Shoes

Shoes are often made from a combination of plant, animal, and fossil-fuel-based materials, making them very hard to recycle. To minimize waste and emissions, choose shoes from better brands, and take care of them for as long as possible.

representation of ShoesShoes cutout

Rated Brands

Support sustainable brands (12)

Choose brands that are fostering a more sustainable, transparent, accountable fashion industry.

Brands are independently evaluated and rated by our carbon experts. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.

Nisolo

Shoes

Nisolo

Leather-focused shoes and accessories, responsibly manufactured

Best

Allbirds

Shoes

Allbirds

Comfortable shoes, flats, and clothing made with natural materials

Best

Lucy & Yak

Clothing

Lucy & Yak

Colorful apparel made from organic, recycled materials

Good

8000 Kicks

Shoes

8000 Kicks

Water-resistant shoes made from hemp

Good

Reformation

Clothing

Reformation

Lifestyle apparel and accessories, climate positive by 2025

Good

Veja

Shoes

Veja

Classic sneaker brand with a sustainable supply chain.

Good

Rothy's

Shoes

Rothy's

Washable shoes and bags made with recycled materials

Good

Everlane

Clothing

Everlane

Modern, minimal essentials with transparent pricing.

Good

Cariuma

Shoes

Cariuma

Sneakers made with organic materials, two trees planted per pair sold

Good

Etiko

Shoes

Etiko

Vegan clothing and footwear with fair trade and organic cotton

Good

Thousand Fell

Shoes

Thousand Fell

Durable and stylish recyclable men's and women's sneaker brand

Good

REI

Clothing

REI

Performance-focused outdoor apparel, gear, and accessories

Good

See all →

Secondhand shops

Choose secondhand (21)

Shop circular to save money, lower emissions, and keep shoes out of landfills.

Poshmark

Poshmark

A social commerce marketplace for secondhand goods

Madewell Forever

Madewell Forever

Secondhand Madewell jeans, dresses, and bags

Salvation Army

Salvation Army

Online and in-person thrift store for new and gently-used goods

The Resell Club

The Resell Club

A thrift company offering second hand merchandise

Vestiaire Collective

Vestiaire Collective

Online marketplace for luxury, pre-loved fashion

Chacos ReChaco

Chacos ReChaco

Program to repair Chaco sandals to avoid buying new

Crossroads Trading

Crossroads Trading

Marketplace for gently used clothing to keep it out of landfill

Mercari

Mercari

Online marketplace to buy and sell pre-loved goods

Onward by On

Onward by On

Trade-in program for used On gear to encourage circularity

StockX

StockX

Marketplace for sneakers, apparel, handbags, and watches

thredUP

thredUP

Buy and sell secondhand clothes online

REI Re/Supply

REI Re/Supply

Trade-in program for used outdoor gear and sporting goods

Curtsy

Curtsy

Online marketplace for buying and selling gently-used

Buffalo Exchange

Buffalo Exchange

Chain of secondhand stores for clothing and accessories

Vinted

Vinted

Online marketplace for pre-loved clothes, shoes, and accessories

Goodwill

Goodwill

Online and brick-and-mortar thrift store throughout the U.S.

Grailed

Grailed

Community marketplace for men's and women's preloved clothing

The RealReal

The RealReal

A marketplace for authenticated luxury consignment

Depop

Depop

Clothing and accessories resale marketplace for circular fashion

Allbirds Rerun

Allbirds Rerun

Marketplace for gently used Allbirds shoes and apparel

Etiko Take Back Program

Etiko Take Back Program

Allows us to recycle worn out Etiko products at the end of their life

See all →

Deconsumption Articles

Repair, Reuse, Re-Love (7)

The most sustainable shoes are the shoes you already have. Find ways to get more out of your footwear.

Shoe Care 101: 7 Ways to Preserve Your Favorite Pairs

Article

Shoe Care 101: 7 Ways to Preserve Your Favorite Pairs

Responsible Ways to Get Rid of Clothes, Shoes, and Socks

Article

Responsible Ways to Get Rid of Clothes, Shoes, and Socks

Why Is It So Hard to Recycle Shoes?

Article

Why Is It So Hard to Recycle Shoes?

This Company Recycles Corks and Turns Them Into Shoes

Article

This Company Recycles Corks and Turns Them Into Shoes

5 Sustainable Shoe Brands That Offset Their Emissions‍

Article

5 Sustainable Shoe Brands That Offset Their Emissions‍

Shoe Recycling: 5 Ways to Skip the Landfill

Article

Shoe Recycling: 5 Ways to Skip the Landfill

5 Ways a Cobbler Can Fix Your Shoes

Article

5 Ways a Cobbler Can Fix Your Shoes

See all →

Browse by category

representation of ClothingClothing cutout
Clothing
representation of ShoesShoes cutout
Shoes
representation of Bedding & LinensBedding & Linens cutout
Bedding & Linens
representation of CleaningCleaning cutout
Cleaning
representation of Personal CarePersonal Care cutout
Personal Care
A sticker of the word 'quiz'

Do you need to buy new?

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT ->
folded shirt, pants, and a pair of boots

Read about our ratings methodology

HOW WE RATE ->

Can't find the brand that you're looking for?

SUGGEST A BRAND ->

Get Rewards

Earn for sustainable purchases

Commons rewards you for sustainable purchases from all our Top Pick brands, plus thousands of everyday purchases — from thrift stores to public transit.

Learn more about rewards ->

Rewards in app promo