Sustainable shoes NZ – where do you find them?
More and more brands are introducing sustainable shoes right here in New Zealand.
They look stylish and feel comfortable, but they don’t stifle the environment.
These conscious companies are making their products with 100% natural and recycled fabrics.
If you’re wondering how you can contribute to decreasing your carbon footprint all while wearing sustainable shoes, keep reading.
All About Sustainability Shoes NZ
By using sustainable materials, we reduce our need for materials that release high levels of carbon dioxide and methane.
We measure these levels in kg CO2e.
It’s a way to show how much of these lethal greenhouse gases were emitted into the environment.
To put things into perspective, a standard pair of regular running shoes gives off 15.5 kg CO2e.
This means that during manufacturing, a total of 15.5 kg of carbon dioxide were released as emissions. It’s like keeping a 100-watt light bulb lit for one week straight!
To make matters worse, the choice of materials doesn’t really make a difference.
Be it leather, viscose, plastic, and synthetic rubber; all of these take their toll on the environment.
That’s not even taking into consideration what happens when you throw your shoes away.
They’re typically dumped in landfills to be burned in incinerators later. This releases even more toxic chemicals into the environment.
The Best Places to Find Sustainable Shoes in New Zealand
Here are five of the top places where you can find comfortable shoes made with sustainable materials inside New Zealand.
1. Allbirds
Allbirds is a company with a mission. Their goal is to make shoes with absolutely no carbon footprint whatsoever. While they haven’t reached that goal just yet, they’re well on their way.
Their main aim is to be a carbon-negative brand. They want their products to leave the environment cleaner than how they found it. Currently, their trainers generate 7.6 kg CO2e. That’s almost half what a traditional pair of trainers generates.
The only downside is that their prices may be a bit high for some customers. But with these durable, eco-friendly materials, you know you’ve got a great investment.
To maximize their impact, Allbirds uses a special fibre that they source from South African trees. When compared to cotton, The TENCEL™ Lyocell uses 95% less water and cuts our carbon footprint in half!
What Customers Like
- Made with natural, eco-friendly materials
- Sustainable products with a low carbon footprint
- Comfortable fit
- Durable design
2. BB Shoemaker
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Run by Beccy Bromilow, BB Shoemaker is a uniquely distinctive shoe shop. Bromilow is a talented artisan who crafts each pair of shoes by hand.
You can also find beautiful accessories and bags. If you’re a dog-lover, you’ll enjoy sifting through her dog wear section. There’s a wide selection of collars, leads, and other pieces to choose from.
All the products at BB Shoemaker are exquisitely handmade and perfectly stitched. But BB Shoemaker doesn’t just make products that look amazing. They also have a mission to create eco-friendly merchandise.
Each piece is constructed with locally-sourced genuine leather. Other all-natural materials include eco crepe rubber and cork.
What Customers Like
- Handmade products
- Made with all-natural, sustainable materials
- Easy to find something for every budget
3. Luma Luma
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Luma Luma is a family-oriented footwear company. They value their customers’ needs while shedding the light on the importance of using sustainable materials.
Each of their shoes is made with eco-friendly materials. You’ll enjoy their classic, timeless look with the comfortable, snug feel.
You can choose from their selection of sandals. They’re made from genuine leather and recycled tyres. These sandals feel lightweight, durable, and best of all, odour-resistant.
They also make rain boots and jelly shoes. One of their bestsellers is their plimsolls made with high-quality recyclable PVC. The removable footbed is made with comfy ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). It provides exceptional, soft support to ease length walking sessions.
What Customers Like
- Lightweight, but durable
- Odour-resistant
- Soft footbed
- Affordable prices
4. VIVOBAREFOOT
VIVOBAREFOOT prides itself on using sustainable materials with a low carbon footprint. This reputable shoe company aims at creating new products from existing ones; a concept known as ‘circular economy’.
This eco-friendly brand offers a wide selection of outdoor, everyday, and active shoes. Whatever your choice, you’ll be happy with their long-lasting with an ultra-comfy fit.
You’ll also find ultra-thin soles that do an excellent job of resisting punctures. They help your feet breathe and move naturally without restrictions. One way they do this is by making shoes that perfectly match the shape of your feet.
VIVOBAREFOOT ensures you have durable, eco-friendly, comfortable shoes. After all, their slogan says, ‘feeling is everything’!
What Customers Like
- Rely on sustainable alternatives
- Puncture-resistant ultra-thin soles
- Foot-shaped design
- Reasonably-priced
5. Soul Shoes
Soul Shoes is a company that has been designing and manufacturing shoes since 1973. It all started with sheepskin boots that were hand-stitched by Rob Galloway. Since then, this reputable company has been known for its high-quality workmanship.
Their products are stylish and beautiful. They’re also made with natural, sustainable materials that abide the environmental laws.
Using genuine vegetable-tanned leather, the Galloway’s shoes are highly durable. Their soles are made with recycled car tyres and conveyor belts. Even their shoe boxes are completely recyclable.
Soul Shoe’s hand-made sandals and boots are well known for their comfort and durability. With such timeless and eco-friendly designs, these shoes would be a great investment.
What Customers Like
- Reputable company with a long history
- Handmade products
- Sustainable, recycled materials
- Durable and long-lasting
- Great value for the price
Final Thoughts
By improving the efficiency of the shoe-making process, we can cut back on the production stages. This way, we can regain our clean, non-toxic environment once again. Opting for sustainable shoes in NZ should make our mission much easier.
Even though all the featured sellers bring something special to the table, our top choice is Allbirds. This is a company that focuses on longevity and comfort, all while trying to save the planet.
They’re currently producing shoes with a minimal carbon footprint. Yet they’re striving to create zero-carbon products, with an end goal of becoming a carbon-negative company.
Whether you’re walking, jumping, or out running errands, Allbirds can provide the ultimate sustainable shoes for you.
If you are looking for a more comprehensive list of global companies producing sustainable shoes, check out this mega guide.
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