You may not think of trainers as something that are vegan friendly, as they’ve traditionally been made from leather, but you’d be surprised how many of your favourite brands like Nike, Adidas, Vans, Converse, and Reebok have been quietly releasing animal-friendly kicks for years without you realising.
As they’re not a consumable, you won’t find the vegan logo on the shoe boxes, but there are a number of ways to check that your shoes have been made without any animal products. We’re going to take you through the ways to spot them and pick our favourite vegan trainers found on ASOS, Amazon, and eBay.
Quick List - Top Vegan Trainers
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While it may sound like an urban myth, a number of years ago many glues used in footwear were in fact made from horse’s bones. We’re happy to say that that’s no longer the case, as many brands use synthetic adhesives nowadays instead.
Many vegans will also want to go a step further and ensure that their shoes are made from sustainable materials, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for those designs that make use of recycled materials. The most common is plastic, but recycled fabrics are also often used.
Whether you’re looking for something for sports, or just want to be as fashionable as possible, there are plenty of different styles of trainer to choose from. We’ll take a look at the types of design available as well as which materials are best suited for different activities.
Obviously, you’ll want to make sure that the materials used in your trainers are animal-friendly, but some cruelty-free materials lend themselves better to certain activities and designs than others. Lets take a look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of the most common.
The most common material vegan trainers are made from is cotton canvas which is often found in more plimsole-styled designs. These are often a cheaper alternative to the more traditionally designed trainers and are easy to keep fresh as most will have no problem being thrown into a washing machine.
The downside is that they aren’t waterproof, meaning that they’re not really suitable for outdoor sports in the UK. They also aren’t quite as sturdy as plastic or faux leather designs, meaning that they’ll eventually tear and wear out much quicker than those alternatives.
You’ll find that a lot of trainers marketed as vegan friendly will be made of a synthetic leather to replicate the look and feel of traditionally designed kicks. It’s becoming harder and harder to tell the difference between leather and faux leather trainers, so if you’re all about the look there’s nothing to worry about.
These options are durable and waterproof, making them a great choice for both sport and general wear. While we wouldn’t recommend throwing them into a washing machine, a damp cloth and some soapy water is all you need to keep them clean and prevent general wear and tear.
If you’re looking for a running shoe, you can’t do much better than one in a breathable mesh design. Made from synthetic plastics, like nylon and polyester, these trainers are lightweight and prevent your feet from getting too sweaty when working out.
As they’re more flexible than other plastic based trainers, they don’t tend to be quite as durable and, while great for jogging or light exercise, you may find they wear out a lot quicker with more intense activities. They’re also not often fully waterproof but are much more water-resistant than canvas.
When looking at trainers, there are a lot of different styles to consider so you’re going to want to pick something that fits with your overall look. While some trainers are best suited to specific outfits, the best trainers will work with almost any outfit.
These are the most popular style around today, and it’s likely that most trainers you’ve bought in the past are of this design. Cutting off around the ankles, they can be worn with pretty much anything and are a great fit with shorts, dresses, and trousers.
Like most trainers, you’ll find these lace up and are made from a variety of different materials depending on the individual style. Some are designed as activewear, while others have a more formal design aimed at a smart casual look. Whatever your personal fashion tastes, there is a low top out there for you.
If you’re a fan of rolled up chinos or ankle swingers, then high tops are the perfect choice as they look great with a shorter cut trouser. Originating in America, the trainers cover your ankles and were designed to give extra support when playing baseball or basketball.
These lace up quite high, so take a little extra effort to put on and take off, but fans of the style swear by them and rarely wear anything else. They also feel extremely secure on your feet which is something not often considered when shopping for trainers online.
Sometimes, you don’t want to have to deal with laces when rushing out of the door or getting back from a long day out. Slip-ons do exactly what the name suggests, slipping on and off your feet with ease thanks to an elasticated ankle.
Available in both smart and casual designs, they’re particularly popular with fans of skating and surfing apparel. You’ll need to match your shoes with your look though, as the wrong pair of slip-ons can really ruin the overall effect of an outfit.
As this list is unisex, we though it was important to note that there are differences between men’s and women’s trainers. It isn’t just down to the obvious size differences between the two, but the shapes are also often tailored as well, with women’s shoes having narrower heels but a wider toe area.
In terms of style, we’re thankfully well past the days of all women’s trainers having pink accents as the majority of designs are available to men and women. There may be, however, some designs that are aimed at one or the other, so we’ll be sure to point that out!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Hi | ![]() | An Instantly Recognisable Classic | |
2 | New Balance 1080v10 Fresh Foam | ![]() | The Most Comfortable for Running | |
3 | Gola Tennis Mark Cox | ![]() | Approved by the Vegan Society | |
4 | Vans Classic Slip-On | ![]() | Suitable for Skaters and Smart Casual Depending on the Design | |
5 | Adidas Originals Vegan Samba Trainers | ![]() | A Great Fit For a Sporty Look | |
6 | Nokwol Scripter | ![]() | Chunky Trainers Are in Style at the Moment | |
7 | Buffalo Vegan Cloud Chai | ![]() | Somewhere Between a Hi-Top and a Low Top | |
8 | Koi Footwear Lizzies Vegan | ![]() | A Colourful Pastel Design | |
9 | Tretorn Nylite Trainers | ![]() | A Little Plain, but Work With Any Outfit | |
10 | ASOS Design Vegan Trainers | ![]() | Cheap and Cheerful Everyday Trainers |
The Chuck Taylor All Stars are something of a pop culture phenomenon having never really gone out of style since their inception in in the 1920s and only undergoing minor tweaks in design since then.
Made from vegan friendly cotton canvas, they're comfortable, lightweight, and available in practically every colour under the sun. The classic white or black options remain the most popular though and fit with any outfit.
If you're serious about your exercise and want something that's supportive yet lets your feet breath, then this offering from New Balance is the way to go. Featuring a design derived from the latest in data analysis to provide support where you need it.
The large rubber outsole provides plenty of comfort and has incredible durability, meaning it'll be long lasting even when running on hard surfaces. With sportswear moving into general fashion, these mesh designs are being seen more and more on UK high streets.
If you hadn't guessed from the name, these trainers were originally designed with playing tennis in mind but have become something of a fashion statement in modern years. You can still take them out on the courts though.
They are one of the few pieces of footwear officially approved by The Vegan Society, and are tested with Ve-Map technology which tests for any traces of animal DNA on the materials. At only £50 we think these are well worth the price.
While the black and white checkerboard design is the most popular, Vans Classic Slip-Ons are also available in both plain black and white. If you're going for a skate inspired or alternative look, these trainers are a must and all materials used are certified cruelty free.
You'd be surprised how well the plain black version fits with everyday outfits, making for an easy shoe to slip on and off when heading out to all manner of social events and even work with smarter attire.
Our next pick is another sports/fashion hybrid. Originally designed as an indoor football shoe, the Adidas Samba trainers have made the move onto the high street, becoming a great looking all around option that's comfortable and long lasting.
While they're more suited to casual fashion, they also still work well as a casual sports shoe and are especially well suited to that first touch when playing indoor football. It's also worth noting that the sizes run a little small so you may need half a size up.
If you're looking to stay on top of current fashion trends, then you'll need a pair of raised soled chunky trainers. This London based brand creates distinctive footwear in unique shapes and sizes, and are at the forefront of cutting edge trends.
These trainers are very much a fashion option as you won't have much fun trying to exercise in them. They also work best with a street or techwear look, as you won't get much formal mileage out of them.
The Cloud Chai's are one of the more unique looking designs on our list, and sit somewhere between a low top and a hi-top with your ankles still exposed, but the heel and tongue offering a lot of support.
Big, white, chunky trainers are having something of a resurgence but it's not often you see many options in a men's shoe. Definitely a unique look, but it may not suit everyone's wardrobes and they may feel more like a boot to wear than a trainer.
It's not often that colour and subtly go together, but we think this design from Koi Footwear does a great job of mixing colours together without being over the top. With the right look they'll look great, but aren't the most versatile choice
This sort of design may not be to everyone's tastes but if you're someone that wears a lot of pastel pinks, sky blues, and whites, these will really compliment a more cutesy or kawaii look. Just don't wear these to formal occasions!
Similarly to our last pick, these trainers are a great everyday shoe to have around the house. Made of canvas, rather than synthetic leather, they are a more flexible and lightweight option that are great for the warmer months.
While you're limited in terms of design, there are a few different coloured options available, and their universal look means they work well with any outfit. They're not going to set the world on fire, but not all designs have to.
If you're looking for a simple pair of everyday, run-around trainers and don't want to break the bank, then these trainers from ASOS are a great pickup. You won't have much choice in terms of design, however, and the single choice on offer is rather plain.
Usually, with budget vegan options you're limited to canvas, but these are made of a synthetic leather making them surprisingly long lasting for a budget shoe. They're a great backup to have in your cupboard for when you just need to pop into town and run an errand.
Keeping your body protected must come from inside and out, so while these vegan trainers will do their best to keep your feet supported, try some of our other articles to find some really great vegan products for internal health. From vegan protein to cookbooks, make sure to explore a few more of our curated articles to keep your internal health at its best!
We hope you've been able to find your perfect pair of trainers on our top 10 list. Whether you're after something for sports, exercise, or everyday wear there should be something for you above. Maybe a couple more picks have even taken your fancy and, you know what they say, you can never have too many shoes!
Author: David Sexton
No. 1: Converse|Chuck Taylor All Star Hi
No. 2: New Balance|1080v10 Fresh Foam
No. 3: Gola|Tennis Mark Cox
No. 4: Vans|Classic Slip-On
No. 5: Adidas|Originals Vegan Samba Trainers
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