The use of leather is controversial in many respects: On the one hand, the production is often associated with great animal suffering, on the other hand, very large amounts of water are used for production and (sometimes toxic) chemicals are used – which in turn is bad for the environment. There is also vegetable tanned organic leather, but due to its natural processing this is unsealed, open-pored and therefore sensitive to water. This makes it less suitable for the production of weatherproof hiking shoes. This raises the question of which vegan alternatives can be used for outdoor activities? In the following we present five brands that have suitable outdoor models in their range that do not contain any animal materials.
By not using leather, vegan shoes are not automatically better for the environment, since crude oil is often used in the production of synthetic plastics. For this reason, it is better to bet on brands that use recycled materials. This results in less plastic waste. In addition, resources are conserved. Below we present five brands that produce vegan hiking shoes.
The German family company is known for the manufacture of outdoor products. What many people don’t (yet) know: Vaude now also offers vegan hiking shoes in its range, such as the mid-height “Lavik Eco STX” model. According to the manufacturer, the outdoor shoes are suitable for hiking and mountain tours because they are breathable, waterproof and windproof at the same time. To protect your feet from dirt and sharp stones during a tour, there are reinforced caps in the toe and heel areas. The vegan hiking shoes are made of the following materials:
The vegan hiking boot “Hiking Boot Pine” by Ekn Footwear is made by hand in a certified factory in Portugal. Imitation leather from recycled PET bottles is used for production, while the upper materials are made of waxed organic cotton and recycled rubber – these also come (if possible) from their own region. However, the model with alpine character is only water-repellent and not waterproof. In other words, the shoes can withstand a short rain shower, but the feet are not permanently dry during longer periods of rain. The Vibram sole should still be extremely robust and durable.
The German shoe manufacturer Doghammer offers sustainable hiking shoes for sale – such as the “Guide Pro Vegan Madl flower” model, whose Vibram sole contains rubber and recycled cork components – as well as the inner sole, which contains the non-toxic plastic alternative to PVC: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA for short). According to the manufacturer, this is not only odorless, but can also be easily removed and thus replaced with a new or different sole. The ankle-high shoes are waterproof and therefore an ideal companion for long hikes.
The shoes from Topo Athletic are also suitable for hiking: Whether “Trailventure 2 WP” or “Ultraventure Pro” – all models have in common that they contain no animal materials. Instead, the brand relies on rubber and synthetics for its vegan hiking shoes. Depending on which model you are interested in, you should make sure that the kicks are waterproof. Because not every output has this property. What they all have in common, however, is that Topo Athletic ensures that all of its shoes are comfortable to wear, have a secure midfoot area and have a low heel drop when running.
The vegan hiking shoes “Ultima 8.0 SZ WP” from Magnum are made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles. This makes it a sustainably produced model that is waterproof despite its breathable membrane. Thanks to the YKK side zip, it should be easy to put on and take off. Other advantages of this brand include the durable outsole (with EVA midsole) and an antibacterial insole. Due to their properties, the high hiking shoes are particularly suitable for cold autumn and winter days, but can also be used in spring.
Sources: PETA, Utopia
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