It’s hard enough finding vegan-friendly clothing, let alone athletic wear. Here we’ve compiled a list of our favorite vegan running shoes.
If you’re both a vegan and a runner, sometimes it can be difficult to find shoes that fit your ethical choices… and your feet. You want running shoes that are comfortable, practical, and most importantly cruelty-free.
Thankfully, there are footwear and apparel brands that are changing the game and with shoes that will suit your style and budget while remaining 100 % vegan-friendly.
All of the shoes listed below reject animal leather, dyes, and glues in favor of synthetic materials. Here are some great vegan running shoes that we recommend.
Newton’s Gravity 7
Newton is a running shoe brand that aims to create footwear for moving through rough terrains. It’s designed to be suitable for a variety of activities from daily training to marathons. It’s durable, versatile, and has a vibrant, colorful design. The Gravity 7 is available in both men’s and women’s styles.
Adidas Ultraboost Shoes
Adidas creates athleticwear with the goal of keeping things simple, lean, and fast. Adidas Ultraboosts provide you with a comfortable, sock-like fit for a run that is ultra-responsive. They offer flexibility, versatility, and soft cushioning for maximum comfort and are available in both men’s and women’s styles.
Onitsuka Tiger’s Ultimate 81
Onitsuka Tiger is a Japanese lifestyle brand that combines Japanese heritage and modern flair. The Ultimate 81 is a unisex running shoe that is part of Onitsuka Tiger’s vegan collection. It has an athletic-inspired look and manages to make a statement while still remaining clean and elegant in its design.
Merrell’s Trail Glove 4 E-Mesh
Merrell is a popular athleticwear brand that encourages you to find your inner adventurer. The Trail Glove 4 E-Mesh is available in both men’s and women’s styles and is made from a durable mesh material. It proves a one-of-a-kind fit for versatility and protection for your feet.
Topo’s Hydroventure
Topo is an athletic footwear brand that makes products that suit your natural and instinctive movement to improve performance while you’re on the go. The Hydoventure is a light, waterproof shoe that, according to Topo, is best for trail running. Hydroventure is available in both men’s and women’s styles with sleek, eye-catching colors.
New Balance’s Fresh Foam Cruz
New Balance is a popular footwear brand that creates shoes with the saying “We were born to move” in mind. The Fresh Foam Cruz is available in both men’s and women’s styles and is engineered with precision cushioning to help you move freely and land softly.
Vivobarefoot’s Primus Trail SG
Vivobarefoot is a footwear brand that creates shoes in the natural shape of your foot and utilizes an ultra thin sole, giving you maximum sensory feedback. The Primus Trail SG comes in both women’s and men’s styles. It’s quick-draining, lightweight, and breathable. The idea here is that less shoe equals more freedom to move.
Nike’s Lunar Skyelux
Nike is an internationally-known athleticwear brand known for their “Just Do It” slogan. The Lunar Skyelux is available in both men’s and women’s styles. It’s lightweight, has a plush collar, and a soft foam underfoot for supreme comfort. It’s available in both eye-catching neons and polished, neutral colors.
ON’s Cloud X
On, or On Cloud, is a Swiss running shoe and apparel brand with the quest for the perfect running shoe. The Cloud X is light, fully-cushioned, and vegan. It utilizes an engineered mesh for breathability and strength. The Zero-Gravity foam allows you to move flawlessly in all directions.
Inov-8’s Trailtalon 235
Inov-8 is an all-terrain footwear, apparel, and equipment brand. The Trailtalon 235 is a unisex running shoe that is lightweight, designed for speed and grip, and ideal for trail running. It has a flexible grip, provides stability, and quickly releases any debris.
Mizuno’s Wave Rider 21
Mizuno is an apparel brand that designs gear for a variety of sports and active lifestyles. The Wave Rider 21 is breathable, has soft cushioning, and offers a ventilation system to reduce heat and humidity inside the shoe during performance. It is available in both men’s and women’s styles.
Brooks’ Ghost 10
Brooks is an athleticwear brand that designs with the environment and sustainability in mind. The Ghost 10 is available in both men’s and women’s styles. This shoe is lightweight and provides you with a plush and adaptable fit. It’s also the winner of the Runner’s World “International Editor’s Choice” award.
Updated, May 2020. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Whether you’re looking for a shoe that is lightweight, sleek, performance-oriented, versatile, or eco-friendly, there are a ton of options from vegan-friendly brands to choose from.