10 Best Vegan Running Shoes in 2022

Picking a true vegan running shoe can be really tricky. The market is overloaded with running shoes that are not suitable for vegan runners as countless shoes are made primarily from animal-derived materials.
There are a lot of things to look out for as a vegan runner looking for that perfect fit, which doesn’t involve cruelty to animals. Some brands are labeled as nonleather but they also used glues derived from animal bones or varnishes extracted from beetles.
RunRepeat is here to make it easier for you to find the perfect pair of vegan running shoes. We’ve tested 100+ running shoes and selected our top picks in five categories from best on the road and trail, to budget-friendly and most popular options.
Overview of this guide
How we test running shoes
Our goal is to give you the most up-to-date and honest reviews on the best running shoes for vegans available on the market today. We get down to the nitty-gritties of each pair of shoes before we select the best among them. A testing lab is set up for our series of comprehensive reviews to closely examine each model to its essential parts.
Here are our guiding principles to achieve our goal:
- We buy all shoes for testing with our own money. This is to make sure we’re totally free from bias and preserve the integrity of our process.
- We cut each shoe into pieces to examine its parts and validate their authenticity. We then weigh and measure 30+ parameters of the shoe, from the materials, used, breathability, cushioning, and many others.
- We test the performance of the shoes in training and racing environments. We have runners run in them for at least 30 or more miles and give us their personal feedback.
- We gather more useful information from experts in vegan shoes and actual users.
To conclude the test, each model is assigned a score from 0 to 100 using our CoreScore system. The top-rated vegan running shoes in five categories are featured on this list.
Best vegan running shoes overall
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 15% in road running shoes
- Top 27% in Hoka running shoes
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Next-level comfort
- Great lockdown
- Molds to the feet
- Breathable
- Stable
- Awesome for heel strikers
- Great grip on roads & light trails
- True to size
- 3 widths for men
- 2 widths for women
Cons
- Feels big & heavy
- Pricey
Verdict
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 1% in road running shoes
- Top 6% in Hoka running shoes
- Top 8% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Glove-like fit
- Perfect lockdown
- Has an elf tab
- Lightweight
- Balanced
- Superb comfort
- Extremely stable
- Large reflective elements
Cons
- Stiff for an everyday trainer
- Not a tempo shoe either
- Break-in period needed
Verdict
Best road vegan running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 1% in road running shoes
- Top 2% in Saucony running shoes
- Top 2% most popular running shoes
Pros
- rocks and pushes you forward
- generous cushioning
- super breathable
- supportive fit
- great for halfmarathons
- built for speed AND distance
- feels like a rocket
Cons
- lace bites
Verdict
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 15% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Cushioned for heavier runners
- Great for wide feet
- Tuned for overpronators
- Super stable, wide platform
- Extremely durable
- Plush, padded upper
Cons
- A bit too stiff
- Heavy
- Tongue bunches up
Verdict
Best trail vegan running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 9% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Fits true to size
- Grip is great in good conditions
- A decent amount of cushioning
- Excellent lockdown
- Sturdy upper
- Dependable Vibram outsole
- Good laces
Cons
- Too much ground feel for some
- Heavier than most
- Grip isn’t reliable in wet conditions
Verdict
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 27% in trail running shoes
- Top 19% in Merrell running shoes
- Top 11% most popular running shoes
Pros
- True to size
- No break-in period
- Comfortable ride
- Light
- Excellent breathability
- Reasonably-priced
Cons
- Middling performance
- Not so durable
- Poor grip
Verdict
Best value vegan running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 9% in road running shoes
- Top 19% in Hoka running shoes
- Top 4% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Comfy, comfy comfy
- Fits true to size
- Smooth rockered ride
- Great durability
- Grippy outsole
- Lightweight for a daily trainer
- Great lockdown
- Good value at $130
Cons
- Runs warm
- Doesn’t love to go fast
Verdict
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 12% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Straight-out-the-box comfort
- Grippy
- Protective
- Stable
- Versatile use
- Spacious toe box
- Light
Cons
- Stiff
- Not for narrow feet
Verdict
Most popular vegan running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 21% in road running shoes
- Top 30% in Hoka running shoes
- Top 9% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Super plush
- Balanced ride
- Good grip
- Wide feet friendly
- Removable Ortholite insole
- Lightweight
- Added stability for heel strikers
- Durable
- Breathable
Cons
- Too wide
- Sloppy around turns
Verdict
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 21% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Waterproof
- Multi-surface traction
- Precise fit
- Lightweight
- No break-in period
- Supportive underfoot
- Stable ride
Cons
- Poor durability
- Slippy insoles
- Outsoles are too stiff
Verdict
What are the most popular vegan running shoes in 2022?
- Hoka One One Bondi 7
- Hoka One One Clifton 8
- Hoka One One Mach 4
- Merrell Nova 2
- Merrell Moab Flight
- Hoka One One Gaviota 3
- Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III
- Hoka One One Clifton Edge
- Hoka One One Stinson ATR 6
- Merrell MTL Long Sky
- Merrell Agility Peak 4
- Merrell Rubato
- Hoka One One Zinal
- Topo Athletic Ultraventure Pro
- Hoka One One Challenger 6 ATR GTX
What are the cheapest vegan running shoes in 2022?
- Merrell Nova 2 - from £50
- Merrell Moab Flight - from £66
- Merrell MTL Long Sky - from £69
- Merrell Rubato - from £69
- Hoka One One Clifton Edge - from £69
- Hoka One One Challenger 6 ATR - from £80
- Hoka One One Gaviota 3 - from £83
- Hoka One One Zinal - from £85
- Merrell Agility Peak 4 - from £87
- Hoka One One Clifton 8 - from £99
- Hoka One One Mach 4 - from £99
- Hoka One One Bondi 7 - from £103
- Hoka One One Stinson ATR 6 - from £110
- Hoka One One Challenger 6 ATR GTX - from £125
- Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III - from £128