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Is it possible to find Vegan shoes in Stores?

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Rosanna said #1 Sep 20, 2010 at 6:48am

Hi all, I just went shoe shopping for the first time since becoming vegan and needless to say I was amazed at the lack of non-leather options. I am not a fan of buying shoes online (but will do it if necessary). Before going that route I was wondering if anyone knew of any stores or brands that have vegan options. Thanks in advance!!

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catconsrv said #2 Sep 20, 2010 at 6:51am

I have found a decent amount of shoes labeled "all manmade products." I usually get these, however I think they are not totally vegan because the glues probably have bad stuff in them! I have found very cute boots for the winter and sandals for the summer in department stores.

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Rosanna said #3 Sep 20, 2010 at 8:04am

Catconsrv: Thanks so much for your response! I will keep looking:) What is in the glues that is bad? I saw this mentioned in former posts but didn't see any specific info about what is in the glues that is bad. Thanks!

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catconsrv said #4 Sep 20, 2010 at 8:07am

Hmm, I can't remember. Something from animal bones I think?? It is definitely hard to find shoes, and somewhat annoying to have to check EVERY label! But, I like being able to try on my shoes before I buy them!

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Amy Graves said #5 Sep 20, 2010 at 10:02am

Rosanna, I beleive that glue is made from ground up bones from cows or horses. You can buy vegan glue (elmers glue logo is a cow, however their website says that they do not use animals or animal byproducts)

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Axa Axa said #6 Sep 20, 2010 at 10:39am

You can find non-leathershoes in cheaper shoestores. I have some from chains that are not expensive. but i guess they are not so much environmetal friendly ...

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Alice Ruth said #7 Sep 20, 2010 at 11:26am

Yes. Cheaper (a la Payless) is one route, as someone has mentioned. Famous Footwear has fantastic and great-looking non-leather boots and shoes. DSW has quite a few (many of the Ziba styles, Madden Girl, I believe, and many others) but it may be easier to buy online (search and filter by synthetic, manmade or non-leather). Shoes.com, Zappos also have. Sign up for vegan fashion blogs such as this one, and Chic Vegan (http://chicvegan.com/category/fashion/shoes/)and keep and eye on Nimli.com (which just ended a sale on NeuAura, another reason to watch the blogs!), and inexpensive brands are getting better all the time. There are cost-conscious and high-end shoes. Enjoy!

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kirene said #8 Dec 30, 2010 at 5:37pm

Does anyone have suggestions for any stores in Canada? Unfortunately, I'm still left buying leather/ non-vegan shoes. I've tried a couple of shoes from Aldo that said they used man-made materials, but they were so insanely uncomfortable, I ended up throwing them out, which doesn't help my cause in being kinder to the environment.

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Jessica Steinberg said #9 Dec 13, 2011 at 12:40pm

Hi Rosanna!


I'm working on a line of vegan shoes. Whereabouts do you live, so I can contact some stores in your area?


Also, I got in touch with Cri de Couer (sp.?) to ask about the glue, and they said that shoe glue is no longer made with animal products. If anyone can confirm this, or give feedback to the contrary, it would be greatly appreciated!

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Rosanna said #10 Dec 14, 2011 at 6:05am

Hi all, thanks for all the info. Jessica I live in Philadelphia area. I recently have been having some luck with vegan shoes with popular brands (labeled as made with all man made materials from Charles David, Calvin Klein, and Nine West) which was great so that I can still wear shoes I like but still be kind:) Another fringe benefit is that these shoes are cheaper (e.g. $40.00 Calvin Klein boots) than their leather counterparts but equally cute!

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