Sustainable Shoes Statistics

This is a comprehensive report with 40+ facts and figures about the growing sustainable footwear industry. The term “sustainable shoe” in today’s context, means that a product contains a percentage of material that is recycled, repurposed, or organically sourced. Also, the manufacturing practices contribute to gauging how sustainable a shoe is. 

Top sustainable shoe statistics

• The sustainable footwear industry is projected to grow 6.8%, reaching $9.4 billion in 2023. 
• By 2030, the sustainable shoe revenue is expected to reach $13.3 billion. 
• Around 62.7% of all sustainable footwear products are non-athletic. 
• 40% of all footwear tagged as sustainable was bought through specialty stores. 
• Men’s shoes comprise 53.4% of all sustainable shoes manufactured. Women’s shoes account for 38.2% while the remaining 8.4% is for kids' shoes.
• 73% of GenZs are willing to buy sustainable shoe products. Meanwhile, only 42% of Baby Boomers are considering buying sustainable shoes. 
• 330 million pairs of sustainable footwear are manufactured annually. 
• The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FEDRA), which is composed of 700 members, requires 20% minimum recycled content on leather and natural rubber on shoes. 
• 64% of the American consumer population is willing to pay extra for sustainable shoes. Of this figure, 35% say a $1-5 premium is ideal. 

Sustainable shoe revenue by year

• By the end of 2023, the sustainable shoe market will have a total revenue of $9.4 billion.
• This is 6.8% better than the $8.8 billion figure in 2022. 
• In 2021, the total revenue from sustainable shoes amounted to $8.1 billion. 
• Compared to the $7.7 billion figure in 2020, the revenue of sustainable footwear has experienced a 5.2% year-on-year growth. 
• Back in 2018, the sustainable footwear segment tallied $7.1 billion in revenue. 
• Overall, from 2018 to 2021, the sustainable shoe segment has grown by 14.1%. 
• By 2028, estimates say that the revenue from sustainable footwear will reach $12 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% from 2021 to 2028. 
• Furthermore, it is predicted to generate $13.3 billion by 2030, following a CAGR of 5.7% from 2021 to 2030.

Sustainable shoe revenue by year

*Projection

Sustainable shoe market by type

• In 2022, sports shoes tagged as sustainable generated $3.3 billion in revenues. 
• 37.3% of all sustainable shoes produced in 2022 were comprised of athletic footwear models
• Meanwhile, the remaining 62.7% of all sustainable shoes are non-athletic. 
• By 2030, the revenue from non-athletic sustainable shoes will reach $8.3 billion. 

Sustainable shoes by type in 2022

Sustainable shoe market by channel

• 40% of all sustainable shoes are bought through specialty stores. 
• Supermarket is the second biggest channel contributing 24.7% of all sustainable footwear sold. 
• Meanwhile, online-bought sustainable shoes accounted for 15%.
• The remaining 20.3% is attributed to other channels including local stores and outlets.

Sustainable shoe market by channel

Sustainable shoe market by category

• Meanwhile, 53.4% of sustainable footwear manufactured annually are men’s shoes. 
• Meaning, by the end of 2023, men’s sustainable footwear segment will be valued at around $5 billion. 
• 38.2% of all sustainable shoes are women’s shoes while 8.4% are for kids. 

Sustainable shoes by category

Sustainable shoe market by age

• Gen Zs were found to be most willing to consume sustainable footwear products. About 73% of those born from 1995-2012 expressed willingness. 
• 68% of millennials, people born from 1980-1994, are inclined to buy sustainable shoes. 
• On the other hand, 55% of Gen X (1965-1979) while 50% of the Silent Gen (1925-1945) are keen on purchasing shoes tagged as sustainable. 
• Baby Boomers (1946-1964) are the least enthusiastic about buying sustainable footwear. Only 42% expressed willingness to buy them. 

The willingness of various generations to buy sustainable shoes

Sustainable shoe production 

• Approximately 330 million pairs of sustainable shoes are manufactured annually and is expected to grow in the coming years. 
• Over 700 brands and retailers are members of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FEDRA), which is an organization that promotes a standard for Environmentally Preferred Materials (EMP) on shoes. 
• Based on the EMP standards of FEDRA, a minimum of 20% recycled content should be observed in using synthetic leather. 
• By 2035, the target is 80% recycled content in PU or synthetic leather. 
• For leather, the current minimum is 20%. 
• The standard would be at least 50% recycled leather content by 2035. 
• For foam, as of 2023, only 5% recycled content is needed. The minimum will be raised to 25% by the end of 2035. 
• FEDRA also targets to increase the recycled content in shoe packaging from 50% in 2023 to 90% by 2035. 
• In cartons, the 75% minimum recycled content will be raised to 85% in 2035. 
• In 2023, Saucony released its Triumph RFG which is composed of a midsole that is 55% corn-based and an outsole that is 80% natural rubber. 

Environmentally Preferred Materials (EMP)  used in footwear production

Sustainable shoe consumption trends

• 23% of shoe consumers in the US say that the sustainable aspect of shoes is extremely important. 
• On the other hand, 15% say sustainability on footwear is not an important consideration when buying shoes.
• 64% of consumers say they are willing to pay more when buying sustainable shoes. 
• Meanwhile, 36% are not keen on paying additional. 
• 35% say they are fine with paying $1-5 extra for sustainable footwear products. 
• About 16% are willing to pay $6-10. 
• Additionally, 13% of Americans are willing to pay $10 or more when buying sustainable shoes. 

Willingness to pay extra for sustainable shoes

Sources