If you think you might be interested in vegan shoes, here are some of the materials that typically fall under this heading:

Rubber Shoes

Some vegan shoes are made of natural latex rubber, which comes from rubber trees in the Amazon. The trees are bled to get the latex, so they don’t need to be chopped down. This is an important distinction when it comes to preserving natural resources. Further, when you buy shoes made from this material, you indirectly support these forests and help keep them around. Better yet, most rubber shoes, latex or not, are waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about them getting wet!

Recycled Shoes

Recycled shoes are also very in vogue right now, which benefits the environment on two levels. First, they don’t cause much pollution in the making, since the material is already available. Second, they prevent the material from going into a landfill and taking up energy and space. One creative sneaker manufacturer uses anything from men’s suits, jeans, blankets and even old tires to create unusual, and ethical, footwear. Other companies are taking a similar approach. An added benefit is that when you buy recycled shoes, you are likely to find an attractive, yet offbeat, look that will make allow you to express your individuality.

Synthetic Shoes

If leather, rubber and recycled shoes aren’t your thing, perhaps a synthetic option will appeal to your senses. These are shoes made of man-made materials. Not only are they animal friendly, but they usually cost less than traditional leather. While it’s true that some of the less expensive synthetic materials don’t breathe as well as real leather, they can be a good option for a trendy shoe that you don’t expect to wear every day.

Other Vegan Materials

You can also find non-leather shoes made from a variety of vegan materials, including canvas, hemp, polyurethane, rubber, Spandex and organic cotton. Further, if you like the look of leather or suede, search for blends that simulate the same effect but don’t use animal material in the process. No matter what type of material you select, keep in mind that many animal-friendly shoes are hand-made, with lots of special detailing. Yet they also tend to have a very minimalistic look that keeps them clean and modern.

Other Eco-Friendly Options

If vegan shoes don’t fit your feet or your taste, with a little extra effort you can still find some other more conservative options that are in their own way are doing their part to help protect the planet.

Chemical-Free Leather

If a leather substitute just won’t do it for you, there are some natural leathers that you can select from which are not chemically treated. Look for shoes that are vegetable tanned, since these are organic and will disintegrate back into the soil. Also shop for styles that are formaldehyde-free and don’t use dangerous chemicals, glues or dyes. In addition, if you don’t condone the use of animal hides, you can choose shoes that recycle existing leather from other products, such as old car seats, so no new resources are used. This will allow you to make a difference without having to completely change your mode of shopping.

Socially-Responsible Companies

If you must buy more “traditional” shoes, at least shop around for manufacturers that go an extra step to support fair labor practices. You can expect to pay a little more perhaps, since fair labor comes at a cost, but the trade off is worth it, since it means you can make a big impact on human rights and the quality of life in third-world countries. In addition, you can learn about companies own energy consumption. Many are publicizing their efforts to recycle and conserve resources in their day-to-day operations.