As more and more people are becoming vegan, one of the most common issues that arises is what to do about shoes. The vegan movement’s popularity has caused many specialty shoe companies to gain notoriety, while some mainstream companies have also jumped on the bandwagon, realizing the importance of the niche market.
AirSeal
AirSeal is one of the premier names in the vegan shoe movement. Their shoes are styled similarly to classic Dr. Marten’s with the thick rubber soles, prominent contrast stitching and combat boot-inspired uppers. What separates AirSeal from their English counterpart is the company’s commitment to the vegan movement. All AirSeal shoes are made with 100% vegan materials. The uppers are composed of man-made materials that mimic the traits of actual leather, while the glue used in the shoes is free of any animal byproducts, making these shoes the grail of vegans seeking to stay true to their convictions.
Specialty Stores
If you live in a large urban center, college town, or area with a progressive community, you might just be near a store that specializes in vegan footwear or at least caters to the demographic. Online retailers such as Vegetarian Shoes and Veggies offer broad selections of vegan-friendly shoes, while Zappo’s even has a dedicated vegan section.
Brands to Look For
In addition to AirSeal, there are numerous other names you should look for when trying to fill your vegan footwear needs. State Street is a major manufacturer of shoes that comply with vegan ideals, while Moo Shoes and Pangea are also noteworthy manufacturers. Pangea even makes an array of accessories such as handbags and belts that can help you accessorize your new shoes. Mainstream shoemakers like Puma, Nike, Adidas, and Vans even offer select shoes that are vegan-compatible, showing just how significant the movement has become and also reflecting those companies’ pulse on the marketplace.
Low-Cost Alternatives
While there are a lot of options out there for those seeking true vegan-friendly shoes, there is a common factor that inhibits some from purchasing such footwear: price. The price of these shoes is not exorbitant like an exotic hide shoe, but it is also far from low-cost; the cost of these vegan shoes tends to be right in the middle of the name brand market, costing between $100-$200 a pair. An alternative to these relatively pricey shoes can be found at your local discount shoe retailer. Stores such as Payless, Shoe Depot, TJ Maxx and SteinMart are a good place to look for low-cost shoes that are somewhat vegan. Look inside the tongue or on the insole for the material tagging. Be on the lookout for the term “man-made materials,” as it denotes that the shoe is not leather, but rather made from a synthetic material with similar physical traits. The glue used in the construction of these shoes may not be vegan-friendly, but at least you are getting closer to the real deal, or not, as the case may be.
The contributor is not a vegan but he is learning to shop for vegan-friendly goods for some of his close family members.
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