12 best vegan trainers to add to your rotation

We’ve been wearing these on repeat. They’re handmade, inspired by skatewear, and the design pops in the forest green, cream and white colourway (they’re also available in other hues).

Showcasing the premium label’s eco-conscious ethos, the supple and buttery smooth vegan-friendly bio-leather upper blends recycled textiles and non-food-grade corn waste. Similarly, the pair is lined with bamboo and recycled nylon, while the cork and recycled foam insoles (which look great) point to these being a considered, well-made pair.

These trainers were supremely comfortable during testing – we didn’t notice any pinching or pressure points at all. The perforated toe box offered a generous amount of wriggle room, and the tongue boasted a small amount of padding. They’re just the right size of chunky and have a reassuring weightiness, though they don’t offer much grip. All in all, though, we don’t think you can go wrong with this pair.

Sleek, contemporary and cool, this brand’s sneaker collection reimagines a simple silhouette in different monochrome hues for a pared-back look we love. Certified by The Vegan Society, this PU (polyurethane) pair comes with laces made with organic cotton, while the eyelets are made from certified recycled aluminium. Even after a lot of wear, the smooth, flexible upper didn’t crease like some leather alternatives do.

Though snug, the shoes didn’t feel restrictive, but you may find PU isn’t the most breathable option. The outsole feels nice and sturdy, though. It’s recommended that you size up if you’re in between sizes, which we did, and found the fit secure.

Ration.L holds a B Corp certification, which nods to its ethical and sustainable practices, and it’s worth knowing that 5 per cent of profits from each pair of these trainers will go to The Brain & Spine Foundation charity.

Made from organic cactus leather, these sporty-retro trainers feel as premium as they look. From the suede-like lining to the beige-hued laces and speckled soles, small details make this a standout pair. While the silhouette is similar to the Loci atom, we found this pair a tad more padded, particularly around the wide ankle collar. They’re a bit stiff at first, though, so they will need some wearing in.

During testing, our feet were comfortably cocooned by the spongy tongue and ankle collar, and the supportive contouring of the footbed. If you like a roomy toe box, you might like more wiggle room than you'll get here. However, we like the fact that these shoes are hand-crafted in small batches to reduce waste, and that they feature recycled materials, such as recycled polyester, for the soles and laces.

These are primarily hiking shoes, but they’ve quickly become one of our favourite pairs for everyday wear. Their design screams gorpcore lifestyle trainer (move over, Salomons), but they’re made with the trail in mind. They’re supple and breathable, lighter than their chunky silhouette would suggest, and boast impressive traction. They shone during a long, muddy walk over Surrey’s Box Hill.

We tested the khaki colourway and found it goes with everything, from navy culottes to wide-leg suit trousers and jeans. Although this pair isn’t waterproof, there is a waterproof version (£150, Merrell.com) available. Our only gripe is that we noticed our toes rubbing against the stiffer section of the toe box.

Synonymous with retro style, Gola has stepped up with its Vegan Society-registered collection. Drawing inspiration from the footwear sported by tennis pro Mark Cox, these trainers feature Gola’s original branding in blue faux leather; a vintage blue and gold coloured heel tab; and gold-coloured branding on the tongue, affording interest to an otherwise pared-back design.

We enjoyed the level of breathability the cotton canvas offered, and think this pair is a perfect pick for warm, dry weather. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that these shoes will quickly become muddy in inclement conditions and will be difficult to clean. That said, the malleable fabric ensured immediate comfort, with no rubbing or pressure points experienced during testing. Gola doesn’t offer half sizes, so we had to size up, which is something to keep in mind.

Their dynamic, futuristic silhouette and mesh panelling mean these trainers from Loci are chunkier yet lighter than the brand’s atom pair. Here, the springy EVA midsole was a delight to walk on, but we did see some faint creasing after a couple of wears, though some degree of wrinkling is to be expected. Providing a comfortable ride from the very first wear, we walked long distances in these without a pinch – expect ample cushioning all around, but especially in the tongue.

We applaud the use of recycled materials here, too. Ocean plastic has been used for the upper, lining and laces, and Loci claims each pair of shoes equates to 14 plastic bottles removed from oceans or landfills.

An elevated plimsole design, this pair is a great lightweight, breathable option for summer. The shoes are made from 100 per cent organic cotton canvas and boast a simple, clean look – plain, bar the brand’s signature branding and heel tab (we opted for pastel blue detailing, but there are other colourways available) and the off-white soles. We found that the footbed felt quite flat underfoot, so this may not be the most supportive pair for long walks. That said, we found the canvas and soles flexible, which meant comfort and ease from the get-go.

Just bear in mind that these shoes aren’t the grippiest, and the canvas scuffs quite easily. However, we were able to remove dirt with just a damp cloth and soap.

Looking for vegan running shoes designed to tread lightly on the planet? Consider this pair from Hylo Athletics. The upper is made with an alternative to synthetic materials: a knitted, bio-based nylon derived from castor beans. When these shoes run out of mileage, they can be sent back to the brand to be up-cycled into fresh new pairs, too.

Cushy and comfortable, these trainers are a delight to wear. They weigh just 280 grams, with a wide toe bed that left us with plenty of wiggle room. The energy return is super, and there’s also a high level of cushioning, which we appreciated while running downhill. Caught in light rain, they managed well and kept our feet impressively dry thanks to their water-repellent upper. However, though water-resistant, we should stress they’re not waterproof (we did the shoe-in-the-sink test to be sure). The outsole was grippy when turning corners on wet ground, which makes sense when you consider the design’s inspiration was a Formula 1 racing tyre.

While substance over style is paramount when picking running shoes, we think these deserve applause for marrying a comfortable ride with good looks. We were more than happy to use them as everyday footwear, too. We tried the sand colourway, which showed a little dirt, but there are plenty of other colours available.

Combining the casual comfort of a plimsole with the chunky silhouette of a platform, these trainers hail from Superga’s vegan range. While the colourway we tried – a natural, subtle shade – is no longer available, you can shop the pair in pastel pink or a fun giraffe pattern. The style is understated but beefed up by the chunky, solid outsole, which is made with partly recycled vulcanised natural rubber.

The platform also provides extra height, which goes some way towards protecting the upper from splashes and dirt. Despite a relatively chunky outsole and the ankle being quite low, these didn’t slip off our heels as we walked. Keep in mind the outsole does show the dirt quite a bit, but the worst of it can be wiped clean.

Loved by the likes of Emily Ratajkowski and Kate Middleton, Veja uses innovative materials (think plastic bottles and natural rubber) to make its sustainable shoes. This vegan version of one of the label’s bestselling styles is made using organic cotton, Amazonian rubber, natural latex and recycled polyester. The faux leather upper is smooth and sleek, while the sole is bouncy and supportive. The vegan leather feels slightly stiff on initial wear, but it soon loosens up and moulds to your feet.

Our thin feet were snug in the shoes, so those with wide feet should probably steer clear (we would have struggled to get them on without the aid of the large pull tabs). The chunky silhouette gives the trainers a contemporary feel, while the white finish will slot easily into your existing wardrobe whether styled with jeans or midi dresses. Yes, they’re pricey, but the style is timeless.

Metallic trainers have been dominating recent collections, and these from London-based footwear brand Esska are a rose-gold twist on the trend. Pricey, yes, but they feel premium and reassuringly sturdy, with a solid, tracked rubber sole. A lot of metallic trainers have a high-shine, smooth finish, but here, light-grey suede-esque detailing makes these shoes look a bit more muted and luxurious.

While the ankle collar feels thick and stiff compared with some other pairs we tested, we found this provided extra support and stability. Plus, the removable insoles feel noticeable spongy towards the heel. The toe box was a great fit for us (though bear in mind our tester’s feet are on the narrow side) and we think wearing this pair is bound to result in a few compliments. However, it’s a little tricky to keep clean.

Hemp is a time-tested fibre hailed for its strength and durability. Making an equally strong case for using hemp in trainers, this explorer V2 pair is wonderfully lightweight and is billed as the first waterproof style of its kind. There’s a protective, splash-proof coating and a waterproof membrane, providing two lines of defence against soggy socks. All this is so effective, that even after 20 seconds underneath the tap, we only detected a minuscule amount of damp inside.

Hemp also boasts environmental benefits, as it has a smaller carbon footprint than cotton and polyester and a much smaller footprint than leather. One pair of this brand’s trainers will be responsible for 4.1kg of CO2, compared with up to 100kg for a leather pair, according to the brand.

However, style-wise, they’re pretty boring. These plain trainers won’t turn any heads, but there is a range of colourways to choose from – we tested a navy blue pair. We did find the trainers came up slightly small, so you might want to go up a half size.