The Facts of Buying Vegan Shoes

Vegetarians and Vegans eat vegetables, this we know, and most if not all, are trying to live a planet/animal cruel-free lifestyle. Yesterday's Vegans and Vegetarians were not as recognized as they are today and therefore purchasing Vegan products was a challenge. Today there are about a zillion places to purchase Vegan items including local shopping malls but how do you know if what you are buying is Vegan? Where are the cold hard facts about Vegan shoes?

Fact #1 - What are Vegan shoes? In trying to steer clear of animal made products like leather and snakeskin, vegetarian/vegan shoes have emerged on the market. Vegan shoes are made from non-leather materials like hemp, cotton, rubber and spandex as well as a few other materials that are called composite materials. It is the composite materials that give the shoes the appearance of being made from leather or suede.

Fact # 2 - Not all Vegan shoes are free of animal materials. To date, that I know of, there are no agencies that regulate Vegan shoe designers. Most of the time you just have to take the designer's word for it that there are no animal materials used in the making of the shoe. There are reputable Vegan shoe retailers but you are going to have to do the homework to determine whether or not they are truly animal free.

Fact # 3 - Real Vegan shoes are not made with environmentally harmful chemicals. Shoes made from synthetic leather sometimes contain PVC which is toxic to our environment. There are shoe makers who claim to be vegan or environmentally friendly and still use harmful chemicals in the making of their shoes. To find green, eco friendly shoes be on the lookout for synthetic materials and put your trust in Nikes, Adidas, Puma, Alternative Outfitters and the like who are going the extra mile to help our endangered planet along. Shoe manufactures Keds, Reebok and New Balance, were found to use PVC in the making of their shoes and refused to respond to Greenpeace's request for information.

Fact #4 - Vegan shoes are expensive. This is a huge myth. Vegan shoes are no more expensive than regular shoes unless you buy them from an expensive designer. Vegan shoes are sold at Payless Shoe Source, Wal-Mart, Target, Rave, Macy's and other commonly used retailers. The trick to buying good vegan shoes is not saving up a ton of money but to know which designers really are Vegan and where their shoes are sold.

Fact #5 - Vegan shoes are made in sweatshops. Nothing could be further from the truth. Vegan and Vegetarians are often referred to as tree huggers and their whole purpose is the good of the earth including the welfare of animals, people and the ecology. There are very many mainstream shoe designers that are putting out Vegan shoes like Doc Marten's and Birkenstock and Sketchers.

Fact #6 - Vegan shoes don't breathe and are uncomfortable. Long ago that was the case with Vegan shoes. Many of them were plastic and didn't breathe, and it showed. Now, however, vegan shoes have undergone a technological change. They are made from man-made materials that do breathe and allow for great comfort. Since footwear has become a health issue many vegan shoes, like Moo shoes, have addressed this issue specifically and designed their shoes so that they can be worn for a long time without harming the human body.

For information on where you can find good, reliable Vegan, Vegetarian and eco-friendly shoes visit the PETA website or the Green Guide.