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As chic as their leather counterparts, the best vegan trainers are supremely comfortable and a cinch to style. If you want to add a pair (or two) to your footwear rotation, you’re in the right place, as we’ve been busy testing a range of styles to suit practically every taste and budget.
From lesser-known vegan labels (some of our favourites include Ration.L and Hylo) to big hitters such as Merrel and Veja, lots of brands are making the move to innovative plant-based leather alternatives, as well as canvas and synthetic materials. While animal-derived glues and dyes are used less than they once were, we would always recommend checking that trainers labelled as ‘vegan leather’ are 100 per cent vegan-friendly.
There’s some debate about whether a vegan-friendly trainer is more sustainable than a leather one. While, on the one hand, the leather industry has been linked to the environmental impact of deforestation and pollution from leather tanneries, vegan alternatives made with synthetic materials are problematic in other ways. Many vegan products use plastics, which are ultimately derived from fossil fuels.
Plant-based materials are a stride in the right direction, however, and you can now find everything from trainers made with apple fibres (a byproduct of the fruit juice industry) and cactus leather to running shoes made from castor bean-derived nylon.
With all this in mind, we went in search of stylish sneakers that lean into current trends. We looked out for the blending of outdoor features and streetwear style in what’s been labelled gorpcore (Merrel’s hiking shoes are a great example of this); metallic styles; so-called dad trainers (look to Loci’s volt design); and retro-inspired shoes (Gola’s heritage tennis shoe, for instance).
We’ve been busy road-testing a range of vegan-friendly trainers for every style preference, so whether you want low-profile or chunky sneakers, a running shoe or an everyday pair, keep reading.
How we tested
Whether we wore them during drizzly commutes, park strolls, supermarket runs, or nights out, every pair of trainers featured here has been put through its paces. Crucially, we wanted to get a good idea of the fit and how comfortable the trainers were when worn fresh out of the box. Style, support, breathability and wearability were all factored in, as were any eco credentials, such as making use of recycled or plant-based materials. Keep reading to see which pairs you should invest in.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Lois Borny has been part of the IndyBest team since 2021 and has written a wide variety of reviews in that time. When it comes to fashion, she has cast a discerning eye over the best vegan boots to buy, the best vegan handbags to know, wide-leg trousers to invest in, and more. Style is subjective and fashion is always evolving, but Lois factors in recent trends, quality and price when appraising each style. If she doesn’t think a product is worth buying, it won't make her final edit.
The best vegan trainers for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Loci atom: £120, Lociwear.co.uk
- Best value for money – Ration.L R-kind trainer: £56, Immaculatevegan.com
- Best premium trainers – Coco Rose London vegan kew 2.0, white cactus: £145, Cocoroselondon.com
- Best hiking trainer – Merrell women's moab speed 2: £125, Merrell.com
- Best heritage high-tops – Gola classics vegan women's tennis Mark Cox high trainers: £70, Gola.co.uk
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