20 Sustainable Footwear Innovations

From Apple Leather Shoes to Recycled Space Age Sneakers

— April 22, 2020 — Eco
These sustainable footwear examples range from apple leather shoes to recycled space age sneakers.

In addition to taking part in annual Earth Day celebrations, more consumers are re-prioritizing low impact living year-round. While an ongoing climate crisis has lead many to rethink their consumption, especially when it comes to their fashion footprint, the COVID-19 pandemic's forced social distancing efforts are making waste-free living a necessity.

Notable examples of sustainable footwear include the New Balance Test Run PRJ 3.0 sneaker. The playful shoe is colorful and 90s-themed, appealing to Gen Z consumers and Millennials re-embracing nostalgia. The shoe's bold look is the result of scrap surplus materials that would otherwise be discarded. Additionally, examples like Cariuma's IBI sneakers fuse recycled plastics and bamboo yarn materials while addressing plastic waste and its harsh impacts on our oceans.
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Cozy Vegan Footwear
Cozy Vegan Footwear
Two New Vegan Bearpaw Models Were Launched in Time for the Winter
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18
Sustainable Classically-Striped Socks
Sustainable Classically-Striped Socks
Thought Unveiled the Stripe Walker Organic Cotton Socks
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17
Recycled Waste-Made Footwear
Recycled Waste-Made Footwear
adidas and Parley Create Another UltraBOOST Uncaged Sneaker
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16
Coffee-Based Footwear
Coffee-Based Footwear
XpreSole Uses Recycled Coffee Grounds for Every Component of Its Design
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15
Upcycled Avant-Garde Sneakers
Upcycled Avant-Garde Sneakers
Ocean Sneakers are Made Sustainably with Recycled Ocean Plastic
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14
Fatigue Prevention Travel Shoes
Fatigue Prevention Travel Shoes
The Sanuk Chiba Journey LX is Made from Plant-Based Yulex
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13
Eco Hiking-Ready Sneakers
Eco Hiking-Ready Sneakers
The Adidas Terrex Free Hiker Parley is Made with Recycled Ocean Plastic
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12
Dynamic Breathable Vegan Sneakers
Dynamic Breathable Vegan Sneakers
Mercer Amsterdam Unveiled the Vegan MERCER X VIBRAM Sneaker
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11
Eco-Friendly Apple-Made Sneakers
Eco-Friendly Apple-Made Sneakers
The 'Komrads APL' Sneaker Has a Sustainable, Vegan Profile
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10
Sustainable Luxury Footwear Brands
Sustainable Luxury Footwear Brands
Nomasei Aims to Make Luxury Footwear More Eco-Friendly
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9
Recyclable Running Shoes
Recyclable Running Shoes
Solomon Unveils a Sustainable Pair of Shoes For Repurposing
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8
Recycled Space-Age Sneakers
Recycled Space-Age Sneakers
The Nike Space Hippie Sneakers are Crafted Using Space Waste Yarn
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7
Plant-Based Running Shoes
Plant-Based Running Shoes
Reebok's Performance Running Shoe is Made with Beans & Algae
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6
Recycled Knit Sneakers
Recycled Knit Sneakers
SUAVS' Legacy High-Tops are Made with About Eight Recycled Plastic Bottles
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5
Vegan-Friendly Bamboo Sneakers
Vegan-Friendly Bamboo Sneakers
Cariuma's IBI Sneakers are Knit from Bamboo & Recycled Plastics
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4
Apple Leather Footwear
Apple Leather Footwear
Von D Shoes' New Vegan Shoe Collection Features an Unusual Material
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3
Low-Impact Eco Sneakers
Low-Impact Eco Sneakers
The Norm Sustainable Sneakers are Made from 90% Recycled Materials
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Stylishly Sustainable Sneaker Collaborations
Stylishly Sustainable Sneaker Collaborations
The Rick Owens x VEJA Boasts Two Unisex Silhouettes
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Sustainable Surplus Material Sneakers
Sustainable Surplus Material Sneakers
The New Balance Test Run PRJ 3.0 Has a Playful Design
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