As someone who is both style and sustainability conscious, finding the elusive holy grail of eco-friendly shoes that are also fashionable and most importantly – comfortable, seemed impossible for the longest time.
Until I came across Clae about 3 years ago and realised they ticked all the boxes. Since then, I‘ve bought 5 pairs spanning casual low tops in canvas, luxe high tops in Italian leather and their highly coveted vegan sneakers.
Here‘s my exhaustive Clae shoes review after having put them through their paces over multiple real world wear and tear situations. From boardrooms to bars – these shoes have seen it all over a span of 2+ years!
An Overview of Clae Shoes
Founded in 2001 by Sung Choi, Clae creates comfortable, sustainable shoes blending timeless minimalist style with on-trend sensibilities across an array of categories.
The brand has its roots in Los Angeles, with their shoes being meticulously handcrafted by artisans in Vietnam. Clae is also committed to ethical, eco-friendly production methods. Let‘s look at some of their key highlights:
Main Highlights
- Pioneer of sustainable shoes marrying style and comfort
- Handmade unisex shoes with men‘s and women‘s sizes
-Uses recycled and upcycled materials:- Plastics
- Terry Cloth
- Rubber
- Vegan leather substitutes
- Powered by renewable energy with zero hazardous chemical waste
- Completed almost 20,000 man hours towards volunteer community building activities in 2020 alone
Review of Clae Vegan Sneakers
Out of all their incredible shoes, Clae‘s vegan friendly line is what I love most. Made from fabric blends infused with plant extracts, it‘s refreshing how far faux leather materials have come.
My current rotation includes:
1. Clae Bradley Knit White Sneakers
Featuring soft hemp and organic cotton canvas uppers, I‘ve worn these to work and for long evening strolls. They score big on breathability and the contrast sole adds edge.
I‘ve gotten tons of compliments wearing these super versatile sneakers with casual shorts and flowy dresses alike. Love them so much, I actually bought another black pair last month!
Price: $140
My rating: 5/5
Figure 1. Clae Bradley Knit White Sneakers
2. Clae Strayhorn Knit Sneakers in Light Blue
Infused with aloe vera, the knitted fabric upper on these soft pastel blue sneakers is divine. I wore them on vacation and they paired beautifully with everything from swimsuits to summer dresses.
The memory foam insole provides cloud-like comfort even after 8-10 hours of continuous wear. If you struggle with foot or heel pain like me, don‘t think twice! Worth every penny.
Price: $160
My rating: 4.5/5
Figure 2. Clae Strayhorn Light Blue Sneakers
Comparison with Other Sustainable Sneaker Brands
How do Clae‘s shoes hold up against others in the eco-conscious space? I analyzed some key competitors:
Sustainable Sneaker Brand Comparison
| Brand | Unique Selling Point | Average Rating | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clae | Handmade, vegan + upcycled materials | 4.5/5 | $130-$180 |
| Nothing New | Carbon neutral supply chain | 4.3/5 | $99-$150 |
| Cariuma | Vibrant colors, offset carbon emissions | 4.7/5 | $98-$128 |
| Allbirds | Natural materials like wool and tree fiber | 4.1/5 | $100-$135 |
From my experience having tried all of them:
- Clae wins big on style and material innovation
- Cariuma has the most comfortable insoles for all day wear
- Nothing New offers trendy silhouettes like platform shoes
- Allbirds is ahead on carbon zero supply chain impact
Ultimately I pick Clae for their unparalleled style, quality and focus to better working conditions through profits. But each brand brings something unique to the table.
Review of Clae Leather Sneakers
Leather might not be the obvious choice for an eco-brand. But Clae‘s leather is sourced from tanneries with strict labor and chemical processing guidelines.
I‘ve been wearing my tan leather Bradley high tops for over 3 years now and they have endured extremely well! The patina makes them look better with time.
Let‘s glance through the leather bestsellers:
1. Clae Bradley Perforated Sneakers
The perforations punched across the white leather upper set these apart with a neo-retro vibe. I wore them to brunch paired with a black skater dress and received twice as many compliments as I got on my food!
They do tend to fit narrow so I recommend sizing up if you prefer wider toe room like me.
Price: $180
My rating: 4/5
2. Clae Ellington Leather Clog Sneakers
Reminiscent of 70‘s worker shoes, the rugged air makes these perfect for touring art galleries or antique shopping. The oaky brown leather has amazing texture lending these shoes loads of personality.
My friend swears by these and has even gotten them customised with hand-painted bees as a nod to saving their kind!
Price: $150
If you haven‘t already guessed, I could practically write a mini novel on this incredible brand! But for brevity‘s sake, let‘s consolidate the key pros and cons of Clae shoes:
Pros
- Responsibly handmade with renewable energy
- Incredible vegan leather substitute shoes
- Wide variety spanning styles and occasions
- Premium materials like Italian leather
- Timeless, minimalist silhouettes
- Free returns within 30 days
Cons
- Inconsistent sizing across certain styles
- Limited width options
- Can‘t return international orders
- Perforated styles prone to staining
The Clae Shoes Verdict
After having reviewed multiple aspects across 3 long years of wearing Clae shoes to work, events and travels – I can vouch they deliver impeccably on quality, style and sustainability cred.
The vegan leather substitutes like hemp and organic cotton specifically have exceeded expectations on durability and breathability. For their accessible price point (average $150), Clae shoes offer versatility and personality making them a sound investment towards elevated, ethical style.
So if you‘ve made it this far into my exhaustive confession detailing my quest for the holy grail sustainable shoe – congratulations, you‘ve found it in Clae! Do yourself a favor and get your foot into their door.
