Most sandals fall apart after one summer and leave behind plastic, waste, and a bigger carbon footprint than you’d think.
This guide skips the greenwashing and spotlights 18 brands that actually walk the talk. From handwoven leather huaraches to vegan pairs made from algae foam or recycled rope, these are sandals made to last, made responsibly, and made for people who care about how things are made.
Favorite Ethical and Sustainable Sandal Brands
Indosole turns old motorbike tires into sandal soles and makes everything by hand in Indonesia. The sandals last, stay water-resistant, and cut down on waste.
Some of the most comfortable sandals come from Vivaia. They’re made from recycled plastic bottles and built for daily use without using any leather.
Cano works with Mexican artisans to craft leather sandals that skip synthetics completely. The leather is vegetable-tanned, the soles are natural rubber, and every pair can be repaired.
NAE makes vegan sandals in Portugal using materials like cork, Piñatex, and recycled PET. Everything is made under EU labor laws and designed to last.
Eco-Friendly Sandals Index
1. Poppy Barley
Website: poppybarley.com
Location: Canada
Certifications: B Corp, Leather Working Group
Poppy Barley makes premium leather sandals using hides from the meat industry, processed in LWG-certified tanneries with reduced water and chemical use. No exotic skins or virgin plastics are involved. Their sandals are made in audited factories in Mexico and Brazil, with fair wages and safe conditions. All Tier-1 suppliers are disclosed and must pass audits. As a B Corp, they rank high in labor and community standards.
Packaging is eco-friendly, using FSC-certified boxes, soy ink, and organic cotton bags. Production stays regional to cut transport emissions, and they publish yearly updates on emissions and waste. A trade-in and repair program supports long-term use. While not yet carbon neutral, their reporting is honest and detailed. Among leather sandal brands, this is one of the most credible options.
2. VIVAIA
Website: vivaia.com
Location: US-based, made in China
Certifications: None yet
VIVAIA makes knit sandals from recycled plastic bottles, with each pair using about six bottles. The uppers are breathable, stretchy, and designed for comfort. Their range includes slip-ons, webbing styles, and strappy heels, all priced for everyday wear.
Materials include rPET yarn, Bloom algae foam, EVA with recycled or bio-based content, and insoles made from herbal PU or rice husks. Most styles are fully vegan, with no leather or PVC, though a few may use wool. Sandals are produced in a Dongguan factory that VIVAIA audits and visits regularly. While there’s no third-party certification, the brand claims to follow ILO labor standards and ensures fair wages, safe conditions, and some renewable energy use.
Packaging is simple and plastic-free, using recycled cardboard boxes without extra fillers. PET waste is sourced locally, and sea freight is preferred to cut emissions, though the company hasn’t published carbon data or offset efforts.
3. Native Shoes
Website: nativeshoes.com
Location: Canada
Certifications: PETA-Approved Vegan, SBTi-aligned targets
Native Shoes makes lightweight, waterproof sandals that are 100% vegan and built for everyday comfort. Many styles use Sugarlite, a sugarcane-based EVA foam that’s partially renewable and carbon-negative at the source. Others feature Bloom foam, made from repurposed algae.
Straps and uppers vary by design and include injected EVA or recycled polyester. While most components are foam-based, Native focuses on increasing bio-based content and extending product lifespan. The brand avoids PVC, uses no animal products, and holds PETA-approved vegan status. Sandals are made in China and Vietnam. Native visits its factories regularly and follows ILO labor standards. Though not Fair Trade or B Corp certified, its climate targets are verified by SBTi, and the company is investing in renewables and emissions tracking.
Their standout initiative is the Remix Project, which lets customers send back worn shoes to be repurposed into items like playground surfaces and insulation. While not yet used to make new shoes, this program has diverted thousands of pairs from landfills. Native was one of the first brands to commercialize algae-based foam. It reached full lifecycle management of all styles in 2021 and continues improving through material innovation and circular systems.
4. NAE (No Animal Exploitation)
Website: nae-vegan.com
Location: Portugal
Certifications: PETA-Approved Vegan, REACH-compliant
NAE makes fully vegan sandals using certified and innovative materials like Piñatex, cork, organic cotton, recycled PET, and old car tires. Every material is REACH-compliant, which means it avoids toxic chemicals and synthetic PVC. All sandals are made in Portugal in factories that follow strict EU labor laws. These factories are located near NAE’s headquarters, which helps reduce transport emissions and keeps production local.
The packaging is completely plastic-free and made from recyclable materials. Factory operations are carbon-neutral, achieved through lower energy and water use. While NAE doesn’t have a formal take-back program, they focus on durability and encourage repairs to extend product life.
NAE was among the first brands to bring pineapple leather and recycled fabrics into everyday footwear. With a clean track record and strong control over their supply chain, they remain one of the most trusted vegan sandal brands available.
5. Volair
Website: volair.com
Location: United States
Certifications: PETA-Approved Vegan, USDA Biobased, REACH-compliant
Volair makes vegan sandals using apple leather, a material made from apple waste that’s soft, durable, and USDA-certified for renewable content. Other components include recycled polyester and low-tox PU, with all materials fully animal-free and REACH-compliant. Their designs are modern and fashion-forward, featuring block heels, wrap styles, and padded soles.
Production takes place in Asia through a manufacturing partner that follows Volair’s labor and safety standards. While factory details are limited, the brand maintains direct oversight and offsets all shipping emissions through Carbonfund.org. All products are PETA Vegan certified. Packaging is minimal and sustainable, using recyclable boxes and compostable fillers.
6. Indosole
Website: indosole.com
Location: Indonesia and United States
Certifications: B Corp, PETA-Approved Vegan
Indosole makes durable, water-resistant sandals using discarded motorbike tires collected in Indonesia. Each pair helps reduce landfill waste and avoids emissions from tire burning. The tire soles are cut and pressed by hand, combined with footbeds made from natural and recycled rubber, and finished with vegan ENVRO fiber straps.
All materials are vegan, and some styles use natural elements like banana leaves or grass. The sandals reflect a simple, travel-friendly design rooted in Balinese culture and built for long-term use. Production takes place in Indonesia, where Indosole ensures fair wages and safe conditions. As a certified B Corp, the brand meets strong labor and environmental standards. They also support community projects like beach cleanups and job creation in waste-heavy areas.
Indosole has converted over 100,000 tires into footwear. The UN Environment Programme has recognized them for innovation, and customer reviews consistently praise the sandals for lasting far longer than typical flip-flops. For a brand that tackles waste, supports local economies, and builds for durability, Indosole is one of the most credible options in the sustainable sandal space.
7. Reformation
Website: thereformation.com
Location: United States (with global factories)
Certifications: Climate Neutral, Fair Labor Association (FLA) member
Reformation makes fashion-forward sandals with a strong focus on verified sustainability. Their collection includes flats, block heels, and platforms designed to align with their apparel, and they publish the environmental impact of each product. Most sandals use chrome-free leather from LWG Silver or Gold-rated tanneries. Other materials include deadstock fabric, plant-based uppers, recycled rubber, and low-VOC adhesives.
Production happens in their Los Angeles factory and with trusted partners in Brazil, Italy, and China. All sites are audited, follow strict labor standards, and the brand is a member of the Fair Labor Association. Their LA facility sets a higher bar for ethics in a typically underregulated space. Reformation has been Climate Neutral Certified since 2015. They publish emissions reports, use renewable energy at their headquarters, and invest in verified offset projects like reforestation and carbon storage.
8. Matisse
Website: matissefootwear.com
Location: United States
Certifications: PETA-Approved Vegan (select styles), CA Transparency in Supply Chains Act compliance
Matisse offers fashion-forward sandals while gradually integrating more sustainable practices. Their range includes casual slides and bold platforms, blending mainstream appeal with lower-impact choices. Materials include regenerated leather made from factory scraps, PU-based vegan leather, and deadstock or upcycled fabrics. Some styles feature recycled soles, natural wooden heels, or PETA-certified components. PVC is avoided in most designs.
Sandals are made in long-term partner factories in China, India, and Brazil. Matisse audits these sites, pays living wages, and complies with the California Transparency Act. While they don’t have third-party labor certifications, they work with family-owned factories and conduct in-house inspections. Packaging is made from 100% recycled paper, and vegan glues are used in assembly. The brand chooses tanneries with better wastewater systems and selects foam materials for durability.
9. Chaco
Website: chacos.com
Location: United States (HQ and repairs), Asia (manufacturing)
Certifications: None, but SBTi-aligned goals and PFAS-free production
Chaco makes highly durable outdoor sandals, best known for their rugged webbing straps and tough soles. The popular Z-series now uses 100% recycled PET straps, helping reduce plastic waste.
Footbeds use LUVSEAT PU midsoles for strong support, combined with ChacoGrip rubber outsoles for traction. While PU is petroleum-based, its long lifespan lowers the need for frequent replacements. EcoTread models include 25% recycled rubber. The brand also uses water-based adhesives and dyes with lower VOCs and has removed PFAS from its products.
The ReChaco repair program is a key part of their sustainability approach. It lets customers resole, reweb, or replace buckles to extend the life of their sandals, making it easier to keep using the same pair for years. Most production happens in China and Vietnam, with limited public labor data. However, Chaco follows Wolverine Worldwide’s global code of conduct. Their Michigan-based ReChaco facility supports U.S. jobs and adds transparency to the repair process.
10. Stella McCartney
Website: stellamccartney.com
Location: UK-based, made in Italy and Spain
Certifications: PETA-Approved Vegan, ETI member, SBTi-aligned
Stella McCartney leads sustainable luxury with sandals that never use leather, fur, or animal glues. Instead, her styles use recycled polyester, Econyl (from fishing nets), plant-based TPU, and forest-friendly viscose. Cork midsoles, bio-acetate detailing, and biodegradable components appear in many designs. All sandals are vegan and PVC-free. Shoes are made in Europe under strict labor protections. The brand follows ILO standards, audits its factories, and is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative.
The brand is aligned with the Paris Agreement through Science-Based Targets. It offsets part of its emissions, uses green energy at HQ and retail, and publishes supplier data and sustainability progress. Packaging is FSC-certified or recycled.
Achievements include being the first major luxury house to reject leather, pioneering bio-material use, and shaping industry standards. Stella has partnered with Google on supply chain impact tools and co-created the UN Fashion Charter.
11. Teva
Website: teva.com
Location: US brand, manufactured globally
Certifications: REPREVE-certified straps, LWG leather, PFAS-free
Teva has updated its classic sport sandals to meet clear sustainability targets. Since 2020, all webbing straps are made with REPREVE® yarn from recycled plastic bottles, keeping over 40 million bottles out of landfills. Some soles now use recycled EVA or rubber, and select styles include plant-based SweetFoam. Most sandals are vegan and synthetic. Higher-end versions use LWG-certified leather, and canvas models support the Better Cotton Initiative.
Production is managed by Deckers Brands, which enforces a strong supplier code, conducts regular audits, and publishes detailed CSR data. Factories have improved energy and water use, and Deckers is working to lower emissions across its supply chain. Packaging is made from recycled cardboard, printed with soy ink, and is lighter than before. These efforts have saved over 4 million pounds of material and 348 million gallons of water since 2017.
TevaForever, their recycling program with TerraCycle, lets U.S. customers send back worn pairs for free. Returned sandals are recycled into materials like playground surfaces or insulation, helping close the loop.
12. KEEN
Website: keenfootwear.com
Location: United States (global manufacturing)
Certifications: SBTi-aligned, Leather Working Group (LWG), PFAS-free
KEEN makes durable, adventure-ready sandals designed for outdoor use, with features like water-friendly webbing, toe protection, and long-lasting materials. Their most popular styles, like the Newport, combine utility with a strong sustainability focus.
They were among the first major brands to remove PFAS from all water-repellent treatments, eliminating over 150 tons of toxic chemicals. Biocides in insoles have also been replaced with probiotic-based odor control, reducing reliance on harmful antimicrobials.
Straps and linings use recycled PET, with some pairs reusing up to nine plastic bottles. Leather, when used, is sourced from LWG-certified tanneries. Their Harvest Certified line incorporates upcycled car seat leather, rice husk ash, and coffee grounds. Many models now feature EVA made from sugarcane and natural rubber outsoles. KEEN produces globally, including at its own U.S. facility in Oregon. Overseas suppliers follow a strict code of conduct and are regularly audited.
13. Allbirds
Website: allbirds.com
Location: United States (production in Vietnam, South Korea, China)
Certifications: B Corp, Carbon Neutral Certified, ZQ Wool, SBTi-aligned
Allbirds offers a low-carbon sandal with the Sugar Zeffer, a minimalist unisex flip-flop made from carbon-negative materials. The sole uses SweetFoam, a sugarcane-based EVA alternative that absorbs more carbon during cultivation than it emits during production. The strap blends recycled polyester with castor bean-based TPU, avoiding virgin plastic, PVC, phthalates, and toxic dyes. Each pair has a verified carbon footprint of 1.7 kg CO₂e, one of the lowest in the industry.
Production takes place in vetted factories across Asia. Allbirds discloses supplier details, working conditions, and renewable energy use. Some facilities run on 100% renewable electricity or offer employee health benefits. Labor standards meet B Corp requirements, though not Fair Trade certified. Packaging is made from 90% recycled cardboard and doubles as the shipping box. No plastic or extra filler is used.
Allbirds also runs a resale platform called ReRun, which extends product life by refurbishing returned shoes. While not specific to sandals, it supports waste reduction. There’s no official recycling program yet, but materials like SweetFoam are recyclable and may support future closed-loop systems.
14. Rothy’s
Website: rothys.com
Location: United States (factory in China)
Certifications: None (but operates with high transparency and climate goals)
Rothy’s makes fully vegan sandals using 3D-knit uppers from recycled plastic bottles. Each pair is soft, lightweight, and machine-washable. Styles range from slides and wrap sandals to sporty straps, with a focus on clean design and long-term comfort.
Materials include rPET yarn from ocean-bound bottles, castor bean bio-foam insoles, recycled TPU, Bloom algae foam, and soles made from natural or recycled rubber. All sandals are made in Rothy’s owned factory in Dongguan. The facility is safe, offers fair wages, and follows strong labor and environmental standards, including water recycling.
Packaging is compact, made from recycled materials, and plastic-free. A take-back program launched in 2022 lets customers return used shoes for recycling. So far, over 20,000 pairs have been collected and reused in new products or industrial materials. Rothy’s also supports resale through a partnership with TheRealReal.
15. Nisolo
Website: nisolo.com
Location: United States and Peru
Certifications: B Corp, Climate Neutral
Nisolo makes long-lasting leather sandals with a focus on ethics and social impact. Their collection includes huaraches, ankle-strap styles, and minimalist slides that combine modern design with traditional craftsmanship. The leather is a byproduct of the meat industry and comes from LWG-certified tanneries, many using vegetable tanning. Nisolo uses low-impact finishes, upcycled linings, and natural materials like wood and stacked leather for soles.
Most sandals are made in Nisolo’s Peru factory, where workers receive living wages, healthcare, and safe conditions. The brand shares wage data publicly and co-founded the Lowest Wage Challenge to promote transparency. They also work with artisan partners in Mexico and Kenya and track 100% of their Tier 1 suppliers.
Nisolo is Climate Neutral Certified and offsets all carbon emissions. They donate 1% of revenue to environmental initiatives and keep production close to reduce transport impact. Their Shoe Reclamation Program accepts any brand’s shoes for reuse or recycling, supporting their goal to reduce waste.
16. Nomadic State of Mind
Website: nomadicstateofmind.com
Location: United States and Nicaragua
Certifications: PETA-Approved Vegan
Nomadic State of Mind makes durable sandals from polypropylene rope, handwoven by artisans in Nicaragua. Each pair uses a single material… non-toxic, colorfast, marine-grade rope that’s soft, mold-resistant, and machine-washable.
The rope includes reclaimed industrial scraps and is recyclable as #5 plastic. Leftover rope is turned into rugs, bags, and accessories. The sandals are fully vegan, with no leather, foam, or synthetic blends, making the design zero-waste. Production follows fair trade principles. Local artisans are trained and paid above-market wages, with some working from home.
Sandals are built to last and can be repaired easily. While there’s no official recycling program, the single-material build makes reuse and repurposing simple. Packaging is minimal, often using reused boxes without plastic fillers.
17. Alohas
Website: alohas.io
Location: Spain
Certifications: Leather Working Group (LWG), Climate Conscious Pre-order Model
Alohas makes trend-focused sandals using an on-demand model that helps prevent overproduction. Customers pre-order their styles, which are then made in small batches, reducing inventory waste. The range includes strappy heels, chunky flip-flops, and espadrilles, all produced locally in Spain and Portugal.
Leather styles use LWG-certified hides from Silver or Gold-rated tanneries. Vegan options use Piñatex, corn-based alternatives, or recycled polyester, while espadrilles feature biodegradable jute soles. Packaging is fully recycled and plastic-free. Production is handled by artisans under EU labor laws, with most sandals handcrafted in Spain. There’s no third-party labor certification, but close local oversight supports transparency and fair conditions.
Although Alohas hasn’t released full carbon data, their use of local factories, minimal packaging, and small-batch production help lower emissions. Pre-order discounts also align customer habits with sustainability goals.
18. Cano
Website: thecanoshoe.com
Location: Germany and Mexico
Certifications: Fair Trade-aligned, blockchain-verified transparency
Cano makes handwoven leather sandals rooted in traditional Mexican craftsmanship and designed to last. The leather is vegetable-tanned in Mexico without heavy metals or toxic chemicals, making it safer for the environment and biodegradable over time. Straps and footbeds use full-grain leather, and soles are made from natural or recycled rubber.
There are no synthetic materials in any part of the sandal, including linings and adhesives. Production happens in Mexico through direct partnerships with artisan workshops. Shoemakers are paid fairly, work in safe environments, and continue long-standing heritage techniques.
Packaging is minimal and made from recycled cardboard. Since materials are mostly natural, the sandals are biodegradable or recyclable when worn out. The timeless design avoids trends and helps reduce fashion waste. Cano has earned recognition for combining cultural preservation with ethical production.
Now that you have the sandals, next up… get yourself a great sustainable T-shirt.