Choosing Ethical Shoes and Trainers
Which shoes and trainers brands are the most ethical and sustainable? For the answer, see our Ethical Shoes and Trainers comparison table to compare brands’ ethical scores.
Why is it so difficult to find ethical shoes in the UK?
When purchasing a new pair of shoes, it is important to consider the broader social and environmental impact of the companies behind the products. Consider buying ethical footwear UK consumers can trust, or brands who make vegan trainers, so you can enjoy your new footwear with a clear conscience. This is our guide to buying from ethical shoe brands. The GOOD Shopping Guide has been independently researching and rating brands on ethical criteria since 2001, making our comparison tables one of the most trusted resources for ethical fashion choices.
The footwear industry has significant environmental and social impacts throughout the entire lifecycle of a product — from raw material extraction and manufacturing to disposal. Because shoes are produced in huge quantities globally, choosing ethical brands can help reduce harm to workers, animals and ecosystems while supporting more responsible production practices. Trainers alone account for 1.4% of global carbon emissions according to Quantis, making footwear one of the most carbon-intensive categories of consumer goods per unit.
The lack of ethical and vegan options in the UK shoe sector
Our latest independent research found that many of the leading UK shoe retailers are involved in many ethical issues. Several leading shoe brands have been marked down in our Human Rights category for multiple criticisms of their treatment of workers.
Nike, which receives a very poor score of 34 and appears in the bottom of our Ethical Shoes and Trainers comparison table, is one of the worst offenders. Nike has been criticised on numerous occasions for abusing the human rights of its supply chain workers. Knowing this, can we still justify purchasing from them?
In 2019, The Clean Clothes Campaign published its ‘Tailored Wages’ report, which assessed 32 leading clothing brands on their progress in introducing a living wage for factory workers. Nike received the lowest possible grade in the report, which indicates that the company produced no evidence that any of its workers were receiving a living wage. The UK Government’s Modern Slavery Act requires larger companies to report on supply chain transparency — yet many major shoe brands still fall short of even this basic standard. Fashion Revolution, the UK NGO that campaigns for greater transparency in fashion supply chains, publishes an annual Fashion Transparency Index that reveals how little most major shoe and clothing brands disclose about their supply chains — a sobering read for any ethical consumer. To see which other brands score poorly for their human rights records, look for companies in our table that have received a bottom rating under Human Rights. For a full breakdown of our rating methodology, visit our How We Rate page.
Kangaroo leather in shoes
Additionally, Animal Welfare remains a critical issue for many shoe and trainer brands. We were disappointed to see how many brands are still selling products made from kangaroo leather, also known as k-leather. Whilst many companies have pledged to only use leather made from by-products of the meat industry, PETA states that kangaroos are often killed just for their skin. The IUCN notes that some kangaroo species face increasing pressure from commercial hunting, making the use of k-leather a significant conservation concern as well as an animal welfare issue.
The brands we found to be guilty of selling k-leather trainers in the recent past (and may still be selling such products) include Adidas, Nike, New Balance, Puma and Umbro. We recommend avoiding these brands. Opt for vegan trainers instead.
It is also worth considering the broader environmental impact of conventional leather. Leather production is a major driver of deforestation — particularly in the Amazon — as forests are cleared for cattle farming. The tanning process uses highly toxic chemicals, including chromium, which can pollute waterways. The Leather Working Group independently audits tanneries for environmental compliance and is a useful indicator of whether a brand is sourcing leather responsibly. However, for consumers who want to avoid these issues altogether, choosing cruelty-free shoes UK brands or vegan shoes UK options is the most straightforward solution.
The way forward: Buy vegan trainers and ethical shoes
Despite the persistent ethical issues within the shoes and trainers sector, there are many innovative companies offering excellent alternatives, such as ethical shoes made from sustainable materials and even vegan trainers. Our Ethical Shoes & Trainers comparison table includes a number of brands selling ethical shoes that adhere to high standards of sustainability, animal welfare, and human rights. Brands that hold The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation have been independently verified to meet our ethical benchmark — find out more about the benefits of Ethical Accreditation.
If you are looking for sustainable trainers UK consumers can trust, there are several brands available. Companies that sell vegan trainers include Ethletic and Veja. There are many more options too — check out Will’s Vegan Store, B_Boheme and Vegetarian Shoes to see other cruelty-free trainer and shoe options. By opting for vegan trainers you can be reassured that your purchase is not supporting animal cruelty.
There are also many brands selling ethical shoes made from unique, sustainable materials, such as bamboo and recycled trainers UK options made from recycled plastics. Ethletic, for instance, uses Fairtrade-certified organic cotton and FSC-certified rubber in its trainers, paying a Fairtrade social premium for every kilo of rubber used — a model that directly benefits rubber tappers in producing communities. These innovative brands are helping to make the shoe industry more ethical and sustainable. Your ethical fashion choices extend beyond shoes — see our Ethical Fashion Retailers comparison table and our Ethical Activewear comparison table for guidance on sustainable fashion brands across all clothing categories.
What happens to old shoes?
Quantis, a sustainability consultancy group, states that trainers alone account for 1.4% of global carbon emissions — and that doesn’t even include other types of shoe.
A key factor in the high carbon footprint of shoes is the materials typically used in the manufacturing process — the industry remains over-reliant on plastics for making its products. As many shoes are made with a range of different plastics fused together, they are extremely difficult to recycle.
Unfortunately, this means that many old shoes end up being dumped into the ocean or sent to landfill, where the plastics will remain for hundreds of years. Vivobarefoot estimates that an estimated 22 billion pairs of shoes go into landfill every year.
Additionally, the shoe manufacturing process often comes with an array of human rights issues. Many companies that scored poorly within our research have been criticised for poor treatment of workers within their supply chains. Factory workers, particularly those in low-income countries, are regularly paid below the living wage, and are subjected to long working hours under inhumane conditions.
These moral issues reflect how important it is to buy ethical shoes. However, due to the nature of the industry, it can be hard to find sustainable footwear. Luckily for consumers, our Ethical Shoes & Trainers comparison table provides the information you need to find sustainable alternatives. The companies in the green section of our table offer some of the most ethical shoes in the UK, including biodegradable shoes, vegan trainers, and shoes made from recycled materials.
Do I really need that new pair of shoes?
As ever, The GOOD Shopping Guide always recommends buying new only where strictly necessary. Can you buy second-hand shoes, get your shoes repaired, or do you already have a good pair of trainers hidden away in the back of your wardrobe? If your shoes are really beyond repair, then we recommend buying from ethical UK shoe brands or vegan shoes. The Society of Master Shoe Repairers maintains a directory of professional cobblers across the UK — getting your shoes repaired rather than replaced is one of the most sustainable choices you can make as a consumer. Some ethical shoe brands are also beginning to offer take-back and recycling schemes: Vivobarefoot, for instance, accepts old shoes for recycling, while Will’s Vegan Store produces fully biodegradable trainers whose uppers are made from Tencel, derived from wood, and whose soles are made from biodegradable bioplastic. Choosing brands that design for end-of-life from the outset is one of the most forward-thinking ethical choices a consumer can make.
See our Ethical Shoes and Trainers comparison table to compare brands
The GOOD Shopping Guide has conducted in-depth research on every brand in our comparison tables. Click on any brand name to see further ethics and sustainability details about your favourite shoe and trainer brand.
Ethletic, Will’s Vegan Store, B-Boheme, Vegetarian Shoes, Veja, TOMS, Vivobarefoot, Allbirds, Loake, Office, Dune, Rocket Dog, Camper, Puma, Dr Martens, Havaianas, Russell & Bromley, ASICS, Hush Puppies, New Balance, Salomon, adidas, LK Bennett, Mizuno, Fila, Merrell, Saucony, Timberland, Ugg, Umbro, VANS, Birkenstock, Clarks, Converse, Nike, Church’s, Reebok and Nine West.
Why is it important to consider ethics when buying shoes or trainers?
Shoes and trainers have significant environmental and social impacts throughout their lifecycle. From raw material extraction to manufacturing, many brands are linked to pollution, waste and poor labour conditions. Because footwear is produced in huge quantities globally, choosing ethical brands can help reduce harm to workers, animals and ecosystems while supporting more responsible production practices.
Why is it so difficult to find truly ethical shoes and trainers?
Finding ethical footwear is challenging because most shoes are made from complex materials like plastics, rubber and leather, which are hard to recycle. Many brands also face criticism over low wages, poor working conditions and lack of transparency in supply chains. As a result, even popular brands often score poorly on ethical ratings, making genuinely sustainable options harder to identify.
What human rights issues are linked to the footwear industry?
Many footwear companies have been criticised for failing to pay workers a living wage and exposing them to unsafe or exploitative working conditions. For example, some major brands have received extremely low scores for not demonstrating fair pay for factory workers. These labour issues are a key reason why many brands rank poorly in ethical comparisons.
How do animal welfare concerns affect ethical shoe choices?
Animal welfare is a major issue because many shoes use leather or other animal-derived materials. Some brands still use controversial materials such as kangaroo leather, raising ethical concerns. Choosing vegan shoes avoids animal products, but even then, consumers must consider environmental impacts of synthetic materials like plastics.
Which shoe and trainer brands score highly on ethical and sustainability criteria?
Brands such as Steve’s (scoring 100) and Ethletic (around 95) rank among the highest due to strong environmental policies, good labour standards and vegan options. These companies perform well across categories like human rights, sustainability and transparency, making them some of the most ethical choices currently available.
Why do some well-known shoe brands score poorly on ethical ratings?
Many popular brands score lower because of weak sustainability policies, poor transparency, limited vegan options or criticisms related to labour practices. For example, brands like Nike, Fila and Umbro receive low or mid-range scores due to issues such as human rights concerns, lack of sustainable materials and limited ethical reporting.
What practical steps can consumers take to make more ethical footwear choices?
Consumers can choose vegan or sustainably sourced shoes, buy from brands with strong ethical ratings, and prioritise durability to reduce waste. Buying second-hand, repairing old shoes, or avoiding unnecessary purchases are also effective ways to reduce environmental impact, as billions of shoes end up in landfill each year.
Is Steve’s an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Steve’s is a Shoes & Trainers brand, sitting well above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs strongly across environmental impact, animal welfare, and human rights, with particular strengths in vegan options and sustainable materials, and shows no notable weaknesses. Holding Ethical Accreditation, alongside Ethical Innovator Status and a place on the Top 200 Ethical Businesses List, demonstrates Steve’s clear commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.
Is Ethletic an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Ethletic is a Shoes & Trainers brand, sitting above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs strongly in environmental impact, animal welfare, and human rights, particularly through sustainable materials and vegan products, but falls short in areas such as code of conduct and Ethical Accreditation. While it has Ethical Innovator Status, gaining Ethical Accreditation could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.
Is Will’s Vegan Store an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Will’s Vegan Store is a Shoes & Trainers brand, performing well above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It shows strong performance in environmental impact, sustainable materials, and animal welfare, particularly through its vegan and carbon-neutral approach, though it falls short in areas such as Code of Conduct and Ethical Accreditation. With Ethical Innovator Status, applying for Ethical Accreditation could further reinforce its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.
Is Veja an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Veja is a Shoes & Trainers brand, sitting above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in environmental reporting, sustainable materials, animal welfare, and human rights, though falls short in Ethical Trading Schemes and Ethical Accreditation. With Ethical Innovator Status, applying for Ethical Accreditation could further demonstrate Veja’s commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Vegetarian Shoes an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Vegetarian Shoes is a Shoes & Trainers brand, performing well above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It shows strong performance across environmental impact, sustainable materials, animal welfare, and human rights, particularly through its use of innovative vegan materials, though it falls short in areas such as Code of Conduct and Ethical Accreditation. With Ethical Innovator Status, applying for Ethical Accreditation could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Loake an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Loake is a Shoes & Trainers brand, sitting above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in environmental reporting, fossil fuel policies, animal welfare, and human rights, though falls short in sustainable materials, vegan options, and Ethical Accreditation. As it exceeds the benchmark without Ethical Accreditation, applying for this could further demonstrate Loake’s commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is On an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
On is a Shoes & Trainers brand, sitting above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in areas such as environmental reporting, fossil fuel policies, animal welfare, and human rights, although falls short in sustainable materials, ethical trading schemes, and Ethical Accreditation. As it exceeds the benchmark without Ethical Accreditation, applying for this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is TOMS an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
TOMS is a Shoes & Trainers brand, sitting above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in environmental reporting, sustainable materials, and human rights, though falls short in animal welfare and Ethical Accreditation. As it exceeds the benchmark without Ethical Accreditation, applying for this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Office an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Office is a Shoes & Trainers brand, sitting above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in animal welfare, human rights, fossil fuel policy, and code of conduct, but falls short in environmental reporting, sustainable materials, ethical trading schemes, and Ethical Accreditation. As it exceeds the benchmark without Ethical Accreditation, applying for this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Dune an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Dune is a Shoes & Trainers brand, sitting above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in environmental reporting, fossil fuel policy, animal welfare, and human rights, though it falls short in sustainable materials, vegan options, and Ethical Accreditation. As it exceeds the benchmark without Ethical Accreditation, applying for this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Gola an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Gola is a Shoes & Trainers brand, sitting above benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well across several assessed areas such as environmental impact, labour standards and supply chain management, though specific gaps include absence of Ethical Accreditation. As it exceeds benchmark without Ethical Accreditation, applying could further demonstrate commitment.
Is Rocket Dog an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Rocket Dog is a Shoes & Trainers brand, sitting above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in animal welfare, fossil fuel policy, and human rights, though it falls short in environmental reporting, sustainable materials, and Ethical Accreditation. As it exceeds the benchmark without Ethical Accreditation, applying for this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Vivobarefoot an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Vivobarefoot is a Shoes & Trainers brand, sitting above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in animal welfare, human rights, fossil fuel policy, and code of conduct, though it falls short in environmental reporting, sustainable materials, vegan options, and Ethical Trading Schemes. While it has no Ethical Accreditation, applying could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Havaianas an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Havaianas is a Shoes & Trainers brand, sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in environmental reporting and sustainable materials, and has moderate outcomes in animal welfare, but falls short in Code of Conduct, Ethical Trading Schemes, vegan options, and Ethical Accreditation. As it is below the benchmark, readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical choices.
Is Russell & Bromley an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Russell & Bromley is a Shoes & Trainers brand, sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs reasonably in fossil fuel policy, human rights, and political donations, but falls short in environmental reporting, sustainable materials, Code of Conduct, and Ethical Trading Schemes. It does not hold Ethical Accreditation, and readers are encouraged to explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more sustainable options.
Is Camper an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Camper is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in environmental reporting and carbon reduction efforts, and shows moderate outcomes in animal welfare, but falls short in sustainable materials, Ethical Trading Schemes, and Ethical Accreditation. As it is below the benchmark, readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical choices.
Is Dr Martens an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Dr Martens is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in environmental reporting, fossil fuel policy, animal welfare, and human rights, but falls short in sustainable materials, ethical trading schemes, and armaments policy. It does not hold Ethical Accreditation, and readers seeking higher-scoring alternatives can explore brands above the benchmark on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Puma an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Puma is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in environmental reporting, fossil fuel policy, animal welfare policies, and code of conduct standards, but falls short in sustainable materials, human rights, and Ethical Accreditation. As it does not meet the benchmark, readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical choices.
Is UGG an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
UGG is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in environmental reporting, sustainable materials, and fossil fuel policy, but falls short in animal welfare, ethical trading schemes, and Ethical Accreditation. As it is below the benchmark, readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Allbirds an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Allbirds is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in environmental reporting, sustainable materials, and fossil fuel policy, particularly through its use of renewable and lower-impact materials, but falls short in animal welfare, vegan options, Ethical Trading Schemes, and Ethical Accreditation. As it is below the benchmark, readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Fila an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Fila is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs moderately in environmental reporting, fossil fuel policy, animal welfare, and human rights, but falls short in sustainable materials, Ethical Trading Schemes, and Ethical Accreditation. It does not meet the benchmark, and readers can explore higher-scoring brands on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical alternatives.
Is Timberland an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Timberland is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in environmental reporting, sustainable materials, fossil fuel policy, and animal welfare, but falls short in human rights, ethical trading schemes, and Ethical Accreditation. As it is below the benchmark, readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Umbro an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Umbro is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs reasonably in fossil fuel policy, code of conduct, political donations, armaments policy, and human rights, but falls short in environmental reporting, sustainable materials, vegan options, and Ethical Trading Schemes. As it is below the benchmark, readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is ASICS an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
ASICS is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in environmental reporting, fossil fuel policy, animal welfare, and code of conduct, but falls short in sustainable materials, Ethical Trading Schemes, and human rights. It does not hold Ethical Accreditation, and readers seeking more ethical options can explore higher-scoring brands on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table.
Is LK Bennett an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
LK Bennett is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs reasonably well in fossil fuel policy, political donations, and human rights, but falls short in environmental reporting, sustainable materials, Code of Conduct, and Ethical Trading Schemes. It does not hold Ethical Accreditation, and readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Mizuno an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Mizuno is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in fossil fuel policy, animal welfare, and code of conduct standards, but falls short in environmental reporting, sustainable materials, Ethical Trading Schemes, and Ethical Accreditation. It does not meet the benchmark overall, and readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Vans an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Vans is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in environmental reporting, fossil fuel policy, Code of Conduct, and Ethical Trading Schemes, but falls short in sustainable materials, animal welfare, and human rights, largely influenced by its parent company Nike. It does not hold Ethical Accreditation, and readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Salomon an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Salomon is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in environmental reporting, fossil fuels, animal welfare, Code of Conduct, and Ethical Trading Schemes, but falls short in sustainable materials, human rights, vegan options, and Ethical Accreditation. As it is below the benchmark, readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Church’s an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Church’s is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in environmental reporting and fossil fuel policy, and shows acceptable standards in code of conduct and human rights, but falls short in sustainable materials, animal welfare, Ethical Trading Schemes, and Ethical Accreditation. As it is below the benchmark, readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Merrell an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Merrell is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in sustainable materials, fossil fuel policy, and code of conduct, but falls short in environmental reporting, ethical trading schemes, and human rights. It does not hold Ethical Accreditation, and readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Hush Puppies an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Hush Puppies is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in sustainable materials, fossil fuels, and animal welfare, but falls short in environmental reporting, human rights, Ethical Trading Schemes, and Ethical Accreditation. As it is below the benchmark, readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Birkenstock an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Birkenstock is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in environmental reporting, fossil fuels policy, and vegan options, and shows some strength in human rights due to largely European manufacturing, but falls short in sustainable materials, animal welfare transparency, and Ethical Trading Schemes. It does not hold Ethical Accreditation, and readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is New Balance an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
New Balance is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in environmental reporting, fossil fuel policy, Ethical Trading Schemes, and code of conduct standards, but falls short in sustainable materials, animal welfare, and human rights. It does not hold Ethical Accreditation, and readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Adidas an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Adidas is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in environmental reporting, fossil fuel policy, Code of Conduct, and Ethical Trading Schemes, but falls short in sustainable materials, animal welfare, and human rights. It does not hold Ethical Accreditation, and readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Clarks an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Clarks is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in fossil fuel policy, code of conduct, animal welfare, and environmental reporting, but falls short in sustainable materials, Ethical Trading Schemes, human rights, and vegan options. It does not hold Ethical Accreditation, and readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Converse an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Converse is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in environmental reporting, fossil fuel policy, Code of Conduct, and Ethical Trading Schemes, but falls short in sustainable materials, animal welfare, and human rights, largely influenced by its parent company Nike. It does not hold Ethical Accreditation, and readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Nike an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Nike is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting well below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in environmental reporting, fossil fuel reduction targets, and code of conduct policies, but falls short in sustainable materials, animal welfare, and human rights, including concerns around labour practices. It does not hold Ethical Accreditation, and readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Saucony an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Saucony is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in fossil fuel policy, Code of Conduct, and armaments policy, but falls short in environmental reporting, sustainable materials, Ethical Trading Schemes, and human rights. It does not hold Ethical Accreditation, and readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Nine West an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Nine West is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in armaments policy and shows some governance controls in code of conduct, but falls short in environmental reporting, sustainable materials, Ethical Trading Schemes, human rights, and Ethical Accreditation. As it is below the benchmark, readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
Is Reebok an Ethical Shoe & Trainer Brand?
Reebok is a Shoes & Trainers brand sitting below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in environmental reporting, fossil fuel policy, Code of Conduct, and Ethical Trading Schemes, but falls short in sustainable materials, animal welfare, and human rights, largely influenced by its parent company structure. It does not hold Ethical Accreditation, and readers can explore higher-scoring alternatives on the Shoes & Trainers Ethical Ratings Table for more ethical footwear choices.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation complement other accreditations?
The GOOD Shopping Guide doesn’t replace existing certifications, it ensures your ethical credentials are clearly recognised so they are trusted by consumers. By appearing in our comparison tables, your brand reaches an audience that is actively seeking genuinely ethical options, while also being referenced by Google and AI search tools to enhance credibility and discoverability.
How is The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation different from other accreditations?
Unlike many accreditations that focus mainly on compliance or internal audits, The GOOD Shopping Guide provides scored, research-led assessments across environment, people and animals. Our tables are consumer-facing and freely accessible, making it easy for shoppers and AI tools to compare brands based on verified performance, not just promises.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide choose who is eligible for accreditation?
The GOOD Shopping Guide audits brands for their ethical impact across a variety of criteria in the human, animal and environment categories. We research the records of brands and their parent companies, and rate them across those criteria. If they are found to be above our benchmark, they are eligible to apply for Ethical Accreditation.
How can I apply for Ethical Accreditation?
You can apply for Ethical Accreditation if your brand is assessed as above our benchmark. Click on this link to fill out our online form, and our researchers will assess your brand’s viability for Ethical Accreditation.