13 best women’s vegan boots that will be the mainstay of your wardrobe

Whatever the style du jour when it comes to women’s footwear – from Western-inspired silhouettes to grunge-chic biker boots with buckles galore (à la Miu Miu) – it’s a wardrobe staple you can’t do without.

As for finding vegan-friendly boots that don’t compromise on ethics or animal welfare, styles that tap into key trends aren’t rare breeds. Whether you’re plumping for classics such as the vegan-friendly range from Dr Martens or labels that have always been vegan from the ground up, you’re sure to find styles to suit. While not common, some brands even come with a vegan certification.

When leather lookalikes are what you’re after, it can be nigh on impossible to tell apart vegan alternatives from the real deal, while high-shine materials can offer something a little different. These are often made from synthetic materials such as PU (fibres covered with polyurethane) or PVC, but there are some brands, such as Humans Are Vain, that use more sustainably focused materials.

Importantly, though, vegan boots are no use if you wouldn’t be seen dead in them, so, keep reading to find a pair you‘ll love to stomp around in this winter and beyond – from elegant knee-high pairs to casual ankle grazers and bold biker boots.

How we tested the best vegan boots

A selection of the boots we tested for this review (Lois Borny)

While our personal style will inevitably have swayed our final edit, we were looking for both trend-led and unusual silhouettes to suit a range of tastes and budgets. We wore each pair for long enough to gauge their level of comfort. We also took into account the design and material quality used for each pair. For reference, our tester’s feet lean towards being more narrow, and they typically wear either a UK size 6 or a 6.5.

The best vegan boots for 2024 are:

Humans Are Vain revenge V2 sustainable boot black

Making environmental credentials a priority, this premium footwear company only has a handful of designs available at a time, but they’re all Peta-approved vegan and made with sustainably focused materials. They’re also produced in small batches, which is thought to be more sustainable.

It’s hard not to be wowed by the lengthy list of upcycled materials that have gone into these unisex boots. Nylon made from recycled ocean waste (for the heel collar); an insole padding made from recycled cork and foam; and even the sole is made from recycled rubber. The microfibre upper is certified as environmentally friendly, but it’s not solely the materials that are being carefully considered here – these boots also look great, in monochromatic black with a utilitarian feel. In terms of fit, they didn’t feel particularly narrow or wide on our tester. While they do feel comfortable on the foot thanks to the padding, they may require a short wearing-in period, as we noticed some pressure points around the heel.

Buy now £62.00, Humansarevain.com

V.gan squash platform boots

If you’re looking for a pair of chunky lace-ups, this Peta-approved vegan pair needs to be on your radar. Hailing from the British vegan footwear and cosmetics brand V.gan, the bold silhouette of these boots is thanks to the thick rubber soles. They also feature the company’s branding for a subtle flash of hardware on the laces, while there are zips on the side of the shoe, so you won’t need to wrestle with them to get them to come off.

While they’re certainly sturdy, particularly around the toe, they are supple enough that we found they didn’t cause any rubbing in areas we might expect from chunky boots like these, and were comfortable from the very first wear. We also noted that they were particularly roomy towards the ball of the foot, which may be ideal for people with a wider foot. A casual pair we’d wear on repeat, we wouldn’t be surprised if these became your transitional wardrobe mainstay.

Buy now £79.00, Vgan-life.com

Koi oblivion grunge switch boots

For statement footwear that doesn’t compromise on vegan ethics, pay attention to Koi, particularly when it comes to maximalist, punky design. These grunge-inspired boots are a case in point, bringing together biker boots with a chunky heel – it’s safe to say you’ll either hate these or you’ll be completely obsessed.

Made with buttery-soft faux leather, they feature plenty of hardware and a bold silhouette that is full of drama. Koi has impressed us in the past when it comes to comfort, and these don’t disappoint either – they came up true to size and fitted our tester’s feet like a glove. There’s a zip for ease, the 7cm heel doesn’t feel too demanding for everyday wear, and they’re relatively affordable, too.

Buy now £60.00, Koifootwear.com

V.gan peach knee high boots

These knee-high boots are gorgeous. Looking far more expensive than they are, they feature a faux leather that gathers and folds for a deluxe, fashion-forward look. With a pointed toe and tapered fit towards the ankle, these are sophisticated, standout boots.

Despite appearances, they aren’t a nightmare to put on, either, as short zips made from recycled nickel on the inner side made it easier to slip our foot in. However, we did find them a little tight-fitting around the ankles and down to the feet, so they may not be ideal for those with wide feet. The heel is fairly high at 8.5cm, but it’s relatively wide, meaning we were able to walk in these with a confident stride. Look no further for a welcome dose of luxe.

Buy now £69.00, Vgan-life.com

Matisse vegan cavalier boot

A cool, trans-seasonal pair we can see being ideal for festival season and beyond, these western-style boots come in metallic hues of pewter and gold, among other colourways. We opted for the versatile white version. While the PU snakeskin-esque look and feel won’t be for everyone, it’s also part of what makes these boots stand out as a fun and fashion-forward pick.

There’s a pointed toe and a mix of slick and matte textures with layered detailing that adds depth and a touch of luxe appeal. As for comfort, there’s a slight but very manageable heel, and while the PU faux leather does feel relatively supple, we did notice some tightness around the back of the heel, so we do think these may require a wearing-in period for some people.

Buy now £88.00, Freepeople.com

Dr Martens vegan 1460 ankle boots

A brand that needs no introduction, Dr Martens launched its vegan collection more than a decade ago – and this glossy, cherry-red version of its classic 1460 ankle boot is our favourite pair from the range.

A two-tone synthetic material (PVC) takes the place of leather, but otherwise. the pair boasts all the bite of the originals, including yellow stitching, air-cushioned sole, and dramatic Dr Martens silhouette.

If patent-red boots aren’t for you, we also tried a similar version in a non-patent black (£169, Schuh.co.uk) – but we personally prefer the red pair for their deliciously dramatic shine and how they seemed more robust and less prone to creasing than the matte black. Similarly to genuine leather Dr Martens, these may need some wearing in.

Buy now £170.00, Drmartens.com

Nae odet black biker boot

Buckles became big news last year when grunge-inspired biker boots from labels such as Miu Miu became one of the styles to know. For a more dialled-down, wearable take on the trend, consider these casual, ankle-skimming biker boots from Portugal-based brand Nae. Instead of looking worn-in, the leather alternative – which is made from water-resistant, hypoallergenic, and antibacterial microfibre – has a smooth feel and look to it, with the effect of a clean, fine-grain finish. Hardware is fairly minimal, with just two small, adjustable buckles.

Despite the sturdy appearance, we experienced immediate comfort thanks to the roomy fit, which allowed for a nice (but not too much) amount of wiggle room for our feet inside. Plus, the zips made slipping them on and off a breeze. Unlike taller styles, ankle boots are great to reach for during transitional seasons, too.

Buy now £85.50, Nae-vegan.com

Wills track sole Chelsea mid-height boots

We’re smitten with these toughened-up Chelsea boots. With uppers made from Italian vegan leather, the pair comes with the signature elasticated panels you would expect from a Chelsea boot. Owing to the way the shaft of the boots hug the calf, they have a streamlined, stylish silhouette. However, this may also cause issues with fit, which is our main gripe. The thicker sole also brings an edge to these boots, owing to the layered scuff guard and chunky track sole.

The attention to detail here makes for high-quality boots that are built to last. They’re lined with two different finishes of camel-brown vegan suede, which feel lovely and soft, and we were pleased with the level of comfort, which was helped by the slightly soft insoles.

There are pull tabs embossed with the Wills Vegan Store branding, along with zips that make it easier to get the boots on and off. Plus, the pair will arrive in plastic-free packaging and is certified carbon neutral, according to the brand.

Buy now £105.00, Wills-vegan-shoes.com

Vegetarian Shoes Zoey mega boot black

Reworking the classic Chelsea boot with a hefty heel, this pair is mega. When testing, we found these boots to be very easy to slip on, owing to their stretchy side panels, and we thoroughly enjoyed stomping around with the extra height borrowed from the 2in platform.

As for materials, the “vegetan soft grain” faux leather upper is smooth, with a fine-grain finish and soft shine – this is made using a polyester and PU microfibre. When testing during a bit of (unexpected) rain, we found that them to be water resistant, as promised. As for breathability, we found that our feet remained relatively comfortable, but it’s worth noting that synthetic materials do struggle to offer the same level of breathability as leather. Complete with the “Vegetarian Shoes” logo across the bootstraps, these were one of the comfiest pairs of boots we tried.

Buy now £89.00, Vegetarian-shoes.co.uk

Lemon Jelly vegan mid-calf dark brown boots with heel

These glossy boots are unusual for a number of reasons – not just their boxy heel and textured side panel, but their scent, too. True to their name, these Lemon Jelly boots smell like lemons, and we could not stop sniffing them.

Any worries about the stiffness of the upper were quickly put to bed when we put them on as our feet felt cocooned in comfort, thanks to the spongy ​​microfibre sole. Complete with a Lemon Jelly zipper on the inner side, for easy removal, we love that the brand’s Peta-approved boots are made with renewable energy generated from solar panels.

Keep in mind you’ll have to pay for shipping to the UK, as well as customs and import duties.

Buy now £71.60, Lemonjelly.com

Will’s western boots

One of the hottest trends at the moment, western-look cowboy boots were everywhere last summer, and this pair from vegan brand Wills ticks all our boxes. Especially wearable, owing to their understated black colourway, all the western markings are there, including slanted heels, pointed toes, and a decorated shaft with intricate stitchwork.

The upper is Italian bio-based vegan leather – this is made with bio oil sourced from organic cereal crops, viscose and polyurethane – which the label says makes the production of this pair carbon neutral (and therefore gets extra points from us). Uncannily similar to genuine leather thanks to boasting a grainy finish, you can also get the design in chestnut brown. Happily, the relatively stiff shaft doesn’t translate to discomfort, either, while the vegan suede lining feels like a treat.

Buy now £94.00, Wills-vegan-store.co.uk

Matt & Nat Healy women’s vegan Chelsea boots

There’s always room for a chunky boot in your collection, and this pair from cruelty-free label Matt & Nat is stacked with attitude. Complete with an embroidered white Matt & Nat logo on their shiny PU upper, what we really love about them is their utilitarian feel, which is mastered by jagged detailing around the sole, elastic gore panels, and an ankle-hugging fit.

Owing to their shin-grazing shaft and chunky lug soles, these boots are just the tonic if you’re looking for bang on trend drama that remains entirely wearable day-to-day. They’re incredibly comfortable, too, but it is worth keeping in mind that the shaft did fit very snugly around our calves, so the fit may not be ideal for people with wider calves.

Buy now £100.75, Mattandnat.com

Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather Willie high-top vegan-leather motorcycle boots

We were seriously impressed with this Peta-approved French shoe brand when we reviewed a pair of its sandals in our vegan edit (in which they earned the top spot), and we’re pleased to report these motorcycle boots did not disappoint, either.

Available in classic black as well as honey (pictured), they have a real vintage feel about them, as the design steps into Seventies flair with a dose of biker attitude.

The western-style detailing, slightly square toe and small block heel are teamed with buttery-soft microfibre faux leather, along with a study design means there’s no questioning the quality. With the boots reaching mid-shin, they are the perfect length for pairing with dresses and skirts, while being equally versatile with wide-leg jeans and flares.

Keep in mind you’ll have to pay for shipping to the UK, as well as customs and import duties.

Buy now £77.00, Goodguysdontwearleather.com

The verdict: Vegan boots

Teaming contemporary style with a premium feel and sustainably focused materials, Humans Are Vain ticks all our boxes with the revenge V2. Meanwhile, the attention to detail and quality of the track sole Chelsea boots from Wills also made them a standout for us, and you may want to make room for Matisse’s vegan cavalier boots, ready for festival season.

Want more inspiration? These are the best sustainable denim brands

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