8 Non-Toxic Alternatives to Jelly Shoes for You and Your Kids

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Trends always come back around, but if there’s one we’re especially concerned to see pop back up, it’s jelly shoes.

These soft closed-toed plastic sandals became a staple of the pool and beach in the 80s for both kids and adults. As cute as they are, jelly shoes are made from PVC, a type of plastic made flexible through phthalates–which are known endocrine disruptors. While some brands may limit the amount of phthalates they allow in their products, there is no safe amount of exposure to endocrine disruptors.

As bad as that is, it doesn’t stop there. In recent testing conducted by Klick Health and Crann Organic, jelly shoes were the most toxic item out of all the children’s fashion pieces tested. In addition to containing lead (at levels below the federal limit, though there is no safe level of lead exposure, especially in children) the jellies also contained organotins, which have been linked to health issues such as hormone disruption and immune system damage. On top of that, sweat draws toxins out even faster, so sweaty and blistered feet further increase the risk of exposure.

In general, we don’t recommend jelly shoes. But there are alternatives that will get you the same look and performance, without the toxicity. The brands below either have a restricted substances list, certifications, and/or transparent materials and supply chains.

Some brands might advertise themselves as sustainable because they make their jellies with recycled plastic. But recycled plastic can contain toxic chemicals and leach them back into your skin. The most important thing is to avoid cheap jelly shoes from Amazon brands or fast fashion brands like Temu and Shein. These untraceable outlets have no chemical management or accountability.

We’ve listed the brands below in order from least to most toxic. We promise you can find something cute for the summer without PVC!

1. Keen

What we love: Keen is a completely PFAS-free brand that makes shoes that are safe for you and the environment. Its collection of kid’s water shoes (available in multiple age ranges) have a similar shape and contoured fit as jelly shoes, but are made with foam insoles, natural rubber outsoles, and polyester uppers.

Price Range: $50-$60

Available in: The United States, but some products are available through its global dealers.

2. Native

What we love: Native is a climate-conscious brand that makes adorable kid’s water-friendly sandals in two styles. They’re made with the brand’s own sugarcane-based EVA, and are hand washable. Native maintains strict ethical standards in its manufacturing for its factories in China and Vietnam.

Price Range: $50-$55

Available: Internationally

3. Indosole

What we love: This certified B-Corp makes durable and waterproof sandals for kids and adults. It uses natural rubber and EVA for the footbeds, and recycled tires for the outer sole. Indosole manufactures in Indonesia with locally sourced materials.

Price Range: $26-$45

Available: Internationally

4. Converse

What we love: Unfortunately, Converse only carries adult sandals. But if you’ve been looking for a cute and comfortable jellly shoe swap for yourself, the brand’s Utility and All Star sandal options are both solid options. They’re made with EVA and its own CX foam in factories that regularly undergo third-party audits.

Price Range: $55-$120

Available: Internationally 

5. Ugg

What we love: Ugg has surprisingly good chemical management. It carries styles for all ages from baby to adult made from sugarcane-based EVA and TPU. Ugg is part of the parent brand Deckers, which maintains an ethical supply chain and supplier code of conduct.

Price Range: $50-$140

Available: Internationally

6. Vans

What we love: Vans has excellent chemical management. In addition to making its classic sneakers and slip-ons, Vans also has a selection of sandals for kids and adults. Its insoles are made from EVA, and it operates under the California Supply Chains Act.

Watch out for: It’s unclear what some of its shoes are made of.

Price Range: $37-$70

Available: Internationally

7. Crocs

What we love: Crocs makes a variety of sandal styles for kids and adults. Most of its shoes are made of its own EVA material Croslite, though some also contain TPU and rubber. Crocs conducts regular testing for chemicals on its restricted substances list, which includes a limit of 50 parts per million for phthalates.

Watch out for: Some sandals are made with its “Gemlite” material, and it’s unclear what this is.

Price Range: $19-$89

Available: Internationally

8. Old Navy

What we love: Old Navy is another affordable brand that keeps a close eye on its chemical management. It carries a variety of sandals, some of which are partially made from sugarcane-based EVA and webbed nylon. Old Navy operates under the same parent company’s restricted substances list as Crocs, limiting phthalates to 50 parts per million.

Watch out for: The brand doesn’t specify what synthetics its jelly shoes are made of. Some sandals are scented, which we don’t recommend.

Price Range: $5-$26.99

Available in: Most Countries

Not recommended: Target

Target has a good grasp on chemical management, so we generally recommend its in-house brands. The Cat & Jack children’s line contains several styles, some of which are made from EVA or polyester. Unfortunately, the Jelly shoes are made of PVC. While Target does have a restricted substances list, its limit for phthalates is 500 parts per million, which is still higher than Oeko-Tex’s standard. For this reason, we recommend avoiding its jelly shoes, sadly.

Not Recommended: Melissa

Some of our readers have asked if Melissa shoes are safe. We don’t recommend Melissa shoes for a couple of reasons. The main issue is they are made of PVC, and so could contain a high amount of phthalates. Its parent company, Grendene, allows for 1,000 parts per million or 0.1% by weight, which is four times higher than the Oeko-Tex standard of 0.025%. Melissa also scents its shoes, and it’s unclear how that is achieved. As a rule, we don’t recommend scented products ever on EcoCult. Instead of Melissa shoes, try one of the many recommended brands above!