8 SUSTAINABLE BOOTS FOR FALL AND WINTER ADVENTURES
Elevate your fall and winter wardrobe with some of these 8 sustainable boots!
For those of us who live in places with four distinct seasons, boots are a must-have in our fall and winter wardrobes.
They keep our feet cozy, dry, and warm during the colder months, so it’s crucial to get quality ones.
However, finding high-quality boots that are also sustainable and stylish can be a challenging task.
There are countless footwear brands on the market, but few actually offer boots that are well-made with the planet in mind.
In this blog post, I’ve rounded up 8 sustainable boots brands that sell pairs for all your fall and winter adventures!
From sustainable knee-high boots to Chelseas, I’ve made sure to include styles for everyone.
Some of these brands also have great options for men.
This blog post contains affiliate links which means that if you buy something through such links, I will get a small commission without any extra cost for you. Please read my Disclosure for more details.
Why should we buy sustainable boots this fall and winter?
Most boots on the market aren’t made with the environment in mind.
They’re mass-produced from unsustainable materials in factories that couldn’t care less about their environmental footprint.
Many of these boots also aren’t designed to stand the test of time and often need replacing after a few seasons, if not quicker.
Factories producing these shoes are also incredibly unethical and often don’t provide their employees with fair wages and humane working conditions.
On the contrary, sustainable boots are made by prioritizing ethical and sustainable practices as well as durability.
It means that not only is their environmental footprint a lot lower, but we can also wear them for longer!
What to look for when shopping for sustainable boots?
If you want to buy sustainable boots this fall and winter, support brands that use durable, eco-friendly materials.
For instance, some brands have great options made of recycled plastic or responsibly sourced leather.
While the production process of leather is far from being the most sustainable, leather is an incredibly durable material.
If you want to find sustainable leather boots, prefer those crafted with vegetable-tanned leather or leather certified by the Leather Working Group.
Sustainable boots can also feature materials like recycled rubber, organic cotton, responsibly sourced wool, hemp, and wood.
However, don’t just look at the materials.
Also, check that the brand you’re buying from uses quality craftsmanship as well as ethical and sustainable manufacturing practices.
Ideally, choose boots that are handcrafted or even made-to-order, as these will usually be of high quality.
You’ll be able to enjoy them for years if not decades, and they might even be repairable!
Read more: How to make your wardrobe more sustainable?
8 sustainable boots for fall and winter adventures
1. Vivaia
For: Women
Materials: Recycled Plastic, Sugarcane-Based EVA, Rubber
Vivaia has a huge selection of women’s boots, including Chelsea boots, knee-high models, Western boots, heeled booties, and more.
Most of them come in a wide range of colors and even patterns (plaid, leopard, snake prints, and more!).
They also have water-repellent uppers, meaning that they’re suitable for almost all weather conditions!
Not only that but they’re truly made with comfort in mind.
Many of them provide arch support, cushioning with great shock absorption and traction, and extra roomy toe boxes.
The uppers are made of a soft, stretchy knit material crafted from recycled plastic bottles.
It’s very breathable and offers a custom-like fit.
Vivaia boots also have sugarcane-based EVA and rubber outsoles and come packaged in 100% recycled cardboard boxes.
2. Nisolo
For: Women & Men
Materials: Leather, Rubber, Memory Foam
If you’re looking for sustainable leather boots, this brand is for you!
Nisolo offers elegant boots for both men and women, all made with genuine leather sourced from Leather Working Group-certified tanneries.
Their soles are also either made with rubber or vegetable-tanned leather.
The brand’s boots are available in a variety of styles and a few colors (mostly black and different shades of brown and beige).
You get to choose from different ankle boots, heeled models, Chelsea boots, chukkas, and more!
The boots are very comfortable yet chic and stylish.
No matter which style you go for, you’ll see they’re super easy to dress up or down.
Plus, Nisolo is Climate-Neutral and B Corp certified, so it meets some of the strictest standards in terms of ethics and sustainability!
3. Fortress of Inca
For: Women
Materials: Leather, Suede, Wood, Rubber, Alpaca Wool
Fortress of Inca creates gorgeous high-quality boots that are both versatile and refined.
They feature classic silhouettes and timeless styles, but some also have special details such as a sculptural oval heel or a platform sole.
You’ll find shoes available in neutral colors as well as more unique ones like burgundy or green.
The brand handcrafts them all in Peru in family-owned factories and workshops.
All the shoemakers are paid fair wages and are provided with good working conditions.
Fortress of Inca makes the boots’ uppers and insoles from leather (one also contains alpaca wool).
On the other hand, most heels and outsoles are made of leather-wrapped wood with a bit of rubber.
SHOP FORTRESS OF INCA SUSTAINABLE BOOTS
4. Koio
For: Women & Men
Materials: Leather, Suede, EVA, Rubber, Recycled Rubber, Shearling
Koio’s boots are handcrafted in Tuscany, Italy, using locally sourced leathers and suedes certified by the Leather Working Group.
Made with quality craftsmanship, each shoe passes through the hands of 42 artisans before it’s deemed complete!
You’ll find various styles for both men and women, including casual lace-ups and refined Chelseas with elasticated side panels.
The brand’s boots are tightly stitched to ensure they are water-resistant.
They’re also fitted with a cushioned insole, and some are lined with shearling for added warmth.
Koio boots are designed to look refined when dressed up and feel cool with a more laid-back style.
5. Everlane
For: Women
Materials: Recycled Polyester, Leather, Suede
Everlane sells various styles of boots, including Chelseas, knee-high boots, heeled models, Western-inspired styles, and riding boots.
It even has a pair of clog-style boots!
Most are crafted from leather or suede sourced from tanneries rated by the Leather Working Group.
A couple of models are made from the brand’s textured ReKnit fabric, which is produced from recycled polyester that is GRS and bluesign® certified.
The brand also prioritizes clean chemistry by incorporating either GOTS, GRS, or bluesign® restricted-substance standards in its supply chain.
Everlane makes its boots in black and brown, but you’ll also find some models available in the colors taupe, sand, bone, and Bordeaux.
SHOP EVERLANE SUSTAINABLE BOOTS
6. Reformation
For: Women
Materials: Leather, Suede, Organic Cotton
Reformation has a large collection of boots for women.
From classic ankle boots to knee-high models, it offers something for every style!
It also has all kinds of heel heights and shapes to choose from, including block heels and skinny heels.
Most of these shoes are made from leather or suede certified by the Leather Working Group.
Others are crafted with vegetable-tanned leather, and one pair is partially made with organic cotton canvas (on the shafts).
Reformation boots mostly have classic, timeless styles.
But if you’re looking for more unique booties, some models feature little bows, studs, crocodile textures, and snake patterns.
SHOP REFORMATION SUSTAINABLE BOOTS
7. Alohas
For: Women
Materials: Polyurethane, Polyester, Leather
Alohas offers various styles of ankle boots, knee-high boots, cowboy boots, chunky models, and more.
It also allows you to choose from many types of heels, as well as from squared, pointed, or rounded toes.
Most of these boots are crafted using 100% cow leather certified by the Leather Working Group.
However, if you prefer not to buy leather, the brand also has several models made of vegan leather (polyurethane + polyester).
Some Alohas boots feature cool details like braided leather, buckles, a two-tone design, and wrinkled effects on the shafts.
The company handcrafts its shoes between Portugal and Spain and sells some of its models using an on-demand system.
It means that Alohas only produces once you order, which eliminates unnecessary waste.
8. Rothy’s
For: Women & Men
Materials: Recycled Plastic, Merino Wool, Rubber
Rothy’s has several pairs of boots with small heels for women, as well as a pair of chukka boots for men.
They’re all knitted from recycled plastic bottles and RWS-certified merino wool.
Their uppers are water-resistant and very easy to clean, and the soft, plush footbeds are designed to keep your feet comfortable all day long.
Committed to sustainability, Rothy’s makes its shoes using a knit-to-shape technique that creates less than 1% material waste.
Thanks to it, its factory achieved TRUE Platinum certification, validating that it is operating with zero waste practices.
The brand also ships its products using recycled boxes and even recycles old Rothy’s shoes (if you bring your worn-out pair to one of its stores)!
SHOP ROTHY’S SUSTAINABLE BOOTS
Final thoughts on sustainable boots
I hope you’ve found this article helpful and that you could get your hands on sustainable boots you love!
By opting for some of these shoes, not only are you choosing comfortable and stylish boots you’ll love wearing, but you’re also supporting ethical and sustainable fashion.
If you liked this post, you might want to read the following ones too:
- 14 best sustainable shoe brands for an eco-friendly footprint
- Are Crocs bad for the environment? & 6 eco-friendly alternatives
- 9 cozy, sustainable slippers to keep your feet & the planet happy
- 9 sustainable winter coats & jackets for braving the cold & staying toasty
- 6 best bamboo socks for eco-conscious women & men
- 10 best organic cotton socks you’ll never want to take off
What are your favorite sustainable boots brands?
Please leave your recommendations in a comment!
Don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends to help them find quality, eco-friendly boots too.
Looking for more non-toxic & sustainable brands? Check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory!
It features conscious brands in various categories, from home goods and furniture to fashion and clean beauty!
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