Which sneakers have no plastic in the upper, the midsole, the laces or the glue?
This category is being vetted. Nothing here is a recommendation yet.
Where plastic hides in sneakers
"Sustainable" sneakers are some of the most plastic-heavy shoes on the shelf, with the best marketing. The upper is recycled polyester or nylon mesh, which is still plastic. A sugarcane or "bio-based" midsole is EVA with some of its carbon from plants, which is still EVA. "Vegan" and "plant-based" leather is polyurethane over a fabric backing. Linings and insoles are foam and mesh, heel counters are thermoplastic, laces are polyester with plastic aglets, and the shoe is cemented with polyurethane adhesive and stitched with nylon. A plastic-free sneaker needs a canvas or leather upper, a natural latex sole, cotton laces and a named glue.
What to check before you buy
- Upper: cotton or hemp canvas, wool or unfinished leather, or recycled polyester, knit mesh or "vegan leather"?
- Midsole and sole: natural latex or crepe rubber, or EVA, "bio-based" foam and unnamed rubber?
- Lining and insole: cotton, wool, cork or leather, or foam and mesh?
- Laces and eyelets: cotton or hemp laces and metal eyelets, or polyester and plastic aglets?
- Glue and thread: a named natural latex adhesive and cotton thread, or unnamed cement and nylon?
- Stiffeners: none, or a thermoplastic heel counter and toe cap?
- Claims: is the "recycled" or "bio-based" material still a plastic?