ethical working conditions for their craftsmen.
Allbirds is a renowned sustainable shoemaker that crafts its footwear using renewable materials like merino wool and eucalyptus fibers. Their Sugar Slider Sandals are created with SweetFoam®, their proprietary material made from sugarcane and the world’s first carbon-negative green EVA.
5. Alohas
Alohas champions slow fashion through their timeless and versatile sandal designs, promoting longevity and partnering with local artisans. Their sandals are crafted out of Leather Working Group Certified Leather.