[Find eco-flipflops here, slides and clogs here, sandals and slip-ons here, sneakers here]

I was going to separate the dressy boots from the hiking boots, but a whole bunch seemed to fall into a sort of gray area and then led straight into shorter hiking shoes — so this post’ll just slowly transition from the dressy to the outdoorsy:

Let me first say eco dressy boots tend to be high-end designs — with price tags to match. Which is to say they’re not any more expensive than a pair of boots at Nordie’s, but they’re, you know, AS expensive as a pair of boots at Nordie’s. That’s not a bad thing; higher quality shoes last longer, garner more compliments, and over time, save you money. It does, however, mean you might have to save up a bit before taking the plunge –

Take this pair made by Charmone (above left). They’re cute, vegan, and PVC-free (PVC’s the sad un-eco-downfall of many vegan shoes) — and “on sale” for $255.49 at Shoes.com.

Or try any of a variety of boots from Terra Plana, which offers both ankle and knee-high boots. These’re made of chrome-free leather, recycled EVA and rubber and will run you $225 – $300 a pair.

And El Naturalista boots actually ARE sold at Nordie’s. Eco-features vary by shoe, but include chrome-free leather, natural rubber insoles, and recycled PU footbeds. That red pair to the right costs $299.95 at nordstrom.com.

Now for the more casual — and correspondingly, less expensive — boots:

VivoBarefoot — Made by the same people behind the Terra Plana boots, these VivoBarefoot boots look more casual but use the same eco-friendly materials. The VivoBarefoot also have that ultra-thin sole that’s supposed to make you feel like you’re walking as close to barefoot as possible. A pair runs between $160-$185.

Simple Shoes’ Toetally Boots‘ eco features include organic cotton/linen, bamboo linings, jute laces, a natural latex pedbed, water based cements, and 100% post consumer paper pulp foot forms. Cost: $120

Patagonia has ankle and knee-high boots, as well as hiking shoes:

Eco features vary by boot, but include recycled rubber or hevia-based latex outsoles, recycled EVA midsoles, glue-free construction, and Capilene® linings made from recycled material. Prices range from $90 – $200.

Then there’s this men’s Timberland Earthkeepers Boots — 6-inch waterproof boots that use 70% recycled material in the lining and 30% reclaimed rubber in the soles, and has 100% organic cotton canvas. The boot doesn’t seem to be available on Timberland’s own store, but you can find it at other web stores for around $160.

I actually don’t own any boots. They are not my fave shoe type — I think they generally make short people look shorter — and I just don’t feel I need them in Cali weather — though I do have some hiking shoes. How many pairs of boots do you own?

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