Best Nike Vegan Shoes [Reviewed & Tested 2022]
Nike Free RN Flyknit
- Dual-density midsole
- Dynamic heel
- Minimal, molded sockliner mimics
Nike Air Max 2017
- SYNTHETIC
- Lace-Up closure
Nike Men’s Ebernon
- 100% Synthetic
- Rubber sole
- Shaft measures
There are a lot of vegans who are completely in love with the American company of sports clothing and footwear Nike. I get asked a lot of questions about this company, that is why I have decided to write an entire article about the best vegan shoes from Nike.
The times are changing; thus, the companies are adapting to the newest trends in the industry in order to survive and keep their existence profitable. Nike, Adidas, and the others big brands are no exception. Other the past 20 years, the cruelty-free community has received a lot of new vegan options, that exclude animal products, from the American brand Nike. The cruel business is no longer profitable, and Nike understands that, therefore, you will have a lot of models and series to choose from.
This article will contain the 10 best pairs of vegan sneakers from Nike, as well as a short buying guide for you to understand how to differentiate animal-based products from vegan ones.
Contents
Top Vegan Shoes from Nike
Nike Free RN Flyknit
The free RN Flyknit model is the best choice for those runners who want a barefoot sensation when jogging. This pair feels super flexible and lightweight, parameters so important in short-distance runs. If you travel a lot and cannot sit in one place for more than a few days, I consider this model the perfect option for you because of its impeccable portability manifested in so many ways. Their design is so packable you can just stuff it into a bag and forget about them, a delightful quality if you are in a hurry.
The Flyknit technology, an innovative way to increase breathability, is letting your feet breathe more effectively by equipping the shoes with more open knit on the sides. This way the air can flow freely to keep your feet dry and cool. The best part of these shoes is that, since 2012, the Flyknit fabric is manufactured from the waste that had been diverted from various landfills. 1 million tons of plastic and over 600 million water bottles have been used for this particular model.
Advantages
- Super flexible and lightweight
- Very packable, perfect for the travelers
Disadvantages
- Unusual design
Nike Air Max 2017
Air Max is a classic model of this company. It is so popular that even people that have not heard of Nike have heard of Air Max and there is a reason for that popularity. Air Max models are considered to be the most comfortable Nike shoes ever constructed by its engineers. The full-length Max Air unit provides the best cushioning you have ever felt in your entire life, of that I can assure you. In tandem with the outsole made of soft, yet durable rubber, these shoes are completely amazing.
Another great perk of Air Max 2017 is the upper. Specially engineered for long walks and even runs, the upper is equipped with the best zonal support and ventilation there is while the molded foam keeps your feet secure and comfortable. The lace-up closure assures you will get the best possible fit for you to feel secure and even cozy. Although Nike did not label this pair as vegan, it is made of 100% synthetic materials so do not worry.
Advantages
- The best and most technological upper on the market
- The feeling of security and comfort
Disadvantages
- Expensive
Nike Men’s Ebernon
A stylish pair of basketball shoes that can make you feel fresher and more confident than ever. Although this pair is completely made of synthetic materials, it does not have a vegan label, a strange thing that needs to be fixed in my opinion. The upper is made of leather, do not worry, vegan leather, that ensures durability and stability during the game or even after-game usage. A thick rubber sole, attached by a vegan adhesive, keeps you away from tiny rocks and grains of sand that could hurt you during the day and gives you a stylish look on top of that.
The 80s admirers should love this pair of shoes because the design lines are directly from that period, with a bit of a modern, animal-friendly touch. The low-cut silhouette provides a low to the ground feel that gives you more stability and control. For a better and more secure fit, Ebernon is equipped with a traditional eco-friendly tongue and long laces that should work perfectly as anchors for your feet.
Advantages
- Great design, perfect for most of the outfits
- Can be worn in different situations, not only for sport
Disadvantages
- No cushioning
Nike MC Trainer
The Nike MC Trainer packs durability, stability, and flexibility in one vegan shoe that will help you achieve the highest results in the weight room. Not only do they give you stability at heavy lifting but also can provide a lightweight construction for the agility drills. The best perk of these vegan trainers is their versatility. They are equally good at the gym training and outside jogging and heavy lifting. To sum up, these shoes are the best for those who want to combine heavy lifting with aerobics and outdoor training and do not want to lose time for changing the footwear.
The animal-free rubber overlays around the toe give a plus of stability and durability for gym activities whereas the directional rubber on the sides increases the grip on the ropes. The closure system is wonderfully designed and can give you a delightful fit even if the size of the shoe is a little larger than it was supposed to be.
Advantages
- Great for training outside and inside
- Versatile
Nike Tanjun
Completely vegan and sustainable, the Tanjun model made by Nike is a fair trade for its price. Tanjun means” simplicity” in Japanese and the construction of this vegan pair of shoes is simple at its best. The mesh and synthetic upper are very flexible and breathable, making your jogging session an outstanding experience with a lot of comfort and coziness. Besides that, the upper gives a stylish and clean look, ensuring the best fit you can get.
The injected outsole, made of lightweight material, provides another level of cushioning. Durability is ensured by the midsole that is rough enough to serve as an outsole but, at the same time, makes the interior of the shoe very comfortable and soft. This pair is ideal for athletics and racing, besides the perfect compatibility with Gym sports.
Advantages
- Lightweight and very breathable
Disadvantages
- Simple and without much technology
Nike Revolution 5
These running shoes are made for outside running only. The outsole, made of durable rubber, offers the runner stable traction regardless of the surface you are running on. Spacing in the tread gives your foot enough space to flex more naturally while running. Minimalist design fits in just about every outfit you choose for your day out, so don’t worry about that. Another perk of buying these are the lightweight materials that make Revolution 5 one of the thinnest sustainable shoes on the market.
Soft foam midsole makes jogging an unbelievably comfortable process that you will love. The textured wall reduces the weight of the shoes, making them even more suitable for running. The breathable support of lightweight textiles that fits perfectly on your feet, providing the best air circulation system for a pair of shoes. A pair of reinforced heels and knit overlays ensure support and durability.
Advantages
- Stable traction regardless of the surface
- Equally perfect outside and inside
Disadvantages
- Expensive
Nike Air Max 270
Made of completely vegan materials, Nike Air Max 270 is the best model for everyday usage. It combines the functionality of a common pair of shoes with the best cushioning you have ever felt. The outsole, made of vegan-friendly materials, keeps your feet away from tiny rocks and grains of sand that could hurt you while running or walking. Air Max 270 is equipped with a mesh upper that gives another level of breathability and cooling capacities. If you ask me, this is the best pair of Nike sneakers ever produced.
The inner is stretchy and gives you the feeling of a tight sleeve that creates a personalized fit to keep your feet safe and stabilized. If you think that, regarding the size of the shoe, Air Max 270 is heavy, you are mistaken. Thanks to the lightweight upper and outsole, the shoe is very light and easy to wear.
Advantages
- The best cushioning and comfort
- Lightweight and stable
Nike Flex Experience RN 8
Nike Flex Experience RN 8 delivers the best experience in the sports field. Lightweight yet durable construction with a lot of comfortable features makes running an unbelievably pleasant process. The knit materials, from which are made the uppers, are hugging your feet, giving you the sensation of stability and security. The outsole is equipped with flex grooves, some tiny little channels that direct the flex of your foot and encourage an adaptive ride.
The textured outsole gives you durability and additional traction for when you decide to try and run on less stable surfaces like sand, wet grass, or dirt. The heel is partially made of soft fabric that ensures a better, more adaptive fit, giving you the opportunity to wear different types of socks. The no-sew part in the upper, right next to the laces, adds durability and stableness to the whole construction.
Advantages
- The best fit in the industry
- Durable upper that keeps your feet dry
Disadvantages
- Wears out pretty fast
Nike Zoom Fly Flyknit
The Zoom Fly FlyKnit is the ultimate running shoe. The full-length carbon fiber plate not only does minimize the weight of the shoe but also gives you a speed boost. Flykint upper, constructed with the lightest mesh on the market, gives you both breathability and durability. The midsole is made with the usage of Nike React technology and provides a soft, responsive ride with minimal risk of injuries and traumas. The outsole is durable and does not wear out easily, once you buy a pair of these, you forget about buying another in the next 3 years of daily wearing.
The sock-like construction of the upper in tandem with the closure system based on microfiber laces gives you de possibility to adjust them in order to receive the best fit possible. Unfortunately, if you buy a pair of these you should be very careful with the sizes because the sock-like upper can’t be adjusted so thoroughly in order to smooth out the size gap.
Advantages
- The best at running
Disadvantages
- You should be very careful with the sizes
Nike Air VaporMax 3.0 Flyknit
Designed with sustainability in mind, the Nike Air VaporMax 3.0 Flyknit is made from recycled materials. This model is Nike’s first step to zero-carbon print left by the entire company because of the leftovers used to produce this beauty. The Flyknit material used at uppers is extra-breathable and lightweight, giving athletes the possibility to run freely and without any hotness inside the shoe. Buying these shoes not only does save the animals used at producing other types of footwear but also helps the entire planet get rid of the overwhelming carbon and plastic waste.
The outsole, made of durable rubber, keeps away the back injuries by setting a good posture from the very beginning. After a year of wearing these shoes, you will feel the posture more natural and healthier. The foam tongue, in tandem with the soft midsole, makes your feet feel more comfortable and cozier inside the Air VaporMax model, a feeling that makes you wear these shoes everywhere, including office and fancy dinners.
Advantages
- Fancy design with a lot of features
- Soft and comfortable
- Best for sport and Gym
Nike Space Hippie 04
Sustainable and stylish, the Space Hippie model is made of at least 25% recycled material by weight. The upper includes about 75% recycled materials, such as plastic bottles, t-shirts, and other trash transformed into a piece of art. The midsole, made from Crater Foam, a technology that uses recycled grind fabrication to obtain a hard, durable material, gives you the comfort and stability you were searching for. To attach the sole to the upper, Nike uses only vegan glues that do not leave a carbon print at all, making this model even more sustainable.
This model is not just about style or comfort or coziness, it is about saving the planet and making use of apparently unusable materials that had been thrown away. Just by buying a pair of Nike Space Hippie 04, you are saving a tiny piece of the planet, giving hope to the ones that had lost all of it.
Advantages
- Unusual design
- Made of recycled materials
- No carbon print left
Disadvantages
- Very damageable at machine washing
How to find a vegan pair of Nike shoes?
To be honest with you, not every pair of Nike shoes are vegan. There are a lot of shoes where you can find leather uppers, suede, and other animal-based products that can’t be categorized as vegan. However, there are pairs that do not use any animal-based materials but still look like they do. I talk about synthetic leather and faux leather that looks just like the natural one. How to spot the difference?
Firstly, you should understand that not every pair of vegan Nike shoes are labeled as a vegan because that is expensive, and the company does not want to spend more money than is needed. In order to find if the pair you like falls under that category, you should ask the consultant or contact the company. If you are buying them online, there will be an inscription that says 100% synthetic or vegan friendly. These are the shoes you should be looking for.
There are vegan shoes that are labeled and that is a lot easier. If you find a pair of Nike shoes with a PETA certificate, bingo, you found a certificated vegan product that does not have any animal by-products used at its manufacturing.
If you do not find any of the information written above for your pair, you should contact the company support and ask about that specific pair. That is the surest way to find out about the pair you want.
Didn’t find a pair of shoes you’d want to buy? Check out our picks of Adidas vegan shoes or read our article on the best vegan shoe brands.
Conclusion
Instead of buying a real leather shoe and spending a lot of money on it, you should go for the vegan models and vegan footwear in general because, not only does it save nature and the animals but also, the vegan versions are more comfortable and durable than the non-vegan ones. This step will make your life easier and more comfortable than previous, providing you the chance to reduce the carbon print and ensure a better life for future generations.
Nike Free RN Flyknit
- Dual-density midsole
- Dynamic heel
- Minimal, molded sockliner mimics
