Because even if vegan shoes are made of synthetic materials, leather is still arguably worse. Anyway, having more plant-based materials to work with hypothetically means anything made of those materials should be more biodegradable. But you have a point, biodegradability almost kind of by definition means the product in question is one that’s not designed to last. There’s probably a middle ground that can be found, like shoes that break down into soil-enriching materials after 50-100 years.

Did you watch the video?

It’s possible, and if finances are a struggle you just kind of have to make your best guess in some cases, or buy used. Most of the time when shoes have leather, they advertise it pretty boldly, so that helps. Still, you never know - for example, what are the adhesives made out of? That’s why vegan certifications are important, a lot of things can be easily hidden, and a lot of companies aren’t particularly clear on their use of animal products even when reached out to directly.

Going vegan means learning to have to put everything under a microscope. The word ‘vystopia’ exists for good reason.

It depends. For example I just made one quick search, “biodegradable vegan shoes”, and this was one of the first results:

https://blueviewfootwear.com/

Also see here, leather at least as bad environmentally, in addition to being ethically awful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNQgcBUGD3g

They’re usually not, at least at this time. More R&D needs to go into plant-based materials for more options. Even so, leather itself is also anything but “organic.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNQgcBUGD3g

When are people going to understand, copying and proliferation are the keys to preservation. The library of Alexandria model only ever has one ending.