We want to feel connected – to the people around us and to the ground that supports us. In keeping with a time in which social proximity often comes up short, and we sometimes scarcely have time to catch our breath and to just feel, to connect with our emotions and our environment, the Wildling shoes for the upcoming autumn/winter season have been created with this very motto in mind: Re:connect.
As always, this connection to the ground is achieved naturally through unrestricted freedom of movement and the minimal Wildling Shoes sole with its innovative gap. All of the wool, hemp, and cotton that are incorporated into the autumn/winter models ensure that we feel connected to nature – no matter where we happen to roam. Completely new materials are being used, and some terrific connections with cooperation partners like Virgocoop and Ecola were made. Plus, our tried-and-true collaborations were solidified , like the partnership with Nordwolle. Some models have been naturally dyed, others are completely untreated, and would-be scraps are finding a whole new purpose. What else? Ankle scarves, a Wildling shoe featuring a completely new lacing system, traditionally fashioned wool and, of course, vegan models that keep you cozy and warm. And there will still be a surprise or two to come in the next few weeks.
Here’s a little riddle as you browse the new models: Can you guess what the names of the new models have in common? (See the end of this article for the answer.)
Chokeberry – a stylish look thanks to traditional wool processing
Image: Nora Tabel | Wildling Shoes. Chokeberry is available in sizes Kids 3 to W 14 | M 13.5.
This mid cut’s upper is made of Portuguese burel fabric (felted wool loden) from our partner Ecola. The special way the wool is processed lends Chokeberry its smooth, finely textured surface – in go-with-anything petrol gray, the warmly lined Chokeberry is a reliable companion that keeps us warm all winter long.
Yew – exceptionally water-repellent and durable
Image: Nora Tabel | Wildling Shoes. Yew is available in sizes Kids 7 to W 14 | M 13.5.
A whole new look that whets your appetite for outdoor adventure all the more: Even in soggy weather, Yew’s olive gray upper made from a particularly tightly woven canvas (recycled cotton), its thermal lining made from felted wool loden, and the new membrane construction complete with a water flap will keep our feet dry and protected. The ring eyelets make these shoes extra easy to slip on, and Yew’s longer laces make it a breeze to cinch them up securely.
Pine – vegan to the core, temperature-regulating and warm
Image: Nora Tabel | Wildling Shoes. Pine is available in sizes Kids 3 to W 14 | M 13.5.
The blend of Cotonea cotton and linen boasts temperature-regulating properties to keep all feet feeling comfortably warm and dry. A special highlight: Pine`s diamond weave lets its dark blue hues converge seamlessly, while its unique structure and its hemp-flax fleece lining keep feetwonderfully warm, entirely without wool.
Robinia – vegan coziness with a knit collar
Image: Nora Tabel | Wildling Shoes. Robinia is available in sizes Kids 7 to W 14 | M 13.5.
New look with a stretchy knit collar and ring eyelets: Robinia is cozy through and through and keeps snuggly feet warm without using any animal-derived materials – with an upper made from Cotonea cotton and a special lining composed of hemp-flax fleece.
Emmer – undyed and ideal for the transitional seasons
Image: Nora Tabel | Wildling Shoes. Emmer is available in sizes Kids 7 to W 14 | M 13.5.
Its undyed brown virgin wool is sourced from Nordwolle’s landscape conservation projects, and the Romanian hemp in navy blue comes from Virgocoop. This distinctive blend of materials lends the low cut Emmer a smooth, satiny finish and a special, somewhat more polished wool look. And the light felted wool loden lining keeps all feet at a comfortable temperature. Emmer is also available in a thickly lined mid-cut version: Chestnut.
Chestnut – wooly warmth for big and small
Image: Nora Tabel | Wildling Shoes. Chestnut is available in sizes Kids 3 to W 14 | M 13.5.
Chestnut is the thickly lined mid-cut version of Emmer, and also available for the little ones. Its undyed brown virgin wool is sourced from Nordwolle’s landscape conservation projects, and the Romanian hemp in navy blue comes from Virgocoop. This distinctive blend of materials lends Chestnut a smooth, satiny finish and a special, slightly more polished wool look. And the temperature-regulating properties of the materials help maintain a comfortable environment for all feet.
Inkcap – vegan through and through, featuring a new cut
Image: Nora Tabel | Wildling Shoes. Inkcap is available in sizes W 5 | M 4 to W 14 | M 13.5.
Inkcap’s water-repellent recycled cotton upper and extra-tight weave will keep feet dry for a long time. The tailoring of this minimalist super high cut has been modified to provide a slightly wider fit. Inkcap also comes with two additional metal eyelets, a new heel loop, and zero buckles or clasps.
Renette – Patchwork made from leftover material
Image: Nora Tabel | Wildling Shoes. Renette is available in sizes Kids 7 to W 14 | M 13.5.
One new fabric plus two fabrics pulled from the Wildling Shoes inventory stock were used to create this blue and black patchwork model – all in an effort to use our resources as sustainably as possible. And all in the spirit of the “Reuse” motto, which is embroidered on the interior of the right shoe. With its vegan flannel lining made from 100% cotton, Renette is a cuddly shoe that’s perfect for the transitional months.
And now, do you know what the names of all of these models have in common? In keeping with the theme of Re:connect, the underlying idea for naming the models was to reclaim ancient, often forgotten tree and wood species, root vegetables and fruit varieties that are native to the Wildling Shoes location in Germany. And the team that brainstormed the names had a lot of fun reconnecting with these species and learning lots of intriguing things.
Cover image: Nora Tabel | Wildling Shoes
