12 Best Shoes Like Vans: Eco Alternatives to Vans [2026]

Are you looking for shoes like Vans? We’ve compared 12 of the best sustainable Vans alternatives from brands using eco-friendly materials and ethical production.

Vans have dominated the casual footwear market since 1966, growing from a California skate brand into a global fashion staple now owned by VF Corp. But as we look toward a more sustainable future, there are plenty of brands creating high-quality shoes that look like Vans with a much smaller environmental footprint.

The Best Sustainable Shoes Like Vans

1. Allbirds

Sustainability: Sustainable and natural materials, including eucalyptus tree fibers, carbon-negative EVA sole, and recycled plastic laces. Certified B Corp.

Best for: Slip-on and lace-up minimalist shoes like Vans

Ships to: Worldwide

Allbirds are one of the most popular sustainable shoe brands right now, thanks to their ultra-comfortable sustainable sneakers.

The brand is a certified B Corp, meaning they meet high ethical and environmental production standards. Allbirds uses natural fibers and features durable EVA soles made from sugarcane across its range.

The Cruiser model is a standout option if you’re after a Vans-style silhouette, but the brand also offers slip-ons and other lace-up styles worth exploring. However, one drawback of Allbirds is that they don’t offer any vegan styles.

Shop Allbirds

2. Etiko

Sustainability: Vegan sneakers with sustainable materials and ethical production

Best for: Sustainable shoes that look like Converse Chuck Taylor and Vans Old Skool

Ships to: Worldwide

Etiko is perfect if you’re looking for shoes like Vans but with a more sustainable edge.

Etiko is an Australian brand creating shoes that do good for people and the planet. The brand only uses sustainable materials, including hemp and a natural rubber sole, making its shoes in audited ethical factories.

We love the slip on and skate-style shoes which look like Vans but aren’t; they’re much more eco-friendly.

Shop Etiko

3. SeaVees

Sustainability: 1% for the Planet company using natural rubber and recycled materials to craft its footwear

Best for: Slip-on shoes like Vans, high-top shoes similar to vans, flat-sole shoes

Ships to: Worldwide

If you’ve never heard of SeaVees, you need to check this brand out, as they do the perfect Vans dupes but with their own classic twist.

The brand also has a seriously cool story. It was founded in 1964 but closed for over 40 years before being rediscovered in a thrift shop in 2008. Fast forward to today, and SeaVees are making a name for themselves by creating cool sneakers made from a range of natural and sustainable materials.

Plus, the brand gives back to the environment, donating 1% of all profits, and supporting non-profit organizations that help restore our oceans - Now that’s a shoe brand we can get behind!

Shop SeaVees

4. Ethletic

Sustainability: Fair Trade, PETA-certified vegan sneakers

Best for: Vegan shoes like Vans

Ships to: Worldwide

Ethletic is a stand-out sustainable sneaker brand creating award-winning styles ethically and sustainably. The brand uses eco-friendly and fair-trade materials like organic cotton to create its best-selling shoes.

The brand has styles similar to the Vans authentic and Vans slip-on models in its Fair Skater, Kole, and Hiro styles. In addition, Ethletic also has a range of cool patterns and colors in its collection.

The brand has a fully traceable supply chain so you know exactly where your shoes are made!

Shop Ethletic

5. Nothing New

Sustainability: Minimalist shoes made from recycled plastic bottles

Best for: Slip-on and minimalist sneakers

Ships to: Worldwide

If you’re looking for shoes like Vans made from recycled plastic, look no further than Nothing New, an American shoe brand turning recycled plastic bottles into sustainable shoes.

Like Vans, Nothing New features a minimal drop sole and a slip-on style. Nothing New’s shoes are completely machine washable, making them easy to care for and maintain.

Unfortunately, Nothing New doesn’t have the same slip-on sneaker styles available in its men’s collection and currently only offers one slip-on style for men.

Shop Nothing New

6. Vessi Weekend Sneaker

Sustainability: 100% vegan footwear, made using reduced water and energy usage.

Best for: Waterproof shoes

Ships to: Worldwide

On the hunt for waterproof shoes like Vans, check out Vessi, the Canadian shoe brand standing out from the crowd by creating 100% waterproof knitted sneakers made from 100% vegan materials.

The Weekend Sneaker style is an excellent Vans alternative, as it features a thick flat style sole, similar to Vans. In addition, each of Vessi’s shoes is vegan, waterproof, and machine washable. Plus, the brand has recently released a knitted slip on style.

However, one drawback is the lack of color choice, with the Weekend style only available in five colors.

Shop Vessi Weekend Sneaker

7. Suavs Zilker

Sustainability: Shoes made from recycled plastic bottles

Best for: Minimalist shoe with minimal drop sole

Ships to: the US & International

SUAVS Zilker shoe is a great alternative to Vans. The model features a minimalist sole with 3-5 mm heel to toe drop and is available in either white or gum sole styles.

SUAVS creates its uppers from 100% post-consumer recycled threads and has diverted almost one hundred thousand plastic bottles away from landfills and into its signature shoes.

SUAVS also makes a slip on shoe that looks like Vans slip on, the Barton; however, the shoe has a limited color choice and is currently only available in black.

Check out our SUAVS vs Allbirds comparison, here.

Shop Suavs Zilker

8. Tropicfeel

Sustainability: Certified B Corp, creating travel shoes from recycled materials

Best for: Travel shoes

Ships to: Worldwide

Meet the most funded sneaker ever on Kickstarter, Tropicfeel.

Tropicfeel is a wildcard for the list of shoes like Vans. The brand doesn’t have any styles that match the skate shoe look of Vans. However, they are still a fantastic alternative to Vans.

Tropicfeel shoes are travel-friendly, easily packable, and ultra-comfortable for all-day wear. Plus, the brand uses sustainable materials and ethical production to create its sneakers.

Shop Tropicfeel

9. 8000kicks

Sustainability: 100% waterproof sneakers made from hemp

Best for: Waterproof shoes that look like Vans

Ships to: Worldwide

Shoes made from hemp? Yep, you read that correctly.

8000kicks is the revolutionary shoe brand creating waterproof sneakers from the breathable, renewable material hemp.

The brand is launching its new release sneaker, the Seeker, which is perfect if you’re looking for sustainable shoes that look like Vans.

The Seeker features a flat minimalist sole and skate shoe style. Plus, it’s completely vegan and made with no animal materials.

Shop 8000kicks

10. Thousand Fell

Sustainability: Recycled shoes made from recycled materials and plastic bottles

Best for: Stan Smith style shoes, and shoes like Vans Old Skool

Ships to: The US

Thousand Fell is smashing the sustainable shoe market with its minimalist shoes, which rival Vans and Stan Smith styles.

Thousand Fells’s minimalist design features a flat skate-style sole with a 21mm outsole height. The footwear brand creates its shoes from recycled materials, including recycled plastic bottles and natural rubber soles. Plus, Thousand Fell’s shoes are entirely vegan and cruelty-free.

Shop Thousand Fell

11. Sperry

Sustainability: SeaCycled™ range includes shoes made from recycled plastic and five recycled plastic bottles per shoe.

Best for: Shoes like Vans authentic

Ships to: the US & International

Sperry’s SeaCycled™ range includes some great shoes that look like Vans Authentic skate shoes.

Made with recycled ocean and land plastics, up to five plastic bottles are used to create each pair of SeaCycled™ shoes.

Unfortunately, a drawback is that Sperry only currently produces this style in its men’s range.

Shop Sperry

12. Bohempia

Sustainability: Hemp shoes ethically made in the EU, PETA-Approved Vegan certified

Best for: Shoes like Vans slip-on

Ships to: the EU & International

If you’re looking for an ethical skate shoe like Vans, check out Bohempia, a cool European brand creating hemp skate shoes.

Hemp is a fantastic alternative to cotton as hemp requires less water and can be grown without pesticides - it makes sense to us!

Bohempia creates classic slip on styles with a flatbed sole, barefoot minimalist styles, lace-up high-tops, and low styles like the Vans Authentic style.

Shop Bohempia

Frequently Asked Questions

What shoes are similar to Vans?

The closest sustainable alternatives to Vans are Etiko (organic cotton skate shoes with a similar silhouette), Ethletic (Fair Trade vegan sneakers), and CARIUMA (premium sustainable skate shoes). For the classic Old Skool look, Etiko and Nothing New offer the closest matches.

Are Vans shoes sustainable?

Vans has made some sustainability commitments, but the brand is still far from being considered sustainable. Most Vans shoes are made from conventional materials, and the brand’s parent company VF Corp has faced criticism for the pace of its sustainability efforts. The alternatives on this list offer significantly stronger environmental credentials.

Are there vegan Vans alternatives?

Yes. Etiko, Ethletic, SUAVS, and Bohempia all create 100% vegan shoes with styles similar to Vans. These brands avoid all animal-derived materials including leather, wool, and animal-based glues.

Wrapping Up: Shoes Like Vans

After comparing all 12 alternatives, here are our top picks:

• Best overall: Allbirds - the most comfortable sustainable sneaker with B Corp certification
• Best skate style: Etiko - Fair Trade, vegan, and the closest silhouette to Vans Old Skool
• Best Fair Trade: Ethletic - PETA-certified vegan sneakers with a fully traceable supply chain

Looking for more sustainable shoe alternatives? Check out our guides on shoes like Toms, shoes like Converse, shoes like Allbirds, and sustainable sneakers.