5 Sustainable Shoe Brands for Kids on the Move

If you're looking to buy shoes for your kids, it's always worth checking secondhand platforms or local swaps — gently used shoes often still have plenty of life left in them. Buying secondhand keeps these shoes out of landfills and prevents a new pair from being manufactured. Plus, it's a great way to start conversations about sustainability with your kids. They might share these ideas with other children, creating a cascade effect.

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But if you’re planning to buy something new, there are some great planet-friendly brands to explore. From barefoot styles that support natural foot development to sneakers made with recycled plastic, these brands offer durable, thoughtfully designed shoes for everything from puddle-jumping to school runs.

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Whether you're looking for machine-washable comfort, repairable styles, or responsibly sourced materials, here are some of the best sustainable kids’ shoe options out there.

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Vivobarefoot

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Barefoot shoes for everything from everyday play to trail adventures

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Vivobarefoot offers kids' shoes from toddlers to juniors with models like the vegan VivoKids Gaia, lightweight Pluma Knit, and amphibious Ultra II. Its barefoot design promotes natural foot development with features like reinforced toe boxes and easy Velcro fastening. The brand provides a 100-day trial period with a full refund guarantee. Vivobarefoot covers diverse categories including Hiking, Trail Running, Amphibious, Everyday, School, Tree Climbing, Adventure, Outdoor Lifestyle, and Forest School.

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Veja

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Stylish sneakers for everyday wear, school, and outings

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VEJA offers sustainable kids' shoes for ages 0-6 months up to 7 years, using Brazilian and Peruvian organic cotton, Amazonian rubber, and recycled materials. Its sneakers are manufactured in high-standard factories in Brazil and Portugal. Popular models include the V-90 LEATHER with organic Uruguayan leather, the vegan V-10 CWL made from bio-based materials, and the V-10 SUEDE MULTICO featuring responsibly tanned suede. Since 2020, VEJA has been running the Clean, Repair, and Collect initiative to extend sneaker lifespan, offering repair and cleaning services at its stores.

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Rothy’s

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Loafers, Mary Janes, and sneakers for casual, play, and even dressier occasions

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Rothy's offers stylish, practical kids' shoes in various colors and patterns for casual, play, and formal occasions. Its lineup includes three styles — Loafers, Mary Janes, and Sneakers — all knit from signature thread made from recycled plastic bottles. These shoes stand out for being 100% machine washable, comfortable with plush footbeds and rubber outsoles for traction, and designed without laces for easy wearing. All styles are priced under $100 and built to last. In 2023, Rothy's factory achieved TRUE Platinum certification for zero waste practices, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability.

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Native Shoes

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A wide mix of water-friendly sandals, everyday sneakers, and weather-ready boots

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Native Shoes offers a versatile collection of footwear for kids, including shoes, boots, and sandals. Its shoes are shock-absorbent, odor-resistant, hand-washable, and come in countless colors. The Kensington Chelsea boots feature corn-based materials, rubber mudguards for durability, and elastic panels for easy wear. Its sandal lineup includes the Chase collection for different age groups, designed as durable one-piece water-friendly footwear with adjustable straps and grippy treads. The brand also runs a Remix™ Project that recycles old shoes into community projects.

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REI

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One-stop shop for hiking boots, sandals, sneakers, and school shoes from multiple brands

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REI offers the widest range (150+) of kids' boots, shoes, and sandals from numerous brands. You can easily filter the assortment by gender, size, use case, footwear closure, and even features like vegan and waterproof. The retailer also carries children's shoes made from recycled materials. If you're an REI co-op member, you can return shoes for a refund or replacement for up to a year.

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