6 Best Eco Minimalist Sandal Brands for Spring & Summer
Minimalist shoes are a great investment because they typically feature a neutral tone which allows you to style these shoes through multiple seasons with a wide variety of outfits.
This guide features the complete list of brands to explore when looking for your go-to minimalist footwear for the spring and summer.
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What are Minimalist Sandals?
Minimalist sandals typically feature a sleek design and neutral color. This gives conscious consumers the ability to style the shoes with a wide range of the outfits in their closet.
The simple designs and versatile style of a minimalist aesthetic sandal make this a sustainable choice and is great for those with a capsule wardrobe.
Where to Find the Best Minimalist Sandals?
All of the brands listed below feature great minimalist sandals. These are some of our top picks for brands with ethical and sustainable business practices too!
ABLE's Sandals Made by Women for Women
ABLE is an ethical fashion brand that employs and empowers women as a solution to end poverty. ABLE crafts high quality leather bags and shoes from leather byproducts of the meat industry.
ABLE's sandal selection currently features heels, platforms, block heels, wrap sandals, and more. I particularly love the style of the platform sandals because of the unique design and neutral colors.
As a shorter woman I always appreciate shoes with a stable platform. Shoes with a heel strap also allow me to walk more confidently.
ABLE’s minimalist sandals range from $45-$115 with a range of styles.
Nisolo's Responsibly Made Leather Sandals
Nisolo is a certified B Corporation crafting high quality, ethically made leather goods using socially responsible practices.
Through their sustainable leather shoes, Nisolo provides steady employment opportunities for shoemakers in Peru & Mexico, allowing artisans to support themselves and their families.
Nisolo uses sustainable practices such as eco-friendly waste disposal systems, leather byproducts from the meat industry, & carbon offsetting to craft leather goods that are meant to last a life time.
Through out the years I've had quite a few pairs of Nisolo shoes including boots, flats, and sandals. I recently was gifted the Go-To Flatform Sandal Sky Grey and the All-Day Open Toe Clog. These leather sandals feature a minimalist look with a modern twist.
The Go-To Flatform is a great option for everyday wear and have a natural feel with the memory foam, shock-absorbing insole. I followed Nisolo's size recommendation for this specific shoe and went a half size up and they are the perfect fit.
The All Day Open Toe Clog feature a beautiful wood wrapped sole. I rarely wear heels, but when the durability of the heel is an important factor. I appreciate the sturdy heel and secure fit of the leather straps. This helps the heel have a more natural movement with my feet when walking.
Be sure to read my full Nisolo sandal review!
While these shoes have similar features the main difference is the heel and the wooden wrapped sole. These are both great choices that can pair with a wide range of outfits.
Nisolo’s minimalist style sandals for women range from $90-$180. They also offer minimalist sandals for men.
Deux Mains's Artisan Made Up-Cycled Sandals
Deux Main's is a social enterprise in Haiti ethically crafting leather shoes and accessories. Their sandals are handcrafted with a responsibly-sourced leather upper, paired with an extremely resilient repurposed inner tube sole that is guaranteed to take you 50,000 miles.
This brand creates minimalist sandals for men and women with styles featuring a criss cross, flip flops, slide sandals, and more.
I own the Classic Slide Sandals and my husband owns the Men's Flip Flops. These have been my go to flat sandals when I need a neutral summer shoe. These are incredibly comfortable sandals. I love the tan leather slide style because there is no toe strap and the natural color matches everything.
I sincerely love that they have the unique features like using repurposed tire soles and that everything from Deux Mains is handcrafted by highly skilled artisans in a solar-powered factory in Haiti.
When I was studying abroad in Haiti I had the honor of visiting Deux Mains work space. This brand is doing wonderful things and I definitely recommend checking them out. Deux Mains shoes range from $20 on sale up to $60. If you're looking for leather sandals Deux Mains is one of the best values.
Rothy's Sandals Made from Recycled Materials
Rothy’s crafts their shoes from eco-conscious materials such as recycled plastic water bottles, plant based materials, & algae-based foam. Rothy’s shoes feature a wide variety of casual shoes including flats, sneakers, sandals, and flip-flops for men and women. These shoes range from $65-$125.
Rothy’s believes “Being sustainable means more than just using recycled materials. It also means fostering an inclusive, positive work environment for our team members around the globe.
We’re proud to offer exceptional health and wellness perks to all the Rothy’s family in our San Francisco HQ, our China workshop and beyond.” Rothy’s also offsets their carbon footprint through their partnership with Carbonfund.org.
Rothy's minimal sandal designs include The Knot, The Wrap Sandal, The Bubble Slide, and The Flip Flop. These sandals all feature a wide range of solid color options including neutral and bold.
I recently purchased some of a par of the flip flops in black which have been great for warmer weather.
They're great for outdoor adventures due to the durability. These flip flops feature kit straps made from ocean-bound marine plastic, a footbed made from an algae based foam, and a jet black upper and footbed. We recently went to the lake and these held up well in the wet conditions.
Due to Rothy's materials I think they're a great choice for water activities because they hold up well around water and are easy to wash.
BHAVA's Vegan Sandals
BHAVA is a vegan shoe company creating high end boots, clogs, sandals, heels, and more.
This cruelty free brands strives to find a compassionate approach to design shoes using leather alternatives that are mindful of the environment and working conditions for those through out their supply chain.
From organic cotton linings, to hand painted embossed cork, and premium recycled microfibers, BHAVA’s creative director travels throughout Europe and India to develop signature fabrications. BHAVA's chic shoes range from $99-$300.
TOMS Sandals That Give Back
TOMS has expanded way beyond their classic Alpargatas and become more stylish. They now have a wide range of minimalist sandals including wedges, flat sole sandals, slides, flip flops, thong sandals, and more.
While Toms started as a one for one shoe company, the social enterprise has shifted their business model to create further impact in developing communities.
Now Toms focuses on providing grants and other community outreach programs.
For every $3 made they give away $1 to focus on physical safety, mental health, and equal opportunity. Toms is a certified B Corporation working to expand their sustainable materials.
Tom’s sandals range from $40-4100.
What Should I Consider When Shopping for Minimalist Sandals?
If this is your first time purchasing a pair of minimalist sandals I encourage you to consider the following.
Look for a simple minimalist design that will be able to be styled with a wide range of your spring and summer outfits
Choose neutral colors to make everyday wear easier
Look for durable materials that will last for years to come. It's an important thing to consider where you'll be wear to these sandals and the materials they're made with. If you plan to wear them around water be careful with choosing materials like leather.
Do your feet need arch support? My feet don't require too much support so I usually choose shoes with a thin sole as I feel it helps the shoes move with my feet. However, depending on your support needs the level of support might impact your decision when sandal shopping.
Where will you be wearing these sandals? To the beach? Make sure they're water proof! To work? Make sure they are comfortable footbed with thick soles for all day wear. On rough terrain? Make sure they are durable. On long walks? Make sure they are comfortable.
Whether you need minimalist footwear for work or play, we hope these tips help you find the right pair of sandals that will keep your feet happy while meeting both practicality requirements and style expectations.
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