9 Sustainable Boots For Women In Winter 2023
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As the days of sandals and flip-flops drift away, we’re excited to welcome these chilly temps with calf-high boots and ankle booties. And whether you’re looking for a staple you can wear day in and day out, or for that fine detailing that stands out, there’s a boot for you!
We’ve pulled together our favorite ethical boots for winter, including fashionable trends like block heels and minimalist colors. And while these do cost a pretty penny, they’re all sustainably and responsibly made and support fair trade work—plus, they’ll last through the seasons.
Pair them perfectly with these cold-weather coats and jackets to complete your look!
Best Overall | Best Chelsea Boot | Most Stylish
1. Matisse
Best For | Western-style boots
Ethics | Ethically made, fair labor & wages, recycled & sustainable materials, vegan options, recycled packaging
Our Pick | Alpine Western Boot ($190)
When it comes to a fashion-forward aesthetic, we love considering Matisse for our closets. This LA-based brand prioritizes small-scale artisanal production in family-owned factories, and upholds fair labor standards and sustainable practices. Stomp and make a statement in the Chase Chelsea Boot, perfect for your fall and winter wardrobe with a snake-embossed finish and chunky heel.
2. Nisolo
Best For | Handmade casual boots
Ethics | Certified B Corp, ethically made, fair wages, carbon-neutral, responsibly sourced materials, shoe donation program
Our Pick | All-Weather Amalia Boot ($250)
Rain or snow, Nisolo’s boots have got your feet covered—literally. Best known for its chukka boots, the brand has paved the way for intentionally designed, responsibly made products. For example, the leather used is always a byproduct of the meat industry—like in our favorite Amalia Boots. Plus, these boots are made ethically in a Nisolo-owned and operated factory in Peru, where all makers are paid fair wages.
3. Sézane
Best For | Parisian-style boots
Ethics | Certified B Corp, ethically made in Italy, vegetable-tanned leather & responsibly sourced materials, recycled packaging, gives back, eco-friendly production
Our Pick | Niels Ankle Boots ($275)
Sézane effortlessly combines fashion and function for its Parisian-inspired style. This French brand sources nearly all of its materials from eco-friendly and sustainable sources, including for its dreamy knee-high High Angeles. The majority of its pieces are made within the European Union, partnering long-term with ateliers. Seamlessly go from day to night with these investment boots.
4. The Root Collective
Best For | Subtle patterns
Ethics | Ethically made in Guatemala, fair trade & wages, artisan-made via co-ops
Our Pick | Brette Boot ($298)
Price Range | $258–$298
The Root Collective adds a bit of flair to your wardrobe with its multi-style boots. Handcrafted in Guatemala using genuine leather, the Root Collective partners with artisans to provide fair and empowering employment in areas that need it most. While we love all of its designs including those with the patterned heel, and we’re big fans of this burgundy pair—neutral and fitting for transitioning seasons. The Root Collective’s easy-zip leather boots are our absolute go-to for when we want to travel in style and comfort—and they make getting through airport security a breeze.
5. ABLE
Best For | Elevated everyday boots
Ethics | Employs & empowers women, fair wages, ethically made, responsibly sourced & sustainable materials, eco-friendly packaging
Our Pick | Lex Boot ($158)
If there’s one style we always look to ABLE for, it’s statement boots! Handmade by women around the world, these boots are sleek, stylish, and sustainable—using responsibly sourced leather and eco-friendly foam padding. The Lex Boot, our favorite, comes in a rich, classic black—a gorgeous addition to our winter wardrobe and beyond. Our editor loves her snakeskin printed boots from ABLE’s past collections—the heel is higher than you’d think, but the shoes are still so comfortable and walkable. Keep an eye out for their new prints, they don’t disappoint.
6. Zou Xou
Best For | Lug boots
Ethics | Ethically made in Argentina, artisan-made, made-to-order & small batches, vegetable-tanned leather
Our Pick | Nerea Boot ($320)
Zou Xou (prounounced ‘zu – ‘zu) is a slow fashion and footwear brand bringing you the best from Buenos Aires, Argentina. The brand offers both ready-to-ship and made-to-order collections so you can get the perfect fit, every time. Each pair is expertly handcrafted by Argentinian shoemakers using age-old techniques in small batches. These are boots you’ll love for a lifetime.
7. Thesus Outdoors
Best For | Hiking-style boots
Ethics | Vegan boots, sustainable & recycled materials, fair labor & wages, eco-friendly practices
Our Pick | The Weekend Boot ($198)
Thesus Outdoors aims to be sustainable by design; more than 90 percent of its materials are eco-friendly and traceable, and the brand is aiming for 100 percent. Its footwear is crafted with fair trade natural rubber, recycled plastics, and reclaimed ocean waste—including its famed weekend boot. Our editors have personally tried this shoe and love it for weekend hikes around LA or trips with friends to the mountains. While we wouldn’t recommend it for long-distance trekking, it’s a perfect boot for nature escapes and weekend adventures. Like Timbs, but sustainably made.
8. Koio
Best For | Handmade Italian boots
Ethics | Ethically made & sourced, ecosystem-restoring regenerative leathers, handcrafted in Italy, fair wages
Our Pick | Cortina ($395)
Koio, a luxury sustainable brand, crafts shoes ethically in Italy with high-quality eco-friendly materials. The family-owned brand is so committed to the highest quality of luxury and sustainable design that every pair of shoes passes through the hands of 42 master craftsmen for a flawless finish. Their materials are eco-conscious, aiming not just for climate-neutral but climate-beneficial options like ecosystem-restoring regenerative leathers from the Swiss Alps and LWG-certified leathers from Italy.
9. Beklina
Best For | Artsy boots
Ethics | Ethically made, responsibly sourced leather
Our Pick | Ribbed Boot Clog ($320)
Beklina was one of the original eco-boutiques to be found online, since its launch in 2006. For more than 15 years, this brand has curated quality products include handmade clogs (like our pick!), swimsuits, and more—all of which is produced ethically in Peru, Nepal, and the USA. We love these ribbed clogs for its hand-carved heel, durable Italian leather, and a deep black that’s sure to match any wardrobe.
Featured image from Koio
