The 9 best lights for running in the dark running shoes are made from exclusively synthetic materials, not all of them classify as vegan trainers. And with more and more athletes fuelling themselves with a vegan diet, increasing numbers are also looking for cruelty-free trainers and apparel, meaning the shoes are manufactured by methods that don't involve cruelty to animals.
What are the best vegan trainers?
Want to cut straight to it? No sweat. These are the best vegan trainers in 2023, at a glance. Keep scrolling to read more.
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Veja Condor 2 Alveomesh Natural Babe Jaune Fluo
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Are vegan trainers any good?
Some running shoes that are labelled as 'non-leather' actually contain animal-derived materials – including glues and dyes which are derived from animal products and animal-based leathers.
What everyone's reading
Fortunately though, finding vegan running shoes and Howard Calvert Brooks’ and Inov-8’s running shoes are entirely vegan, while other trusted running shoe brands like Hoka have a strong contingent of 100% vegan running shoes, all featuring the same performance-enhancing technology we've come to expect from their shoes.
What trainer brands are vegan?
Is Asics Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Nike? While most running shoe brands offer tools where you can filter the non-vegan shoes from the vegan, it’s not always crystal clear. Brooks, Inov-8, Scarpa and La Sportiva trail running vegan? Is Hoka vegan? What about.
We’ve hand-picked a range of our favourite vegan running trainers below – all available to buy in the UK and produced by brands we rate and trust. So if you’re conscious about your environmental footprint – and how your running wardrobe is impacting both carbon emissions and animals – consider one of these vegan trainers....
The best vegan trainers for runners
Brooks Levitate 6
Best wireless headphones Brooks' running shoes are now vegan, it’s a matter of choosing which model suits you best. The Levitate 6s are a solid option if you're looking for a racing shoe: they have a stiff yet springy midsole, offer plenty of ground feel and have an arrow-point pattern in the outsole promoting a speedy heel-to-toe transition.
Hylo Run
Founded by former footballer Michael Doughty, Hylo Athletics' new vegan running trainer – the Hylo Run – proves that nature can perform. Made from renewable and vegan materials including PLA derived from sugarcane and corn, organic cotton, natural rubber and algae bloom™, each Hylo Run shoe also features a Digital ID in the tongue that customers can tap with a smartphone to access Hyloop, a technology platform to enable care, repair and recycling of your Hylo Athletics products. The aim? To help customers get more out of their products for longer. And less landfill.
Veja Condor 2 Alveomesh Natural
Veja might be known for making trendy, sustainable fashion shoes (partly thanks to Megan Markle), but back in 2019 they launched their first running shoe. The Condor 2 combines comfort and durability – ideal for smooth runs and recovery sessions. And they're made from 57% bio-based and recycled materials.
Merrell Moab Flight
Outdoor expert Merrell has a wide range of vegan friendly trail shoes – the company has made it a priority to use 100% synthetic animal friendly materials in the construction of its shoes. The Moab Flight is a trail-to-road shoe that features a 70% recycled mesh upper, 100% recycled laces and a 50% recycled EVA foam insole topsheet, so it has a degree of sustainability, too. With a 10mm heel-to-toe drop and 3mm lugs, this will help you cut through muddy trails as well as the roads back to your house.
Inov-8 Trailfly Ultra G 300 Max
Inov-8 is paving the way in removing all animal products from its trainer construction, including all glues, knits and leather. The Trailfly Ultra G 300 Max won Best Trail Shoe in a previous RW Gear Awards for being soft and plush underfoot, while still retaining great ground feel and flexibility – and, of course, heaps of grip over wet, slippery surfaces thanks to a Graphene-grip rubber outsole.
Best max-cushioned vegan trainer
Hoka Bondi 8
A range of Hoka's trainers are 100% vegan – and the Bondi 8 is a vegan trainer with super plush cushioning. Providing plenty of maximalist cushioning via a soft-as-a-cloud foam, these are designed to take you above half-marathon distance – and made from recycled materials.
Best minimalist vegan trainer
Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II All-Weather FG
For those who prefer minimal running footwear, Vivobarefeet’s Primus Trail II is made with sustainable vegan materials, reducing the impact on the environment. These are designed with a recycled all-weather mesh to take you over all types of terrain, both on and off-road. The thinner sole means you feel closer to the trail, which doesn’t suit every type of runner, but if that’s your preferred style of shoe, this vegan option is the one for you.
Adidas by Stella McCartney Outdoorboost 2.0
Stella McCartney is a huge advocate of vegan footwear and sustainably produced clothing, so these special-edition trainers she designed in one of her many collabs with Adidas are fully vegan. Not only that, but they are also designed to withstand harsh weather thanks to the Cold.Rdy insulated lining which keeps you both dry and warm. The Boost midsole also provides plenty of pop when you need it most.
