A few years ago, the idea of vegan shoes would have seemed quite far-fetched. With that said, the sneaker industry is becoming increasingly clued up on cruelty-free options. New Balance, for example, have a vast selection of vegan-friendly styles and silhouettes that don’t compromise on aesthetics and performance.
In this guide, we’re going to check out some of the best vegan New Balance shoes. This will include pairs like the 574, the MADE In USA 990v5, and Fresh Foam X 1080v12. Let’s get to it!
The New Balance 574 is one of the most iconic trainers to come from the Boston-based sportswear company, and they’ve become even more popular thanks to the selection of vegan-friendly colourways. That means there is no genuine leather or suede and the materials have all been ethically-sourced.
Originally released in 1988, 574s deliver the perfect combination of running performance and everyday wear. This was one of the first go-anywhere sneakers to come from NB yet that reputation goes even further. Not only are the 574s known across the globe for their versatility but they are seen as classically designed.
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New Balance’s 990 is currently one of their most hyped models. First released in 1982, the brand celebrated its 40th anniversary of the 990 with the introduction of the 990v5. Debuting with the vegan-friendly “Core” range, rather than the usual cow skin and pig suede, the upper was swapped out for plant-based materials.
This animal-free construction also extends towards the EVA midsole and mesh underlays. It’s also worth mentioning that even though the fifth generation shoe has gone through all of these eco-conscious changes, it’s still part of New Balance’s ‘Made in the USA’ label, which is something that still matters to runners.
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The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12 go further than a lot of vegan trainers, not only in their choice of adhesives, but in meeting NB’s Green Leaf standard. The upper materials are either recycled or bio-based, but that doesn’t compromise on their overall versatility.
If you are after a pair of running shoes that will act as an all-rounder when you pull them out of the wardrobe then these will do the job.
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Just because a shoe doesn’t use leather or suede, doesn’t mean they can be classed as vegan. As well as the materials, manufacturers have to consider the animal products that can come in the form of adhesives and collagen derived from hooves and bones.
These New Balances go above and beyond just being innovative in their choice of textiles and adhesives. They also promote sustainability to appeal to a new generation of vegans, while maintaining a comfortable and ergonomic design.
Vegan leather does a great job with mimicking the feel of genuine leather, but it’s made with plant-based and synthetic materials. Typically, vegan leather is produced with polyurethane and PVC. These are considered vegan, but they’re not quite as eco-friendly as others due to their plastic and petroleum base.
MuSkin, or mushroom leather, is one of the most durable materials used for vegan leather. It comes from the roots of a mushroom plant which are called mycelium. The mycelium cells can be fed and grown to create the most widely-known durable vegan leather around.
