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ECO-FRIENDLY & Sustainable RAIN BOOTS
If you live in a place where it’s raining frequently, rain boots are an essential shoe to have in your closet. It is very uncomfortable and irritating to have wet feet, and you put yourself at risk of getting sick or developing blisters.
That’s why you might want to consider getting a good pair of rain boots for those rainy days to make sure your feet are dry, warm and protected.
However, the main issue with rain boots is that it is complicated to find a pair that is sustainably and ethically made. Most rain boots on the market are made of PVC and other plastic components.
PVC contains many chemicals that are toxic to both the environment and human health. They’re even more dangerous to children, so buying them a pair of PVC rain boots is a no-no!
But when rain boots are a necessity for everyday life, you still need to buy them. Fortunately, you can choose healthier and more sustainable alternatives.
We’ve compiled a list of 7 brands that sell sustainable rain boots so that you can keep your feet dry and protected in all weathers.
WHAT MAKES RAIN BOOTS ECO-FRIENDLY?
It is complicated to find an eco-friendly pair of rain boots, but those made using natural materials are your best options, especially those made from renewable resources.
Sustainable rain boots will always be well-built and high-quality. You buy rain boots because you want waterproof shoes that will not leak in the rain. They shouldn’t develop holes after only a few seasons. So investing in quality boots is essential so that you’ll be able to wear them for years to come.
Also, rain boots should not be made at the expense of workers. The brand needs to offer them safe and decent working conditions, and pay them a fair wage. Its supply chain should be as transparent and traceable as possible.
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WHAT ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS SHOULD YOU SEARCH FOR?
If you want sustainable rain boots, avoid synthetic materials and choose natural ones instead.
The most frequent material you will find in eco-friendly rain boots is natural rubber. Natural rubber is a renewable material that is usually tapped from hevea trees.
It’s also important to make sure the rubber is sustainably sourced, and that its production doesn’t contribute to mass deforestation. To do so, look for rubber boots with the Forest Stewardship Council certification.
The FSC is an organization that promotes responsible management of forests, audits plantations, and certifies those that protect natural resources, biodiversity and human rights.
Choosing rubber products that are certified by the Fair Rubber Association is another way to make sure the rubber is sustainably sourced, following fair trade principles.
You could also buy rain boots made from waterproof leather, as it’s a very durable material. But preferably, choose leather that is vegetable-tanned and produced in tanneries that are Gold-rated by the Leather Working Group.
OUR TOP PICKS FOR COMFY, SUSTAINABLE RAIN BOOTS:
1. Will’s Vegan Store
❤︎❤︎
For: Men & Women
Materials: Rubber
Price: $124 – 186
Will’s Vegan Store is a brand making vegan footwear, clothing and accessories for men and women.The brand sells many waterproof shoes, but it has one specific model of rain boots, the WVSport Waterproof Country Boots. It’s the same model for both women and men, and they are made to be durable. Plus, they’re waterproof all the way to the top of the shoes!
The rain boots feature Vibram rubber injection outsoles designed to provide grip, traction and stability. They also have a soft stretchy knitted back panel that makes them even more comfortable to wear.
Made in Italy, Will’s Vegan Store’s rain boots are certified carbon-neutral, and customers can send them back at the end of their life to recycle them and turn them into new uppers and outsoles.
Shop Will’s Vegan Store Sustainable Waterproof Shoes
2. Merry People
❤︎
For: Women & Kids
Materials: Natural Rubber
Price: $60 – 170
Merry People creates rain boots for women and children, as well as other rain accessories like umbrellas and raincoats.
The brand’s best-selling rain boots are ankle boots with a classic Chelsea boot design.
They come in a wide range of colors, and they are tested for sub-zero temperatures.
The soles are built with arch support, which makes them the perfect everyday lifestyle rain boots.
For extra protection in the rain, you can choose Merry People’s mid-calf rain boots that have an increased height coverage. The brand’s rain boots are also available with enhanced traction soles with a wider tread pattern to provide extra grip.
Merry People’s rain boots come with a 12-month warranty, and are made using natural rubber and vegan glue.
The company has made donations to environmental and social justice charities.
Shop Merry People Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Rain Boots
3. Thesus
❤︎❤︎❤︎
For: Women
Materials: Recycled Rubber
Price: $158
Thesus creates sustainable footwear from eco-friendly materials, like recycled rubber & recycled nylon.
They recently launched the ‘Anyway Rainboot,’ which is handmade in a family-run factory in Portugal.
These boots are easy to clean and are made with a 100% recycled rubber upper. They are great for all seasons because of their grippy lug sole and 100% recycled nylon sweat-wicking lining.
The comfy memory foam provides extra comfort, and they easily slip on and off with the pull tabs and stretch side panels.
Shop Thesus Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Rain Boots
4. Everlane
❤︎
For: Women
Materials: Rubber
Price: $34 – 85
Everlane is a fashion brand making clothing, footwear and accessories for men and women.
The brand has a women’s model of ankle rain boots that you can choose in black, white, green and pink. They feature a slip-resistant tread and a cushioned insole to make them more comfortable and practical to wear daily.
The rain boots are made using flexible rubber and are designed so that you can wear big, fluffy socks with them. They also have pull tabs and stretch side panels for them to be easy to slip on.
Everlane is very transparent, and it discloses where and in what factory its shoes are made.
The company has been making progress and is switching from using virgin materials to recycled ones. At this time, 45% of its plastic footwear components are made from recycled materials.
Shop Everlane Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Rain Boots
5. Native
❤︎
For: Men, Women & Kids
Materials: Injection Molded Bio-based EVA, Rubber
Price: $32 – 55
Native is known for making water-friendly shoes that can be worn almost anywhere. Their ‘Sugarlite’ collection, which features a blend of traditional EVA and a sugarcane-derived resin, is especially popular. When you’re done wearing a pair, you can simply ship them back to help create materials for playgrounds through their Remix Project. You can read all about this here.
Shop Native Sustainable Water-Friendly Shoes
6. Gray Label
❤︎❤︎
For: Kids
Materials: Natural Rubber
Price: $57
Gray Label is a Dutch brand creating high-quality fashion pieces and accessories for babies, children and adults.
The brand sells rain boots for children, available in six different colors. They are made using FSC-certified natural rubber, with organic canvas on the inside. These are the perfect outdoor shoes for your kids on a rainy day!
Made in Slovakia, these boots have a timeless and minimalist style, and are comfortable for everyday wear. Their helpful pull tabs will make it easy for your children to put them on in no time.
The company is GOTS certified, and its packaging is PVC-free and made using recycled materials. Another green initiative Gray Label started is its clothing subscription service: you can now rent clothing for babies and toddlers for up to 2 years at affordable prices.
Shop Gray Label Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Rain Boots
7. Aigle
For: Women, Men, Kids
Materials: Natural Rubber, Leather, Recycled Rubber
Price: $28-430
Aigle is a French brand that has been selling clothing and shoes for all weathers, for men, women and children, since 1853.
The brand offers a huge selection of rain boots for adults and children, featuring various styles and colors. They are handmade and individually checked to ensure they’re entirely waterproof.
Aigle’s rain boots are made using natural rubber, and standard models contain around 30 to 35% of recycled rubber. The rubber suppliers are based in Vietnam and Thailand, and the company works with a trader that is FSC-certified. The brand also sells models made of leather.
Aigle is a partner of the LPO environmental organization, whose mission is to raise awareness, heal and protect the seven species of eagles that we can still find in France.
The company also upcycles 54% of the waste produced at its manufacturing site, and reuses 90% of unprocessed rubber.
*we typically wouldn’t recommend this brand as a whole, but we do appreciate their commitment to quality rainbows made from eco-minded materials
Shop Aigle Eco-Friendly Rain Boots
About the Author:
Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle. She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.
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Which ones sell to the USA?
I believe all of these brands ship to US 🙂