5 Best Vegan Athletic Shoes
Athletic shoes are an essential part of any fitness routine, but for those who follow a vegan lifestyle, finding a suitable pair can be a challenge. While many popular athletic shoe brands use animal-derived materials in their products, there has been a growing trend in recent years towards vegan-friendly alternatives.
For someone who is a level 5 vegan, meaning they not only follow a vegan diet but also abstain from using or wearing any animal products, choosing vegan athletic shoes is a crucial aspect of their lifestyle.
As the demand for vegan-friendly products continues to grow, more and more athletic shoe companies are offering vegan options. From everyday running shoes made of recycled plastic to thin sneakers designed to allow the wearer to feel the terrain, the industry’s capacity for providing quality vegan running shoes has impressed even the toughest fans.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the benefits of vegan athletic shoes, explore the different materials used to make them, and highlight some of the top brands in the market.
5 Best Vegan Athletic Shoes
| Rank | PRODUCT NAME | SCORE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
1st Place |
|
Adidas x Stella McCartney Predator Freak+ By Adidas |
5.0
|
Check Price |
|
2
Best Value |
|
Reebok Forever Floatride Grow By Reebok |
4.8
|
Check Price |
| 3 |
|
Veja Condor By Veja |
4.8
|
Check Price |
| 4 |
|
ASICS Men’s Gel-Kayano 26 By ASICS |
4.6
|
Check Price |
| 5 |
|
Vivobarefoot Geo Racer 2 By Vivobarefoot |
4.5
|
Check Price |
1. Adidas x Stella McCartney Predator Freak+
Stella McCartney, known for her continuous efforts to design vegan shoes and accessories, partnered with French football player Paul Pogba to develop the first 100% vegan football shoes. The colorful pair comes either laced or with a sock-like fit.
The new vegan football boot by Adidas and Stella McCartney has Zebra-like stripes that alternate between white and a reflective rainbow background, covered with playful orange rubber scales. As with any football shoe, it comes with a colorful set of sole spikes designed to grip and control the grass field.
2. Reebok Forever Floatride Grow
In recent years Reebok has adopted the policy of gradually eliminating their consumption of oil-based products and increasing their use of recycled plastic. The result? A pair of sneakers created from organic materials like eucalyptus bark for the body, as well as castor bean oil, bloom algae, and tree rubber for the sole.
Despite the unusual materials, the Reebok Forever Floatride Grow provides protection against skin irritation, even during long runs. These are the best vegan gym shoes you would ever ask for since the sole is very effective at improving stability and preventing slips. It comes in a white colorway with green lines that make it look, deceivingly enough, like a classic pair of running shoes.
3. Veja Condor
Veja is a French company famous for offering multiple cruelty and oil-free shoes and is known for incorporating fair trade practices in their production and manufacturing.
In fact, half of the Veja Condor is made from plant-based materials like oil and sugar cane and recycled bottles. Compared to Nike, this is considered one of the high-performing vegan training shoes made with 53% bio-based and recycled materials including recycled polyester, plastic bottles, sugar cane, plant oils, and rice waste.
The Veja Condor resembles a standard running sneaker, offering soft cushioning as well as flexibility and grip to support daily urban exercise routines. The pair comes in a pink and white colorway, with a red V logo on the side and an outsole of the same color.
4. ASICS Men’s Gel-Kayano 26
The Gel-Kayano is the result of a cruelty-free production process and has a Duomax midsole made of organic nano-fibers. It also uses rubber and has no traces of animal products on its body.
ASICS’s vegan running shoe uses GEL technology and shock absorption to provide runners with maximum protection during their high-impact training sessions. They are also designed to provide the necessary levels of stability and overpronation protection required to run safely under different weather conditions.
5. Vivobarefoot Geo Racer 2
This vegan running shoes from Geo Racer 2 is a unique project. It results from a cruelty-free production process and is made from sustainable materials like recycled plastic. But the reason behind its peculiar design makes it even more interesting.
Instead of a traditional silhouette, the Geo Racer 2 follows the shape of a foot in order to allow more freedom of movement. The sole is also particularly thin and designed to allow the wearer to feel the ground when running through natural environments. Despite that, it also offers enough protection from the terrain to make this part of a daily routine.
Sustainable Sports
As time passes, the demand for cruelty-free products increases, and designers have not disappointed. It’s clear that truly sustainable and functional footwear, capable of supporting athletes, is now possible to achieve. As news of these shoes spreads and companies continue their push for sustainable products, we may be seeing a new era for sports everywhere.
Conclusion
The increasing demand for vegan options has led to a growing market of athletic shoe companies offering a variety of vegan-friendly alternatives. From running shoes to cross-training sneakers, there are numerous options to choose from that are not only free of animal-derived materials, but also durable, comfortable, and stylish.
However, vegan athletic shoes are not the only vegan shoes available in the market. There are also vegan slippers, vegan shoes, men’s vegan shoes and sneakers, vegan work shoes, and vegan winter boots, among others. Whether you are a committed vegan, a fitness enthusiast, or simply looking for more ethical and sustainable options, choosing vegan athletic shoes and other vegan products can be a small yet meaningful step towards a healthier, more sustainable future for ourselves and the planet.
