Sneakers & Lifestyle (eco materials / fair sourcing)

• VEJA (Brazil/France)

• Allbirds (NZ/US)

• EKN Footwear (Germany/Portugal)

• SAOLA (France)

• SAYE (Spain/Portugal)

• Flamingos’ Life (Spain)

• Cariuma (Brazil)

• Thousand Fell (US; recyclable take-back)

• Komrads (Belgium/Portugal)

• Good News (UK)

• Ecoalf (Spain)

• Tropicfeel (Spain)

• Yatay (Italy)

• Novesta (Slovakia)

• Løci (UK/Portugal)

• Uniform Standard (UK/Portugal)

• Clae (US/Portugal; SEAQUAL/rPET lines)

• Nat-2 (Germany; material innovation)

• Womsh (Italy)

Vegan-first brands (many PETA-approved / GRS, etc.)

• NAE Vegan Shoes (Portugal)

• Will’s Vegan Store (UK/Portugal/Italy)

• Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather (France/Portugal)

• BHAVA (US/India/Spain)

• VEERAH (US/Italy/China – plant-based uppers)

• Ahimsa (Brazil – own vegan factory)

• Vegetarian Shoes (UK/Europe)

• Avesu (Germany – house lines + retail)

• Humans Are Vain (Sweden/Portugal)

• Zette Shoes (Australia)

• Sydney Brown (US/Portugal)

• Matt & Nat (Canada – some footwear)

Barefoot / Minimalist (often repairable, low-impact)

• Vivobarefoot (UK/Portugal; circular programs)

• Wildling Shoes (Germany/Portugal)

• Mukishoes (Portugal)

• Groundies (Germany)

• ZAQQ (Germany)

• Be Lenka (Slovakia/Czechia)

• Feelgrounds (EU)

Outdoor / Performance (lower-impact lines, PFC-free, recycled, take-back)

• Keen (US – PFC-free treatments; recycled webbing)

• On (Switzerland – Cyclon® recyclable subscription line)

• Salomon (France – Index.01 recyclable concept)

• Merrell (US – vegan/recycled lines)

• Adidas (Germany – Made to Be Remade / Parley lines)

• Nike (US – Move to Zero / Next Nature)

• Veja x Vibram (outdoor hybrids)

• Vivobarefoot (outdoor/barefoot hybrids)

Sandals, Clogs & Home Footwear (cork/latex/wool, recycled, bio-based)

• Birkenstock (Germany – cork/latex; repairable)

• thies 1856 (Germany – recycled PET felts, cork, wool, olive-leaf leather, bio rainboots)

• Baabuk (Switzerland/Portugal – wool shoes/slippers)

• Giesswein (Austria – wool, recycled materials)

• Nisolo (US/Peru/Mexico – leather transparency; ethical wages)

• TOMS (US – broader impact focus; many recycled uppers)

• Freedom Moses (Israel – injection, some recycled content)

• OESH (US – 3D-printed midsoles, women-led)

• Rothy’s (US – rPET knit uppers; washable)

Dress / Casual Leather (LWG/Gold tanneries, chrome-free/veg-tan options)

• Nisolo (US/Peru/Mexico)

• Koio (US/Italy – LWG suppliers; recycled content)

• Astorflex (Italy – veg-tanned, crepe soles)

• Veja (CWL lines) (plant-based leather alternative)

• Veldskoen (South Africa – local leather; durable build)

• M.Gemi (Italy – small-batch; some eco leathers)

Luxury / Designer (strong material innovation or traceability)

• Stella McCartney (UK – mycelium pilots, vegetarian)

• PANGAIA (UK – material science collabs)

• Yatay (Italy – bio-based)

• Aeyde (Germany/Italy – responsible leather sourcing initiatives)

Kids-forward (materials & transparency)

• Bobux (NZ – LWG; durable, kid-safe)

• Plae (US – washable, long-wear)

• VEJA Kids (Brazil)

• Wildling Kids (Germany)

Workwear / Safety (improving footprints)

• Haix Nature / Black Eagle lines (Germany – some eco progress)

• Womsh Work (Italy)

You might ask yourself once in a while: What is the healthiest material for shoes?

Common Natural Materials Used in Sustainable Shoes and Their Properties

1. Quality Leather with Eco-Friendly Tanning

   • Durable and flexible.

   • Conforms to the shape of the foot for a custom fit.

   • Eco-friendly tanning reduces environmental impact.

2. Sheep’s Wool for Thermal Comfort

   • Naturally regulates temperature — keeps feet warm in cold weather and cool in heat.

   • Soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking.

   • Provides natural odor resistance.

3. Cotton and Hemp for Breathability

   • Lightweight and breathable, allowing airflow around the foot.

   • Hemp is especially strong, antimicrobial, and environmentally sustainable.

   • Comfortable for everyday wear.

4. Natural Rubber and Cork

   • Used for soles to provide flexibility, grip, and shock absorption.

   • Cork adds cushioning and is resistant to moisture and odors.

   • Both are renewable, biodegradable materials.

5. Innovative Eco-Materials

   • Includes bio-based fibers, recycled plant materials, or algae foam.

   • Designed to minimize carbon footprint and enhance performance.

   • Often combine sustainability with modern comfort and durability.

   • Sustainable shoe materials consist of natural fibers or anything that comes from a plant or animal. This can include sources from mushrooms, apples, pineapples, cork, algae, and cacti. Eco friendly tanned leather from well treated animals would technically fall into this category as well.

   • Recycled materials like rubber and polyester are commonly used in the production of sustainable shoes, offering a lower environmental impact compared to virgin resources. Additionally, natural rubber is a popular choice for its biodegradability, ensuring it breaks down naturally rather than contributing to landfill waste.

6. What is the most sustainable shoe?

   When it comes to combining innovation, sustainability, and style, nat-2 and thies 1856 stand out as leading examples.

   nat-2 is known for creating some of the world’s most sustainable and fashion-forward sneakers and rainboots. The brand uses an impressive range of eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, bamboo, recycled PET, and Leather Working Group–certified leather and suede — all dyed with low-impact inks. These thoughtfully crafted designs make nat-2 a top choice for those who value both comfort and conscience — especially if you’re a sneakers-without-socks kind of person.

   thies 1856, Germany’s oldest shoe brand still in family hands, continues its heritage with a strong focus on sustainability. The brand incorporates natural and recycled materials such as wool, cork, algae-based foam, and vegan alternatives into timeless designs. Each pair reflects a commitment to ethical production and long-lasting quality — proof that true sustainability never goes out of style.

7. What is the longest-lasting shoe material? 
   Leather is among the most durable materials used in footwear, valued for its unique combination of tensile strength, flexibility, and longevity. Its natural collagen fiber structure provides elasticity that allows the material to adapt to the wearer’s foot shape over time without losing structural integrity. In addition, leather’s porous composition supports natural ventilation, enabling effective moisture regulation and thermal comfort across varying climates. When properly cared for, high-quality leather shoes can maintain their form, comfort, and appearance for many years, making them a benchmark for long-lasting performance.                                                           Leather remains one of the longest-lasting and most trusted materials for shoes, blending luxury with everyday resilience. Its natural flexibility lets it mold to your feet for a personalized fit while staying strong and supportive. Thanks to its breathability, leather helps keep your feet cool in summer and warm in winter — ensuring comfort no matter the season. With the right care, a well-made leather shoe can last for years, aging beautifully and growing more comfortable with every step.

8. At Coilex, our shoes, accessories and brands are crafted with care mostly in Italy, Spain, and Portugal — regions renowned for their shoemaking heritage and artisanal expertise. We focus on creating high-quality footwear using natural and recycled materials, carefully selected for their performance, comfort, and minimal environmental impact.

   Our production process is free from toxic chemicals and adheres to strict eco-friendly standards, ensuring both the planet and the people behind each pair are respected. Every shoe is designed to be 100% cruelty-free, with no animal suffering involved — reflecting our deep commitment to sustainability, ethical fashion, and conscious design.