12 Artisan-Made Ethical Sandals Celebrating Craftsmanship and Slow Design

Image via Christy Dawn

We love and respect artisan-made, slow fashion because it preserves traditional craftsmanship, celebrates cultural diversity, and supports local communities in sustainable ways. In addition, artisans are usually paid premium for their skills and knowledge passed down through generations, and the materials they tend to use are also more likely to be ones readily available, slow-made from their local regions (as opposed to mass produced materials churned out mindlessly to meet huge volumes of fast fashion market demand).

So when it comes time to travel this season, whether to a nearby town or across the globe, we'll be getting adventurous in our artisan-made sandals, treasured old sandals we already own, and exciting pre-loved finds from our favorite online second hand retailers.

If you're a slow fashion fan like us, here are 12 conscious sandals brands championing artisanal craft while supporting sustainable community development to check out.

This guide contains affiliate links, which means we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you choose to purchase through some of these links. This helps us continue to create these free resources for you! As always, we only feature brands we love (and that we think you'll love too!) and that meet CFC's strict sustainability criteria.

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Able

Highlights: Transparently handcrafted in Ethiopia, Mexico, Peru, and Tennessee; provides employment for vulnerable women

Investment: $$$

Check out ABLE

Nisolo

Highlights: Transparently made by artisans in Peru, Mexico, and Kenya; vegetable-tanned leather in select styles

Investment: $$$

Check out Nisolo

Christy Dawn

Highlights: Made from locally-sourced, upcycled reclaimed leather; ethically crafted in Los Angeles by makers earning fair wages (learn more about how these sandals were made)

Investment: $$$

Check out Christy Dawn

Proud Mary Footwear

Highlights: The perfect carefree footwear for summer, Proud Mary's sustainable sandals are made from raffia and leather by makers in Morocco earning fair wages and working in a positive community-centered environment

Investment: $$

Check out Proud Mary Footwear

KYMA

Highlights: Handmade by craftsman in Greece with vegetable-tanned leather; triple-layered sole for comfort

Investment: $$$

Check out KYMA

Brother Vellies

Highlights: Handmade in South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya and Morocco; celebrates traditional African footwear; uses mindfully sourced materials

Investment: $$$$

Check out Brother Vellies

Insecta

Highlights: Made in Brazil from recycled plastic bottles; vegan

Investment: $$$

Check out Insecta

Darzah

Highlights: Hand-embroidered and handcrafted using heritage techniques in Palestine's West Bank; WOC-owned nonprofit creating economic opportunities for refugee women

Investment: $$

Check out Darzah

Coclico

Highlights: Made by artisanal crafters in Spain with third party certifications; uses natural components, including leather from local tanneries

Investment: $$$$

Check out Coclico

Fortress of Inca

Highlights: Handmade by artisans in Peru out of high-quality, vegetable-tanned leather and other natural materials

Investment: $$$

Check out Fortress of Inca

Indosole

Highlights: B Corp certified; uses up-cycled tires as soles and natural rubber footbeds; supports local artisans; vegan

Investment: $$

Check out Indosole

The Root Collective

Highlights: Handcrafted ethically in Guatemala in small independent workshops run by local business owners; all makers earn beyond fair trade wages

Investment: $

Check out The Root Collective

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