When a woman says she is vegan, she is typically referring that her diet excludes any ingredient derived from animals. When it comes to women's vegan shoes, it's basically the same thing; it means no animals are harmed in the making of the shoe. In other words, a vegan shoe is one made without the use of animal products. It also means the product isn't tested on animals. This eliminates a number of materials traditionally used in the shoemaking such as leather, fur, wool and some types of glue.
These new designs are helping vegan women ditch animal-derived materials for good, which has been criticized for its cruelty towards animals. Did you know that the softest, most luxurious leather comes from the skin of newborn or even unborn calves, cut prematurely out of their mother's wombs? Well, that is what 'The Guardian' reported.
Fortunately, the vegetarian shoes women options have only gotten better over the years. Thanks to advances in synthetic material technology, today we have more options, better styling and higher performance in vegan shoes. Vegan shoes also, often end up being less expensive than their animal-based counterparts, and they are now widely accepted in the fashion world as well as in the athletic/casual market.
How to know if a shoe is vegan?
Brands tend to include information about either their shoes are vegan or not. Here is what you need to look for:
- Materials - In order to buy vegan shoes, you will need to avoid materials and fabrics made from animal products. These include leather, wool, fur, etc. Be aware that some other materials may also contain animal products, such as felt and flannel. You'll also have to check the shoes' inner linings to see if they are made from animal products, like wool-lined slippers. The sole of the shoe can also be made from animal products.
- Labelling - Read the inner-shoe labelling. If you see the icons for leather and coated leather, this means the shoes aren't vegan-friendly. Nowadays, many vegetarian shoes women brands avoid using animal products, unless they are part of the shoe design or style. It's often much more affordable for a shoemaker to use synthetic materials instead of the real thing, for example, substitute real suede for faux suede or leather soles for resin.
What materials are vegan?
Vegan materials include faux suede, faux leather, faux fur and sheepskin, faux snakeskin, synthetic fibres, polyurethane plastics, rubber, resin, canvas and mesh. When it comes to the durability of these materials, they are just as durable as their original counterparts. With the right care and maintenance, vegan shoes can look good for a long time. Faux leather products often contain some element of plastic that make them water-resistant. But this material can crack or peel over time, hence the importance to dry shoes made from this material after walking in the rain and occasionally wash them lightly with soapy water.
Is the glue used in shoe vegan?
Generally, the glue used to bind parts of a shoe contains animal-derived collagen, which is a protein found in ligaments and tendons. Some brands will profile information on the ingredients of their glue on the shoe label. However, the best way is to do a little bit of research and check for further information on the shoes' brand beforehand.
What shoe's styles are vegan friendly?
This will depend on the brand as well as the method of production they use. It is important to mention that it's not easy to find a shoe style that is entirely vegan. While some of them are vegan and made from rubber, others may feature a sheepskin lining, for example. Your best bet is to do your research and check the labelling on your shoes to be certain they are vegan.
Are vegan shoes eco-friendly?
Animal-derived products have a negative impact on the environment. Research has shown that leather is not only bad for animals but also for the environment, workers and community. To prevent animal corpses from decomposing, their bodies are treated with highly toxic chemicals to turn them into something that will never rot.
Also, some vegan materials may contain plastics or use petroleum as part of their production. PVC and PU release toxic chemicals and harmful emissions when burnt. Still, they usually have a lower level compared to the chemicals used to treat and tan real leather products. Compared to real leather, faux leather and plastic-based materials are generally a cleaner choice. A lot of brands are making their shoes from recycled plastics and cardboard, often reusing old shoes in the process. If you are looking for a more eco-friendly option, research to find out if your favourite brands use recycled materials when producing new shoes.
Before you buy a vegan shoe, check to see if the brand has a vegan shoe policy on their website. Nowadays, there are a number of shoe brands promoting their vegan footwear collections, so you shouldn't have trouble finding this information. If the brand doesn't have a policy, then I recommend you to choose a transparent company and only by from trusted vegan brands.
