Awards: Young Soles Wins Gold at the City Kids Green Awards 2025
We’re so excited to share some incredible news — Young Soles has been awarded Gold for Best Footwear Brand at the City Kids Green Awards 2025.
As a small, family-run brand, sustainability has always been part of our DNA. From the very beginning, we’ve believed that style and substance should go hand in hand — creating shoes that not only look great but are also kinder to the planet. Winning this award is a huge milestone for us, and we’re proud to see our efforts recognised.
Steps Towards a Greener Future
One of this year’s highlights was the launch of Rowan for Spring Summer 2026, our first fully recyclable jelly shoe. Made from recycled PVC, natural hemp and a breathable cork insole, Rowan shows that kids’ shoes can be stylish, durable and planet-friendly too.
We also launched our Recycle & Reward programme, giving families the chance to return outgrown Young Soles shoes to be recycled through our European partners. With 72 million pairs of children’s shoes going to landfill each year in the UK alone, this initiative is helping families tread a little lighter — and rewarding them with store credit for doing so.
Across the collection, we continue to use recycled soles, eco-friendly packaging, and locally sourced leathers certified by the Leather Working Group. It’s all part of our commitment to doing things the right way.
What the Judges Said
The judges at City Kids Magazine recognised both our design identity and our sustainability journey. As Emma Paton summed up: “Great design and effort to improve their sustainability journey.”
Another judge, Rosey Davidson, called us “super stylish and solid on sustainability” while Charlotte Kewley simply said: “The coolest footwear. I can’t wait to get my kids in the new hemp jellies…”
Thank You
To our customers, stockists and partners — thank you for supporting us on this journey. This award is for you as much as it is for us. Together, we’re proving that children’s footwear can be cool, comfortable, and conscious.
Here’s to the next step forward.
