Vegan Guide to Leather Alternatives 2020 Edition

From The Vegetarian Resource Group

INTRODUCTION

On many occasions, after turning down a hot dog or hamburger at a summer barbecue and explaining that you’re vegetarian, the next question you might be asked (if wearing leather-like sandals) is, “Then why are you wearing leather?” You’ll answer that the sandals are made from synthetic materials that look like leather, and this usually pacifies the inquisitors. They do ask a valid question though. If you are choosing a vegetarian diet for ethical reasons, “How can you stop eating animals, but continue to wear them?” Like a vegetarian diet, people often choose to “quit leather” at different stages.

Since cowhide is the most common animal hide used, links to the meat industry are undeniable. According to the Leather Industries of America, the leather Industry’s trade association, very few animals are raised specifically for their hides. But cows are just one of the animals whose skins are used for shoes, wallets, coats, belts, clothing, and accessories. Other animals can be pigs, deer, horse, and sheep. Some articles are even made from “exotic” animal skins ranging from alligator and lizard to sealskin and snakeskin.

You may ask, “Well what should I do with all the leather I have?” Again, just as some people go vegetarian overnight and others do it slowly, the same goes for leather. Some people gradually replace worn out leather items with non-leather alternatives. Others donate their leather goods to charities. Many throw the stuff away, and although you might prefer that no one wear animal hides (besides the animals), most leather is not biodegradeable due to the tanning process, so a charity might be the best bet. The damage already done can’t be reversed.

That brings up the question of which causes less damage to the environment  petroleum-based synthetic leathers or leather treated with multiple chemicals? While petroleum-based products often cause pollution from manufacturing and its waste, leather manufacturers are still dealing with problems caused by the use of chemicals for tanning. Either alternative leads to some environmental damage, but while you’re supporting the exploitation of animals by purchasing leather, choosing leather alternatives will at least help alleviate some cruelty to animals.

Maybe we should also ask ourselves if leather- and fur-like materials are always the best choice. Do these materials give the impression that leather and fur are socially and ethically acceptable? Why not go with some other materials such as hemp, cotton, synthetic fibers, or recycled rubber when possible? On the other hand it can be argued that by using leather and fur alternatives we can show others a way of wearing clothes with the look they like that doesn’t require the exploitation of animals for it.

For this update we have been able to add vegan cowboy boots. We also found vegan “leather” outdoor roller skates.

When choosing a non-leather company, one should also consider the company’s reasons for carrying non-leather goods. Although we are pleased that more and more companies offer non-leather items, most large manufacturers and retailers who carry both leather and non-leather offer the non-leather goods primarily for economic reasons. It is cheaper to manufacture non-leather goods, and as a result they often cost less. Note that many of these companies sell mainly leather items. Still, by supporting the vegan articles these companies distribute, a clear statement can be made in favor of alternative products. Maybe this will encourage companies to produce more synthetic products, even if their reasons for this decision are not necessarily ethical.

The vegan mail-order companies, on the other hand, take a particular interest in avoiding animal and Earth exploitation through the products they offer. Many of these companies employ Earth-friendly manufacturing and working conditions. We believe that it is important to support these companies.

To make your selection of non-leather goods as effortless as possible, the companies listed are separated into categories. The Vegan Mail-Order or Stores section indexes companies that sell only vegan products. The Catalogs, Companies, and Stores section lists companies that sell or manufacture both leather-free and leather goods, so check these carefully to make sure what you’re buying is non-leather. The remaining sections of this guide list specific styles of shoes (athletic, dress, etc.) and the companies who make them or the stores/catalogs that carry them.

We often depend on company statements for product information. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, information changes, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your own best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.

VEGAN MAIL-ORDER OR STORES

The following companies sell only animal-free products.

7 A.M. Aera Alexandra K Angela and Roi Arsayo Artisan Gear Avesu Bahatika BC Footwear Beyond Skin Bhava Studio BioWorld Black Sage Supply Blowfish Shoes Bourgeois Boheme Brave Gentle Man Bungalow 360 By Blanch Calico Dragon Call it Spring CannaRiff Guitar Straps Charmone Shoes Clamfeet Collection & Co. Corkor Couch Cykochik Delikate Rayne Della Deux Lux Dogo Doshi Drizzle + Shine The Ethical Man Ethical Wares Ethique Nouveau Fabric Horse Fabulous Furs Faux Moccs Freerangers Good Guys Don't Wear Leather Gosbags Grape Cat Green Banana Paper Green Laces Gunas Hemp Guitar Straps Herbivore Clothing Holster Australia House of Cork The Imperative Insecta James & Company Jeane & Jax JuJu K. Carroll Kat Mendenhall Boots Keep LaBante London Livin' the MAD Life Love Sofie Marand Mattandnat.com Mechaly Melie Bianco Jill Milan Ministry of Tomorrow Mink MooShoes Nae Native Shoes Nice Shoes No Harm Noah Shoes Boutique Nomadic State of Mind Okabashi Olsenhaus Oxford Handbags Pixie Mood Rafa Rungg Shoes Sapato Verde Sight Slappa SOULiers Studio Spire USA StarBelt Collection Sudo Shoes Susi Studios Sydney Brown Tastemaker Supply Taylor + Thomas Ten Little Shoes Third Oak Tivydale Triple T Studios Truth Belts Unicorn Goods Unreal Fur Unstitched Utilities Used Rubber USA Vegan Chic The Vegan Collection VeganEssentials Vegan Haven Veganline The Vegan Outfitter Vegan Scene The Vegan Warehouse Vegan Wares Vegetarian Shoes The Vegetarian Site Veggani Vessi Footwear Vimpoke Vivari Von Holzhausen Votch Wilby Wills Vegan Shoes Ltd.

CATALOGS, COMPANIES, & STORES WITH LEATHER ALTERNATIVES

The following catalogs, companies, and stores carry some non-leather products, but also many that are not animal-free. Check the merchandise to make sure it is non-leather. This is a partial listing of catalogs/stores with synthetic options.

Birkenstock Charming Charlie Earth Footwear, etc. Green Shoes Hound & Hammer L.L. Bean Love is Mighty Pennangalan Dreams REI Road Runner Sports Speck Products Stella McCartney Toms Tough Traveler Tuk Shoes Waterfield Designs Zappos.com

categories ATHLETIC SHOES DRESS SHOES HIKING BOOTS WORK BOOTS COATS AND JACKETS BAGS, BELTS, AND WALLETS WHERE DO I FIND...

ATHLETIC SHOES

There are leather alternatives in most shoe styles.

Women's and Men's Athletic Shoes

Asics: (800) 678-9435; Several synthetic shoes; call to find out about a certain shoe.

Converse: (888) 792-3307; Chuck Taylor All-Stars, high-top and low-top, come in many styles, colors, and fabrics. They also have canvas One Stars.

Keds: (800) 680-0966; Canvas oxfords and slip-ons in a variety of colors and patterns.

New Balance: (800) 253-7463; Several running shoes made with synthetic uppers. Call for a catalog.

Vans: (855) 909-8267; Styles include canvas shoes. Call for stores in your area.

DRESS SHOES

Most of the all-vegan stores listed at the beginning of this guide offer a variety of dress shoes.

Baby and Children's Shoes



Baby Nanya : baby and toddler shoes. The shoes' exterior is made of microfiber, while the inner part is made of cotton. They also have rubber sole grips. https://babynanya.com/

: baby and toddler shoes. The shoes' exterior is made of microfiber, while the inner part is made of cotton. They also have rubber sole grips. https://babynanya.com/ Clamfeet : Offers adorable baby shoes and matching shoes for mothers. They have an eco canvas exterior, organic cotton lining, and rubberized grip sole. They are washable. https://clamfeet.com/

: Offers adorable baby shoes and matching shoes for mothers. They have an eco canvas exterior, organic cotton lining, and rubberized grip sole. They are washable. https://clamfeet.com/ Happy Little Soles : Offers a vegan section of shoes for boys and girls. https://www.happylittlesoles.co.uk/

: Offers a vegan section of shoes for boys and girls. https://www.happylittlesoles.co.uk/ Jambu & Co. : Sells a few shoes for girls and toddlers in the USA. https://jambu.com/kids/feature/vegan/

: Sells a few shoes for girls and toddlers in the USA. https://jambu.com/kids/feature/vegan/ Pediped : Offers a large selection of vegan shoes for kids of all ages that can be shipped internationally. https://www.pediped.com/vegan

: Offers a large selection of vegan shoes for kids of all ages that can be shipped internationally. https://www.pediped.com/vegan Softstar : Offers moccasin-like ramblers made from soft vegan Ultrasuede with rubber soles. They are available in baby and youth sizes. https://www.softstarshoes.com/child-youth-vegan-rambler.html

: Offers moccasin-like ramblers made from soft vegan Ultrasuede with rubber soles. They are available in baby and youth sizes. https://www.softstarshoes.com/child-youth-vegan-rambler.html Ten Little Shoes : Offers vegan shoes for kids. https://tenlittle.com/

: Offers vegan shoes for kids. https://tenlittle.com/ Tom's : Sells vegan shoes for children worldwide. In the USA, see: Tom's In the United Kingdom, visit: https://www.toms.co.uk/kids

: Sells vegan shoes for children worldwide. In the USA, see: Tom's In the United Kingdom, visit: https://www.toms.co.uk/kids Vegan Chic: Offers a few options for children including The Kid's Ramos by Keep. https://www.veganchic.com/kids/vegan+shoes/search.aspx

HIKING BOOTS

Ethical Wares : Weald, Ranger, Trekking styles, and more.

: Weald, Ranger, Trekking styles, and more. Treksta : www.trekstausa.com The Evolution Mid 161 GTX and the Cape Mid GTX are vegan.

: www.trekstausa.com The Evolution Mid 161 GTX and the Cape Mid GTX are vegan. Vegetarian Shoes : Offers several hiking boots.

: Offers several hiking boots. Wicked Hemp: Hiking boot made from hemp.

WORK BOOTS

Ethical Wares : Safety Boot with a steel toe.

: Safety Boot with a steel toe. LaCrosse Boots : Several styles of rubber boots: insulated, non-insulated, and steel toe. Available from large retailers. Call (888) 323-2668 for information.

: Several styles of rubber boots: insulated, non-insulated, and steel toe. Available from large retailers. Call (888) 323-2668 for information. Vegan Essentials : Offers steel toe boots.

: Offers steel toe boots. Veganline : Offers safety boots and shoes.

: Offers safety boots and shoes. Vegetarian Shoes: Safety boots with steel toe caps.

COATS AND JACKETS

Fabulous Furs : Fake “fur,” “leather,” and “wool” coats, jackets, and vests.

: Fake “fur,” “leather,” and “wool” coats, jackets, and vests. James & Company : Faux leather jackets.

: Faux leather jackets. L.L. Bean : Winter coats made from synthetic fibers.

: Winter coats made from synthetic fibers. Straight to Hell : Leather-like jackets for men and women.

: Leather-like jackets for men and women.

BAGS, BELTS, AND WALLETS

Arsayo : Backpacks.

: Backpacks. Artisan Gear : Classic/casual bags.

: Classic/casual bags. Big Buddha : Bags, wallets, wristlets.

: Bags, wallets, wristlets. Bungalow 360 : Bags, wallets, wristlets.

: Bags, wallets, wristlets. Call it Spring : Bags, belts, and wallets.

: Bags, belts, and wallets. Corkor : Bags, belts, and wallets.

: Bags, belts, and wallets. Couch : Belts and wallets.

: Belts and wallets. Cow Jones Industrials : Various bags.

: Various bags. Doshi : Bags, belts, and wallets.

: Bags, belts, and wallets. The Ethical Man : Belts and wallets for men.

: Belts and wallets for men. Ethical Wares : Stylish unisex belts.

: Stylish unisex belts. Ethique Nouveau : Bags, belts, and wallets.

: Bags, belts, and wallets. Fabulous Furs : Women’s handbags and backpacks.

: Women’s handbags and backpacks. Freerangers : Bags, belts, and wallets.

: Bags, belts, and wallets. Green Banana Paper : Wallets.

: Wallets. Gunas : Bags for men and women.

: Bags for men and women. Herbivore Clothing : Purses, wallets, and belts.

: Purses, wallets, and belts. Jeane & Jax : Handbags and wallets.

: Handbags and wallets. K. Carroll : Handbags and wallets.

: Handbags and wallets. LaBante London : Bags and wallets.

: Bags and wallets. Ministry of Tomorrow : Bags

: Bags Pixie Mood : Bags and wallets.

: Bags and wallets. Sight : Tote and messenger bags, and lap top cases.

: Tote and messenger bags, and lap top cases. Starbelt : belts

: belts Susan Nichole : Unique handbags and wallets.

: Unique handbags and wallets. Triple T Studios : Bags, totes, and wallets.

: Bags, totes, and wallets. Truth Belts : Both leather-like and cloth belts.

: Both leather-like and cloth belts. Unicorn Goods : Bags, belts, and wallets.

: Bags, belts, and wallets. Used Rubber USA : Various bags, wallets, and belts.

: Various bags, wallets, and belts. Vegan Chic : Bags, belts, and wallets.

: Bags, belts, and wallets. Vegan Collection : Belts and wallets.

: Belts and wallets. VeganEssentials : Bags, belts, and wallets.

: Bags, belts, and wallets. The Vegan Outfitter : Bags and belts.

: Bags and belts. Vegan Scene : Bags, belts, and wallets.

: Bags, belts, and wallets. Vegan Wares : Bags, wallets, briefcases, and belts.

: Bags, wallets, briefcases, and belts. Vegetarian Shoes : Dressy non-leather belts.

: Dressy non-leather belts. The Vegetarian Site : Various bags and belts.

: Various bags and belts. Veggani : Bags

: Bags Vivari : Men's belts, wallet, and card case.

: Men's belts, wallet, and card case. Von Holzhausen: Women's bags.

WHERE DO I FIND...

category Ballet Shoes Baseball Gloves Biking Gloves Bowling Shoes Briefcases Camera Straps Cars with Vegan Seat Material Cowboy Boots Dance Shoes Gloves Guitar Straps Hand Drums Ice Skates iPhone/Blackberry Cases iPod and Cell Phone Holders Kindle Cases Laptop and iPad Carrying Bags Luggage Motorcycle Gear Musical Instrument Cases Rock Climbing Shoes Roller Skates Snow Boots/Snowboarding Boots Speed Skates Synthetic Leather Manufacturer Tool Belts

The following boots should keep your feet protected; some even have steel-toe protection.

Ballet Shoes

Cynthia King Dance Studio offers the CKDS ballet slipper with canvas uppers and synthetic leather soles in adult and children’s sizes and various colors. Call (718) 437-0101 or visit www.cynthiakingdance.com.

Baseball Gloves

Carpenter Trading Company offers custom-made vegan gloves. Visit www.carpentertrade.com.

Biking Gloves

Galtani offers vegan cycling gloves at www.galtani.bigcartel.com

Garneau has cycling gloves at www.garneau.com

Bowling Shoes

Dexter Shoes offers some bowling shoes made from 100% synthetics. Visit www.dextershoes.com.

Briefcases

Doshi: briefcases



Marand Makes a variety of bags out of apple skins in various colors.

Mattandnat.com offers briefcases.

Tough Traveler: See www.toughtraveler.com

Camera Straps

Couch offers a wide variety of camera straps.

Cars with Vegan Seat Material

Tesla See: https://electrek.co/2016/12/14/tesla-vegan-interior-option-ultra-white-seats/

Cowboy boots

Kat Mendenhall offers stylish cowboy boots for men and women, as well as belts.

Dance Shoes

Very Fine Shoes offers a wide variety of custom made vegan dance shoes. Visit www.veryfineshoes.com and go to vegan shoes.

Gloves

The Vegetarian site offers vegan “leather” gloves.

Guitar Straps

CannaRiff Guitar Straps offers hemp guitar straps.

Couch offers a wide variety of handmade straps.

Splaff Flops offers guitar straps.

Vegan Wares offers guitar straps.

Hand Drums

www.rhythmhousedrums.com: Search under the vegan category and drums that have non-leather heads.

Ice Skates

Bauer Pro Shop offers many non-leather Bauer hockey skates at bauer.hockeygiant.com

CCM offers many non-leather hockey skates at ccmhockey.com

L.L. Bean: Skates for children. See www.llbean.com

iPhone Cases

K. Carroll See k-carroll.com

See www.nuevue.com/collections/vegan

iPod and Cell Phone Holders

Tough Traveler See www.toughtraveler.com

Waterfield Designs See www.sfbags.com

Kindle Cases

Waterfield Designs See www.sfbags.com

Laptop and iPad Carrying Bags

Mattandnat.com offers computer bags.

Slappa See www.slappa.com

Spire USA offers laptop carrying bags.

Tom Bihn See www.tombihn.com

Tough Traveler See www.toughtraveler.com

Waterfield Designs See www.sfbags.com

Luggage

Toughtraveler.com offers non-leather luggage.

Motorcycle Gear

Alien Moto is a Swedish company that offers a vegan racing glove, as well as vegan motorcycle boots. See www.alienmoto.se

Corazzo offers vegan motorcycle jackets and gloves. See www.corazzo.net/product-tag/vegan

Forma Boots USA offers Nero Touring Boots for men and women at www.formabootsusa.com/products/nero

Motoport offers a non-leather racing glove. The entire glove is made from their Racing Grade Stretch Material Made with Dupont™ Kevlar® Fiber. (No Leather Used On the Entire Glove!) This is the only synthetic material approved for road racing suits. See: www.motoport.com/product/motoportracing-glove

Olympia Gloves offers several varieties of vegan motorcycle gloves here: shop.olympiagloves.com/collections/vegan-motorcycle-gloves



Musical Instrument Cases

Tough Traveler See www.toughtraveler.com

Rock Climbing Shoes

Evolv Sports and Design offers a number of vegan rock climbing shoes. Visit www.evolvsports.com

Roller Skates

Moxi Roller Skates: You'll find these vegan roller skates at www.rollerskateusa.com/

Snow Boots/Snowboarding Boots

Burton Snowboards: You’ll find several types of non-leather snow boots at www.burton.com

Sole Technology (owns “Thirty Two”) offers several non-leather snow boots for men and women. See www.thirtytwo.com

Synthetic Leather Manufacturer

Ecolorica:Visit: www.ecolorica.com or email [email protected] for information on this Italian company.

Ningbo Bridge Synthetic Leather Co. Ltd. Visit: www.bridgesl.com

Willow Tex:Visit: www.izitleather.com or call (815) 399-4048 for information on their ecologically friendly vegan leather alternative. It comes in several colors.

Winiw International Co. Ltd.:Visit: www.microfiberleather.com/microfiber/114-microfiber-vegan-leather.html

Tool Belts

Nailers, Inc.: Visit www.nailersinc.com or call (619) 562-2215 for their non-leather tool belts, nail bags, and knee pads, made from Dupont’s Cordura fabric.

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