Buying vegan shoes is the more ethical choice, as you're not contributing to harm against animals or the environment. According to PETA, most vegan shoes contain synthetic leather products made from plants such as mushrooms, bananas, or apples from materials like polyurethane (PU), microfiber, or rubber.
Yes, vegan leather is just like traditional leather, only better for the planet. Reports have suggested that vegan leathers made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PU, and other poly-composite microfibers generally have a far smaller environmental footprint than that of animal-derived materials
Nike makes a range of great vegan shoes, like their SB Dunk High sneakers.