Updated: January 2024
Nothing goes better with the vegan lifestyle than running. Leading a healthy life important to most vegans and in addition to good nutrition, a good pair of vegan running shoes belongs perfectly in the mix.
As long-time runners, we are super excited to introduce you to the best vegan running shoes on the market. From lightweight running shoes to durable vegan trail running shoes – we’ve listed all the top cruelty-free running shoes from Nike, Merrell, Topo Athletic, and others.
Since good shoes are as important as teeth, we recommend you invest in a quality pair that will provide enough comfort for your feet and knees for many miles ahead. But if you are running on a budget, check out our collection of affordable vegan running shoes from equally trusted brands.
Women’s Vegan Running Shoes
Men’s Vegan Running Shoes
Vegan Trail Running Shoes
Affordable Vegan Running Shoes
Wait But Aren’t All Running Shoes Vegan?
To clear one thing up real quick: not all running shoes are vegan. Running shoes are usually made with synthetic materials, but some brands still incorporate real leather linings and other non-vegan elements into the shoe.
Additionally, some shoe brands still use shoe glue and dyes derived from animals. These days, it is quite uncommon since synthetic glue is a lot stronger than animal-based glues, but it is still possible. So when in doubt, contact the brand’s customer support or look for a certified vegan label.
Sportswear giants like Nike, Adidas, and New Balance have committed to using only vegan shoe glue in recent years.
Overall, there is a positive trend to drop all animal products from high-performance running shoes. Even sportswear giants like Nike, Adidas, and New Balance have committed to using vegan shoe glue only – which means all their newer leather-free shoes can be considered vegan.
Best Vegan Running Shoes 2024
To help you pick out the best shoes, we have selected top brands for vegan running shoes for men and women in 2024. Some shoes are great for stability, others for cushioning – discover premium vegan-friendly trainers that will make your morning run a breeze.
We would love to feature running shoes from 100% vegan brands, however, there just are not any good ones available yet, except for these Will’s WVSport Oakes epic vegan trail running shoes.
Meanwhile, here are the best vegan running shoes from established brands:
Top 3 Women’s Vegan Running Shoes
‣ Adidas Ultraboost 20 S
‣ Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit
‣ Topo Athletic Magnifly 3 Zero Drop
Top 3 Men’s Vegan Running Shoes
‣ Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit
‣ Adidas Ultraboost Parley
‣ Mizuno Wave Sky 2
Top 3 Vegan Trail Running Shoes
‣ Will’s WVSport Oakes – 100% vegan brand
‣ Merrell Glove 4 Trail Runner
‣ Altra Timp 1.5 Trail
Vegan Running Shoes For Women
Here are some incredible women’s vegan running shoes from Nike, Mizuno, and other top brands. Whether you enjoy light runs or long distances, these shoes offer everything you need.
Adidas Ultraboost 20 S
Our favorite vegan running shoe – Adidas Ultraboost 20 S – was born in collaboration with vegan designer Stella McCartney. The beautiful bright upper is made from recycled ocean plastic and the shoe uses BOOST technology – Adidas’ most responsive form of cushioning.
The selection for Adidas vegan shoes deserves a lot of praise. The brand has veganized most of its legendary styles and shows commitment to using innovative vegan and recycled materials for both sneakers and running shoes.
‣ ethical vegan running shoe
‣ recycled materials
‣ supreme cushioning
SHOP ADIDAS ULTRABOOST 20 S HERE
Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit
The strongest contender to Ultraboost comes from the selection of Nike vegan shoes. Adored by runners for its supreme cushioning and snug fit, React Infinity provides support for all phases of a runner’s stride. Fit for all-distance running, it is such a gorgeous black vegan running shoe with more colorways to choose from.
‣ minimalist vegan running shoe
‣ excellent cushioning
‣ excellent stability
Topo Athletic Magnifly 3 Zero Drop
Famous for trail shoes, Topo Athletic also makes some kickass lightweight vegan running shoes such as the Magnifly 3 Zero Drop. Featuring a multi-density midsole, spacious toe box, and anti-compression footbed, it’s the perfect shoe for road running.
‣ best vegan road running shoe
‣ two-level cushioning
‣ roomy toe box for long distances
SHOP TOP ATHLETIC MAGNIFLY 3 HERE
Mizuno Wave Catalyst
Another bestselling women’s vegan running shoe is the Mizuno Wave Catalyst. The shoe’s forefoot mesh provides superb breathability and flexibility while the wavy sole is designed to give structural guidance and shock-absorption. Ideal for outdoor running.
SHOP MIZUNO WAVE CATALYST HERE
Brooks Ghost 12
Legendary running gear brand Brooks boasts a large selection of vegan running shoes. We absolutely love the classic design of the Ghost 12. A lightweight style with a breathable upper, secure fit, and dependable outsole.
New Balance Fresh Foam Roav
New Balance vegan shoes are generally great quality and so is this lightweight vegan running shoe. The famous Fresh Foam midsole is designed to deliver ultra-cushioned ride while the ultra-heel design simply hugs the back of the foot. A shoe that looks and feels great.
SHOP NEW BALANCE FRESH FOAM HERE
Reebok Forever Floatride Energy 2
While we are waiting for Reebok vegan shoes to take over the world with its world’s first plant-based running shoe, here is something equally great: Forever Floatride Energy 2 vegan running shoe.
Designed for speed, this minimalist running shoe features a breathable mesh upper and durable carbon rubber outsole. 100% cruelty-free shoe with a beautiful range of colorways.
ON Running Sneaker Cloud
ON is a dependable Swiss brand that crafts high-performance vegan running shoes. Made with these funky rounded cloud pods, the shoe offers a well-cushioned underfoot experience and enhanced energy return for all types of runners. Make sure to check out the newer ON Cloudflow.
Veja Condor Mesh
Veja vegan shoes are loved by vegans across the world. Now you can also enjoy Veja’s first ethical vegan running shoe. Featuring a breathable mesh upper, durable synthetic overlays, and wild rubber sole, this vegan shoe is made sustainably in Brazil.
Vivobarefoot Primus Lite II
Another ethical vegan running shoe – Vivobarefoot Primus Lite II – truly has it all. It is plant-based, petroleum-free, lightweight, and offers incredible performance. The minimalist barefoot design feels natural and guarantees healthy and happy feet.
SHOP VIVOBAREFOOT PRIMUS LITE HERE
Vegan Running Shoes For Men
Here are the best men’s vegan running shoes available in the USA. Either you are training for a marathon or picking up the pace on the treadmill, these trainers guarantee a smooth and responsive ride.
Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit
Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit is a vegan running shoe everybody loves. Designed to help reduce injury, its higher foam content provides a soft and plush feel at every step. Enjoy 3-leveled comfort: flexibility at toe-off, a smooth ride at mid-stance, and cushioning at contact.
‣ minimalist vegan running shoe
‣ excellent cushioning
‣ enhanced durability
Adidas Ultraboost Parley
Another magnificent men’s vegan running shoe is Adidas Ultraboost Parley. Designed for long city runs, the shoe features an ultra-responsive Boost midsole and an impressive stabilizing system to make every step feel amazing.
The breathable upper is made with yarn spun from recycled ocean plastic, making it one of the most ethical running shoes on the market.
‣ ethical vegan running shoe
‣ extraordinary stability
‣ supreme traction
Mizuno Wave Sky 2
The bestselling Mizuno Wave Sky 2 is perfect for both racing and marathon running – it has a premium fit, maximum cushioning, it is both breathable and durable in the right places. Also, people with previous knee discomfort praise the shoe’s splendid suspension system.
‣ durable vegan running shoe
‣ premium, adaptive fit
‣ perfect for long distances
New Balance Fresh Foam Roav V1
New Balance Fresh Foam Roav V1 makes you feel like you are running on clouds. Its signature midsole cushioning is precision-engineered to deliver a lightweight ride while its endurance rubber outsole technology ensures unmatched durability. A truly well-rounded vegan running shoe.
SHOP NEW BALANCE FRESH FOAM HERE
Topo Athletic Phantom
Made entirely with vegan-friendly materials, Topo Athletic Phantom is one of the best men’s road running shoes. Spacious toe box lets your toes to spread comfortably while its TPU blended foam allows for more resilience than traditional EVA. Perfect for long-distance running.
SHOP TOPO ATHLETIC PHANTOM HERE
Reebok Forever Floatride Energy 2
Reebok Forever Floatride Energy 2 is a minimalist vegan running shoe with a flexible upper that moves with your foot through the gait cycle. Enjoy well-cushioned comfort without sacrificing ground feel. Plus, it’s got many beautiful colorways available.
SHOP REEBOK FLOATRIDE ENERGY 2 HERE
ON Cloud Waterproof
ON men’s vegan running shoes are super durable and well-cushioned thanks to their signature outsole with rounded cloud pods. Featuring a waterproof and windproof mesh upper with synthetic overlays, this shoe is perfect for outdoor running.
Vivobarefoot Primus Lite II
For barefoot fans, we recommend the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite II. Made with a recycled PET mesh, it’s one of the most eco-friendly vegan running shoes out there. The shoe is also super breathable and keeps feet cool in any weather.
SHOP VIVOBAREFOOT PRIMUS LITE HERE
Vegan Trail Running Shoes
Trail running is more popular than ever and no one knows more about this sport than these brands. Discover women’s and men’s vegan trail running shoes providing you a secure and stable feel even on the rockiest of trails.
Will’s WVSport Oakes
Will’s Vegan Store is a vegan brand known for making ultra-durable shoes ethically in the EU. Developed for three times world record holder Fiona Oakes, Will’s WVSport Oakes Cross Running trail shoes can handle absolutely everything from the North Pole to the Sahara desert.
Featuring an advanced ballistic welded uppers made with Lyliane 3DMX materials, the shoes are abrasion-resistant and waterproof yet breathable. The Vibram rubber injection outsole provides super grippy traction on all terrain.
‣ 100% vegan brand
‣ carbon neutral & ethically made
‣ perfect for rugged trail runs
SHOP WILL’S WVSPORT WOMEN’S HERE
SHOP WILL’S WVSPORT MEN’S HERE
Merrell Glove 4 Trail Runner
Merrell is the king of trail running and it also has a fantastic selection of vegan-friendly shoes. The bestselling Glove 4 Trail Runner provides natural comfort with a minimalist barefoot design whilst the high-performance rubber sole ensures unmatched durability, stability, and slip-resistance.
SHOP MERRELL GLOVE 4 WOMEN’S HERE
SHOP MERRELL GLOVE 4 MEN’S HERE
Altra Timp 1.5 Trail
Another awesome vegan trail running shoe is the Altra Timp 1.5 Trail. The shoe is designed to make you feel cool and comfortable with a breathable mesh upper and high-energizing cushioning. Ideal for ultrarunning and long distances.
SHOP ALTRA TIMP 1.5 WOMEN’S HERE
SHOP ALTRA TIMP 1.5 MEN’S HERE
Xero Shoes TerraFlex
Made for rugged trail runs, Xero Shoes TerraFlex has a foot-first movement design that feels natural and comfortable. Its 4mm lugged sole provides incredible traction – uphill, downhill, in dry and wet conditions. And the shoe is 100% vegan.
SHOP XERO TERRAFLEX WOMEN’S HERE
SHOP XERO TERRAFLEX MEN’S HERE
Inov-8 Roclite 290
This lightweight ROCLITE vegan trail running shoe is designed for running quickly over multi-terrains. Delivering a responsive ride, the shoe is perfect for moving with confidence over everything from wet mountains to muddy grass. Plus, we love how it looks in all colorways.
SHOP INOV-8 ROCLITE WOMEN’S HERE
SHOP INOV-8 ROCLITE MEN’S HERE
Affordable Vegan Running Shoes
If you are looking for cheap vegan running shoes, here are our top picks. These vegan sneakers from Under Armour, Skechers, and Saucony prove you can get quality running shoes for under $100.
Under Armour Charged Pursuit 2
Made with lightweight synthetics, this running shoe is 100% vegan and costs around 60 bucks. Featuring a breathable upper with strategic padding, the shoe is perfect for runners who need flexibility and cushioning. A reliable shoe from Under Armour with great reviews.
SHOP UNDER ARMOUR MEN’S
SHOP UNDER ARMOUR WOMEN’S
Nike Revolution 5
Revolution 5 is a bestselling running shoe from Nike that is budget-friendly but still loved by both amateur and advanced runners. With a soft cushioning and flexible fit, the shoe is perfect for both outdoor and treadmill running.
SHOP NIKE REVOLUTION 5 MEN’S
SHOP NIKE REVOLUTION 5 WOMEN’S
Skechers GoRun Pure
Skechers GoRun Pure is another affordable running shoe with a lightweight Ultra Go cushioning and breathable mesh upper. Like other Skechers vegan shoes, we strongly recommend this one for its superb price-quality ratio.
SHOP SKECHERS PURE MEN’S
SHOP SKECHERS PURE WOMEN’S
Saucony Jazz Low Pro
Saucony Jazz Low Pro is one of the bestselling affordable vegan shoes that only costs $60. The upper is made of canvas and hemp with the classic Saucony design on the sides. Great casual shoe for running and speed-walking.
SHOP SAUCONY JAZZ LOW PRO HERE
FAQ About Vegan Running Shoes
Running shoes are typically cruelty-free but not always. Some running shoes still have a leather upper and use non-vegan glues or dyes. Make sure to always doublecheck the materials before committing to a shoe.
Vegan running shoes are usually made from synthetic mesh and rubber. Sometimes also cotton and hemp are used.
Vegan running shoes are durable since synthetic materials outperform animal-based ones. That is why big brands like Adidas and Nike make mostly running shoes that are vegan by default.
The most convenient way to buy vegan running shoes is online. Ecommerce stores like Amazon offer a wide selection of high-performance running shoes from Nike, Adidas, Merrell, and other top sportswear brands.
Under Armour trainers are vegan-friendly, except for Cayd, Smith, and Commute. Our favorite Under Armour vegan running shoes are Charged Pursuit 2 and Surge 2.
Summary
There is not a single reason why running shoes should not be vegan. The best sportswear brands already know it and we hope that more shoe producers will let us know once their running shoes are free from any animal products or byproducts. (And that means also you, Asics!)
For the future, we hope to see more 100% vegan running shoe brands. We also wish to see more vegan running shoes made in the USA to ensure fair pay and safe working conditions for shoemakers.
We are super excited about the launch of Reebok’s first-ever plant-based running shoe made from made of castor bean oil, eucalyptus tree, and algae. Natural materials are the future of vegan shoes of any kind and we are thrilled running shoes are paving the way.
Hope you enjoyed our collection of the best vegan running shoes – we will keep updating the list with new models all the time!