(Non-)Leather Goods

A whole cottage industry has grown up around supplying vegans with non-leather shoes, belts and other goods, a need that mainstream stores have failed to satisfy.

There are several manufacturers and outlets for vegan footwear who mostly sell online. Buying shoes for someone else, or buying them for yourself, by mail order can be difficult as you really want to try them before you buy. What makes it particularly difficult is that sizing is not consistent across manufacturers. Online stores will let you return or exchange shoes that don’t fit but if you want to get it right, you may prefer to visit their real shop (if they have one) or find a stall at a vegan fair or festival where you can try them on.

Below is a selection of shops that sell vegan shoes and other ‘leather’ goods. Some of them sell gift vouchers if you are unsure what to choose.

Vegetarian Shoes Cheatah Sneakers

Mia Tui Bags

Messenger Bag

Vegan Synthetic Leather Belts

Black 'Leather' Wallet

Vegetarian Shoes Bush Boots

Vegetarian Shoes Para Boots

• Vegetarian Shoes - one of the longest established manufacturers, with a shop in Brighton. Shoes, boots, belts, jackets, hiking boots, safety shoes, gloves etc.
• Vegan Store - practical and fashionable shoes, trainers, walking boots, belts, wallets (plus a range of other items)
• Vegan Line - shoes, boots, jackets, safety boots, belts etc.
• Bourgeois Boheme - Ladies’ and gents’ fashion shoes, purses, belts, gloves etc.
• Alternatives Stores - shoes, boots, safety shoes, ballet shoes, belts and much more.
• Beyond Skin - Ladies’ fashion footwear.
• Ethical Wares - shoes, New Balance trainers, safety boots, ballet shoes, belts, wallets and much else besides.
• Freerangers - shoes, ‘leather’ handbags, belts, wallets
• Fashion Conscience have a range of ladies’ shoes: flat, casual and heeled. Most are vegan and are clearly marked on their site.
• Feelgood Handbags - bags, purses, wallets.
• Matt & Nat - fashionable, high quality leather-look handbags, weekend bags etc.
• New Balance - trainers for serious runners. Some of their products are vegan and made in the UK (so no sweatshop labour), though annoyingly they no longer list the vegan styles on their website. Available from good sports shop and specialist running shops.
• Ethletic Sneakers is a brand of vegan trainers, available from Ethical Superstore.
• Eco-Vegan-Shoes - formal and casual shoes for men and women.