Shoes

As of 2022, vegan footwear is starting to gain momentum. Supported by major brands who are responding to the promising market dynamics by introducing vegan versions of their classics, as well as international celebrities and vegan athletes, vegan footwear evolved into a growing trend that is here to stay.

Quelle: NOAH Italian Vegan Shoes

Definition of vegan footwear

Vegan footwear is free from animal-derived materials, such as wool, leather, silk or fur. During the production process, no animal components are used and no animal is allowed to be harmed. Therefore, vegan footwear can be labeled as vegan and cruelty-free.

Factors that cause shoes to be non-vegan

Apart from the obviously non-vegan footwear products, such as leather shoes, there might also be some material type used in the manufacturing process that is not vegan, but cannot clearly be identified as such by the end-user.

In the case of most footwear, the upper part of the shoe is attached to the sole using a special kind of glue. Most of the glues used today are vegan due to the fact that synthetic glues have surpassed animal glues in terms of effectiveness and costs, however, some manufacturers still use glues containing animal ingredients in their production facilities.

© Beflamboyant

Relevance of the global vegan footwear market

As the term vegan suggests, vegan footwear is supposed to be free from animal-derived materials, such as wool, leather, silk or fur. Consequently, no animal components are used in the production process of vegan footwear, the end-product is cruelty-free, vegan and tends to have a superior sustainability performance compared to leather shoes.

In the global vegan footwear market, vegan is seen as an indicator of ethical and sustainable products that are also free from animal-derived materials. In this context, the increasing demand for vegan fashion and footwear is justified by the rising awareness of today’s end-user in terms of animal welfare, the carbon footprint and other growing environmental concerns.

In most cases, vegan footwear has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to products made from animal-derived materials. Leading brands in the vegan footwear market focus on more than being vegan, as the demand for sustainable products is at an all-time high. Apart from implementing vegan leather, the vegan footwear industry  makes use of recycled plastics, natural rubber, and eco-friendly raw materials in order to offer eco-friendly footwear.

Vegan footwear market growth

According to the market research platform Future Market Insights, the global vegan footwear market is estimated at USD 42.18 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 76.30 billion by 2030, at an approximate CAGR of 8.0% from 2022 to 2030. The market share of the global vegan footwear market in its parent market (footwear market) is estimated at 6.0% in 2022.

Future market insights published by Market Watch suggest that vegan footwear sales will experience a sustainable growth until 2027, whereby a competitive landscape is going to emerge in which the trend for vegan footwear will attract new manufacturers, as well as established fashion brands. As a result, the market size of vegan footwear is going up, as well as vegan product launches in the footwear industry.

Global vegan footwear market revenue

Following a report published by market research firm Allied Market Research, North America contributed to the highest share in terms of vegan footwear market revenue in 2020, holding more than one-third of the global vegan footwear market, and is estimated to continue its dominant share by 2030. However, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period.

According to a market report published by Reports and Data, vegan footwear market revenue is significantly driven by major factors such as increasing government initiatives to promote veganism and rising demand for high–quality and eco-friendly products.

© Nemanti

Obstacles faced by the global vegan footwear market

Following market research reports, the global market for vegan footwear is facing many opportunities, but also some obstacles. For instance, industry insiders often argue that the lack of regulations and common standards impedes the growth potential of the vegan footwear market.

In response to these claims, Eurofins | Chem-MAP, a leading provider of chemical management testing and auditing services, has developed a vegan verification testing programme for apparel and footwear brands registered with the Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark.

After finding animal derivatives in dyes and glues of ‘vegan shoes’, the testing programme is said to ensure that the materials used to develop vegan footwear have no trace of animal derivatives.

© Fi Global

Vegan footwear manufacturers around the world

The global vegan footwear market is segmented into North America, South America, Europe, the Asia Pacific region, and the Middle East & Africa. Within these emerging markets for vegan footwear, various companies build a competitive advantage through their inovative power regarding material type and composition.

The market size of the global vegan footwear market is predicted to grow, accompanied by a rising demand for vegan footwear among excisting customers and new customers who are not in touch with the concept of vegan footwear yet.

The Europen vegan footwear market

Europe’s vegan footwear market is shaped by small brands that are developing innovative shoes made from various leather alternatives, including pineapple, cactus, and apple leather. Within Europe, the strongest presence of dedicated vegan footwear brands can be found in the UK, followed by Spain, France and Portugal.

The vegan footwear market in Portugal

The young brand NAE Vegan Shoes is producing vegan footwear made from apple leather, which is produced by upcycled waste from the Italian juice industry. As part of the company’s growth strategy, the vegan footwear brand does not own any retail outlets, but focuses on its online shop with worldwide shipping as the main sales channel.

 The vegan footwear market in the United Kingdom

Going deeper into Europe’s vegan footwear market, many vegan footwear brands can be found in various countries across Europe. As the country with the largest vegan population in Europe, the UK has a lot to offer for the vegan end user. The vegan footwear market in the UK is highly centered around eco-friendly products. In order to lower the carbon footprint of their products, British vegan footwear brands like Allkind are using recycled plastics, organic cotton, and natural rubber.

Vegan footwear sales in the UK are particularly high among eco-friendly brands that are committed towards sustainable practices and ethics. Founded back in 2001, Beyond Skin is often referred to as one of the pioneering brands in the global vegan footwear industry. Worn by A-List celebrities including Natalie Portman and Anne Hathaway, Beyond Skin has received international recognition for its vegan footwear styles and acts as an inspiration for emerging brands in today’s global vegan footwear market.

Speaking of vegan footwear history, Brighton-based Vegetarian Shoes founder Robin Webb opened his vegetarian specialty stores in 1990. Since veganism was not widely recognized back in 1990, the term ‘vegetarian’ was chosen for all stores. However, all of the shoes sold at Vegetarian Shoes are 100% vegan-friendly.

Vegan Footwear markets in France and Spain

Known for high-fashion and luxury brands like Chanel and Dior, France also offers a good selection of vegan footwear brands, including Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather, Minuit sur Terre, and Veja.

In Spain, vegan footwear brand Mireia Playa uses recycled plastics for its vegan products, while Spanish brand Canussa expanded its portfolio by producing vegan ballerina flats and sneakers.

Asian Pacific vegan footwear market

Growing demand for vegan footwear is particularly visible in the Asia Pacific region, where domestic market players are a key factor behind the thriving vegan population. Noticeably, Thailand is home to one of the key companies for vegan footwear regarding technology and innovation. HEXA vegan shoes, a PETA-Approved fashion brand, introduced an innovative line of vegan shoes and sandals using a NASA Certified Space Technology called Outlast®.

By implementing this technology, HEXA vegan shoes is optimizing temperature regulation which helps to prevent sweating. Supported by many Thai celebrities and influencers, HEXA vegan shoes prove that vegan footwear is one of many emerging trends in the vegan industry.

Other vegan footwear brands in the region include Australia’s Etiko, a 100% vegan and eco-friendly manufacturer of the contemporary vegan sneaker and vegan sandals brand Twoobs. Being the fastest growing vegan market in the world, Australia is also home to the ‘Best Vegan Footwear Brand Asia Pacific 2021’ Holster.

North American vegan footwear market

In North America, the demand for vegan footwear is higher than in the rest of the world. Accordingly, North America contributes the highest share of vegan footwear market revenue and accelerates market growth for the vegan footwear industry.

The domestic vegan footwear market in North America is shaped by brands like Matt and Nat shoes from Canada, luxury vegan footwear brand Taylor + Thomas and Cult of Coquette, both based in the US. In terms of uniqueness and innovation, vegan footwear brand Bhava is shaping the eco-friendly footwear market in the US by selling boot ‘tops’ that can be attached via straps onto short boots, turning them into knee-high boots.

South American vegan footwear market

In South America, alternatives to animal leather are increasingly requested by the end-user. Especially in the segment of tennis shoes and sneakers, where the use of leather is able to bring a desirable functionality to the product, vegan footwear alternatives are in demand.

Colombian independent vegan footwear brand Animalist was founded based on the desire to support the vegan tennis movement. Produced by using vegan leather alternatives such as recycled canvas and synthetic materials, Animalist is looking to make tennis cruelty-free.

(c) winterkind

Vegan Footwear market trends

Considering future market insights, the global vegan footwear industry is characterized by an increasing demand, rising awareness of the end user, which leads to an overall higher demand for vegan footwear and a larger market size.

Making classics vegan

One major trend in the vegan footwear market is the ‘veganization’ of excisting shoe classics. For instance, sportswear brand New Balance has launched the first-ever animal-free version of its classic 990v5 sneaker in 2022. Apart from New Balance, several other shoe brands have launched vegan versions of their classic silhouettes. These include Adidas with its Clean Classics line, and Stella McCartney’s vegan Eclypse sneakers.

Going vegan for the reputation

This trend is certainly not one that any brand should be proud of, but the launch of vegan footwear to improve a company’s reputation and public image is a visible trend in the vegan footwear market.

In 2021, UGG announced to step into the vegan footwear market with its Fluff Sugar Platform and Fluff Sugar Sandal styles that are made with a fluffy material made from TENCEL Lyocell. However, critical consumers argue that this launch can be seen as ‘vegan-washing’, as UGG is known as the manufacturer of sheepskin boots and other shoes containing animal-derived materials.

Celebrities launch vegan footwear

The amount of celebrities stepping into the vegan footwear market seems to get higher every year. In 2022, US-singer Billie Eilish and Nike joined forces to create a new range of vegan shoes and clothing, with the singer-songwriter redesigning Nike’s iconic Air Force 1 to use more sustainable materials.

Back in 2020, New Balance and brand ambassador Jaden Smith collaborated on the design and development of the vegan-friendly NB for Jaden Smith Vision Racer. One year later, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones launched a vegan leather shoe line in partnership with vegan shoe brand Butterfly Twists.

©romanolebedev – stock.adobe.com

Vegan athletes and the rise of the vegan footwear market in sports

An increasing amount of sports and outdoor brands are now opting for sustainable and animal-free footwear. As vegan athletes often struggle to find suitable options free from conventional leather, suede, or animal-based glue, footwear brands start to respond to consumer demands for sustainable products. In fact, the list of famous vegan athletes is long, including sprinter Morgen Mitchell, Germany’s strongest man Patrik Bouboumian, and tennis legend Venus Williams.

Vegan mountain bike shoes

As veganism becomes more important for athletes around the world, leading sports and outdoor brands are starting to rethink their products. For instance, German outdoor brand Doghammer launched the first-ever mountain bike shoe in 2022. Called the Bike Graveler, the technical shoes are made from vegan materials including alt leather, natural canvas, and cork.

Available with the clipless pedal system, the Bike Graveler from Doghammer makes use of a Vibram sole made of recycled rubber as well as vegan glue to hold the shoe together. Vegan leather is used, as well as a removable insole made from cork which the brand claims is quick-drying and odorless.

Vegan running shoes

In 2022, vegan athletes looking for high-performance vegan running shoes have many options. As the global vegan footwear market is shifting toward sustainable and cruelty-free products, many big brands including Reebok, Adidas, and Nike, have already introduced vegan running shoes. However, even among dedicated vegan footwear brands, a selection of different high-quality vegan running shoes is available on the footwear market.

Approved by the Vegetarian Society, vegan footwear brand Zen Running Club is dedicated to helping athletes perform while taking care of the earth’s natural resources. The company uses natural materials such as sugarcane, tree fibers, and cotton to create its vegan products.

Another high-quality brand on the vegan footwear market is Vivobarefoots, a manufacturer of vegan running shoes that are designed to conform to your feet. The unique selling point (USP) of the company’s products is that they can be returned to Vivobarefoots at the end of their life-cycle.

Vegan footwear market news by vegconomist

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