Lifestyle
Are wool, leather and leather shoes vegan? What can replace them?
Short answer
No. Wool, leather (including suede and nubuck), down and fur are animal products. Alternatives: cotton, linen, lyocell, leather-like materials (PU), canvas, rubber, cork, and apple- or mycelium-based materials.
The vegan definition covers clothing. Leather is a by-product of slaughter, not “ethical waste”. Vegans do not buy new leather goods; whether someone keeps wearing old shoes or buys second-hand is a personal decision.
Plastics have their own environmental footprint – veganism does not claim PU is an eco ideal, only that it does not require farming animals. “Eco-leather” usually means plastic, so read the label. Repair works best: one good pair that lasts for years beats three cheap ones from a chain store.