With their chunky buckled straps, anatomically formed footbeds, and cork and rubber soles, Birkenstock sandals are a few of the hottest sneakers ever created in trendy historical past. At present, many individuals are on the lookout for sustainable alternate options to Birkenstocks.
The model was based in 1774 by a German shoemaker known as Johann Adam Birkenstock. It gained traction originally of the twentieth century after considered one of its descendants invented versatile insoles designed to help and conform to the form of the wearer’s foot. On the time, the sandals had been thought-about a style fake pas however had been extremely really useful by physicians.
The sneakers had been launched in the US within the late Sixties the place they turned a wardrobe staple in hippy circles. However it was not till the Nineties that they actually started to take off amongst People. These days, Birkenstock sandals are nonetheless extraordinarily widespread and are seen by many all all over the world as essential style accent.
Nevertheless, these iconic sneakers are removed from being sustainably and ethically made. In case you are making an attempt to construct a acutely aware wardrobe and solely purchase eco-friendly sneakers, learn on!
On this article, we have now chosen the 9 finest sustainable alternate options to Birkenstocks in order that your toes can step into consolation and elegance with out harming the planet!
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Are Birkenstocks sustainable and moral?
The model is much from being sustainable and moral for various causes.
Whereas Birkenstock makes use of some eco-friendly supplies like jute or cork for its footbeds, most of its sneakers are made with unsustainable ones, resembling standard leather-based and suede or artificial supplies.
Regardless that its sneakers are fairly sturdy and nicely made, these supplies are a few of the worst relating to their affect on the planet.
Birkenstock additionally doesn’t appear to be doing a lot to cut back its environmental footprint other than utilizing virtually solely solvent-free, water-based glues in its manufacturing course of. It’s removed from sufficient!
Furthermore, whereas Birkenstock sandals are made in Germany, the place the corporate has to adjust to the European Union’s strict labor legal guidelines, we have no idea whether or not it prioritizes moral practices all through its complete provide chain. Are all its staff paid honest wages and dealing in secure circumstances? Who is aware of?
The model additionally doesn’t appear to reveal something about who its suppliers are and the place it sources its supplies from.
For all these causes, we’re all higher off choosing a extra moral and sustainable various to Birkenstocks!
What makes a pair of sandals sustainable or moral?
A sustainable sandal is one made with high quality and longevity in thoughts. It ought to final you a lot seasons, and it is best to be capable to put on it again and again with out seeing any vital indicators of wear and tear. As soon as it begins to wear down, see should you can restore or resole it.
Additionally it is made with eco-friendly supplies and produced utilizing sustainable practices. For example, the model ought to have taken steps to cut back its materials waste, save power and water, and decrease its use of dangerous chemical substances.
Sustainable sandals are additionally crafted in an moral setting. Employees within the provide chain ought to obtain honest wages, permitting them to stay decently of their nation and work in a non-toxic, secure office.
Keep away from shopping for from quick style manufacturers as a result of they don’t prioritize the planet and their staff. As a substitute, select a clear model that discloses how its merchandise are made and the place. Ideally, search for firms that obtained third-party certifications resembling Local weather-Impartial, OEKO-TEX Commonplace 100, or B Company.
What eco-friendly supplies must you seek for?
Sustainable sandals and sneakers might be constructed from quite a lot of eco-friendly supplies. One of the sustainable is pretend leather-based constructed from meals waste, resembling apple leather-based or piñatex.
Different nice choices are fashions constructed from recycled plastic or some other kind of recycled materials like recycled rubber or recycled automobile tires.
In case you desire leather-based sneakers, go for high-quality leather-based that’s vegetable-tanned and authorized by the Leather-based Working Group.
Sustainable manufacturers additionally use pure supplies resembling cork, jute, or responsibly sourced pure rubber to make their soles and footbeds.
Our prime picks for comfortable, sustainable alternate options to Birkenstocks:
1. ABLE
Supplies: Leather-based, Rubber
Worth: on sale $75
ABLE is a sustainable clothes model on a mission to create higher alternatives for ladies working within the style business.
It has a beautiful pair of basic slip-on sandals that appear to be Birkenstocks. Combining model, match, and performance, these white slides have a quite simple, but fashionable and stylish look, and might be worn with virtually something from denims to shorts to a cute little summer time gown.
They characteristic an adjustable double strap with outsized gold-tone buckles, which you’ll be able to regulate in order that they match completely even you probably have wider toes. Their padded footbed is designed to maximise consolation when strolling.
ABLE makes these sandals in Brazil utilizing full-grain, Napa leather-based for each the uppers and lining and rubber for the outsoles.
The model sources its leather-based as a product of the meat business and makes use of semi-vegetable tanning to course of it. The fabric ages superbly over time, giving it extra of a classic look. Additionally it is made to face the check of time and crafted with high quality and longevity in thoughts.
ABLE additionally makes positive all staff in its provide chain are paid dwelling wages and are supplied with dignified, secure working circumstances.
2. Nisolo
Supplies: LWG Leather-based
Worth: on sale $39
Nisolo launched the Ella Platform Slide simply in time for the hotter months forward, and we LOVE the brand new model.
These comfortable slides (which are available 3 colours) will likely be your subsequent on a regular basis go-to!
Nisolo is a licensed B Corp and carbon-neutral firm identified for making moral sneakers.
They’ve been main the way in which relating to paying dwelling wages and creating an moral work setting. They publish their wages and are very clear about who makes their merchandise and the place.
3. Biankina
Supplies: Recycled Microfiber, Cork, Jute, Rubber
Worth vary: $80-90
Biankina is a sustainable footwear model primarily based in Barcelona that sells vegan sneakers, together with quite a lot of sandals for ladies.
From its basic double-strap slides to one-strap fashions, most of its sandals are similar to Birkenstocks. It even has double-strap slip-ons with a platform sole in addition to a flip-flop kind of sandal that appears like Birkenstock’s Gizeh mannequin.
All of Biankina’s sandals have a timeless, trendy, and stylish design, and they are often dressed up or down. You may select from totally different colours, together with some metallic ones. Each mild and simple to put on, they may preserve your toes snug and supported all day lengthy!
The model makes the uppers utilizing International Recycled Commonplace-certified recycled microfiber. It additionally makes use of soles constructed from 100% pure rubber and reminiscence foam insoles. The cork midsoles present pure shock absorption as you stroll.
Since additionally they comprise jute fiber, these sandals are designed to cut back warmth conductivity, making them the right sneakers for summer time.
Biankina’s slides are handcrafted by expert artisans in an moral workshop in Spain. All its merchandise are vegan and no dangerous chemical substances or glues are used through the manufacturing course of.
And should you purchase the one-strap model, the model will plant two bushes in your buy.
use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC for 10% off
4. Will’s Vegan Retailer
Supplies: Bio-Primarily based Vegan Leather-based, Cork, Vegan Suede, Recycled Rubber, Recycled Polyurethane
Worth: $106
Will’s Vegan Retailer creates every kind of sneakers and garments for men and women utilizing vegan and cruelty-free supplies. It gives a number of types of sandals and two pairs of clogs which can be fairly just like Birkenstocks. The uppers, which include adjustable steel buckles to get the right match, are both constructed from vegan suede or Italian vegan leather-based made with 69% bio-based content material.
Its fake leather-based is produced partly from cereal crops with a viscose backing cloth derived from eucalyptus bushes.
The model’s sandals and clogs characteristic shock-absorbing cork footbeds offering arch help, insoles product of recycled polyurethane, a heel cup, and sturdy, grippy outsoles made with recycled rubber. They’re additionally lined with comfortable vegan suede, making them very snug to put on, even with out socks.
Will’s Vegan Retailer crafts them in Portugal and ships them utilizing plastic-free packaging. Additionally it is Local weather-Impartial Licensed, which means that it measures and offsets its complete carbon footprint.
You may even use the model’s “return to recycle” service to ship again your sneakers on the finish of their lives in order that they’ll get become new outsoles and uppers!
5. Poppy Barley
Supplies: LWG Veggie-Tanned Leather-based, Rubber, Reminiscence Foam Insoles
Worth: $218
Need the right match? The Wanderlust Sandals from Poppy Barley have adjustable velcro straps (across the toes and again!) so as so that you can customise your match.
Additionally they have extra arch help, so you possibly can really feel snug carrying all of them day. Poppy Barley makes use of earth-conscious, water-based glues, and their shoeboxes are Forest Stewardship Council-certified and made with 67% recycled paper, water-based inks, and natural pigments!
Poppy Barley is a Canadian model and B-Company based by two sisters in Edmonton, AB. Their firm is dedicated to rethinking each step to create sustainably made, fairly-priced merchandise designed to be worn on repeat.
6. Nae Vegan Sneakers
Supplies: Piñatex, Cork, Recycled PET, Microfiber, Recycled Automotive Tires, EVA, Rubber
Worth: $96
Nae Vegan Sneakers is a Portuguese vegan footwear model that sells sustainable sneakers for men and women. All the pieces it creates is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and crafted ethically in licensed factories in Portugal.
The corporate gives a lovely various to Birkenstock sandals with its DARCO assortment.
Its 4 unisex slides can be found in black, off-white, darkish brown, and darkish inexperienced.
They characteristic two adjustable straps with gold nickel-free buckles you can regulate for the right match. They’re both constructed from GRS-certified recycled PET, regionally sourced FSC-certified pure cork, or piñatex constructed from pineapple leaf fibers.
These sandals are lined with OEKO-TEX Commonplace 100 licensed microfiber produced in a CO2-free setting. So they don’t comprise any dangerous substances and are 100% secure to put on! The liner can also be hypoallergenic and has antibacterial properties to stop odors.
The sandals’ ergonomic footbeds present arch help and are crafted from cork and pure rubber, and their slip-resistant soles are produced from recycled automobile tires.
Nae Vegan Sneakers additionally has a pair of vegan mule slippers which can be extremely just like Birkenstock’s Boston clogs!
To prime all of it off, the model ships its merchandise utilizing 100% recyclable, recycled packaging.
7. ALOHAS
Supplies: Leather-based
Worth: $220
Crafted from luxurious cream-colored leather-based, these sandals characteristic eye-catching buckle straps that elevate any outfit. The molded footbeds provide the right help, making each step really feel like strolling on clouds. With an elegant stacked midsole offering a refined 3.5 cm carry, you’ll take pleasure in simply the correct amount of peak with out sacrificing consolation. Every pair is designed within the vibrant coronary heart of Barcelona and meticulously made in Spain, embodying distinctive craftsmanship you can belief.
However it’s not nearly trying good. ALOHAS is on a mission to create fashionable, high-quality footwear, clothes, and equipment which can be variety to the planet. Emphasizing eco-friendly supplies and moral craftsmanship, they be sure that each piece minimizes its environmental affect whereas retaining you on the forefront of recent style.
8. Thesus
Supplies: Recycled Plastic, Cork
Worth: $138
Thesus is a Canadian BIPOC- and woman-owned model that creates sustainable footwear and equipment. Its Terrus clogs, out there in white, beige, and sage inexperienced, are a terrific various to Birkenstock’s clogs!
In contrast to most clogs, these characteristic an adjustable again strap that helps preserve them securely connected to your toes as you go about your day.
They’re additionally very versatile since you possibly can put on them with any outfit all year long (should you add a pair of socks within the colder months).
The Terrus clogs are 100% vegan, straightforward to scrub, and product of 98% recycled plastic produced from repurposed marine waste collected by fishermen throughout the globe.
They’ve a footbed crafted from pure cork with a comfortable lining, making them very light-weight and breathable. It supplies arch help and completely molds to your toes so you possibly can keep snug all day lengthy. Additionally, you will love the wide-toe field, designed to suit all foot sizes and shapes!
Thesus makes use of water-based vegan glue to bind the higher and soles collectively, and it produces every little thing by hand in a family-owned manufacturing facility in Portugal.
The model pays its staff honest wages and prioritizes transparency, high quality craftsmanship, and sustainable manufacturing practices all through its complete provide chain.
9. ELK
Supplies: Sheep Leather-based, Rubber, TPR Rubber
Worth: $239
ELK is an Australian family-owned enterprise that sells modern style items made ethically and with the planet in thoughts.
Its Uma slip-on slides should not as just like Birkenstocks as the opposite fashions on this checklist, however they’re nonetheless price mentioning on this article!
Bought in a beautiful, eye-catching metallic fuchsia or gold, these sandals will brighten any outfit and improve your on a regular basis model. They characteristic a crossover strap design and a snug molded footbed.
ELK’s Uma sandals have a rubber sole and a heel product of TPR rubber, whereas the uppers, footbeds, and lining are all crafted from sheep leather-based. The leather-based is chromium VI-free and sourced from a Leather-based Working Group audited and rated tannery, and it’ll get higher with age because it develops a lovely patina over time.
The model may be very clear concerning the suppliers and factories it really works with, and it solely chooses companions with secure, honest, and inclusive workplaces.
ELK additionally makes use of sustainable packaging, its direct operations are 100% powered by inexperienced power, and its merchandise are freed from dangerous chemical substances resembling heavy metals, flame retardants, PFCs, and azo dyes.
Plus, it’s a member of 1% For The Planet and Sedex, and it often helps and makes donations to totally different nonprofits. It even obtained the inaugural award for Sustainable Innovation on the 2019 Australian Style Laureate!
