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- 12/29/2022
Looking for the most sustainable rain boots made from safe and non toxic rubber without any of the toxic chemicals? We’ve narrowed down a few of the best eco-friendly rain boots for your weather-appropriate sartorial upgrade below.
p.s. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive guide to kid-specific rain gear, take a look at this non toxic rain gear guide for kids here!
This post is about the best sustainable rain boots.
Sure, most of us would love nothing more than to live in a palm tree-laden city soaked in sunshine. But sadly, we have to come to terms with the fact that rain boots belong in our rotation. When the forecast announces a high chance of rain, we have to plan our ensembles accordingly.
Rain boots are a wonderful way to stay dry, but consumers must be conscious of all the scary toxic chemicals hiding in traditional rain boots.
What chemicals are hiding in most rain boots?
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
- DWR (Durable Water Repellent)
- Phthalates
- Lead
Phthalates in PVC are harmful to the environment and people, especially when it comes to children. Phthalates and DWRs transfer easily to whatever they come into contact with including your clothing and skin.
DWRs repel water and are the most common chemical in rain jackets, suits, and waterproof gear for both kids and adults. DWR is considered a perfluorinated chemical. These are known as forever chemicals that do not break down in nature. DWRs are linked to many health issues including cancer and reproductive effects.
Which rain boots brands are safe?
The key to finding the safest sustainable rain boots that complement your wardrobe is paying close attention to the quality, material, and sourcing. Luckily, in 2023 there is an array of eco-friendly brands for rain boots at our disposal. We rounded up the most splurge-worthy and affordable sustainable rain boots for you today including Merry People, Hunter, Kamik, and Roma!
This post is about the best sustainable rain boots.
Best Sustainable & Non-Toxic Rain Boots of 2023
Hunter has been creating sustainable rain boots for women since 1856. The British brand handmakes their staple boots using natural rubber as well as FSC-certified rubber.
Over the last 10 years, they have donated 150,000 + boots to different charities. Currently, they offset part of its carbon emissions with the help of the World Land Trust’s Carbon Balance program in Guatemala.
Price: $115+
Ethics: Natural rubber and FSC-certified rubber, circular business model, members of the World Land Trust’s Carbon Balance program, donations, fair labor
Location/Shipping: UK, worldwide shipping available
Merry People’s extensive catalog of vegan rain boots for women includes waterproof, sub-zero temperature tested ankle boots, classic Chelsea boots, and more.
They are made of natural rubber and vegan glue. Part of the proceeds goes to environmental and social justice charities. Their factories are based in China, but they pay close attention to their safe, legal, fair, and humane working conditions.
Range: Men, Women and Children
Price: $100+
Ethics: Natural rubber and vegan glue, donations, fair labor
Location/Shipping: Australia, worldwide shipping available
Roma Boots is the ultimate blend of fashion and charity. Through their “buy one give one” program, each time you opt for a pair of sustainable rubber rain boots, a child in needs receives one too.
So far, they’ve donated 100,000 boots to children in 27 countries. The boots are made from natural rubber in China, but they have strict labor conditions to ensure that no forced labor or inhumane acts take place.
Range: Men, Women & Children
Price: $79+
Ethics: Natural rubber, fair labor, ROMA Foundation
Location/Shipping: Sold from the US, worldwide shipping available
Founded in 1898, Kamik offers affordable sustainable rain boots to help you upgrade your cold-weather style.
Their main materials are rubber and recycled rubber but they also use leather from Gold-rated tanneries.
As soon as these PVC-free and 100% recyclable eco-friendly rain boots reach the end of their life, you can send them back via Kamik’s recycling program.
Range: Men, Women, and Children
Price: $59+
Ethics: Rubber and recycled rubber, PVC-free and 100% recyclable materials, fair labor, recycle 90% of the water used in production
Location/Shipping: Sold from Canada, worldwide shipping available
The Black-owned, eco-friendly brand for rain boots, Baxter Wood, offers streetstyle-approved vegan
Chelsea rain boots for women and men. Their shoes are crafted from 100% FSC-certified renewable tree rubber. 10% of every pair sold goes toward funding sustainability-focused education programs. Additionally, they offer a recycling program.
Range: Men & Women
Price: $125
Ethics: Ethically sourced natural rubber, fair labor, ethical sourcing policy, recycling program, donations
Location/Shipping: Sold from the US
Matt and Nat creates their best sustainable rain boots in Romania with waterproof recycled PVC. Each and every piece in the Matt & Nat collection is Vegan, Cruelty Free and Non Toxic.
While Matt & Nat is working hard to divert away from the use of PVC, they have decided to use recycled PVC in their rain boot collection. PVC does not break down and recycling it does keep it from polluting landfills.
Range: Women
Price: $110+
Ethics: Ethically sourced natural rubber, fair labor, PVC-free, recycling program
Location/Shipping: Sold from Canada, worldwide shipping available
Aigle, the eco-friendly brand for rain boots, follows a striking 60-step production process to create 4000 boots daily.
Their 200 professional shoemakers use 2kg of natural rubber to create each pair of eco-friendly rain boots. Aigle also follows ICS charter‘s fair labor principles and are also partners with the LPO environmental organization.
Range: Men, Women & Children
Price: $56 – $215
Ethics: Handmade in France, fair labor, ICS charter, donations, material re-use
Location/Shipping: Sold from France, worldwide shipping available
When it comes to sustainable rain boots for women, it’s really hard to find a lighter, more comfortable pair than Native Shoes‘.
They use innovative technology “Designed for the drip” to craft their vegan minimalist rain boots with recycled 3D knit upper and waterproof inner membrane. The brand is also REACH, Prop 65, and CPSIA-compliant. Thanks to their Remix Project, you can send them your old ethical rain boots to be recycled.
Size Range: Men, Women & Children
Price: $100+
Ethics: Sustainable 50% Recycled PET Yarn, REACH, Prop 65, and CPSIA-compliant, fair labor, circular business model
Location/Shipping: Sold from Canada, worldwide shipping available
The BIPOC woman-owned brand Thesus leads the stylish, eco-friendly rain boots game by using 95% natural and recycled materials in all of their products.
They have aligned themselves with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to help minimize Ocean Pollution, Climate Change, and Economic Inequalities. Each one of their workers in their Sri Lanka and Portugal factories is earning a living wage.
Range: Women
Price: $154+
Ethics: 95% natural and recycled materials, fair labor, sustainability initiatives, donations
Location/Shipping: Sold from Canada, worldwide shipping available
The best sustainable rain boots with non-toxic materials.
Rest assured that these sustainable rain boots will help you battle every cold weather day. There are just so many affordable eco-friendly rain boots to choose from. Whether you are a classic Chelsea boots lover or a duck boots hoarder, the options are in your favor.
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