All the info you need to pick the perfect pair of vegan hiking boots for your adventures!

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Boots are a seriously important investment. Whether you use them for hiking, backpacking, camping or just general exploring, they’re often the most important piece of outdoor gear on your packing list. But, you gotta find the best hiking boots for your needs!

And finding the right vegan boots can be particularly tricky as leather is still the norm. Thanks to plant-based and synthetic materials, awesome new vegan options are released all the time (woohoo!) but actually finding them can be tough (boooo).

From confusing labelling and changing materials to bizarre manufacturing and brands who aren’t completely sure what’s in their products… it can make finding hiking footwear nightmare.

To make things easier, we contacted 20+ of the best hiking brands to see what they offered that was 100% cruelty-free.

That means no leather, no pesky gelatin products, animal-derived dyes or fish-laced glues either.

This guide will help you find kick-ass vegan hiking boots for men and women, with choices for summer, winter, different activities and budgets.

Keep reading to find options from:

La Sportiva, Lowa, Arc’teryx, Merrel, Astral, Inov-8, XPETI, Baffin, plus completely vegan shoe brands Will’s Vegan Shoes and Vegetarian Shoes + more!

Here’s a brief overview of our top vegan hiking boot picks, followed by in-depth and juicy details to help you make the right decision when buying a boot.

Contents:

• The best vegan-friendly hiking boots on the market
• Why go for vegan boots?
• Leather hiking boots vs. vegan options
• How to find completely vegan hiking boots and what to look for
• Tips for finding vegan clothing products
• How to pick hiking boots (size, materials, fit, waterproof, uses and features etc)
• Boot FAQ

This article may contain affiliate links. If you make purchases through these links we may make a small commission – this is never of any extra cost to you – but helps support Veggie Vagabonds, thank you!

 

The Best Vegan Hiking Boots Available Now!

To put this list together, we reached out to all of the brands listed below to ask about their vegan options (unless specifically shown to be 100% vegan).

It’s fantastic to see so many of the biggest outdoor companies now have an awesome selection of vegan hiking shoes, boots, trail runners and all things in between. Each year the selection just gets bigger and bigger!

A number of the brands we spoke to were in the process of bringing out exciting new vegan hiking models, which aren’t listed below yet. They’ll send details once they come out and we’ll make sure to update the list as soon as they do – stay in the loop by joining the mailing list!

Jump ahead to our top vegan picks

• Best Overall Hiking Boot: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX
• Best women’s budget boots: XPETI Thermator
• Best technical hiking boots: Inov-8 Roclite Pro G 400 GTX V2
• Best hiking boots for backpacking and long distances: Arc’teryx Acrux
• Best hiking boots for Beginners: Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX
• Best Max-Cushioned Hiking Boot: Hoka Speedgoat 5 Mid GTX Hiking Boots
• Best hiking boot from vegan company: Wills WVSport
• Best lightweight hiking boots: Merrell Moab Speed Mid Gore-Tex

Disclaimer: all images were sourced from their respective brands

La Sportiva Vegan Hiking Boots

One of the best-respected brands for outdoor footwear. La Sportiva produces groundbreaking hiking and mountaineering boots, trail runners, climbing and approach shoes, with gear designed for the harshest conditions.

They currently have three vegan models and are available in both men’s and women’s cuts for the perfect fit.

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Merrell Vegan Hiking Boots

Merrell have long been friends to the vegan outdoor community, with a large variety of cruelty-free casual shoes, trail runners, hiking shoes and boots. Lots of their products are made using eco-friendly materials and they also have a vegan search function so finding the right gear is easy!.

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Inov-8 Hiking Boots

Big smiles on our faces when Inov8 told us:

“I can confirm that all our in-line hiking boots are 100% vegan – from the glues used to the knits and leathers“

These guys are fast becoming one of the most reliable British outdoor brands for high-quality and functional gear. Specialising in hiking and running swag, their boots are top-class! One of the few brands to have certified vegan hiking boots for women and men. Make sure to check out Inov8’s website for more footwear and colour options.

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Footwear from 100% Vegan Companies

Over the last half-decade, veganism has gone through the roof. This has given rise to plenty of 100% vegan footwear companies creating faux-leather products and cruelty-free alternatives. Some of these companies have also started producing hiking gear – AWESOME!

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Vegetarian Shoes Hiking Boots

I’ll admit, we overlooked Vegetarian Shoes for quite some time, thinking their shoes were vegetarian and not vegan. This is in fact not the case. All of the shoes from this independent UK company are 100% vegan-friendly, they’re vegan-stamped and have won plenty of awards.

The Unisex Veggie Trekker MK5 is one of the few vegan leather hiking boots on this list, giving them a very traditional look.

They’re designed to take on any environment, with Wind-Tex breathable technology, a water-resistant membrane and an insulating layer for added padding and warmth. The padded faux-leather collar and tongue sections also give added comfort and protection.

Dual Density Vibram soles and angled heel cleats give strong traction and stability on uneven surfaces, whilst a protective rubber rand helps increase water resistance, rigidity and durability.

Buy Vegetarian Shoes Veggie Trekker MK5 (Unisex) (Only in UK)

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Lowa Vegan Hiking Boots

Lowa is one of the few outdoor brands which clearly label their shoes as vegan – which is great! They have specifically designed women’s options and are a good choice for people with wider feet.

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Baffin Hiking Boots

A small footwear brand from Stoney Creek, Canada who specialise in cold weather and full-season options. Oh, and their vegan range is pretty awesome! All their vegan options come up slightly small so consider going half size up.

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British hiking boot brand, Altberg, have brought out a completely vegan hiking option that comes in a variety of widths. 

The Dalesway is a lightweight, 2-3 season boot that ditches the leather and uses a Lorica leather alternative instead. 

They’ve got a classic hiking boot look, combined with a solid upper and hefty Vibram Masai sole for use in boggy conditions. 

The Sympatex 4-layer lining is breathable and has a military-grade and waterproof membrane to keep you dry.

Buy Altberg Dalesway

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Any extra options?

To put this list together, we scoured high and low, through forums, reviews and the deepest corners of the internet. Whilst the number of vegan options are definitely increasing, it’s still no easy job finding out if they’re 100% suitable.

Out of all the companies we looked at, two were completely vegan companies (Will’s and Vegetarian Shoes) and only a handful of others explicitly labelled their products as vegan.

The best way to dig deeper was by contacting the companies themselves. Below is a list of other shoe brands that didn’t currently stock vegan-friendly options. We’ve put this here to save you some time if you do some investigating on your own in the future!

Scarpa – Bringing out fully vegan hiking shoe in February – subscribe to find out when

Adidas – “At the moment our vegan range hasn’t extended to our hiking products with our key product being our vegan running shoes”

KEEN – “we have shoes which are leather-free but unfortunately, they are not certified vegan as KEEN might uses gelatin in the sole”

Vaude – None, many non leather hiking shoes and sustainable options but can’t confirm vegan

Meindl – None, working on eco-materials but yet to bring out a completely vegan boot

Decathlon – Easily contactable, leather-free shoes use animal-derived glue

Columbia – Shoes without leather but not vegan

North Face – No vegan information and no response to contact

Salewa – No boots available

Zamberlan – No boots available

Vegan Hiking Boot Buyer’s Guide

1. Why should you even go for vegan boots?

Traditionally, hiking footwear has been made from leather e.g animal skin (typically from cows). And, it’s not just a few cows, more than 240 million cows are killed every year for leather, a number expected to rise to 430 million by 2025.

Not all cows are killed directly for their leather but they are kept in cruel conditions and killed before their time. Many are branded and abused, some are even skinned alive. It’s really not nice stuff. All this cow farming has a huge impact on the environment too.

Leather aside, other materials used in hiking boot production might not be cruelty-free either. Some glues and dyes are made from fish, gelatine or other animal products too.

With so many new vegan hiking boots becoming available, it’s never been easier to go animal-free.

2. Are these vegan-friendly hiking boots worse than leather ones?

Hell no! Whether you’re a beginner hiker or an AT finisher, you’ll find vegan options that rival regular shoes and are very often:

• Lighter weight
• Cheaper
• Quicker drying
• Less maintenance needed
• Quicker to break in and don’t stretch
• Constantly improving with more research into vegan materials
• Often better for the environment

But…

Synthetic materials also come with their own problems, both for hiking and the environment. That’s why it’s always important to be a responsible consumer, buying the right products when you need them and taking care of them. You’ll find heaps more info on this topic in our awesome Guide to Sustainable Outdoor Gear.

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3. How to find vegan hiking boots & what to look for

Finding vegan outdoor gear can be tough. Unfortunately, it’s no different for footwear.

Some shoes are clearly labelled as vegan, making things nice and easy. If they have a vegan stamp or specifically say 100% vegan-friendly, vegan or synthetic etc. then it’s almost certain you’re safe.

Others might be labelled as vegan leather shoes, non-leather hiking boots, leather-free hiking boots, organic boots etc. and with these, you should have a bit more caution. They might be organic, fairtrade and might not use leather, but they still might use animal products.

Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, these are the easiest steps for finding friendly products.

First step – check the main materials and upper for leather products

Most non-vegan boots use leather in the upper, but as it’s a more expensive material it tends to be clearly stated.

There may be a leather symbol (shown in the photo below) or say things like genuine leather, leather upper, leather, coated leather, suede, nubuck (a type of leather) or suede leather. This can be written on the sole of the shoe or inside under the tongue – this is NOT vegan-friendly.

Vegan footwear instead may use a variety of materials, with some brands having their own specific technology. Look for things like breathable mesh, manmade materials, synthetic materials, synthetic mesh, microfiber, thermoplastic urethane, polyester, nylon and so-called “synthetic leather”.

These are all leather alternatives that ARE vegan-friendly.

Second step – look for animal-derived glue & other issues

Many leather-free hiking boots still contain glue, dye or other smaller elements which aren’t vegan-friendly. For this reason, be careful assuming that items labelled as leather-free are completely vegan.

Smaller materials are harder to spot and few brands specifically list the source of their dyes or glues. Some brands state products are 100% synthetic which is positive but you still might need to contact them online and double-check.

We’ve done it all for you below!

4. Some tips for finding 100% animal-free boots

1. If you’re shopping online then look for the details, features or product info section to see if leather is listed and lookout for vegan materials
2. On a brand’s website, search for vegan, normally this shows information if available
3. If you’re shopping in-store, ask one of the shop workers or look on the shoe themselves for the leather markings listed above
4. Some shoes are now labelled as vegan or vegan-friendly (winning!)
5. It’s important to note that organic or fairtrade does not automatically mean it’s vegan
6. To be 100% sure which hiking boots are vegan, contact the companies 

READ MORE: Vegan Backpacking Food for the Trail!

5. How to pick hiking boots that you’ll love

Finding the right thing will really depend on what you’ll use them for and your body type. Check out the points below to help you find the right thing. Or, you can see our full Guide to Picking Hiking Boots here.

Tip 1. The most important tip…

Pick a pair of hiking boots that are completely suited to your needs, are comfortable and will last. Don’t prioritise looks or brands, and, whilst it might be appealing to save £20, you’ll regret going for a bargain on the hiking trail if they’re not right for you.

Tip 2. What activities do you want them for?

Are they for one activity or do you need them for a variety of things? Are you looking for all-day comfort… something flexible for scrambling? Will you be hiking in winter and need boots to wear with crampons… something really lightweight… something with extra ankle support?

Once you know your ideal boot, it’s much easier to find the right thing.

Tip 3. Weather Conditions

Feet getting too cold is horrible but if your feet get too hot this can also cause chaffing and athlete’s foot. Hot conditions are better tackled with more breathable shoes, whilst cold conditions might benefit from an insulated lining or even opting for specific vegan winter boots.

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Tip 4. Waterproof or not

If you’re going to be in only very hot conditions you can probably do without the waterproof lining. Generally, this lining makes breathability worse and you can end up with very hot, clammy feet. If it’s hot, the shoes will naturally dry.

For most people though, weather conditions will change.

For hiking in cooler conditions with a chance of getting wet, pick boots with a waterproof membrane, like Gore-Tex. And, If you’re even thinking about going near snow or below freezing conditions then don’t even think of doing it without waterproof boots!

Tip 5. Do you need wide hiking boots or narrow?

Everyone has slightly different feet: thick ankles and heels, long flat feet, very arched heels etc. Outdoor brands are smart and have boots to fit every type of foot so take a long, hard look at your feet and decide what style shoes will fit best!

BOOT BRANDS: some brands are better catered for different feet. Salomon and Scarpa produce a lot of hiking boots for narrow feet whilst Merrell and Keen offer better boots for wider feet.

Tip 6. High ankle or mid ankle?

Boots won’t have low ankle options but you can find high or mid ankle choices. Higher ankles offer more support and protection from the elements, however, this comes with extra weight. If you’re going to be moving fast, appreciating extra movement and less weight, then mid-ankle might be better for you.

To go superlight and agile, you might even want to think about finding vegan trail running shoes.

7. Your Questions Answered – FAQ

Know of any other great footwear options? Drop us a comment below!

The Best Vegan Hiking Boots and Buyer’s Guide

Nowadays, there are so many cruelty-free boots, tough enough for anything you throw at them, we can ALL ditch the leather and nasty stuff. With the ethical adventure community constantly growing it only means more and more vegan options for the future.

We can all help support this progress by backing the vegan outdoor gear that’s available now. Tell your friends, share articles like this, tell the outdoor brands you love their vegan products… let’s try and make every adventure an ethical adventure!