The Best Brands Making Ethical Leather Jackets

In today’s world, fashion isn’t just about looking good it’s also about doing good. More consumers are becoming aware of the environmental and ethical implications of what they wear, and leather jackets are no exception. Traditionally associated with high-impact manufacturing processes and questionable sourcing, leather jackets have earned a reputation for being stylish but not always sustainable.

Thankfully, that’s changing. A new generation of designers and labels is rewriting the story by creating eco-friendly leather jackets that are stylish, durable, and ethically made. Whether it’s using recycled materials, sourcing hides from food industry by-products, or innovating with plant-based alternatives, today’s best brands are proving that leather jackets can be both fashionable and responsible.

If you're on the hunt for quality outerwear that reflects your values, this list of ethical leather jacket brands is for you. These brands are not only delivering on craftsmanship and design but also leading the charge toward a more conscious fashion future.

Why Ethical and Sustainable Leather Matters

Before diving into the brands, it's important to understand why this shift is significant.

The traditional leather industry often involves high carbon emissions, intensive water usage, toxic chemical processing (like chrome tanning), and animal cruelty concerns. This is where sustainable leather jacket brands step in. By using ethical sourcing, eco-conscious processes, and even best vegan leather jackets, they drastically reduce environmental harm and set higher labor standards.

Investing in a leather jacket from these brands isn’t just about fashion it’s about aligning your purchases with your principles.

1. Deadwood – Recycled Leather Reinvented

Deadwood is a Swedish brand changing the leather game by using 100% recycled leather. Their jackets are made from post-consumer waste, including vintage leather garments and production scraps.

Why it’s ethical:
Deadwood eliminates the need for new leather production, significantly reducing the environmental footprint. Their minimalist designs and timeless cuts also support the idea of slow fashion.

Standout pieces: The classic biker jacket in black or distressed brown rugged, cool, and made entirely from repurposed materials.

✅ Ethical leather jacket brands
✅ Sustainable leather jacket brands
✅ Eco-friendly leather jackets

2. Noize – The Cruelty-Free Statement

Noize is a Canadian brand making waves with its 100% vegan and cruelty-free outerwear. Their leather jackets use polyurethane-based alternatives and plant-based materials that are animal-free yet durable and chic.

Why it’s ethical:
They ensure no animals are harmed in the making of their jackets and take steps to reduce chemical usage and emissions during manufacturing.

Standout pieces: Moto jackets and puffers in bold colors, designed for statement-making style.

✅ Best vegan leather jackets
✅ Eco-friendly leather jackets

3. Thesus (formerly Alice + Whittles) – Conscious Minimalism

While Thesus is primarily known for its footwear, it’s branching out into eco-friendly leather jackets made from vegetable-tanned leather sourced from by-product hides. Their designs are minimal, functional, and beautiful.

Why it’s ethical:
They emphasize transparency, fair labor practices, and using materials that age naturally and harmlessly degrade over time.

Standout pieces: Lightweight, neutral-toned jackets perfect for layering and long-term wear.

✅ Sustainable leather jacket brands
✅ Ethical leather jacket brands

4. Will's Vegan Store – Plant Power in Outerwear

Will’s Vegan Store, based in the UK, offers some of the best vegan leather jackets for both men and women. Their leather alternatives are derived from plants and bio-oil sourced from organic crops.

Why it’s ethical:
Completely carbon-neutral, Will’s also ensures ethical production in Italy and champions sustainable packaging.

Standout pieces: Slim-fit biker jackets and trench styles that combine form and function.

✅ Best vegan leather jackets
✅ Eco-friendly leather jackets

5. Nau – Performance Meets Sustainability

Nau is a performance-wear brand rooted in sustainability. Their outerwear range includes pieces made from innovative sustainable materials, including eco-leather.

Why it’s ethical:
Nau is a certified B Corporation, meaning it meets rigorous social and environmental standards. They also use organic and recycled textiles.

Standout pieces: Hybrid outerwear that fuses technical design with sustainable materials.

✅ Sustainable leather jacket brands
✅ Ethical leather jacket brands

6. Stella McCartney – Luxury Without Cruelty

If you’re looking for luxury best vegan leather jackets, Stella McCartney leads the way. The designer has never used animal leather in her collections and instead invests heavily in high-tech vegan leather alternatives, including mushroom leather (Mylo) and recycled polyester.

Why it’s ethical:
McCartney is a pioneer in sustainable luxury, proving that ethical fashion can still be high-end and high-impact.

Standout pieces: Tailored leather blazers and oversized jackets with runway flair.

✅ Best vegan leather jackets
✅ Eco-friendly leather jackets

7. Outerknown – Coastal Cool Meets Conscious Choices

Co-founded by pro surfer Kelly Slater, Outerknown blends sustainability with West Coast aesthetics. Their limited-edition leather jackets are made with responsibly sourced hides and low-impact dyes.

Why it’s ethical:
They work with partners committed to fair labor practices and aim to make every product as circular as possible.

Standout pieces: Bomber and trucker jackets with a laid-back vibe and a responsible backstory.

✅ Sustainable leather jacket brands
✅ Ethical leather jacket brands

8. Matt & Nat – Vegan Staples Done Right

Matt & Nat (short for “Material and Nature”) is one of the most established names in vegan fashion. Their best vegan leather jackets are made using PU and PVC-free materials, with linings crafted from recycled plastic bottles.

Why it’s ethical:
Their strict no-animal policy and focus on recycled materials make them a go-to for conscious consumers.

Standout pieces: Sleek moto jackets and trench styles that can dress up or down easily.

✅ Best vegan leather jackets
✅ Eco-friendly leather jackets

9. Dauntless – Empowering Women Through Fashion

Dauntless is a woman-led brand from NYC that produces sustainable and ethical leather goods. Their jackets are made from chrome-free, vegetable-tanned leather or high-quality vegan alternatives.

Why it’s ethical:
Dauntless supports fair wages, transparency, and gives back to causes empowering women and girls.

Standout pieces: Statement pieces with edge think studs, cropped silhouettes, and sharp tailoring.

✅ Ethical leather jacket brands
✅ Sustainable leather jacket brands

10. Harvest & Mill – Local and Low-Impact

Known for its American-grown and sewn organic cotton basics, Harvest & Mill now also partners with artisans to offer eco-friendly leather jackets made with hyper-local materials.

Why it’s ethical:
They support regenerative agriculture, small-scale farming, and local economies with every product.

Standout pieces: Raw-edge, rugged leather coats made in small batches with a rustic, one-of-a-kind charm.

✅ Sustainable leather jacket brands
✅ Eco-friendly leather jackets

What to Look for in an Ethical Leather Jacket Brand

If you want to vet other brands on your own, here are a few criteria to consider:

• Material sourcing: Is the leather a by-product of the food industry or recycled? Are plant-based materials used?

• Tanning process: Vegetable-tanning is better for the environment than chrome tanning.

• Transparency: Does the brand disclose where and how their items are made?

• Certifications: Look for GOTS, PETA-approved vegan, or B-Corp certifications.

• Longevity: Ethical fashion is also about durability buy once and wear for years.

Final Thoughts

Leather jackets are one of fashion’s most enduring symbols of cool. But as our understanding of sustainability deepens, so does the need to align that style with substance. Choosing from ethical leather jacket brands or exploring sustainable leather jacket brands not only helps reduce environmental damage but also supports a movement toward fairer, more responsible fashion.

Whether you prefer traditional leather made responsibly or are all about the best vegan leather jackets, the market is now rich with options that look good, feel good, and do good.

Make the switch to eco-friendly leather jackets today because what you wear should always reflect who you are and what you stand for.