The average woman owns about 19 pairs of shoes, and you can bet that most of them have some form of leather, fur, or wool. This may not sound like a big deal, but it is. The creation of this type of footwear is harming the planet and the animals whose skins are used in its production.
There’s one way to reduce the environmental toll of this industry and that’s through vegan footwear. These shoes are 100% plant-based and don’t contribute to animal suffering or environmental degradation.
Some people choose vegan footwear to reduce their carbon footprint, while others want to avoid the cruelty of the leather and fur industries. Whether you’re dressing vegan for ethical reasons, environmental concerns, or health benefits, here are 10 awesome perks of slipping on those sneakers.
1. Fewer Chemicals
Traditional leather or plastic shoes can irritate sensitive skin because of the toxins in their production. Vegan shoes don’t have this problem. Hemp shoes, for example, require minimal chemicals during their fabrication.
The hemp plant is naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial, so it’s grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides. You won’t have to worry about your new kicks giving you rashes and allergies.
2. Comfortable
Vegan shoes are made with soft plant materials that conform to the shape of your feet. No matter which pair you choose, your shoes will feel like the manufacturers made them just for you.
The lightweight, breathable material ensures that feet feel cool and dry. They’re perfect for athletes, nurses, and anyone else who’s on their feet all day long.
3. Kind to Animals
Besides using only the most ethical means of product sourcing, companies that produce vegan shoes don’t use animal testing in any phase of their manufacturing process. This means that when you buy a pair, no animal had to suffer just so you could have nice shoes.
4. Less Pollution
It’s no secret that the meat industry is harmful to the environment. The production of leather shoes, which are traditionally made from the hides of cows and other animals, contributes significantly to pollution.
In contrast, vegan footwear comes from sustainable and biodegradable materials. After a few years, the shoes will break down naturally, leading to less pollution in landfills.
5. Durability
The most common material used in non-vegan footwear is leather, which is extremely durable. However, plant-based shoes are just as strong as their animal-based counterparts.
A vegan shoe’s durability depends on its construction. If you want something that will last longer than your average pair of sneakers, look for shoes with a water-resistant coating. You won’t have to worry about rain harming the material, and it will also repel dirt.
6. Recyclable
If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment, choosing sustainable materials for your shoes is the way to go. Vegan footwear is 100% recyclable.
Some companies take in old pairs of vegan footwear and reuse them as fabric for new shoes. This reduces wastefulness on multiple levels:
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Offsetting the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process
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Conserving energy by eliminating the need for raw materials
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Repurposing something that would otherwise have gone straight into landfills
While not all shoe companies recycle their products, you can always recycle shoes made of natural materials somewhere else.
7. Support Eco-Friendly Brands
The use of dyes in traditional footwear pollutes rivers and depletes natural resources. Dyes contain toxic chemicals that plants and animals can’t filter out, so they end up in our oceans where they harm sea life.
When you support companies that use animal products for their shoes, you’re contributing to this pollution. If you want to be an eco-conscious shopper, choose brands that are committed to reducing their environmental impact.
Vegan footwear avoids harmful dyes. Instead, natural dye is used to color these shoes so they can be returned to nature once they degrade.
8. Sustainable
The production of non-vegan shoes accounts for about 1.4% of the world’s carbon footprint. They’re the least sustainable article of clothing in your closet.
Making leather, rubber, and plastic requires a lot of water and energy, so it’s better for the environment if you choose plant-based material. The eco-friendly manufacturing process of vegan shoes has a much lower carbon footprint than other footwear.
9. Fashionable
Besides the health and environmental benefits of vegan footwear, you can also enjoy the bonus of being stylish.
These shoes mimic those made from animals and are indistinguishable from traditional leather or suede footwear.
10. Align With Your Vegan Beliefs
If you’ve decided to go vegan, you’ll have to do more than pack your fridge with vegetables and forgo dairy. Going vegan means avoiding harming animals in all aspects of life, including fashion.
Vegan footwear helps you avoid animal cruelty and other unsavory practices associated with leather or other materials used to make shoes.
Upgrade Your Wardrobe With Vegan Footwear
There are many benefits to vegan footwear, and we hope this article has helped you see them. You can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and live a life of compassion toward animals. If you’re looking for a way to make your wardrobe a little more eco-friendly, look no further than FootHemp.
Whether you’re in the market for everyday sneakers or just need some stylish flats, we have the shoes you need to commit to a cruelty-free lifestyle. Browse our collection of hemp shoes so you can look good and do good.