As sneakers are a large part of the streetwear world, this article will outline some more ethical options within the streetwear footwear market, and the best places to buy them.
1. Nike Shox - Technical Streetwear
These shoe aid any outfit in having a more adventurous silhouette, with the techy sole elevating the look and the mesh uppers providing comfort that doesn’t need breaking in. This shoe from Nike bounces in and out of production, but can always be found on sites such as Ebay and Depop and is a staple sneaker typically made from 0% animal products and due to its streamlined design is always versatile.
2. Converse – Always Classic
This article could not be made without featuring the Converse. A sneaker that has been around for decades, and often is made completely without any animal products. Also linking to more sustainable practices, Converse now offer their renew line which extends the lifecycle of products and encourages a mantra of repurposing.
Converse also often collaborate and bring out limited edition styles such as their ongoing partnership with Golf Le Fleur, as featured, showing that you can cop limited product whilst thinking more ethically.
3. Story MFG x Reebok Club C
A more specific iteration is the Story MFG x Reebok collaboration, in which reebok teamed up with London based ethical streetwear brand Story MFG to recreate 2 of their classic styles, the Beatnik and the Club C, the Club C being pictured here. This collaboration turned a streetwear classic into a handmade hemp iteration, which means if you’re in the market for a pair of neutral, classic sneakers, this is a more conscious cop and also links to brand Adidas who have started recreating their classic styles into more sustainable options.
4. Nike Spiridon – Throwback revival
A sneaker first popular in the 1990s, had a resurgence in 2020, as Nike teamed up with streetwear giant Stussy to release several versions made from more sustainably led fibres such as hemp, these quickly sold out but are still available on re-sell sites such as Stock X and the Sole Supplier if you want to extend the life cycle of these sought after products, but you may also be happy to know that they later released more colourways of this style and kept to the material makeup being animal-free which are also at a lower price point even when resold.
5. Salomon XT-6 – Techy and practical
Salomon is a brand that if you are looking for a more ethical streetwear sneaker, should be a brand that you check out. Whether brand new or even better, through buying second hand, they are a brand that offers a plethora of practical, techy designs that can seamlessly see you through hiking, running and navigating through a city, with a strong commitment to being on the ball with sustainable innovation and many of their designs having a fabric composition that is animal-free.
6. Nike Air Force 1- Streetwear Staple
Although the Nike Air Force 1 has seen little movement into sustainable fabrics outside of the collaboration with Stussy, which again featured the silhouette donned in hemp, this streetwear staple can be found for as little as £15 on sites such as Depop and Ebay and mean that you can support extending the life cycle of products and slowing down the throwaway nature of fashion whilst also being kind to your pocket and having as sneaker staple that will take you through every season.
7. Nike x Stussy Benassi- Summertime Slider
Although not strictly a sneaker, this list is being completed with a shoe that can take you through all of the seasons. From the pool and the streets in summer to being paired with socks in spring and autumn, this Nike x Stussy iteration is made from synthetic leather, that although is not regarded as the most sustainable fabric in some cases, offers an alternative to an animal-derived fabric. This staple slider can be swapped out for a Suicoke or alternate Nike offering made from mesh if you would like to avoid synthetics and adds an option for if you want to purchase a footwear option brand new, whilst avoiding animal-derived fabrics.
Let us know if you are interested in any of these sneaker swaps, or if you have any other options, and how you keep your sneaker game fresh whilst thinking more consciously minded in our community tab!
All images owned by Other Material.