Are you already familiar with the phenomenon of minimalist shoes? Also known as ‘barefoot shoes’? This durable shoe makes it look like you are walking barefoot which makes all the muscles in your body do the work. This is good for your body and growing children in particular would benefit greatly. As a family, we tested minimalist ‘barefoot’ shoes from Wildling Shoes. Sustainable shoes that would be good for your body as well as the planet. That bodes well!
Search for sustainable shoes is tricky
In partnership with Wildling Shoes
Women's shoes and children's shoes for my son Frank (6) I also try to choose more sustainable these days. I pay attention to materials and try to avoid leather. I regularly score a nice second-hand pair of shoes for both myself and my son. Because I am aware of the fact that second-hand shoes are not very good for you, I always try to score a second-hand pair that has hardly been walked on, for instance because someone bought the wrong size (I always check the sole and nose carefully). And if shoes break, we go to the cobbler before deciding to buy a new pair. You read it, I'm quite sustainable, even when it comes to shoes. But the world of fair fashion shoes and especially minimalist shoes was completely new to me. Until I got to try Wilding Shoes with my family.
‘Barefoot’ a healthy choice for children and adults
My followers have been tipping me off for ages that I should consider sustainable ‘barefoot’ children's shoes for Frank. From Australian research it also turns out that this minimalist shoe is good for growing children. It is best to go through life barefoot as much as possible, but for school-age children this is not possible. They therefore recommend flexible shoes with a lightweight and flat sole for children. They came to this conclusion after studying a group of children for nine months. One half wore regular shoes and the other half wore barefoot shoes. After nine months, the children wearing minimalist shoes were found to have much better balance and stronger muscles.
Health benefits for adults
For adults, too, there are health benefits that argue for these lighter shoes. You put much more use on your muscles with which typical western health issues like back, hip and knee problems can be reduced or even prevented altogether. So when Wildling Shoes asked if we as a family wanted to review their sustainably produced minimalist shoe, we said ‘yes’ without hesitation! Husband David was also immediately enthusiastic, having heard enthusiastic stories about this type of shoe from the sports world.
The family on barefoot shoes from Wildling Shoes.
Wilding Shoes: fair and sustainably produced shoes
Sustainability is at the heart of the German brand Wildling Shoes, which is why this is a shoe tip that is definitely in the greener list of thegreenlist.nl hears. Founders Anna and Ran Yona are driven by the insight that 98% of children are born with healthy feet and only 20% of children retain that when they grow up. They want to provide children with good, healthy shoes made from natural materials, and parents have also been thought of, as you can go to them from size 18 to size 48. Shoes by Wildling Shoes are handmade in Portugal from ecological and natural materials by people who have been fairly rewarded for their craftsmanship. In short, sustainable and fair.
What is it like to go through life on minimalist shoes?
Our minimalist shoe adventure starts as early as the webshop where we get to choose a pair from the wide range on offer. All three of us fall for the medium-high model. David goes for the colour grey and Frank and I twin and choose the same shoe in green. The retail price of the children's shoe is 99 euros, while our shoes cost 129 euros per pair in the webshop. We anxiously await the order from Germany and within a day we already have the shoes at home.
Wearing a minimalist shoe is really different and takes real getting used to. This is our experience:
- Upon unpacking, we were immediately positively surprised; the shoes really are exactly as fun and sporty as in the picture in the webshop. Shoes that allow us to be in connection with our bodies and nature, but still trendy without the woolly sock smell.
- When you put the shoes on for the first time, you immediately think ‘this is different’. It really takes some getting used to wearing a shoe that feels so light and ‘free’, especially if you are just changing.
- After a while, the opposite happens and you find that a regular shoe actually feels heavy and (too) pre-shaped.
- As soon as you put on the shoes, you feel your posture change. I can well imagine that greatly affects your posture and muscles.
- It is pleasant to walk on the shoes. You feel yourself flexible and light, comparable to bare feet or socks indoors.
- Frank is an instant fan of the shoes: he puts them on and runs away. Frank: ‘These are jump shoes.’
- The children's shoes have elasticated laces, a super-easy sliding construction that allows children to tighten and loosen their own laces.
- We don't find the shoes suitable to wear outside on wet winter days (too cold), but as soon as the sun shines they are perfect. For spring and autumn, you can order separate wool soles, very nice. There is also a special spray from the brand to make the shoes water-repellent, which you do need in the Netherlands.
Barefoot shoes are flexible shoes for children.
How do barefoot shoes from Wilding Shoes fit?
Of course, picking out new shoes online is quite difficult, especially if you don't know a shoe brand. Wilding Shoes has a handy app that helps you get a good estimation of sizes. The app is only available in German, but I suspect you can figure it out. The app shows that we need our normal size and that is also correct is our experience when trying on. From this we conclude that Wildling Shoes fall just the right size, neither big nor small. Now, if you find out the shoes don't fit right after all: returns are free!
Sustainable shoes: go for barefoot shoes!
Our conclusion is that my followers are right: for both children and adults, minimalist shoes from Wildling Shoes are a good sustainable idea. It's comfortable, good for your posture, your body and you feel more ‘grounded’. For children, the long-term positive health effects may be even greater. Moreover, with this purchase you support entrepreneurs who really want to change the fashion industry from within. And you don't have to leave it at that for the models either: they have a wide range: high, medium-high, low shoes and summer slippers and all in plenty of colours. In short, there is something for everyone!
Want to know more about the summer and winter collections? Check out Wildling Shoes' website and webshop.
More sustainable fashion tips from thegreenlist.nl
- Also see: thrift shop tips.
- Also see: the cutest sustainable slippers and slippers.
- Also see: Laura's capsule wardrobe.
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
