What are the best brands of ethical sneakers?

Ah, Switzerland! Land of majestic mountains, silky-smooth chocolate, and… sneakers? Yes, our Swiss feet are no exception: we love sneakers. But since we also love our beautiful planet, we can’t help but wonder… 🤔

With millions of pairs sold every year in Switzerland, the environmental impact of sneakers is becoming impossible to ignore. No wonder: the fast fashion sneaker industry is a bit like a festival without music – it just doesn’t make sense. Worldwide, around 300 million pairs of shoes are thrown away each year – a parade of waste ending up in landfills or incinerators, polluting air and soil without a second thought.

The problem? Rapid mass production prioritises cheap prices over quality and sustainability. Synthetic materials, questionable dyes, a massive carbon footprint, and often poor working conditions for the people who make them – we’re far from an idyllic picture.

So, how can we wear sneakers without stepping on our eco-conscious values? The answer: sustainable sneakers. This new generation of vegan shoes and eco-friendly sneaker brands combines design, comfort, and respect for our planet. Recycled materials, local production that reduces carbon emissions, fair working conditions, and recycling initiatives – everything a conscious sneaker lover could wish for.

This is the future of Swiss fashion: a stylish, responsible step towards a greener tomorrow.

Looking for sustainable sneakers or vegan shoes that don’t compromise on style? Clother has handpicked an exclusive selection of Swiss and international brands that perfectly blend design, comfort, and slow fashion values. Say goodbye to the dilemma between style and ethics – here’s sustainable fashion you can proudly wear every day.

Of course, there is Veja, a brand that needs no introduction… but we will introduce it anyway. A pioneer in the sustainable sneaker movement, Veja has been skillfully blending social projects, economic justice and material innovation since 2005. In other words, they know their game.

The brand’s sneakers are crafted from organic cotton, wild Amazonian rubber and recycled plastic bottles. These materials are far more sustainable than traditional polyester. On top of that, production respects both workers and the environment.

That said, Veja scores 54/100 on Clear Fashion, which means there might be even more eco-friendly sneaker brandsworth exploring. Today, Veja is no longer alone in the world of ethical sneakers, so let’s discover some other stylish and sustainable options.

When you see how beautiful these sneakers are, it is hard to believe they can be made from cereals. Yet, yes they are. Progress never stops, and that makes us happy. 😄

This plant-based corn material, produced from bio-PU and recycled polyester in Portugal, is PETA-approved and GRS-certified. This is a real innovation and, more importantly, a genuine alternative to fossil fuels.

While the exterior of the shoe is made from plant-based material, the inside is crafted from recycled plastic sourced from bottles recovered in the Mediterranean Sea. The soles are made from recycled cork and recycled rubber.

The result is a carbon footprint that is 50% to 60% lower than industry standards. Yet, this French brand has nothing to envy from the style of major industry players.

Discover it now on clother.ch.

After recycled corn, it is time for recycled tires in our shoes. This is the bold idea from the brand On The Asphalt (O.T.A for short) and after two years of research and development, the brand came to life.

O.T.A sustainable sneakers feature a unique sole made from recycled tires. Each sole allows the recycling of the equivalent of one tire for every three pairs produced, while making the shoe more durable. Production takes place entirely in Europe, using leather sourced from Italy and manufacturing facilities based in Portugal.

Each model carries the name and GPS coordinates of a stop (Kelwood, Glencoe and Gravière) from a road trip taken by the brand’s founder, symbolising the link between the tire’s former life on the road and its new life on your feet.

With O.T.A, you can embrace an explorer look while staying mindful of your environmental footprint.

Discover it now on clother.ch.

The sustainable sneaker brand Ector is where comfort meets innovation, all wrapped in planet-friendly materials.

Made in France in Romans-sur-Isère, a valley with a long tradition of shoemaking, Ector shoes are crafted from 100% recycled yarn. One pair equals six recycled plastic bottles – impressive, right?

Another unique feature of these shoes is that they are knitted. This means there are no seams inside, making them extremely comfortable for your feet and perfect for summer when worn barefoot.

Ector also collects worn-out shoes to recycle them. The rubber from the sole is reused to make new soles, and the yarn from the sneakers is transformed into new thread. Brilliant, isn’t it? 😍

Discover them now on Clother.ch.

This Swiss brand of sustainable sneakers does things differently, as its shoes are made entirely from wool. Yes, you read that right.

By hand-weaving Portuguese sheep wool (guaranteed mulesing-free) on century-old looms, the result was bound to be stunning. Baabuk took inspiration from traditional shepherd shoes of the past, which were also made from wool and tightly woven for strength and durability.

Whether it is hot or cold, the natural properties of wool make these shoes breathable, able to wick away moisture and keep your feet at a comfortable temperature.

The brand is also B-Corp certified, a clear sign of its commitment to reducing its environmental and social impact. Wearing Baabuk wool sneakers feels like slipping into a cosy story while making a positive gesture for the planet. Ready to step into these little wonders?

MOEA has successfully reinvented our favourite sneakers to make them truly eco-friendly. The brand offers models in vegan leather made from industrial waste of grapes, mushrooms and pineapples (yes, it is possible).

It is an incredible challenge met with excellence, as this innovative material emits 95% less CO2 than traditional leather.

This Parisian brand chose the name MoEa, short for Mother Earth. We can confidently say it suits them perfectly, and all we can say is hats off.

Ubac takes you off the beaten path with sneakers made from natural and recycled materials. Recycled wool, hemp, linen and recycled cotton – Ubac sustainable sneakers bring these ideas to life.

Each model is handcrafted in Portugal, and the effort pays off, as the sneakers are 59% less polluting than the industry average. This French brand also stands out for its transparency, clearly sharing the origin of all its raw materials and every step of its production process.

Every pair is a tribute to preserving the mountains, backed by a concrete commitment: 1% of the company’s turnover is donated to environmental protection.

Choosing Ubac means choosing freedom and durability without compromise.

SAOLA stands out with sneakers that are as light and comfortable as they are stylish, designed for urban adventurers who are conscious of their footprint.

These SAOLA sustainable sneakers are made from natural and recycled materials (GRS-certified, the highest standard for recycling) and are fully recyclable, which is far from common in today’s footwear industry. Choosing SAOLA means choosing a brand that moves in the right direction, using durable materials and committing to biodiversity preservation.

One percent of the company’s turnover is donated to an association working to protect biodiversity, with a particular focus on bonobos. The only drawback is that production takes place in Vietnam. According to the brand, shipping goods by sea to Europe accounts for only 3% of the sneaker’s CO2 emissions, with a total footprint of 7 kg of CO2 per pair. This is in line with the average for eco-friendly sneakers. For comparison, a pair of Nikes can reach up to 30 kg of CO2.

So, which is the most eco-friendly sneaker brand?

It is hard to answer in a single sentence because not all brands have calculated the CO2 emissions per pair, not all are listed on Clear Fashion and not all have the same certifications.

We are currently working on a comparison table that will summarise all the criteria we have collected, including production location, materials used, certifications and CO2 emissions when available.

From there, it is up to you to choose from these 10 brands, all of which are clearly committed to genuine and lasting change. With them, there is no empty talk or greenwashing.

Choose a model that you will love for a long time and enjoy wearing as much as possible. Because consuming less and better is, above all, what really matters.

Ready, set, walk.