The sneaker industry has grown exponentially over the past five years. According to the latest numbers, the global market is set to exceed 96 billion USD by 2025. With that said, shoe production is exceptionally carbon intensive, accounting for 1.4% of the greenhouse gas emissions. This is extremely high considering that something like air travel is responsible for 2.5%. As we look for more environmentally-friendly and sustainable options, vegan sneakers are becoming more and more popular. If that sounds a bit like you, then maybe you have heard that Puma shoes are vegan and want to know if that’s true.
Are Puma Sneakers Vegan?
Let’s dive straight into it! Puma very recently released two vegan shoes that you can enjoy. Both of these are certified vegan, so you can wear them with peace of mind. The German giant has also used an independent vegan organisation to certify their trainers, allowing vegans and eco-conscious folk alike to trust their statement and wear the shoes without any dramas.
Their new ranges are free from animal ingredients and unlike other companies, Puma has been able to trace all the materials used, so there is no doubt in anyone’s mind!
With that said, it’s worth noting that not all of Puma’s shoes are vegan, so when shopping for your personal pair, make sure you are on the right listing!
At this moment, Puma only offer their Roma Basic range as vegan. They previously had other sneakers listed as vegan, but they are no longer available for purchase on their website. The sportswear company previously released a statement, saying: “We certified the first four vegan styles in SS20, in AH20 we had eleven styles and in 2021 we plan to considerably increase this number.”
However, since the statement was published on the Puma website, the number of vegan shoes has shrunk considerably. While this is disappointing and seems like a step backwards, Puma still has vegan shoes available on their site. Let’s take a look at the Roma Basics now!
The Roma Basics are available in five different colourways, giving you plenty of options to choose from. The vegan-certified sneakers are unisex, making it suitable for everyone to wear. The shoes are available in sizes 4 to 18, with half sizes on offer up to size 12.5. With these sneakers, you are sure to find a shoe that fits your feet.
The Roma Basics are a running shoe that comes with a thick padded tongue and orthopedic arch support. They are crafted with a synthetic leather upper ensuring that the shoe is vegan. They also feature a rubber outsole and a special tread pattern that helps to keep your feet firmly on the ground.
You can enjoy a full lace closure with the trainers too, allowing you to loosen or tighten them while on the go. There’s plenty of cushioning underfoot, but not too much that you’ll feel unsupported.
So why aren’t all of Puma shoes vegan? Well, there are a few things that prevent this.
The main culprit in Puma’s shoes is the leather. Obviously, this is derived from cows, making it unsuitable for vegans. Although it is often used in the footwear industry, it’s a material that vegans steer clear of. Puma’s vegan shoes are made from synthetic leather, which is designed to have the same features as leather, without being derived from animals.
Suede is another animal-derived product typically used in shoes. Puma occasionally uses this, making their shoes with suede unsuitable for vegans. Some fake suede materials are vegan-friendly, so be sure to check the label carefully before making your purchase.
Some glues used to attach parts of the shoe together will contain gelatine, hoofs, rabbit skin, hides, or bones. As all of these are derived from animals, the presence of these glues makes the shoes unsuitable for vegans. Some manufacturers are often unable to confirm what ingredients are in the glue used, making it tricky for vegans to find footwear that is suitable for them. With that said, as Puma have labeled their Roma Basics sneakers as vegan, we can assume that they will be suitable.
And there you have it! The Puma Roma Basics sneakers have been made specifically with vegans in mind. Coming in five colors, you’ll definitely be able to find a pair that will suit your style and personal aesthetic.
