Wildling Shoes Review From a Real Mom and Barefoot Wearer
Wildling Shoes and My Barefoot Journey
I did not start my barefoot shoe journey with Wildling.
I started it because my feet hurt. My back hurt. And I realized that the shoes I had worn for most of my life were doing a lot of shaping and supporting that my body was supposed to be doing for itself.
For the first four to six months, I wore minimalist shoes that still had a bit of structure and a slightly thicker sole. Right after I found Wildling.
Once I did, they quickly became my most worn shoes for both me and my kids. They are the pair I reach for most days. The pair I pack when we travel. The pair I keep by the door.
Three years later, I am still wearing my very first pair.
The first pair I got | Marron Brun
The first Wildling shoes I ever owned were the Marron Brun wool boots. I still have that exact same pair from three years ago, and I wear them constantly.
They are warm without being bulky. The wool is soft and forgiving. The sole is thin and flexible so I can actually feel the ground, but it still protects my feet. They are the shoes I grab when I want something comfortable, practical, and easy to live in.
They have been through rain, trails, errands, and long days on my feet, and they still have a lot of life left.
The lightest shoes I own | Tanuki Niji
After I had been wearing Wildling for a while, I bought the Tanuki Niji, and these are still some of the lightest shoes I have ever owned.
They are made from a woven washi paper fabric that comes from traditional Japanese textile techniques. It sounds delicate, but it is actually strong, breathable, and flexible. The result is a shoe that feels almost weightless on your feet.
These are my favorite travel shoes. They pack flat, they take up almost no space, and they are perfect for walking long days without feeling like I am carrying shoes on my feet. They also come in fun colors and sometimes patterns, which makes them feel a little more playful.
Another staple in our house | Filu
The Filu style is another one that both my kids and I own. The adult version has traditional laces, and the kids version comes with velcro, which my kids love because they can do it themselves.
The Filu comes in some bolder colors, which my kids are always drawn to. I personally still reach for the Marron Brun most often for warmth and softness, but the Filu is a really solid everyday shoe and a great option when you want something a little brighter.
Rain, mud, Forest School, and real life | Ranidae Rain Boots
If I had to pick a single rain boot, it would be the Ranidae.
These are my absolute favorite rain boots, for myself and for my kids. We use them constantly, especially for Forest School and outdoor play. They are flexible, not clunky, and they still let little feet move naturally.
Wildling also makes wool socks and wool liners that go inside the boots, and that combination is what keeps us wearing them all winter long. The liner adds warmth without sacrificing flexibility, which is something most rain boots just do not get right.
Slippers that actually last
I also have a pair of Wildling wool slippers, and they might be the biggest surprise of all. I usually destroy slippers in a season or two. These I have had for two full years and they still look barely used.
They are warm, breathable, and shaped like real feet, not stiff rectangles. I live in them at home.
What my kids and husband think
All four of my kids, from one through seven, have worn Wildlings and loved them. They consistently say they are the most comfortable shoes they own. They like the velcro for ease. They like the brighter colors that Wildling has started releasing. They wear them to Forest School, to play, and on everyday outings.
My husband owns a pair too. He has not fully switched to barefoot shoes, mostly because he is emotionally attached to one pair of shoes he has worn for over a decade and because the Wildling sole is so thin that sometimes he steps on the back of his pant leg since there is no thick heel to take up that extra length. But every time he wears them, he comments on how comfortable they are.
I am playing the long game.
A heads up about the Wildling Winter Sale
Wildling’s Winter Sale is coming, and it is one of the best times to grab boots, rain shoes, and wool styles.
The public sale starts January 17, 2026 with up to 40 percent off Wildling Autumn and Winter Collection shoes.
If you have been waiting on Marron Brun, Filu, Ranidae, or any of the other styles, this is the moment.
Signup for their newsletter to learn about future sales!
Why I keep coming back to Wildling
Wildling shoes are not flashy. They are not trying to be anything other than what they are.
They are designed around how feet are meant to move.
For me, they are the balance between protection and freedom. They let my feet work. They keep me warm and dry. They hold up to real life. And they still feel soft and flexible under my body.
That is why, years into this, they are still my go to.
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