What Are Vegan Shoes?
Vegan shoes contain no animal-derived materials — no leather, no suede, no wool, no silk, no glue made from animal by-products. What they're made from instead varies significantly: some use synthetic materials like PU (polyurethane), others use natural plant-based alternatives like cork or pineapple leather, and some — like Indosole — use recycled rubber and natural rubber ethically sourced from rubber trees.
Why It Matters in Singapore
Singapore is one of Southeast Asia's most consciously-aware consumer markets, and demand for cruelty-free footwear has grown steadily alongside broader awareness of the fashion industry's environmental and ethical footprint. Leather production — including exotic animal skins from lizards, crocodiles and snakes, which are often farmed in countries with minimal welfare protections — is one of the most resource-intensive and polluting processes in fashion. The Higgs Index, used by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition to measure material impact, rates leather as the second-worst material for environmental impact after alpaca wool.
For anyone in Singapore looking to make more considered choices with footwear — whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or simply reducing your impact — the good news is that the options have grown substantially.
Why Indosole Qualifies as Vegan Footwear
Every pair of Indosole sandals, slides and flip flops is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. No animals are harmed or used at any point in the process. Here's what's actually in each pair:
The sole is made using SETT (Sole Engineered Tire Technology) — discarded tires are ground into powder and pressed into soles alongside natural rubber ethically sourced in Indonesia. The composition is 40% recycled tire, 30% natural rubber and 30% new material. Natural rubber comes from rubber trees, not animals.
The straps are made from ENVRO Fiber — a custom material developed through deep R&D that uses minimal water and all-natural dyes, with no chemical or toxic runoff. No animal skins, no leather, no suede.
The production is certified by B Corp, meaning Indosole meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance across the entire supply chain.
Going beyond simply being vegan, Indosole's materials are also recycled — nearly 150,000 tires have been diverted from landfill since 2009. The brand's RIVERSOLE range goes further still, incorporating foam collected from Indonesia's rivers by Sungai Watch and repurposed into new soles.
What to Look For When Buying Vegan Shoes in Singapore
Check the materials list. Look for shoes that specify what replaces leather — ENVRO Fiber, recycled rubber, cork, natural rubber, plant-based leathers. "Synthetic" alone doesn't tell you much.
Look beyond "vegan" to the full material story. PVC-based vegan shoes (the most environmentally damaging plastic, according to Greenpeace) can be technically cruelty-free but still environmentally costly. Prioritise recycled or natural materials where possible.
Consider longevity. The most impactful shoe purchase is one that lasts. A pair of Indosole flip flops worn for five or more years — as many customers report — represents a fraction of the environmental footprint of cheaper alternatives replaced annually.
Look for certifications. B Corp certification, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), and similar frameworks give you third-party verification that a brand's claims hold up beyond the marketing.
Shop Vegan Footwear at Indosole Singapore
Indosole's full range — flip flops, slides, sandals and platforms — is available at indosole.com.sg with free shipping on orders over SGD $50 within Singapore.
- Women's vegan flip flops and sandals
- Men's vegan flip flops and sandals
- Riversole — made from reclaimed river foam
Indosole is also stocked at The Green Collective at Funan, Singapore's flagship destination for conscious brands.
FAQs
Are Indosole flip flops vegan? Yes — every Indosole product is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. No leather, no animal-derived materials, no animal testing at any stage of production.
What is natural rubber and is it vegan? Natural rubber is derived from rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis), not animals. It is vegan. Indosole sources natural rubber ethically in Indonesia, dyed with natural dyes with no chemical runoff.
Where can I buy vegan shoes in Singapore? Indosole is available online at indosole.com.sg and in-store at The Green Collective, Funan. For a broader guide to vegan shoe brands that ship to Asia, Green is the New Black — Singapore's leading conscious lifestyle platform — has a curated list that includes Indosole: Walk Your Way to an Animal Friendly Closet with These Vegan Shoe Brands. Look for B Corp certified or independently verified brands for the most trustworthy claims.