The Best Vegan Winter Boots
Finding a quality pair of vegan winter boots can be tricky. There seems to be hidden leather features or strange animal-based glues in almost every pair of boots out there. However, there is a growing demand for vegan, cruelty-free winter boots these days, and many companies are now offering certified vegan products. I’ve found several vegan boots to share with you that will hold up through the depths of winter.
If you’re looking for more vegan outdoor gear check out my picks for vegan winter coats, vegan sleeping bags, and vegan hiking boots!
What Makes Winter Boots Vegan?
Vegan winter boots are made with 100% synthetic materials and in some cases they are made with plant-based elements. If the boots you’re eyeing seem to be vegan but are not advertised as such, it’s a good idea to check with customer service and ask if they can guarantee the boots are in fact vegan. Although it’s rare, some shoe companies will use adhesive that contains animal by-products. Look for shoes that use a synthetic glue like PVA.
Some vegans will only purchase boots from shoe companies that are fully vegan, while others will buy from a company that offers only a few vegan options. Personally, I will buy a vegan certified boot from a company whose products aren’t 100% vegan. I like to think buying the vegan option drives demand and sends a message that carrying vegan shoes and boots is good for business.
Are Vegan Winter Boots Waterproof?
Many vegan winter boots are waterproof! In fact, most on my list below are fully waterproof. It is fairly simple to create a waterproof casing with the synthetic materials that vegan products are made of. Not only are they waterproof, but the synthetic materials are also resistant to abrasive wither elements like road salt.
What are the Best Vegan Winter Boot Brands?
I love when I stumble upon a company that has stylish products AND is completely vegan. It’s like a breath of fresh air when you can easily shop without having to meticulously read the fine print. To me these are the best brands to purchase from. Some companies have specific vegan designs and advertise these products as such, which is another great option. Then, some happen to be “vegan by accident” in which they are not advertised as vegan but are free of animal products. Below is a chart of just a few vegan winter boots that I personally liked for their quality, style, and materials.
| Brand | Product | Waterproof? | Price |
| Dream Pairs | Mid-Calf Boot | No | $ |
| Merrell | Bravada | Yes | $$ |
| Adidas | Choleah | Yes | $$ |
| Sorel | Whitney Short Lace | Yes | $$ |
| Chaco | Borealis Boot | Yes | $$ |
| Hunter | Original Tall Boot | Yes | $$ |
| Native | Jimmy Citylite | Yes | $$ |
| Native | Lhotse | Water-Resistant | $$ |
| Moon Boot | Tecnica | Yes | $$$ |
| Northside | Bradshaw | Yes | $ |
| Bogs | Casual Lace Speckle | Yes | $$ |
| Bogs | Crandall Lace Speckle | Yes | $$$ |
| Fair | Comfy Boot | No | $$$ |
| Kamik | Canuck | Yes | $ |
| Xero | Alpine | Yes | $$ |
Dream Pairs | Mid-Calf Boot
When you want your boots to be more of a fashion choice than a technical choice, these vegan winter boots by Dream Pairs are a great affordable option. There are several different styles that have a fur and leather look, but are totally faux. With Thermolite insulation, these winter boots are rated for temperatures of up to -25 F.
Merrell | Bravada Knit Polar
These flexible boots would be the perfect pair for snow shoeing! The knit and mesh uppers have a dry barrier waterproof membrand that seals out water while allowing moisture to escape from your feet. The faux fur lining reduces hot spot areas and keeps snow out. They are fleece lined for warmth and the mountain-grade rubber sole delivers traction in frozen conditions.
Adidas | Terrex Choleah
Adidas Terrex line now has a few winter boot options. The Choleah padded boot is insulated with high-tech Primaloft to keep your feet warm in cold weather conditions. The membrane is made of Climaproof material that creates a waterproof yet breathable seal.
Sorel | Whitney Short Lace
The Sorel Whitney boot is designed for light snow. It has a waterproof nylon upper and the rubber sole is treated for extra grip on frozen surfaces. The faux fur lining keeps snow out and the microfleece insulation keeps your calves and toes warm in up to -25 F.
Chaco | Borealis
This bright pair of vegan wither boots are stylish, waterproof, and insulated! The Borealis boot from Chaco has a coffee-based charcoal fleeced lining, which is anti microbial and eco-friendly. The EVA mid sole is made from recycled content and designed for maximum comfort. The ankle strapped will keep snow out and heat in!
Moon Boot – Tecnica
These Moon Boots were originally created in the 1970s by Italian brand Tecnica Group. They were a popular apres ski shoe to wear while chillin’ in the snow. The Apollo 11 moon landing was the big story of the times and these were made to capitalize off of the space obsessed. Known for keeping feet extremely warm and dry, these are are also 100% vegan.
Hunter – Original Tall Boot
Hunter is not a vegan specific company, however most of their shoes are vegan. In fact, you can check out an entire web page on their site dedicated to all of their vegan certified products. I like the Original Tall boot because you can literally walk through a swamp in them and not get your feet soaked! The are not insulated, but a thick pair of socks should do trick. They offer several different design variations of this same boot in many different colors.
Hunter Original Tall Boot – $150
Native – Jimmy Citylite
Native is based out of Vancouver, BC and is a 100% vegan company! Which makes me love the Jimmy Citylite even more. It’s a boot that I would love to wear in town and on an easy trail. Theses boots are waterproof and the rubber outsole provides great traction. The brand uses recycled materials whenever possible and has a shoe recycling program to help communities in need.
Native Jimmy Citylite – $110
Native – Lhotse
Another Native boot! Admittedly, this boot is not useful when climbing mountains, but I definitely want to rock these at camp. They’re kinda like uggs… but way better. These are totally recycled and 100% vegan. Native collaborated with vegan brand Save The Duck to create these cozy boots. They’re water resistant and feature a faux fur liner. Get them in navy or bright yellow!
Native Lhotse Boot – $135
Northside – Bradshaw
Northside is a relatively small boot company based in Washington state. I found a few boots on their website that are advertised as vegan, and most of their products appear to be made with faux leather and faux fur. They have some awesome designs, but I liked this Bradshaw boot most. The Bradshaw is 100% waterproof and super durable.
Northside Bradshaw – $70
Bogs – Casual Lace Speckle
Bogs boots are all vegan except for a few styles that specifically mention leather features. Still warm at 20 below and a sole is made from recycled rubber, these boots are built for ultimate comfort. They are 100% waterproof and built to last!
Bogs – Crandall Lace Speckle
More Bogs! At -40 Fahrenheit, these vegan winter boots will keep your toes toasty! They are essentially a taller version of the casual classic lace speckle but a bit tougher. The design of the upper includes handles that make it easy to slip these on when you need to get out the door fast.
Fair – Comfy Boot
Fair is a 100% vegan company based in Portugal. The brand is more fashion focused and less on the great outdoors, but I still love the comfy boot. They’re made from PVA-free materials and manufactured in a CO2-free facility. You can feel good buying and wearing these boots!
Fair Comfy Boot – $175
Kamik – Canuck
When your ready to stop messing around with fashion forward boots and get into some serious snow, look no further than the Canuck boot by Kamik. The company is based in Canada, and if anyone knows about winter its the Canadians. Plus they make many of their boots out of recycled materials and they have their very own recycling program. The Canuck (and several other designs) are vegan certified.
Kamik Canuck – $95
Xero | Alpine Snow Boots
These vegan winter boots are designed to allow your feet to move in their natural way. Xero shoes are made with a barefoot technology and most of their products are vegan. These boots are rated for freezing temperatures and the seam-sealed inner bootie makes them fully waterproof.
There are many vegan winter boots out there so let me know which ones I missed! What vegan boots do you wear in the winter? Let everyone know in the comments below. I will be updating this post every few months with reader suggestions!
FAQ About Vegan Winter Boots
I contacted their customer service to ask if any of their boots are vegan. I was told by a representative that they cannot confirm for certain that any of their winter boots are vegan. However, I’ve included a few winter boot styles that do not list animal products in their materials and they visibly appear to have zero animal products.
Bean boots (or Duck Canvas Boots) where made popular by L.L.Bean. I contacted the company and asked if they had any vegan boots at all. The representative said many of their boots include leather features and many of their duck canvas boots have Leather in the eyelets of the lace holes.
Looking for Vegan Hiking Boots? Check out my Vegan Hiking Boots Guide!