The best ethical, eco-friendly and vegan trainers to buy now

Allbirds’ sustainability values are truly pioneering. Their all-natural shoes are made from merino sheep’s wool, eucalyptus tree fibres and sugar cane, and their laces are made from recycled plastic bottles. Not only that but they’re chic and astonishingly soft; they’re the ultimate in feel-good fashion.

Wool runners, £95, allbirds.co.uk

French footwear label Veja has redefined the way people think about sustainable trainers - they make some of the coolest trainer styles around and ethically too, setting a new standard in trainer production.

Veja Nova canvas sneakers, €85, veja-store.com

These trainers from Marks & Spencer’s new vegan footwear collection were created in response to an increased interest in veganism from M&S customers and I am very much on board. This season we’ll be styling these with wide leg tailored trousers and chunky knits.

Lace-up trainers, £19.50, marksandspencer.com

The team behind environmental charity Parley for the Oceans are working in collaboration with brands to turn ocean plastic into fashion and luxury items. Our favourite collaboration to date is these understated, high-performance running shoes by Adidas.

Adidas Terrex Two Parley Shoes, £129.95, adidas.co.uk 

At the end of last year the original sustainable luxury pioneer Stella McCartney launched the world’s first vegan Stan Smiths and they’re the most perfect, minimal, classic trainers you may have ever seen.

Vegan Stan Smiths, £235, stellamccartney.com

London-based brand Good News may be new, but it’s already making waves. Stocked at the likes of Dover Street Market, the brand uses only organic cotton for its uppers — its rubber sole is crafted from recycled car tyres, while the inner sole is made from recycled mattress filling. The packaging, meanwhile, is as streamlined as possible, with messages printed on the cardboard boxes to prevent additional paper use. We love these yellow hi-tops – wear with high-waisted Levi’s and a crop top.

Bagger II Hi-Tops, £115, Good News

Swap your classic Converse for an ethical pair of Po-Zu’s. It’s hard to believe these sneakers are crafted from innovative materials such as pineapple leaves, recycled cork and coconut husk — but they are. They’re also made using non toxic glues, with uppers made from organic cotton and soles using recycled rubbers. If that wasn’t good enough, 10 percent of the company’s profits go to environmental charities, putting its money where its mouth is.

Po-Zo white hi-top sneakers, £29, po-zo.com

Madrid-based Eco Alf is Spain’s first Certified B company — meaning all its practices abide by ethical standards. These retro-hued running style sneakers are crafted from recycled ocean waste; the company partners with over 3,000 fishermen across the globe to clean up the seas. We’d wear these with tailored trousers and a Breton striped top. 

Yale sneakers, £79, Eco Alf

Images: Courtesy of brands