12 Days of Greener Giving: Day 1 - Sneakers

Featured12 Days
Written By Seeing Green

The holiday season is the perfect time to celebrate the stylish and eco-minded people on your list.

Planet-friendly sneakers make a thoughtful gift because they combine everyday usefulness with lighter-impact materials and design. From renewable fibers to recycled plastics and even take-back programs, greener footwear offers an easy way to support the choices and values of someone you love.

Scroll below for some of Seeing Green’s favorite brands to explore, and check out our video for a quick overview of today’s picks.


A person walking outdoors wearing beige Allbirds sneakers with cream laces and a textured knit upper, paired with white socks and light-colored wide-leg pants.

Photo: Allbirds

Allbirds

Allbirds helped define the modern era of sustainable sneakers with their use of renewable materials like eucalyptus fiber and merino wool. Their designs are simple, versatile and famously comfortable, making them an easy choice for almost anyone. Allbirds proves that everyday style can come from better materials and still look great.

Online: www.allbirds.com


Close-up of a person wearing light blue Cariuma sneakers with cream laces and a textured upper, paired with brown pants while standing on a wet stone surface.

Photo: Cariuma

Cariuma

Cariuma brings a clean, modern aesthetic to the sustainability world with sneakers made from bamboo, cork and recycled rubber. Their look feels fresh and city-ready, but the story behind the materials is what really sets them apart. For gift-givers, Cariuma pairs style with substance in a way that feels effortless.

Online: www.cariuma.com



Rows of Nothing New sneakers in various colors, displayed neatly on cardboard boxes, showing the brand’s classic low-top and high-top styles in materials like canvas and recycled fabrics.

Photo: Nothing New

Nothing New

Nothing New is exactly what it sounds like — sneakers built from recycled plastics, cotton and rubber. Their classic silhouette makes them instantly wearable, but the brand’s mission adds a deeper layer of purpose. For someone who loves timeless design and cares about reducing waste, Nothing New is a perfect fit.

Online: www.nothingnew.com



A pair of white Thousand Fell sneakers with green and black accents hanging by their laces from a black iron fence, with greenery and trees in the background.

Photo: Thousand Fell

Thousand Fell

Thousand Fell takes sustainability one step further with a circular take-back program designed to keep worn sneakers out of landfills. Their closed-loop approach is one of the strongest examples of circular fashion in action. These are sneakers for people who want both performance and a clear path at end-of-life.

Online: www.thousandfell.com



Close-up of a person tying the laces on a pair of olive green 8000Kicks hemp sneakers, with tattooed arms visible and the person seated outdoors.

Photo: 8000Kicks

8000Kicks

8000Kicks puts hemp at the heart of its design. This naturally durable, low-impact material gives their sneakers a unique texture and personality you don’t see elsewhere. They’re lightweight, water-resistant and built for everyday adventure, making them a standout pick for anyone who loves trying something new.

Online: www.8000kicks.com




Other Brands to Explore…

A few more of our favorite planet-friendly sneaker and activewear brands to explore this holiday season and beyond:

  • Clae makes minimalist sneakers with premium materials and a focus on long-lasting, low-impact design.

  • FastFeetGrinded turns recycled rubber into durable, high-performance outsoles for sneakers built with circularity in mind.

  • Grounded People creates vegan sneakers with a transparent supply chain and a strong commitment to ethical production.

  • HILOS produces customizable, 3D-printed sneakers made to order, reducing waste by manufacturing only what’s needed.

  • Indosole transforms discarded tires into comfortable, everyday footwear that keeps waste out of landfills.

  • Kane Footwear makes recovery shoes from sugarcane-based foam designed for comfort before or after workouts.

  • LAKAT crafts modern sneakers using natural and recycled materials sourced through community-focused supply chains.

  • Methods Sneakers offers sleek, minimalist sneakers made from recycled components and designed for easy disassembly at end-of-life.

  • Rothy’s turns single-use plastics into knit sneakers and slip-ons with a soft feel and unmistakable look.

  • Saola designs lightweight sneakers made from recycled plastics, bio-based foams and other planet-friendly materials.

  • Saye makes retro-inspired sneakers using vegan, recycled materials paired with strong reforestation commitments.

  • Sokito creates performance-focused soccer boots from recycled and plant-based materials with a repair program built in.

  • Tropicfeel offers versatile, travel-friendly sneakers designed to be lightweight, quick-drying and made from recycled materials.

  • Veja blends classic French-inspired sneaker design with high standards for organic materials and fair-trade sourcing.

  • Vivobarefoot builds minimalist, foot-shaped shoes that promote natural movement using recycled and bio-based materials.

  • Xeros offers barefoot-style sneakers designed for natural running with lightweight, minimalist construction.

  • YY Nation creates carbon-reduced sneakers using materials like merino wool, algae and sugarcane.

  • Zen Running Club makes running shoes from innovative plant-based materials designed for a smooth, cushioned ride.


Greener sneakers show how small choices can add up, whether you’re giving them as a gift or treating yourself this season.

Seeing Green https://www.seeinggreen.eco
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