Ethical AND durable - can such boots be found that are vegan?

October 29, 2021 1:29 PM

I'm looking for a pair of vegan boots that will last a loooooooong time. Bootflakes within!

I want a pair of boots that will last me AGES. I am vegan, and would ideally like to have footwear that is too, but alas, my previous ventures into vegan boots have meant expensive boots that didn't last past a year. This includes regluing soles, and doing what conservation techniques I could. I know Dr Martens makes a vegan boot but the reviews are decidedly mixed about durability as compared to the classic. A wonderful soul here on MeFi linked me to Vegetarian Shoes as a union-made better version of the classic Doc, but it's a little out of my price range right now. All your girl wants to a pair of black boots with the following criteria:

* available in Canada, or able to be shipped to Canada

* low heel to no heel; I don't own a car so I walk everywhere and anything with a significant heel just kills my feet

*calf height; I wear lined leggings with sweaters in the winter and jeans

* size 9.5 (one of my feet is slightly longer than the other)

Again, I would love for them to be vegan, but I don't think we're there yet in terms of durability. I just want a black boot that will see me through many kilometers for years and years.

posted by Kitteh to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (8 answers total)

It's a different sort of boot, but I've had very good luck with the Palladium Pampa hi-top. Canvas upper but the sole is very durable rubber. I am rough on my shoes and these have lasted me for a long while. Inexpensive too! I wouldn't wear them in the snow but they are very comfortable for walking.
posted by goingonit at 1:46 PM on October 29, 2021 [1 favorite]

Kitteh, apologies if this isn't at all helpful, but do you have any great consignment shops near you? Or could you dig around for whatever clothing resale apps or sites are common in your community? I'm wondering if another way to approach this might be to get leather boots second-hand. Two years ago I got these black boots on consignment for $40 and had a cobbler switch out the soles (they were slippery, especially on my bike, and now they are super solid stompy boots).

If you don't want leather on your body, this obviously doesn't work. But if your concern is about not wanting to create demand for animal products, then this approach does extend the longevity of an existing animal product and might help you get something that better meets your criteria.
posted by bluedaisy at 3:18 PM on October 29, 2021

Viron make probably the most durable (and sustainable - made largely from food waste) vegan boots right now. They ship worldwide, some models available from Ssense in Canada.
posted by remembrancer at 3:28 PM on October 29, 2021

I own a pair of Chelsea boots from Wills Vegan Shoes that have lasted 3 heavy-use Seattle rainy seasons so far and are holding up much better than I expected. It looks like Nice Shoes is one Canadian dealer.
posted by Dorinda at 4:24 PM on October 29, 2021 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: To pop in --

I actually am currently wearing a pair of leather boots found during one of Kingston's many seasonal Giveaway days. They were free, in my size, and a better option to extend the life of the product. One of the reasons I want another pair is that most of my clothes are black and the light brown boots don't go with most of what I wear!
posted by Kitteh at 4:52 PM on October 29, 2021

Another suggestion is Tastemaker Supply -- they have a lot of great styles and their fake leather is definitely higher quality than anything we've seen before. My wife has the linked boots and I just ordered two pairs of men's boots that showed up today. They're going out of business which we're very sad about but the upside is that every pair of shoes is $99 US between now and the end of the year. They do ship to Canada.

My wife has had her boots for a year already and they're still doing great with hardly any visible signs of wear, but I can't vouch for their longevity past that.
posted by goingonit at 8:59 PM on October 29, 2021

My longest lasting vegan boots have been from Vegetarian Shoes, a different style than your preference, but I've had them 4 or 5 years, and with near-daily wear most winters they still look nearly new. So, I'd recommend them. I know that doesn't solve the price point issue though.

I don't have personal experience with them, but Altercore might be a brand to check out as they make doc-like boots, and I'll second Wills Vegan Shoes as being good quality (though I've only bought their sandals). Matt & Natt might be more reasonably priced for you since they're a Canadian company -- my boots from there are heeled, so they haven't gotten the same hard wear that flat boots would get, but I've had them a few years and they're comfortable and have held up well.

Avesu has a nice selection of vegan boots and they ship outside Europe with fairly reasonable prices -- plus they might give you some ideas for other brands to check out. I've heard good things about Ahisma but don't have any of their shoes.
posted by snaw at 3:52 AM on October 30, 2021 [1 favorite]

+1 to Wills Vegan Shoes, I have Chelsea boots from them that have lasted more than 3 years from them with nary a scratch! I also do not own a car and have worn them long distances in rain and snow. I also like Vegetarian Shoes, though they are a bit more pricey. Also try MooShoes - I’ve bought a couple of their Novacas brand and those have also really lasted. And Matt and Nat might be good too - my backpack from them recently retired after 5 years, and only because the zipper broke and I couldn’t find anyone to replace it! But Wills is my favorite. Links:

https://www.wills-vegan-store.com/collections/vegan-womens-boots/products/vegan-riding-boots-womens
https://us.mattandnat.com/products/camila-waterproof-tall-boots
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 4:04 PM on October 30, 2021