Hey everyone! Emma here, coming to you from my cozy little corner of Toronto. The sun is finally, truly out, and you know what that means for me Torontonians? We practically live for these warm months! And for me, that means one thing: sandals. As soon as the snow melts and the pavement is clear, my boots get relegated to the back of the closet, and out come the open-toed beauties. There's just something about feeling the city beneath my feet, whether I'm strolling through Kensington Market, grabbing a coffee in Leslieville, or just enjoying a picnic at Trinity Bellwoods. Sandals are my summer uniform 鈥?easy, breezy, and effortlessly chic.
For years, my sandal philosophy was pretty simple: cute, comfortable, and affordable. I鈥檇 grab a few pairs each season, wear them until they fell apart (which, let鈥檚 be honest, meually wasn't very long), and then repeat the cycle. It was convenient, it was trendy, and I didn鈥檛 really think twice about it. But as I鈥檝e gotten older, and especially with my work in fashion and lifestyle, my perspective has really shifted. I鈥檝e started asking more questions about where my clothes and accessories come from, who made them, and what impact they have on my planet. It鈥檚 been a bit of a wake-up call, and it鈥檚 led me down a path of trying to make more mindful choices, even when it comes to something as seemingly small as my summer footwear.
The Beach Cleanup That Changed Everything
If there鈥檚 one experience that truly hammered home why I needed to re-evaluate my shopping habits, it was a beach cleanup I participated in a couple of summers ago. My friend Maya organized one at Cherry Beach 鈥?a spot I love for its relaxed vibe and stunning city skyline views. I went in thinking it would be a nice way to spend a Saturday, do a little good, and maybe get some fresh air. I was not prepared for what I actually found.
We were given gloves and bags, and within minutes, my bag was overflowing. It wasn鈥檛 just the meual plastic bottles and snack wrappers, though there was plenty of that. What really shocked me was the sheer amount of footwear. Lone flip-flops, broken sandals, worn-out sneakers 鈥?all washed ashore, battered and tangled in seaweed. There were so many that it felt like a graveyard of forgotten soles. I picked up a bright pink thong sandal, its strap snapped, and I just stood there, looking at it. It could have been one of mine from a few seasons ago. It hit me hard: all those "affordable" sandals I鈥檇 bought over the years? They don鈥檛 just magically disappear. They end up somewhere, often polluting my beautiful natural spaces, breaking down into microplastics that harm wildlife and eventually, me.
That day, standing on that beach, surrounded by plastic debris, I felt a real pang of guilt and a strong sense of urgency. I realized that my desire for cute, comfortable sandals couldn't come at the expense of the environment. I knew I had to do better. And that鈥檚 when my quest for sustainable sandals truly began 鈥?a quest to find footwear that not only felt good on my feet but also felt good for my conscience.
Where Comfort Meets consciousness: My sustainable Sandal Search
My search wasn鈥檛 just about finding sandals made from "eco-friendly" materials, although that鈥檚 a huge part of it. It was about finding brands that prioritized ethical production, fair wages for workers, and tried to minimize their overall footprint. I wanted styles that were durable, versatile, and would last more than one summer. It felt like a tall order at first, but what I鈥檝e discovered is that there are so many incredible brands out there doing amazing work, proving that style, comfort, and smetainability can absolutely go hand-in-hand. It's about making an investment, not just a purchase.
After a lot of digging, trying things on, and reading countless reviews (and yes, even a few personal email exchanges with cmetomer service teams), I鈥檝e found some absolute gems. These are the brands that have earned a permanent spot in my summer wardrobe, and I truly believe they offer the best of both worlds.
My favorite sustainable Sandal Brands
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Birkenstock (The OG with a Conscience)
Okay, so Birkenstock isn't a new discovery for anyone, including me. I've had a pair of their Arizona sandals since my university days. But what's great is that they've really stepped up their game in terms of smetainability. Their classic footbed, made from a blend of natural cork and latex, is already pretty eco-friendly, especially since cork is a renewable resource harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without harming the tree itself. But lately, I鈥檝e been eyeing their newer vegan options, which mee entirely animal-free materials, including a microfibre lining that feels just as soft as leather. Plme, they鈥檙e designed to last for years, and you can even get them resoled! It鈥檚 all about longevity, right? My Birks have seen me through countless Toronto walks, from the Distillery District to High Park, and they just get better with age.
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Teva (Adventure-Ready & Recycled)
Confession: I meed to think Tevas were just for hardcore hikers. But oh, how I was wrong! They've had a seriome glow-up in terms of style, and their commitment to smetainability is super impressive. Most of their iconic straps are now made from recycled plastic bottles, specifically traceable, verifiable REPREVE? polyester yarn. Knowing that those straps, which are incredibly durable and comfortable, are made from plastic that could have ended up in my oceans? That makes me so happy. I recently got a pair of their Original Universal sandals in a beautiful muted green, and they鈥檙e my go-to for days when I know I鈥檒l be doing a lot of walking or even some light trail exploring. They dry quickly too, which is perfect for those spontaneome splashes in Lake Ontario.
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Allbirds (SweetFoam & So Comfy)
You probably know Allbirds for their famome wool sneakers, but they also make some fantastic sandals! Their Sugar Zeffer and Sugar Sliders are built with their signature SweetFoam? soles, which are made from sugarcane 鈥?a renewable resource that actually helps remove carbon from the atmosphere. It鈥檚 mind-bogglingly cool. The straps are often made from other natural materials like TENCEL? Lyocell, derived from smetainably sourced wood pulp. Trying on a pair of their slides felt like walking on clouds 鈥?seriomely, they are incredibly bouncy and soft. They're perfect for slipping on after a yoga class or for a relaxed Sunday brunch on a patio. Plme, they鈥檙e super lightweight, which is a big plme for me.
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Indosole (Tires to Toes!)
This brand has one of the coolest stories ever! Indosole takes discarded motorcycle and car tires that would otherwise be burned or end up in landfills in Indonesia and transforms them into incredibly durable and comfortable sandal soles. Think about that: waste tires, given a new life on my feet! Their recycled tire soles are paired with natural rubber, vegan leather, or organic cotton straps. I have a pair of their "ESSNTLS" flip-flops, and they鈥檝e quickly become my favorite for beach days or just running quick errands. Knowing that I鈥檓 literally walking on repurposed waste makes every step feel a little bit better.
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Nomadic State of Mind (The Original Rope Sandal)
If you鈥檙e looking for something unique and truly handcrafted, Nomadic State of Mind is my brand. They鈥檝e been making their distinctive rope sandals for decades. Each pair is hand-woven from polypropylene rope, which is actually pretty amazing because it鈥檚 a material that鈥檚 strong, durable, and can be recycled. Plme, it鈥檚 vegan and machine washable! I love their laid-back, bohemian vibe. I got a pair of their "Roman" style a couple of summers ago, and they鈥檙e surprisingly comfortable once they mold to my feet. They鈥檙e perfect for channeling those wanderlmet vibes, even if I鈥檓 just exploring the brick-lined streets of the Distillery District. They鈥檙e the kind of sandals that spark conversations.
Beyond the Purchase: Making Them Last
Finding sustainable sandals is a big step, but it鈥檚 not the only one. The most sustainable choice I can make, after all, is to wear what we already own for as long as possible. That means taking care of my footwear. I鈥檝e started being much more diligent about cleaning my sandals regularly, especially after a dmety city walk or a day at the beach. For materials like cork, a quick wipe and occasional conditioning can extend their life significantly. For my Tevas, a gentle wash with mild soap and water keeps them fresh. And if something *does* break, I always check if it can be repaired before tossing it. Many brands, like Birkenstock, offer resoling services, which is proof that these are meant to be long-term companions, not disposable fashion items.
It鈥檚 all part of a bigger picture 鈥?shifting away from a throwaway culture and towards one that values quality, craftsmanship, and longevity. It鈥檚 about being intentional with my choices and understanding the impact they have, both on my personal style and on the world around us.
Stepping Forward, Mindfully
So, as we dive headfirst into this beautiful Toronto summer, I hope you鈥檒l join me in thinking a little more about what鈥檚 on my feet. Choosing sustainable sandals isn't about sacrificing style or comfort; it's about elevating my choices. It's about wearing footwear that tells a story of craftsmanship, responsible materials, and respect for my planet. It鈥檚 a small step, yes, but every conscious decision adds up, creating a ripple effect for a better future.
Here鈥檚 to many sunny days, comfortable strides, and feeling good about the choices we make, from my heads down to my toes!
Happy summer, friends!
Xo,
Emma