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52 Ethical Footwear Innovations

From Worker-Focused Shoe Companies to Responsible Bedroom Slippers

— June 29, 2013 — Social Good
From worker-focused shoe companies to responsible bedroom slippers, this top list of ethical footwear innovations covers a range of styles and places on the spectrum with regards to adhering to the triple bottom line. While it's certain that Blake Mycoskie's TOMS Shoes tends to stand out (for better or for worse) when it comes to not simply footwear, but social business at large.

Increasingly, there is debate with regard to whether or not fashion companies can truly be social businesses if they're simply focused on consumption. Some social enterprises, for example, are fashion-oriented, meaning that perhaps they do sell products but community programs and services also undergird their interactions with their base. Regardless, these ethical footwear innovations continue the conversation of defining the sphere.
5.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
50
Philanthropic Artistic Shoes
Philanthropic Artistic Shoes
The TOMS Haiti Project Commissioned Artists to Make Limited Edition S
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49
Cause-Changing Shoes
Cause-Changing Shoes
Bangs Corresponds Color of Footwear to a Non-Profit Partner
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48
African Rebel Sneakers
African Rebel Sneakers
This Public Enemy Collaboration With Sawa Features Sneakers Made in Africa
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47
Ethical Vegetarian Footwear
Ethical Vegetarian Footwear
The Beyond Skin Shoe Company Creates Vegan Friendly Kicks
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46
Socially Supportive Soles
Socially Supportive Soles
Bangs Shoes Provides Aid to Those in Need With Every Pair Purchased
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45
Women-Liberating Apparel
Women-Liberating Apparel
Sak Saum Aims to Sustain Its Organization Through Their Clothing
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44
Eco-Chic Nature Gear
Eco-Chic Nature Gear
Tuita Sells Products from Cooperatives and Socially Responsible Brands
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43
Pet-Saving Fashion
Pet-Saving Fashion
ecoCLOSET Provides Designer Clothing While Supporting Animal Rescue Groups
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42
Life-Saving Altruistic Sandals
Life-Saving Altruistic Sandals
Beautiful Feet Provides Footwear to Those Who Need it Most
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41
Curated Cause Marketplaces
Curated Cause Marketplaces
Given Goods Company Offers Brands with a Purpose
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40
Election-Savvy Slip-Ons
Election-Savvy Slip-Ons
Show Your Political Pride with These Simple Sneakers
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39
African-Sourced Sneakers
African-Sourced Sneakers
SAWA's Classic Shoes Strike a Balance Between Style and Substance
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38
Planet-Friendly Flip Flops
Planet-Friendly Flip Flops
Feelgoodz Footwear Is Constructed Using Socially Responsible Methods
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37
Adorable Charitable High Heels
Adorable Charitable High Heels
The TOMS Sophie Wedge Offers Perfect Summer Style
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36
For-Profit Social Ventures
For-Profit Social Ventures
The TOMS Shoes Movement Creates Customer-Philanthropists
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35
Charity-Supporting Kicks
Charity-Supporting Kicks
GIDEON SHOES are Hand-Crafted in an Anti-Sweatshop Ethical Workplace
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34
Philanthropic Online Platforms
Philanthropic Online Platforms
UNITE is Working to Enable Impactful Connections Throughout Africa
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33
Eco-Friendly Philanthropic Flip Flops
Eco-Friendly Philanthropic Flip Flops
Hari Mari Footwear Donates Money to Battle Cancer
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32
Festive Charity Shoes
Festive Charity Shoes
The TOMS Holiday Collection Showcases Sequins and Houndstooth
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31
Donation-Generating Galoshes
Donation-Generating Galoshes
Roma Boots Operates on a One-For-One Business Model
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30
Garment-Recycling Factories
Garment-Recycling Factories
Le Relais Collects and Sorts Unwanted Textiles for Resale
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29
Comfy Marine-Protecting Sneakers
Comfy Marine-Protecting Sneakers
Blu Kicks Helps to Preserve the Habitat of Hawaii's Native Fish
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28
Chic Eco-Conscious Kicks
Chic Eco-Conscious Kicks
MOVMT Shoes and Accessories are Made With Upcycled Plastic Bags
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27
Collegiate-Inspired Slip-on Sneakers
Collegiate-Inspired Slip-on Sneakers
The TOMS Shoes Campus Collection Is Game Day Ready
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26
Landfill-Saving Shoes
Landfill-Saving Shoes
IndoSole Uses Old Tires and Transforms Them into Eco-Friendly Footwear
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25
Poverty-Fighting Footwear
Poverty-Fighting Footwear
These Keen Santiago Shoes Kick-Start Social Change
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24
Edgy Fashion Co-Ops
Edgy Fashion Co-Ops
Fair Trade 'Of Rags' Combines NYC Style with Ghanaian Fashion
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23
Employment-Providing Shoes
Employment-Providing Shoes
The Nisolo Footwear Line Creates Sustainable Jobs
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22
Children's Footwear Charities
Children's Footwear Charities
Toms Shoes Donates One Pair Per Purchase
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21
Soulful Wedding Sandals
Soulful Wedding Sandals
Sseko Designs Help Women in Uganda Earn Money for University
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20
Worn Leather Loafers
Worn Leather Loafers
The Oliberte MAGADO and NAVIRO Shoes are Made in Ethiopia
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19
Charitable Hemp Footwear
Charitable Hemp Footwear
Toms Shoes for Charity: Water Raises Money for Clean Water
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18
Worker-Focused Shoe Companies
Worker-Focused Shoe Companies
'soleRebels' was Founded to Create Jobs in Ethiopian Communities
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17
Vegan Brogue Shoes
Vegan Brogue Shoes
Bourgeois Boheme Sells Ethical Footwear in a Range of Hip Styles
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16
Bearded Botas Kicks
Bearded Botas Kicks
TOMS Movember Shoe Helps Change the Face of Men's Health
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15
Newsworthy Flip Flops
Newsworthy Flip Flops
Paper Flops are Made Using Upcycled Newspapers
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14
Chic Charitable Shoes
Chic Charitable Shoes
The TOMS Ballet Flats Spring 2012 Collection is for the Girly Girls
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13
Utilitarian Neutral-Toned Wedges
Utilitarian Neutral-Toned Wedges
The TOMS Desert Bootie is Another Pair of Chic Charitable Kicks
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12
Handmade Snakeskin Shoes
Handmade Snakeskin Shoes
These Pauline in Love Snakeskin Shoes are Classy and Socially Conscious
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11
Responsible Bedroom Slippers
Responsible Bedroom Slippers
The Chilote House Shoe is Eco and Ethically Principled
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10
Sustainable Shoe Shops
Sustainable Shoe Shops
'Made in Romans' Produces Ethically Manufactured Leather Goods for Locals
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9
Global Street Art Sneakers
Global Street Art Sneakers
BucketFeet Shoes Support Artists and Empower Children
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8
Fashion-Savvy Sustainable Sandals
Fashion-Savvy Sustainable Sandals
GreenSoul Shoes Works to Support Ethical Business Practices
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7
Ethical Shopping Sites
Ethical Shopping Sites
Magnifeco is an Eco-Fashion Source Featuring All Things Socially Good
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6
Economically Sustainable Footwear
Economically Sustainable Footwear
The Oliberte Obida Chukka Boot Helps Build Africa
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5
Slow Fashion Shoes
Slow Fashion Shoes
Po-Zu is an Ecological Company Offering Boots and Sandals
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4
Splatter-Painted Shoes
Splatter-Painted Shoes
One of a Kind, Hand-Painted, Socially Responsible Footwear from TOMS
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3
Comfy Customizable Kicks
Comfy Customizable Kicks
KellismCo Custom TOMS Give the Slip Ons Individual Paintjobs
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2
Golden Bridal Flats
Golden Bridal Flats
The New TOMS Shoes Wedding Collection is Specially Made for Your Big Day
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1
Celeb Twin Shoe Collabs
Celeb Twin Shoe Collabs
The TOMS + The Row Collection Offers Some Comfy Couture
<