THE ALTERNATIVES

Microfibre can vary greatly in appearance, strength, feel and composition. The defining feature of microfibre is that it is a material or cloth of some description, manufactured from either synthetic or natural fibres. Common fibres used in the production of microfibre include polyamide, polyurethane (PU) or cotton.

Thanks to its varying composition, a wide range of characteristics can be achieved. For example, it can be very soft, like soft Nubuck leather or suede.

The fine pores also make this material especially breathable and lightweight.

Take a look at our shoes from NOVACAS for some great examples of ethical synthetic microfibre.

PU (also known as bicast leather, PU leather or split leather) is a thick foam-like material that can be shaped into many forms.

PU fibres (a microfibre) are especially popular, as opposed to the solid foam, as these fibres can be used to create a durable material that is both flexible and breathable, and perfect for shoe uppers. PU foam in its natural, solid state, tends to be used more often for the soles of shoes.

We stock a number of attractive PU shoes from various vegan, ethical shoe manufacturers. How about some boots from VEGETARIAN SHOES? Or maybe you’d like some attractive shoes from WILLS LONDON to complement your favourite outfit?

Hemp is a plant fibre that humans have used to make cloth for various applications for over 10,000 years. Thanks to the development of a natural enzymatic process in the 1980s, it is now possible to produce soft-yet-strong hemp for clothing and footwear purposes.

Environmentally, hemp offers a few major advantages over other materials. It is a fast-growing, renewable resource and incredibly easy to care for, not necessitating any herbicides or pesticides. Hemp as a material is very durable, light and breathable, with an appealing, slightly raw natural feel that takes up the colours in natural dyes especially well thanks to its high porosity.

Check out our range for excellent examples of hemp footwear from SLOWERS, GRAND STEP SHOES and VEGETARIAN SHOES

Cotton is a renewable resource that is easy to manage and can be grown under organic conditions. The major disadvantage is that its production requires a lot of water, although this water consumption is many times smaller than the water consumed in the production of leather through the production of animal feed, water provision to animals, and tanning.

As a material, cotton is soft, comfortable and breathable.

Like cotton? Take a look at our cotton shoes from AHIMSA, SLOWERS and ETHLETIC.

Gore-Tex is not a fabric, but a lightweight, windproof, waterproof and yet breathable membrane that allows water vapour to pass through. This makes Gore-Tex especially well-suited to outdoor and hiking shoes.

This synthetic and therefore vegan material was originally patented by Robert W. Gore, although the patent has since expired and similar products have come to market. The original Gore-Tex is only supplied to manufacturers who are certified to make products according to Gore’s standards.

Feel like a long walk in the country in some Gore-Tex shoes to keep your feet dry? Or maybe you just need something lightweight, breathable and comfortable for your daily commute? LOWA might have just the thing you’re after.

Yes, the same material that keeps wine from going off can be used to make shoes and other fashionable items. Cork is a natural, renewable resource which can be grown under organic conditions.

Contrary to many people’s assumptions, cork is actually an exceptionally environmentally friendly product. For example, all European cork trees are grown in a sustainable manner, and these forests form rich habitats for a diverse range of species, including the critically endangered Iberian Lynx. These trees are not cut down, but rather the cork is harvested from the living tree once every nine years, giving the tree sufficient time to regenerate between harvestings.

On top of this, cork continually absorbs CO2 – even when keeping your wine fresh, or adorning your beautiful vegan shoes! Talking of wine, you may have observed the growing tendency towards plastic corks in wine bottles nowadays. This has unfortunately led to a decline in the number of cork forests as people switch to more lucrative trees such as pine or eucalyptus.

All the above does not sound so bad, except pine and eucalyptus forests do not support the same diversity of life as cork forests. By wearing cork, you are supporting the continued existence of the three quarters of cork forests currently under threat in the Mediterranean.

Cork is fire-resistant and antibacterial, while also being very lightweight and breathable. Its natural appearance has become quite popular in recent times, so you will naturally find cork used in some fantastic shoes in the avesu store: take a look at cork wedges from COSÌ COSÌ, and even cork boots from NAE

Rubber can be a natural material, such as rubber or latex, created from the rubber tree. Natural rubber can also be grown under sustainable conditions and then used to make the soles or other parts of shoes.

Natural rubber is a great material for the soles of shoes as it is flexible, hard-wearing and environmentally friendly.

ETHLETIC, AHIMSA and certain other manufacturers have made some great shoes using natural rubber. Take a look!

Recycled rubber is recycled, remanufactured rubber, often used for the soles of shoes or rubber boots. This rubber can be fully recycled, leaving no waste in the event you need to dispose of them.

Shoes from EKN and Jonny's Vegan both feature recycled rubber, and we think they look and feel great. What do you think?

A number of materials can be completely upcycled, which as opposed to recycling, means that absolutely no new raw materials are needed to create a new useful product.

A great example of upcycled rubber can be found in the form of the Retread Bush Boot from VEGETARIAN SHOES. These shoes have soles made entirely from old car tyres.

Upcycling is the natural evolution to recycling. Just like the products from which they originate, these upcycled materials are stable, waterproof, and hardwearing. Products that might otherwise end up in landfill ends up being properly reused, helping us to enjoy new shoes and attire with minimal environmental impact.

Another material that can be effectively recycled is plastic bottles (polyethylene terephthalate, PET). Recycled PET can be used to make soles, like on beautiful shoes from AHIMSA, or even handbags, like those made by COSÌ COSÌ.