It seems that at the moment every brand and their brother is coming out with a sustainable sneaker. Which is great. With so much plastic waste out there we should be recycling it to make new things including sneakers. Some of the brands are innovating new materials others are making sure to choose recycled options instead of new materials. Others are using natural materials which will break down better over time. I will keep adding brands to the sustainable sneakers review as I test them out.
Sustainable Sneakers Review
The Drift Sneaker
Frank and Oak is a Canadian company that has the same vibe as Everlane. They released their sustainable sneaker just before Everlane did this year. These sneakers have a cork insole, recycled rubber soles, organic cotton laces.
I ordered these sneakers in an 8.5 which is my Everlane size. However the 8.5 was much too large in the Drift Sneaker. They fit more true to size where as Everlane is notoriously small fitting.
There are two colour ways. Both are neutral white base but with different contrast at the heel.
These shoes look very long and narrow. The shape almost reminded me of keds only the toe is slightly square. The neutral leather makes the shoes look a bit orthopedic. This might have been less of an issue if I had of had the correct size but the design was too minimal for my tastes. I returned this pair and do not intend to reorder.
Veja Campo
Veja is the fashion girl’s answer to sustainable sneakers. They seem to be everywhere. The most popular style is the V10 style. I ordered a pair of these last summer and wasn’t really impressed. I sent them back almost immediately. They were so big and clunky!
I think the major issue was that the sizing is really off with Veja sneakers. The translation to US sizes is not consistent with any other brand. The V10s I ordered last year were in a 39. This is usually considered a 8.5 in US sizes. Veja has it listed as an 8 but it fit much larger. Almost like a size too large.
I tried again but with a different style. I sized down to a 38 which Veja has listed as a US 7. Usually a 38 is considered a US 7.5 – 8. I found these to be a good size.
Veja Campo sneakers are chrome free leather with natural rubber soles. I find this Veja style has a more rounded toe look. Of all the sustainable styles I think these have the most cool factor.
Everlane Court Sneaker
Everlane launched their second sneaker style, their Court sneaker. (Full Disclosure I was gifted a pair) Their original release, The Trainer, had serious Dad sneaker vibes. It also reminded me of the sneakers I wore through middle school in the early 90’s. The Trainer was a bit too clunky for my tastes. The Court sneaker is a closer dupe for the Veja V10. It actually really reminds me of vintage Reeboks, especially from the top view. It is more sleek looking than a Dad sneaker style. Less sporty looking too.
The Everlane Court sneaker fits true to size for Everlane. Which means you need to size up a half size. I got these in an 8.5.
The Court sneaker has a leather upper, recycled polyester lining and a rubber sole. I found the lining on this shoe softer than the Vejas. The tongue on the Everlane sneaker is padded so that is more comfy too.
The Everlane sneaker has a very minamalistic look. There is absolutely no branding on these sneakers. Even more basic than the Vejas. These remind me of the white sneakers knockoffs we would wear to school in the 90’s. That is supposed to be the vibe of course, as everything 90’s is cool again.
The Court sneaker comes in a few different colour combos. I have the White / Forest, but you can get them in Black, pink or grey along with some other white combinations.
I feel like this sneaker is a bit too minimal for my tastes. Golden Goose has the star, New Balance has the N, Nike has the swoosh. Even Madewell sneakers have a squiggle. Everlane could have done with some branding to add some wow factor. They are however comfortable out of the box and would be great for commuters as these look more sleek than the other styles.
M. Gemi Sempre
Ok this sneaker doesn’t brand itself as a sustainable sneaker. But if you notice all the materials that the sustainable sneakers are made of there are many similarities to the Sempre. Leather uppers, rubber soles, cotton laces. This sneaker is unlined, but that actually works well as it molds to your foot. These sneakers are handmade in Italy and have a luxe bowling shoe vibe.
These sneakers have a very European aesthetic. They are the style of sneaker you see on girls in Paris (well these and Vejas). They are pricier than the other styles at almost double the price.
The Sempre has a more lightweight flexible sole compared with any of the other styles. The unlined leather is actually the softest of all the sneakers listed here. However the lightweight sole offers less support. The other sneakers feel a bit more cushioned because of the thicker soles. That being said I wore these all over Paris and they were super comfortable.
All Birds Tree Runners
The last sneaker I tried was the All Birds Tree Runners. These might be the most eco-friendly shoe on this list. The mesh knit uppers are made from trees, the eyelets are made from sugars, the insoles are made from merino wool and the soles are made of Sweetfoam. Only the laces are made from recycled plastic bottles.
These are the sportiest of the looking shoe of the bunch and are super light. These are also so soft inside you can easily wear these without socks.
I wouldn’t actually go running in these shoes but they do give off a sportier vibe. I would save these for weekends at the cottage and for when I want to wear workout gear. The leather styles are more sophisticated.
Sustainable Sneakers Review Rankings
Sustainable Sneaker with cool factor
Veja for me wins hands down as the sneaker with the cool it girl factor. It is something as simple as those Vs. The Sempre is a close second as it too has a European style to it.
Most light weight Sustainable Sneaker
All Birds are the most light weight but the Sempre is a close second in this catagory as well. The flexible rubber sole actually is super light weight. But the mesh and foam bottom of the All Birds shoe make it lightweight and a bit more protection between you and the road.
Most supportive Sustainable Sneaker
Keep in mind that none of these styles are true running shoes. They don’t have arch support either. With that in mind the Everlane sneaker feels the most supportive with the thicker heavier sole.
Best Sustainable Sneaker for wide feet
All of these shoes are pretty good with it comes to fitting my wide feet. My feet feel the most natural in the Vejas and the Sempre. They are similar rounded toe style that just feels more accommodating. The All Birds mesh is pretty flexible but the footbed feels narrower.
Most comfortable Sustainable Sneaker
All of these sneakers are pretty comfortable. Of all of the styles here the Vejas are the most stiff and will probably need the most break in time. The Sempre is soft and comfortable out of the box, but felt like it was made for my feet after one full day of sightseeing. Everlane is also pretty comfortable from day one. The All Birds feel like slippers.
Best Sustainable Sneaker for going sockless
The All Birds are actually meant to be worn without socks and I can attest to the fact that the merino wool is super soft and makes these sneakers feel like house slippers. The mesh upper is soft too. I actually found the Everlane sneakers to feel quite soft inside too although I don’t think it would be as easy to keep them smell free. The Vejas are pretty scratchy inside. The unlined leather of the Sempre is supple and soft. But again I think it would be harder to keep them stink free.
Sustainable Sneakers Review Recap
In this sustainable sneakers review we took a look at 5 different styles of sustainable sneakers. I am not going to say one is the absolute best because it depends on what you are looking for. I think the Vejas, All Birds and Sempre are my top 3 but I am generally looking for comfortable and it factor to go hand in hand.
