Green Laces has a deep understanding of what non-animal derived leather is and we know the difference between good and not so good leather materials. The requirements of a material that has to hold a shoe together in general and a winter shoe in particular are severe. We have been working intensively with non-animal derived leathers (what is sometimes called vegan skin, faux leather or vegan leather) for over 15 years and for us there is a big difference between the faux leather that is often found in products with a low price point and the high-tech leather that we use in our products. 
Green Laces' founder Nina Färdig at a factory visit in 2025
A non-animal derived leather consists of one part organic fiber and one part synthetic fiber. The organic fiber can origin from a food industry side stream - you may have heard of apple leather, cactus leather, pineapple leather and olive leather - and we follow this development closely. In our store you will find several sneakers with an upper in a leather made from leftovers from tea production . A high-quality non-animal derived leather has artificial pores that make it breathable, it is flexible so it can adjust to your foot and very durable.
What kind of leather do we use in our winter boots?
Green Laces' core collection is designed with the Swedish urban winters in mind. These shoes can carry you many kilometers per day in slush, snow, gravel, salt and they also let you come well-dressed to work or school. With 15 years of industry experience, we chose an upper and a lining based on advanced microfiber technology that we get from Spain. The upper leather is designed to also work in safety shoes and for hospital shoes with extreme requirements for resistance and hygiene. The material is water resistant without losing breathability, it is antibacterial, chemical-resistant and can actually be washed in up to 60°C without losing properties or shape.
The lining consists of a 100% breathable microfibre that has an absorption capacity of 8 times its own weight in water - it removes sweat from your feet in no time. This is done through a hydrophilic surface that attracts moisture and spreads it out over a large surface, which provides extremely fast evaporation. The lining also stands out for its exceptional abrasion resistance and therefore we practically never see holes in typically exposed areas such as the heel, despite a lot of wear and tear.
Replacing conventional animal derived leather with our non-animal derived tech leather has many benefits.
- Animal leather has a very high carbon footprint , often estimated at between 20-100 kg CO2 per m2. This is mainly due to animal husbandry (methane emissions from cows) and the highly energy consuming tanning process.
Green Laces' leather generates significantly lower emissions, often around 7-16 kg CO2 per m2. The production of polymers requires less energy than raising livestock. - Animal leather production requires enormous amounts of water for both the animals and the hide preparation. In addition, large areas of land are required for grazing.
The production of Green Laces' leather requires significantly less water and the use of water-based solvents eliminates emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). - Animal leather production involves a high proportion of heavy metals. Tanning with chrome is a major problem for the environment and the people who work with the hides. Lead, cadmium and mercury are often used in the finishing process and dyeing of the hides.
Green Laces' leather is completely chrome-free. It is certified according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100, which guarantees that the material does not contain substances hazardous to health. The production of the our vegan leather also complies with the REACH regulation.
The type of wear and tear that shoes are normally exposed to during the snow and slush season requires great soles and very good leather. The soles must be able to handle slippery surfaces and be comfortable to walk in for long periods of time - the leather must be flexible, water resistant, breathable and durable.
Our soles contain natural rubber and rubber modified EVA for comfort, ergonomics and durability. In winter, the soft properties of the rubber also significantly reduce the risk of slipping accidents.
Green Laces' founder Nina Färdig during factory visit in 2025
You don't have to be the least bit interested in a vegan lifestyle to wear our shoes. We know a lot about the vegan philosophy, we are incredibly proud of our products and happy to share our knowledge. Green Laces meets you right where you are - always with love and respect.
