Updated: January 2024
Whether you’re a vegan or not, the vegan leather options out there these days for footwear are pretty impressive, and many are environmentally friendly to boot (pun intended). But what are the best vegan work boots to buy?
“The best” depends on your needs, of course. Do you need a slew of safety features or simply a shoe that you can wear for a 12-hour shift without pain at the end of it? Do you want something vegan or something that’s environmentally conscious with attention to each detail?
This collection of men’s and women’s vegan non leather work boots has some impressive gems. Your perfect new vegan work shoe awaits. See also my page on best vegan boots.
Vegan Work Boots For Men
Vegan Work Boots For Women
Vegan Safety Boots
Work Shoes
Vegan Lightweight Work Boots
Vegan Insulated Work Boots
Affordable Vegan Work Boots
What To Consider
Best Vegan Work Boots Overall
Will’s Vegan Store Work Boots (US), or (UK)
They call these the “go anywhere, do anything” boot for a good reason. These boots are incredibly versatile, long-lasting, and comfortable.
I like their commitment to sustainability; they use recycled material for their rubber outsoles, polyester laces, rear pull tabs, and packaging. The vegan suede linings are a big plus as well.
Other reviews for these work shoes hit home the ‘comfortable’ point and discuss how beautiful the material is. They are stunning, so if you’re looking for a professional-looking or head-turning shoe, this is a great choice. Read my full Will’s Vegan Shoes Review Here.
Pros
- Four color options – all equally beautiful
- Made with recycled materials
- Deep tread rubber outsoles – comfortable and anti-slip
Cons
- Not comfortable for wide feet
- Not much arch support
Product Details
Waterproof: Water-resistant
Upper Material: Signature vegan leather (69% bio-oil content)
Price: $127 from Will’s (prices may vary)
Peta Certified: Yes
Shop Will’s Vegan Work Boots (US), or (UK), or from Immaculate Vegan
Best Vegan Work Boots for Men
Will’s Vegan Store Work Boots (US), or (UK)
These work boots are a statement with their supple material and intricate stitching. They do look remarkable. These work shoes for men seem to run a little bit small, so be sure to measure for the correct size and give yourself a little room.
Numerous reviews mention how long-lasting these are, so if you’re worried about dropping over $100 for a pair of work shoes, it may help to know they’ll last a long time. Plus, their customer service is incredible. Many reviews reference how WVS has sent new shoes or offered to pay for repairs. They stand by their products. Read my full Will’s Vegan Shoes Review Here.
Pros
- Breathable uppers – no sweaty feet!
- Detailed stitching makes for a handsome design
- Certified carbon-neutral product
Cons
- Snug fit can be uncomfortable
- Tongues tend to slide to the side while wearing
Product Details
Waterproof: Water-resistant
Upper Material: Signature vegan leather (69% bio-oil content)
Price: $127 from Will’s (prices may vary)
Peta Certified: Yes
Shop Will’s Vegan Work Boots (US), or (UK), or from Immaculate Vegan
Best Vegan Work Boots for Women
Will’s Vegan Store Buckled Work Boots (US) or (UK)
I love these work shoes for women because they’re a great combination of functionality and style. The buckle is a great added touch, and the laces/zipper options are fantastic. Not to mention, they’re incredibly comfortable. Even the outer materials are soft.
Reviews echo these sentiments, with many referring to their comfort. If you’re on your feet a lot for work and are looking for something comfortable, these are a good bet. Read my full Will’s Vegan Shoes Review Here.
Pros
- Deep, squishy insoles
- Full-length zipper on the inside – can keep them laced & slip on/off easily.
- Stylish above-the-ankle cut
Cons
- Only two color choices
- Some reports of the zipper wearing down faster than expected
Product Details
Waterproof: Yes (technically, water-resistant)
Upper Material: Italian vegan leather (69% biobased content)
Price: $137 from Will’s (prices may vary)
Peta Certified: Yes
Shop Will’s Vegan Work Boots For Women (US), (UK), or from Immaculate Vegan
Best Vegan Safety Boots
WVSport Safety Work Boots (US) or (UK)
This vegan alternative to the average steel-toe work shoes for men has all the bells and whistles to keep your feet comfortable and safe. They’re comfortable, which is a big deal if you’re on your feet all day. They protect against anything you could pit them against, including water, mud, heavy/sharp objects, etc.
The reviews for these shoes are overwhelmingly positive, with 91% of reviewers leaving the full five stars. Comfort is a common topic, along with their slip resistance and durability. Read my full Will’s Vegan Shoes Review Here.
Pros
- Lightweight for safety boots (only 1.6kg average per pair)
- Insulated against cold and heat
- Resistant to: slipping, hydrocarbons, heat contact, static, water, punctures, and impact
Cons
- They aren’t ASTM compatible, so they can’t be worn as PPE work wear in the U.S. (they are certified for European standards)
Product Details
Waterproof: Yes
Upper Material: Lyliane 3DMX and Cordura materials
Price: $164 from Will’s (prices may vary)
Peta Certified: Yes
Shop Will’s Vegan Safety Boots (US), (UK), or from Immaculate Vegan
Best Vegan Work Shoes
Vegetarian Shoes Airseal 3-Eye Shoe Steel Toe
These are great shoes if you’re looking for sturdy work shoes that aren’t boots. They last a very long time, but they’re also comfortable. If you’re on your feet all day, I’d recommend taking it further and looking at their insoles to go with the shoes. They’re great for arch support and heel comfort and are surprisingly lightweight.
Pros
- Made by hand (in the UK)
- Extra thick soles with deep tread – comfortable & shock absorbent
- Steel toe – extra protection against damage
Cons
- Free delivery only in the UK
- They need some breaking in time before they’re comfortable for all-day wear.
Product Details
Waterproof: Water-resistant
Upper Material: Vegetan Micro
Price: $169 from vegetarian shoes (prices may vary)
Peta Certified: Yes
Shop Airseal 3-Eye Vegan Steel Toe Work Shoes
Best Lightweight Vegan Work Boots
These lightweight shoes are excellent for walking around all day. Many steel-toe shoes are so heavy that by the end of the day, you feel tired from lugging around that extra weight. Adding to that is that they focused a lot on foot fatigue when designing these. You can tell when wearing them; the footbed has a lot of arch support, which is essential when on your feet for long periods.
Many reviews for these work shoes focus on being lightweight, and some mention they’re too narrow or small, so keep this in mind when ordering. They also offer a wide version.
Pros
- ASTM compliant
- Arch support built into the footbed
- Moisture and odor-wicking lining
Cons
- Not puncture resistant
- Not waterproof (or water resistant)
Product Details
Waterproof: No
Upper Material: Mesh & synthetic materials
Price: $119.99 From Carhartt (prices may vary)
Peta Certified: No
Shop Carhartt Lightweight Vegan Work Boots from Amazon, or from Carhartt
Best Insulated Vegan Work Boots
Will’s Insulated Work Boots (US), (UK)
These boots are so comfortable! If you like to keep your feet warm (but breathable), these are sure to be your jam. The lining goes all the way to the toes, which is unique and a great feature if you work in an environment where you need to keep your feet warm.
Besides the material being gorgeous, they also have a fantastic tread that’s squishy and shock absorbent but not too crazy deep, either. Read my full Will’s Vegan Shoes Review Here.
Pros
- The lining uses Primaloft made with 90% recycled content
- Breathable vegan suede lining
- The interior lining goes all the way down to the toes
Cons
- Only one color is available
- No zipper for quick on/off; only ties
Product Details
Waterproof: Yes (technically, water-resistant)
Upper Material: Italian vegan leather (69% biobased content)
Price: $130
Peta Certified: Yes
Shop Will’s Insulated Vegan Work Boots (US), or (UK), or from Immaculate Vegan
Best Vegan Affordable Work Boots
TICCOON Work Steel Toe Shoes Safety Shoes for Men and Women
I love good sneakers, so these shoes satisfy my craving for casual, comfortable work shoes. If you like sneakers versus boots in your workplace but need something protective, I’d highly recommend these. I love that they come in so many colors, too. These are excellent budget options at less than $50.
Reviewers of these shoes rave about their comfort, stylish look, and impressive safety features that work as described. They often mention the lack of durability, so that’s something to consider if you put heavy wear and tear on your shoes. They might be a good budget option, but are they worth it if they need replacing much sooner than a more expensive pair?
Pros
- Much lower price than other options
- Many colors to choose from, including colorful options besides the standard black/brown
- Puncture-resistant steel plate on the bottom
Cons
- May need insoles to increase comfort if worn all-day
- Not long-lasting with heavy use
Product Details
Waterproof: No
Upper Material: Synthetic fabric
Price: $39.99-48.99 depending on size (prices may vary)
Peta Certified: No
Shop Affordable Vegan Work Boots from Amazon, or from Ebay
What to Consider When Buying Vegan Work Boots?
Instead of going out and buying the best-looking pair of vegan work boots you can find, there are some things to consider first. Figuring these out before you purchase can help you make a purchase you’ll love for a long time.
Comfort
When buying any type of work boots, comfort is an important consideration. Especially if you’re on your feet all day, you want something that will keep your feet from hurting when the day is done.
Many vegan work boots have cushy insoles built into the shoe, whereas others need a separate insole to amp up the comfort level.
Also important in terms of comfort is the fit. Some vegan work boots are built to fit narrow feet and don’t offer a wide option, whereas some do. If you have wide feet or prefer more breathing room, notice this when looking through the various options.
Safety Features
Depending on your job, you might need a shoe that’s waterproof or protective against punctures or heavy impact. Work boots have many features, but some are better than others. If there is a specific safety feature that your feet need to get your job done correctly (and safely), ensure they have that feature. Don’t assume all work boots are entirely damage-proof. Each shoe is different.
Materials Used
Like any other shoes, not all vegan shoes are made equal. Some are made with bioavailable ingredients, meaning they occur naturally. Others are simply a mix of different plastics, which are vegan but not great for the environment. If plastics are something you want to avoid, be on the lookout for PU (polyurethane) and PVC, which are not natural.
If you’re trying to be as environmentally conscious as possible on your vegan journey, look for shoes made from plant materials instead of plastics, such as all of Will’s Vegan shoes. Other great material options include pineapple leather (Pinatex), ecological microfiber (Oeko-Tex certified), and organic cotton fur.
Why Trust Me & TopVeganShoes.com?
I launched my own vegan shoe brand from scratch. Through that process I learned everything what goes to produce quality vegan shoes. I negotiated materials and production to ensure a quality product.
Through that learning process I am confident I can transparently offer a great and trustworthy review.
Also, I have operated this site since early 2020, almost daily keeping up with the market to keep my eyes open for new innovative materials, production styles and new players in the market.
I also buy many of the shoes and actually try them, wear them to create even better review. In addition, we scour feedback online to see if other people’s experience of the shoes are similar to ours.
Read more about me here.
FAQ about vegan work boots
They do. Doc Martens has a whole line of vegan footwear and accessories, including many different styles of boots.
The lace-up boots would make good work boots, although they don’t have extra features such as waterproof, puncture-proof, steel-toe, etc. They have the air-cushioned soles loved by Doc Martens fans.
Yes, they’re made out of sturdy materials that hold up pretty well. They don’t last quite as long as traditional leather boots, but they last a long time. Many reviews of these work boots focus on their durability. They can last for many years, even with heavy, daily use.