3 Everlane Sneakers Reviews: Great sustainable shoes

Once we start looking into what sustainability really means, it’s like going down a rabbit hole. Our day-to-day life is incredibly polluting — while common actions like avoiding single-use plastics are important, we should also avoid buying products that end up in landfills and cannot be recycled, yes, even shoes. Now that I’m aware of their environmental impact of sneakers due to both their production and their eventual disposal, I decided to look for more sustainable shoes. I hope this Everlane sneakers review helps you choose which shoes might be right for you.

Updated Everlane sneakers Review: If this is your first purchase at Everlane, you can get free shipping with my invite link here.

Read more in these sustainable clothing reviews:

Are Everlane sneakers “sustainable”?

Before we get to those Everlane sneakers reviews, let’s see their sustainability practices. When Everlane launched their first sneakers with the unisex brand TREAD by Everlane, the shoes may have seemed simple but the mission was not: to make the world’s lowest-impact sneakers.

The trainers are made well so they’ll last and with less waste and almost no virgin plastic. What’s more, they’re completely carbon offset. And they claim they’re working toward their ultimate goal, to be carbon neutral. That’s an honorable goal!

While no new product is truly sustainable, these are a great step in the right direction. Here’s why:

Less energy is used to make the shoes. They claim that 47% less electricity, 62% less water and 46% less CO₂ emissions are used to make the leather. This is because the leather tannery is certified Gold by the Leather Working Group, which maintains environmental protocols for leather. This is one reason I love Everlane — they’re constantly seeking out the best factories in the world.

Less waste is produced. The average sneaker sole is almost entirely virgin (new) plastic. Instead, TREAD uses recycled plastic and rubber in their shoes. Nine plastic bottles are reused to make the insoles and laces of each shoe, and recycled and natural rubber are used to make the soles. According to Everlane, this reuse of materials kept 18,000 pounds of rubber out of landfills last year.

Everlane partners with NativeEnergy to offset the emissions that they can’t eliminate yet, though their goal is for the shoes to be carbon neutral. I’ll update this when they release more information about this process.

Everlane sneakers reviews

Everlane Forever Sneakers review

The most recent release in their sneaker line, the Forever Sneaker is a retro style that’s also fully recyclable. A throwback style reminiscent of Vans or Keds, these cotton shoes are a classic staple, perfect for a quick outfit in warmer months. They’re machine washable for easy care.

Sustainability bonus: Made from partially recycled cotton-canvas upper and natural rubber outsole. When you’re done wearing them, you can send them back and they’ll recycle the materials. This is a step I really like to see — I hate thinking about what happens to athletic shoes when they’re no longer worn and end up in a landfill.

How do Everlane Forever sneakers fit?

They fit true to size and thankfully do not run narrow (great for me since I now have a bunion and cannot wear shoes that are at all narrow). There’s no pinching and no potential for blisters.

They have very little structure, so I found that they felt a little flimsy while walking. They have a fairly flat sole and overall are comfortable but not supportive. If you prefer the supportive feel of the TREAD trainers, the less structured feel of these shoes might not be for you.

Do Everlane Forever sneakers have arch support?

No. They are a flatter shoe, similar to Keds but with a thicker sole.

The verdict? Maybe. I honestly don’t love these shoes and would have preferred the more classic look of the navy if I could order them again. I know some people love these shoes, but they just didn’t feel right for me. At $58 and with Everlane’s free returns, it might be worth a try!

Everlane Court Sneakers review

Everlane recently released their Court line of sneakers, and I’m a fan. The Court Sneakers feel more modern and versatile than the Tread trainers, and they’re comfortable right out of the box. However, I find the original TREAD trainers more comfortable to wear because they have more support.

How do Everlane Court sneakers look?

These remind me a lot of Veja sneakers that have been so popular lately. I love the contrasting forest green on the ones I have, but that color has already sold out. If you’re looking for something really versatile, try the off-white/fog color, or go with one of the other colors for a more retro look.

These are everyday shoes, meant for wearing out and about but not for exercising. I wear them almost every day when I walk my dog, go to the store, or meet friends for a casual outing. I’ve worn them for longer walks but don’t recommend them for hiking or any activity that would require more support.

How do Everlane Court sneakers fit?

These sneakers are comfortable! When I first put them on, I noticed that they felt good right out of the box. They fit true to size, so just take your regular size in these, and they don’t seem to run narrow, unlike many Everlane shoes.

Do Everlane Court sneakers have arch support?

Yes but not much. I’ve worn these quite a bit and don’t feel bothered by the arch support, but they are a flatter shoe, similar to Veja trainers. If you’re looking for more support, try the TREAD trainers.

The verdict? Yes! I love these shoes for daily wear and appreciate the eco-conscious aspect of their production. They’re a modern take on sneakers, but they’re not great for extended wear when you might need more support. The $98 price seems reasonable.

Everlane sneakers review: TREAD

Update: Everlane is not making the TREAD trainers anymore and has a few pairs on sale (just $29!). I’m so bummed because I really love the look and feel of these shoes! Hoping they have some new ideas for comfortable, classic trainers…

How do TREAD trainers look?

The first release was basic unisex leather trainers including the grey ones I have on above. Some were calling these sneakers “Dad shoes” because of the retro style, but what surprised me the most is how cute they are on. Their design is streamlined enough not to be clunky at all, while the contrasting textures add a bit of interest.

These are everyday shoes, not meant for exercising. I wear them often when I run errands or pick up my kids from school. I’ve even worn them hiking, and they felt great!

How do TREAD sneakers fit?

These sneakers are extremely comfortable! When I first put them on, I noticed how they hug my feet — they’re snug in all the right ways, making my feet and ankles feel supported. This is unlike some other athletic shoes that end up being uncomfortable because my foot shifts around inside the shoe.

They run a little small, so you should try one-half size up. For example, in other Everlane shoes and in Nikes I wear a 7.5 but in these I wear an 8 with thin, no-show socks, and Everlane suggests sizing a whole size up if you wear a 5 or 6. They also stretch out a bit after some wear.

Do TREAD trainers have arch support?

I may be the only one who thinks Converse are horribly uncomfortable, but that’s because I don’t like shoes that have no support. TREAD trainers have rubber, not plastic, soles and just the right amount of arch support — enough to feel comfortable without feeling like the arch is unusually high. I’ve worn them a lot and have never felt that support was lacking.

The verdict? Yes! I love TREAD trainers for the retro look and their comfort, and I really appreciate the eco-conscious aspect of their production. I’ve worn mine a lot over the past year and they’ve held up great, so the $39 sale price seems reasonable.

TREAD trainers on sale

You can find several styles of TREAD trainers on sale..

Do you have any questions about these Everlane sneakers reviews or tips for buying sustainable sneakers? Let me know in the comments below.

If this is your first purchase at Everlane, you can get free shipping with my invite link.

P.S.

Here, a really interesting look at how Everlane and Adidas are tackling the challenge of making sustainable sneakers in two completely different ways.