Vegan hiking boots are made without animal products or animal-derived products—including adhesives or animal testing—and are one of the fastest-growing segments in the adventure footwear market. We’ve got you covered if you are looking for vegan-friendly options to enhance your hiking experience.
Jump ahead to background review of top vegan hiking boots brands and consider some of the top vegan hiking boot brands available.
We compare some of their features and benefits in this comprehensive guide; our goal is to help you find the perfect cruelty-free footwear for your outdoor explorations.
Let’s get started with an analysis of what makes a hiking boot vegan in the first place.
What Are Vegan Hiking Boots?
Vegan hiking boots forego the traditional hiking boot manufacturing process based on leather and animal byproducts and instead, use 100% synthetic or organic materials.
The list of vegan hiking boot materials continues to grow and now includes various recycled plastics and polymers, organic materials such as cork, algae, and hemp, natural rubber, some fake suedes and leathers, and various foams, resins, and coatings, including Gore-Tex waterproofing.
Some of these materials have a proven history (e.g., natural cork insoles), and others are proprietary and brand-specific (e.g., the proprietary synthetic Nano Cell upper and Akyra sole package used in the La Sportiva collection).
You’ll want to do your product research carefully to avoid materials and manufacturing processes that do not match your vegan lifestyle choices and ethical preferences – or you can trust one of several consumer organizations established to provide vegan and ‘cruelty-free’ certifications.
| Brand | Men’s Best-Selling Hiking Boot | Women’s Best-Selling Hiking Boot | Men’s Best-Selling Hiking Shoes | Women’s Best-Selling Hiking Shoes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Merrell | Nova 2 Vegan Hiking Shoe | Moab 2 Vegan Mid | Moab 2 Vegan | Moab 2 Vegan |
| 2. Salomon | X Ultra 3 Mid GTX | X Ultra 3 Mid GTX | X Ultra 3 | X Ultra 3 |
| 3. La Sportiva | TX4 Mid GTX | TX4 Mid GTX | TX4 | TX4 |
| 4. Arc’teryx | Bora2 Mid GTX | Bora2 Mid GTX | Aerios FL | Aerios FL |
| 5. The North Face | Ultra Fastpack III Mid GTX | Ultra Fastpack III Mid GTX | Ultra Fastpack III GTX | Ultra Fastpack III GTX |
| 6. Adidas | Terrex Free Hiker | Terrex Free Hiker | Terrex Swift R2 GTX | Terrex Swift R2 GTX |
| 7. Vasque | Breeze III GTX | Breeze III GTX | Mantra 2.0 | Mantra 2.0 |
| 8. Columbia | Newton Ridge Plus II | Newton Ridge Plus II | Dakota Drifter | Dakota Drifter |
| 9. Mammut | T Aenergy High GTX | T Aenergy High GTX | T Aenergy Low GTX | T Aenergy Low GTX |
| 10. Inov-8 | Roclite G 275 | Roclite G 275 | Terraultra G 270 | Terraultra G 270 |
| 11. Teva | Ridgeview Low |
Unfortunately, there are few standardized definitions and processes in the ever-evolving certification business, but here are a couple of issues you might want to keep in mind as you review the field of vegan footwear:
- To really understand the materials and processes used, read the material specifications for your preferred boot. Good retail staff is generally knowledgeable about the products they carry, so you can ask them questions or contact the company for detailed information, but reading the specs yourself is probably the best way to confirm the materials used in the construction of the boot. And watch for ‘vegan-friendly’ or eco-friendly labeling; some companies use this type of language for marketing purposes and may not be strongly committed to using only vegan materials in their hiking boot offerings.
- Consider the overall values and policies on sustainability and transparency of the company manufacturing your preferred vegan boot; some companies use blanket ethical codes or broader certifications, which may indicate a strategic direction rather than a specific eco-friendly sustainability commitment in the company’s hiking boot offerings. Others, like the Seattle hiking gear cooperative REI, have a tradition of service to the vegan outdoor adventure market and have earned the trust and respect of their customers and the broader hiking and sustainability communities.
Benefits of Vegan Hiking Boots
Committing to sustainability and a cruelty-free lifestyle means dedicating yourself to minimal environmental impact with a positive, healthy, carbon-neutral outlook and an abiding concern for animal welfare.
Apart from the smaller environmental footprint and the ethical peace of mind you receive when hiking in vegan boots, are there other benefits to consider? Of course!
The most-oft cited benefits of vegan hiking footwear—compared to a traditional leather upper/dual-density rubber sole hiking boot—are lightweight, breathability, waterproofing, water resistance, and durability.
Let’s dig into these features a little more deeply.
Vegan Leather
Synthetic materials are generally lighter than leather. For some people, this can make a meaningful difference in hiking comfort and trail stamina. Waterproofing with a breathable synthetic fabric like Gore-Tex or an alternative DWR (durable water-repellent) membrane is also a significant difference that can translate into real benefits on the trail.
Of course, leather is inherently water resistant, but synthetics perform just as well over time, provided you maintain or renew your synthetic boot’s waterproofing treatment periodically.
Breathable synthetic materials allow moisture to escape (important in preventing blisters), but leather boots are usually considered more durable and hard-wearing on the trail. A leather hiking boot is malleable and molds into your foot over time, and this quality is often thought to increase foot comfort over the years.
Some hikers have made one pair of top-quality leather boots last a lifetime – now that’s durability! Synthetics tend to degrade more quickly with the years and heavy use, although new materials and designs are constantly invented with longer-lasting features.
Innovation is slowly but surely narrowing the durability gap between leather boots and the many alternatives, including vegan ones.
Vegan Leather vs Leather Cost
The lifetime cost of a well-maintained leather boot can’t be beaten, but the initial outlay for a pair of high-end leather boots can be prohibitive for the cost-conscious. Synthetic hiking boots or those with vegan leather are generally less expensive in the short term.
Top Vegan Hiking Boot Brands
The vegan hiking boot market is growing and changing almost daily. To help get you started and scope out this evolving scene, we reviewed three top brands for their comparable general mid or lightweight hiking footwear offerings.
The best brands of vegan hiking shoes offer multiple models to effectively manage footwear needs on various trails and conditions. Here we highlight a few key features of the mid-hikers for three outstanding footwear brands you might consider when looking for vegan walking boots:
Top Brand La Sportiva
The respected global brand La Sportiva offers numerous vegan shoe and hiking boot options. One of their best sellers is the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX which is a light hiking and backpacking boot among vegans. The main reason: it is constructed with 100% synthetic materials and processes.
Features of the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX:
- Comfort collar ankle protection
• Transkinetic EVO heel stabilizer
• High-frequency, durable lacing harness
• High-weave AirMesh
• Anti-shock rubber toe cap
• Innovative lacing system
• Microfiber mudguard
• FriXion® XF 2.0 outsole with Impact Brake System™ and Trail Bite heel
Top Brand Merrell
Mainstream retailer Merrell offers multiple eco-friendly hiking boots and shoes, but the Moab Speed Mid GORE-TEX is their top vegan hiking boot, packing an effective light backpacking trail capability and durability while appealing to the cost-conscious consumer.
Features of the Moab Speed Mid Goretex:
- 100% recycled laces and webbing
- Bellows tongue keeps out debris
- Protective and abrasion-resistant toe cap
- 100% recycled, breathable mesh lining
- 50% recycled removable EVA foam footbed
- 100% recycled mesh footbed cover
- NXT lined footbed cover
- Molded nylon arch shank
- Merrell Air Cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability
- Super Rebound Compound with 10% recycled flecks
- Vibram® EcoStep Undyed outsole with 30% recycled rubber
Top Brand Inov-8 Mens Roclite G 345 GTX
The Inov-8 Roclite G 345 GTX boot is a lightweight and Gore-Tex waterproof boot with an innovative graphene-enhanced G-GRIP outsole renowned for its tough trail performance.
Features of the Inov-8 Roclite G 345 GTX:
- 100% waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX Invisible Fit technology
- G-GRIP™ proprietary outsole rubber compound
- 6 mm multidirectional cleats
- POWERFLOW midsoles
- ADAPTERWEB™ uppers
- Hybrid tongues
- EHC™ (External Heel Cages) increase heel support
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Vegan Hiking Boot
Once you’ve decided to go vegan with your adventure footwear, you can choose one of our recommended top brands with confidence that the product can meet your needs and is 100% vegan. The next step? Try a few on!
The best hiking boot brand for any hiker comes down to personal preferences. But overall, what other factors might you consider? Most hikers feel the number one factor in selecting any hiking boot – including a vegan hiking boot – is comfort.
Comfortable Vegan Hiking Shoes
To get the most out of your purchase, you should be satisfied that the comfort and fit for your foot and hiking style will stand up to the trail conditions you will encounter. This depends largely on the shape of your foot – do you need a wider boot, for example, or do you prefer a boot with more toe room?
Do you use custom orthotics or rely on the boot’s arch cushion to provide structural support? Solid ankle supports and effective insole cushioning are potential problem areas. So be sure to consider the appropriate boot design and style options to improve body alignment on rough trails.
The proper fit will help prevent blisters and other trail-related foot problems, such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, and heel spurs. Without a doubt, definitely break in your shoes to give you the best possible hiking experience. Lightweight and breathable vegan hiking boot materials tend to reduce foot fatigue on the trail.
Cost of Vegan Hiking Shoes
Cost is often a factor when hikers consider a new pair of vegan hiking boots. The difference in the initial cost of comparable 100% vegan, non- or partially-vegan synthetics, and leather hiking boot products has recently narrowed. On average, high-end leather boots remain the most expensive and longest-lasting boots on the market.
Expect to pay a bit more for a fully sustainable, environmentally certified vegan hiking boot. As vegan hiking boots gain popularity and attract more hikers, the current modest pricing gaps will likely shrink further.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are vegan hiking boots as durable as traditional leather boots?
Vegan hiking boots do not last as long as well-maintained traditional leather boots. Most synthetic and organic materials used in vegan boot manufacturing processes. Some of these include the DWR waterproofing membrane, which degrade more quickly over time than comparable leather products.
How do I care for and maintain vegan hiking boots?
A soft cloth with a mild cleaning solution, or simply soap and warm water, is usually sufficient to clean vegan hiking boots. Periodic renewal of the waterproofing is recommended. Many useful waterproofing fabric sprays and gels exist, so check with your retailer for product-specific treatment recommendations.
Can vegan hiking boots provide sufficient traction on slippery surfaces?
Vegan hiking boots come in several different designs with varying traction capabilities and a wide variety of materials, lug and tread design, and overall boot quality. The best vegan hiking boots can compete with the best traditional hiking boots for grip and traction.
For example, new materials – such as graphene, an incredibly strong carbon nanostructure – have been adapted to manufacture vegan hiking shoes and boot rubber outsoles.
What are the best vegan alternatives to Gore-Tex for waterproofing?
Many vegan and non-vegan boot manufacturers use a Gore-Tex polyurethane membrane for waterproofing, but alternatives include new polyester and multilayer waterproof materials.
Are there any vegan hiking boots suitable for extreme cold weather?
Vegan hiking boots have been designed to suit many alpine hiking conditions, from mountain running and climbing to trail hiking and walking. Even high-altitude mountaineering! Some vegan hiking boot models include 100% cold-weather synthetic insulation and the ability to accept traction aids, such as crampons.
Conclusion
Vegan hiking boots are an increasingly popular alternative to traditional leather boot manufacturing and design for many hikers. Ethical and cruelty-free vegan boot options also compete with other non-vegan synthetic offerings. With this many choices in the market, the hiking enthusiast is the clear winner.
Vegan hiking boots are made without the use of animal products and are 100% cruelty-free. Innovative materials and designs continue to impress a discerning outdoor equipment market driven by the need for comfort and capability.
Our top brands include La Sportiva, Merrell, and Inov-8, each with multiple models addressing a wide range of hiking boot performance needs, but there are many great choices out there.
To enjoy a more sustainable trail hiking experience, why not take the next step? Try on one or two of these outstanding hiking models. You’ll see just how well ethical vegan footwear can meet your needs while adhering to your lifestyle choices and personal preferences. Happy trails!
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Last update on 2025-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API