7 Ethical Shoe Brands For Some Pep In Your Step

Price Range: $50–$253

Nashville’s Nisolo is all about ethically-made, intentionally designed, and fairly-priced products. That includes belts, bags, and ethical leather shoes for both men and women, in styles like boots, chukkas, sneakers, slip-ons, sandals, mules, and oxfords.

Nisolo’s Ethical Practices

Materials:

The standard combination of byproduct leather and natural rubber is what you’ll find in most of Nisolo’s shoes, sometimes with wooden heel accents. Many of the tanneries they work with are LWG-certified.

Supply chain & labor practices:

This Certified B Corp operates their own Peruvian factory that is third-party audited, employs local artisans, and provides above-fair wages. They also provide other further financial support, such as assistance with home loans. Their workers are supported further with additional training and classes on finance, nutrition, and English.

Outside of Peru, they work with independent artisans in Kenya and factories in Mexico, all of which adhere to a strict Code of Conduct and pay higher than living wages. They co-founded the Lowest Wage Challenge with ABLE to get other brands to challenge the status quo.

Carbon commitments & green practices:

They use carbon offset programs to reduce their emissions.

Community & charitable giving:

Nisolo’s Shoe Reclamation Program sends returned or damaged goods to the organization Soles4Shoes.

My Personal Review of Nisolo’s Ana Heeled Chelsea Boot:

If you want a go-to pair of boots for any occasion, the Ana Heeled Chelsea Boot is my absolute fave! I’ve been rocking these smooth-grain beauties for a year, and they’re super comfy and stable with the chunky wooden heel. They’ve also survived everything I’ve thrown at them. They’re so versatile—perfect for dressing up or just cruising around town. I’d happily live in these.”

Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content