On many occasions, after turning down a hot dog or hamburger at a summer barbecue and explaining that you’re vegetarian, the next question you might be asked (if wearing leather-like sandals) is, “Then why are you wearing leather?” You’ll answer that the sandals are made from synthetic materials that look like leather, and this usually pacifies the inquisitors. They do ask a valid question though. If you are choosing a vegetarian diet for ethical reasons, “How can you stop eating animals, but continue to wear them?” Like a vegetarian diet, people often choose to “quit leather” at different stages.
Since cowhide is the most common animal hide used, links to the meat industry are undeniable. According to the Leather Industries of America, the leather Industry’s trade association, very few animals are raised specifically for their hides. But cows are just one of the animals whose skins are used for shoes, wallets, coats, belts, clothing, and accessories. Other animals can be pigs, deer, horse, and sheep. Some articles are even made from “exotic” animal skins ranging from alligator and lizard to sealskin and snakeskin.
You may ask, “Well what should I do with all the leather I have?” Again, just as some people go vegetarian overnight and others do it slowly, the same goes for leather. Some people gradually replace worn out leather items with non-leather alternatives. Others donate their leather goods to charities. Many throw the stuff away, and although you might prefer that no one wear animal hides (besides the animals), most leather is not biodegradeable due to the tanning process, so a charity might be the best bet. The damage already done can’t be reversed.
That brings up the question of which causes less damage to the environment petroleum-based synthetic leathers or leather treated with multiple chemicals? While petroleum-based products often cause pollution from manufacturing and its waste, leather manufacturers are still dealing with problems caused by the use of chemicals for tanning. Either alternative leads to some environmental damage, but while you’re supporting the exploitation of animals by purchasing leather, choosing leather alternatives will at least help alleviate some cruelty to animals.
Maybe we should also ask ourselves if leather- and fur-like materials are always the best choice. Do these materials give the impression that leather and fur are socially and ethically acceptable? Why not go with some other materials such as hemp, cotton, synthetic fibers, or recycled rubber when possible? On the other hand it can be argued that by using leather and fur alternatives we can show others a way of wearing clothes with the look they like that doesn’t require the exploitation of animals for it.
For this update we have been able to add vegan cowboy boots. We also found vegan “leather” outdoor roller skates.
When choosing a non-leather company, one should also consider the company’s reasons for carrying non-leather goods. Although we are pleased that more and more companies offer non-leather items, most large manufacturers and retailers who carry both leather and non-leather offer the non-leather goods primarily for economic reasons. It is cheaper to manufacture non-leather goods, and as a result they often cost less. Note that many of these companies sell mainly leather items. Still, by supporting the vegan articles these companies distribute, a clear statement can be made in favor of alternative products. Maybe this will encourage companies to produce more synthetic products, even if their reasons for this decision are not necessarily ethical.
The vegan mail-order companies, on the other hand, take a particular interest in avoiding animal and Earth exploitation through the products they offer. Many of these companies employ Earth-friendly manufacturing and working conditions. We believe that it is important to support these companies.
To make your selection of non-leather goods as effortless as possible, the companies listed are separated into categories. The Vegan Mail-Order or Stores section indexes companies that sell only vegan products. The Catalogs, Companies, and Stores section lists companies that sell or manufacture both leather-free and leather goods, so check these carefully to make sure what you’re buying is non-leather. The remaining sections of this guide list specific styles of shoes (athletic, dress, etc.) and the companies who make them or the stores/catalogs that carry them.
We often depend on company statements for product information. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, information changes, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your own best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.
The following companies sell only animal-free products.
fur,
leather,and
woolproducts such as coats, jackets, vests, hats, handbags, pillows, and ear muffs.
leatherjackets, and belts.
The following catalogs, companies, and stores carry some non-leather products, but also many that are not animal-free. Check the merchandise to make sure it is non-leather. This is a partial listing of catalogs/stores with synthetic options.
no leatherunder comments in order.
There are leather alternatives in most shoe styles.
Women's and Men's Athletic Shoes
Asics: (855) 233-3120; Several synthetic shoes; call to find out about a certain shoe.
Converse: (888) 792-3307; Chuck Taylor All-Stars, high-top and low-top, come in many styles, colors, and fabrics. They also have canvas One Stars.
Keds: (800) 680-0966; Canvas oxfords and slip-ons in a variety of colors and patterns.
New Balance: (800) 595-9138; Several running shoes made with synthetic uppers. Call for a catalog.
Vans: (855) 909-8267; Styles include canvas shoes. Call for stores in your area.
Most of the all-vegan stores listed at the beginning of this guide offer a variety of dress shoes.
Baby and Children's Shoes
Ballet Shoes
Cynthia King Dance Studio offers the CKDS ballet slipper with canvas uppers and synthetic leather soles in adult and children’s sizes and various colors. Call (718) 437-0101 or visit www.cynthiakingdance.com.
Baseball Gloves
Carpenter Trading Company offers custom-made vegan gloves. Visit www.carpentertrade.com.
Biking Gloves
Galtani offers vegan cycling gloves at www.galtani.bigcartel.com
Garneau has cycling gloves at www.garneau.com
Bowling Shoes
Dexter Shoes offers some bowling shoes made from 100% synthetics. Visit www.dexterbowling.com.
Briefcases
Doshi: briefcases
Marand Makes a variety of bags out of apple skins in various colors.
Mattandnat.com offers briefcases.
Tough Traveler: See www.toughtraveler.com
Camera Straps
Couch offers a wide variety of camera straps.
Cars with Vegan Seat Material
Tesla See: https://electrek.co/2016/12/14/tesla-vegan-interior-option-ultra-white-seats/
Cowboy boots
Kat Mendenhall offers stylish cowboy boots for men and women, as well as belts.
Dance Shoes
Very Fine Shoes offers a wide variety of custom made vegan dance shoes.
Visit www.veryfineshoes.com/veganshoes
Gloves
The Vegetarian site offers vegan “leather” gloves.
Guitar Straps
Couch offers a wide variety of handmade straps.
Splaff Flops offers guitar straps.
Hand Drums
www.rhythmhousedrums.com: Search under the vegan category and drums that have non-leather heads.
Ice Skates
Bauer Pro Shop offers many non-leather Bauer hockey skates at bauer.hockeygiant.com
CCM offers many non-leather hockey skates at ccmhockey.com
L.L. Bean: Skates for children. See www.llbean.com
iPhone Cases
K. Carroll See k-carroll.com
Laptop and iPad Carrying Bags
Mattandnat.com offers computer bags.
Slappa See www.slappa.com
Spire USA offers laptop carrying bags.
Tom Bihn See www.tombihn.com
Tough Traveler See www.toughtraveler.com
Waterfield Designs See www.sfbags.com
Luggage
Toughtraveler.com offers non-leather luggage.
Motorcycle Gear
Corazzo offers vegan motorcycle jackets and gloves.
See www.corazzo.net/product-tag/vegan
Motoport offers a non-leather racing glove. The entire glove is made from their Racing Grade Stretch Material Made with Dupont™ Kevlar® Fiber. (No Leather Used On the Entire Glove!) This is the only synthetic material approved for road racing suits. See: www.motoport.com/product/motoportracing-glove
Olympia Gloves offers several varieties of vegan motorcycle gloves here: shop.olympiagloves.com/collections/vegan-motorcycle-gloves
Musical Instrument Cases
Tough Traveler See www.toughtraveler.com
Roller Skates
Moxi Roller Skates: You'll find these vegan roller skates at www.rollerskateusa.com/
Snow Boots/Snowboarding Boots
Burton Snowboards: You’ll find several types of non-leather snow boots at www.burton.com
Sole Technology (owns “Thirty Two”) offers several non-leather snow boots for men and women. See www.thirtytwo.com
Synthetic Leather Manufacturer
Ecolorica:Visit: www.ecolorica.com or email [email protected]
for information on this Italian company.
Ningbo Bridge Synthetic Leather Co. Ltd. Visit: www.bridgesl.com
Willow Tex:Visit: www.izitleather.com or
call (815) 399-4048 for information on their ecologically friendly vegan
leather alternative. It comes in several colors.
Winiw International Co. Ltd.:Visit: http://www.microfiberleather.com/product-category/microfiber/pu-microfiber-leather
Tool Belts
Nailers, Inc.: Visit www.nailersinc.com or call (619) 562-2215 for their non-leather tool belts, nail bags, and knee pads, made from Dupont’s Cordura fabric.