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I hate shopping for new hiking boots and shoes. I don’t know if my feet are weird or I’m too cheap or too picky, (it’s likely a combination of all of the above) but add in the necessity that my hiking boots contain no animal products, and finding footwear that fits the bill is a veritable nightmare. Fortunately, we’ve done some of the legwork for you and found 20+ of the best vegan hiking boots and shoes so you can wander on confidently and cruelty-free. You’re welcome. And for help finding hiking boots that fit perfectly, check out this post.
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(Check out these posts if you’re looking for barefoot hiking boots, barefoot hiking sandals, Trail Runners that are perfect for hiking, or the best vegan boots for travel.)
The Best Vegan Hiking Boots and Shoes
Merrell Vegan Hiking Boots
Merrell has tons of vegan hiking shoe and boot options for men and women, all of which you can find here thanks to their easy search filter tool, which has a vegan-friendly search option! For a barefoot/minimalist option, check out the Trail Glove for men and women (read our review of the Trail Glove 6 here). But there are also trail runner-type shoes, supportive boots, and everything in between.
Altra Lone Peak
Nearly all of Altra’s shoes are vegan (except for the Cayd, Smith, and Commute styles, which aren’t hiking boots), but the Lone Peak is the heartiest boot. Altra specializes in hiking boots for women but does have a few men’s styles. The Lone Peak All-Wthr mid-rise boot comes in Men’s and women’s and is waterproof ($170). There’s also a low-rise version of the Lone Peak that more closely resembles a trail running shoe in men’s and women’s. They’re in the $140 range.
Xero Shoes
Xero is a barefoot style shoe brand making quality footwear for the minimalist set. And they have quite a few to choose from. In addition to hiking sandals, Xero offers many vegan hiking shoes and boots, including the Daylight Hiker Fusion, Xcursion Fusion, the Mesa Trail and the Terraflex, the Scrambler Low and Scrambler Mid, all for men and women. So if it’s barefoot hiking shoes you’re after, if you prefer to feel the earth beneath your feet in a flexible, barefoot hiking boot, these are the ones for you. Prices range from $100-$120.
Lowa
Lowa also has a solid handful of vegan hiking boots to choose from. Including the Innox Pro GTX Mid, Vento, and Zirrox GTX Lo. Some are mid-rise options and some are more like aggressive trail shoes, so whatever your preference, you’re bound to find something that suits! They are in the price range of $165-200. Keep in mind that not all Lowa or GTX styles are vegan, but the Lowa site clearly states in descriptions which boots and shoes are vegan, so huzzah!
VivoBarefoot
For a less bulky and more natural-feeling vegan hiking shoe, check out the VivoBarefoot Primus Trail II shoe in men’s and women’s. It has speed-laces, serious flexibility (meaning it does great stuffed in a small bag when traveling), and is extra light on your feet, plus it’s made from recycled plastic bottles. Check out our review of an earlier model here.) There’s also the Magna Lite SG for Men and Women, a higher rise boot with a sock-like cuff that’s breathable, super flexible, and keeps sand and dirt out. See us test the Magna Lite backpacking here.
Hoka Speedgoat
Want the Hoka fit but in less of a boot-style? Try the Speedgoat. The Speedgoat 5 is available for men and women in a low-rise trail runner and comes in several colors. For a waterproof and mid-rise version, look no further than the Speedgoat 5 GTX mid for men and women). Expect prices from $110-$180.
Bottom Line: Vegan Hiking Boots
There are other vegan hiking boots out there, of course. If you find a pair you like, check the product description to see if they’re advertised as vegan. If the product listing doesn’t specify, reach out to the brand via email or chat on their website to find out. Most brands are happy to let you know.
Need some socks while you’re at it? Check out these Vegan Hiking Socks without wool and then learn how to fit your hiking boots properly with our beginner’s guide to buying hiking boots!
Did we miss any brands or vegan hiking boots that you know and love? Share them so we can all shop happy (and cruelty-free) together! Wander on.
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This post contains affiliate links, which means when you clicky-click and make a purchase, we may receive some compensation. Don’t worry, it won’t cost you any extra, but you will be supporting Terradrift! That’s what we call a win-win!
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Most hiking boots contain leather and therefore are not vegan. Some styles and brands that don’t contain leather are not necessarily vegan as they often use glues made from animal bones.
If there’s no leather, fur, or wool on a pair of hiking boots but you’re still unsure if they’re vegan, contact the manufacturer. Most brands will give you a detailed answer regarding which of their products are vegan and which aren’t.
Absolutely. The animal agriculture industry is a number one (if not THE number one) contributor to harmful greenhouse gasses and climate change. The manufacture of leather alone is highly resource-intensive and requires harmful chemicals and excessive amounts of water. Synthetics aren’t perfect either, but they’re much less harmful to the environment.
Alisha is a freelance outdoor journalist and photographer based in Ogden, UT. She loves backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and snowboarding (even though she’s terrible at it). She’s also pretty sure she’s addicted to coffee. alishamcdarris.com