We recently tested a pair of Panther high tops from Wildling Shoes, one of the most up-and-coming sustainable shoe makers we’ve found. This minimalist shoe, which promotes a natural gait and has held up wonderfully for two months of use, is representative of the Wildling shoe range. It exemplifies a craftsmanship philosophy that deserves to be called a Greener Shopping Difference Maker.

Certified B Corp. based in Engelskirchen, Germany, Wildling strives to reinvent shoes after its debut in response to the founders’ frustration with the shoes available to their children. “They just didn’t fit well,” Anna Yona said of her three children’s first shoes. She and her husband, Ran, an athletic therapist, set out to design and manufacture shoes that allow the foot to move naturally, using regeneratively produced materials. The resulting minimal shoe is extremely comfortable.

“[Our shoes] make you feel different and prevent lifelong foot problems,” added Yona. Buying from the company can also have a positive impact. A 1% for the Planet participant, Wildling invests in restoration programs on its farms, and the company supports rewilding programs in Eastern Europe aimed at restoring forests and wildlife.

The Wild Panther ($149), the Earth911 tested shoe, is made with a certified organic cotton upper and hemp and linen fleece lining, with a recyclable outsole of partially recycled synthetic rubber and cork. The Panther is a rugged, minimal boot-like shoe that performed very well on sidewalks and groomed trails. The sole of the shoe is thin enough not to be comfortable on rocky and uneven terrain. But that makes it extremely comfortable for everyday wear in most other situations.

We recommend the Panther for walkers and light hikes. The design and, in particular, the minimal sole of this light and ergonomic shoe have generated many questions and comments from people who see them. Other shoes in the Wildling catalog are vegan, and the company is preparing repair and recycling programs that will further reduce the shoes’ environmental footprint. If you need durable footwear, the entire Wildling catalog is worth a look. Adult shoes ranging from $89 to $149, children’s shoes from $79 to $129, and toddler shoes range from $59 to $74.

Wildling’s Carbon Footprint Estimate

We only award the Greener Shopping Difference Maker designation to products that reduce their environmental impact by more than 50%. Like many start-ups, Wildling strives to gather information about its environmental impact and has not published life cycle assessments of its products.

During a series of calls, we were able to confirm the company’s Scope 1 (direct) and 2 (immediately indirect, from energy purchases) greenhouse gas emissions. In 2020, Wildling’s shoes averaged 0.258 pounds of scope 1 and 2 emissions per pair. Since Scope 3 emissions typically represent 90% or more of the total carbon emissions associated with a product, we have estimated that the total carbon footprint of an average pair of Wildling shoes is approximately 4.5 pounds per pair.

Although ours is a rough estimate, we are confident that Wildlings has delivered a low carbon shoe and will continue to reduce the footprint of its products. Compared to the typical athletic shoe, which according to a 2013 MIT study produces an average of about 30 pounds of CO2 per pair, Wildling shoes will save up to 25 pounds of CO2 compared to a pair of traditional footwear. In comparison to other low carbon options, Wildling seems to perform as well or better than Shoe recently announced by Adidas and AllBirds which produces only 6.48 pounds of CO2 per pair.

Many cobblers are taking big steps toward sustainability, and Wildling is a leader.

Made with increasingly natural components

The Panther combines many organic and natural materials with a decreasing percentage of petroleum-based materials, such as a virgin polyester membrane in the upper and a polyamide and polyurethane trim along the bottom of the shoe’s upper. Yona explained that in the next generation of Wildling shoes, the polyester membrane will be made from recycled plastic. For now, however, Yona said it’s difficult to replace the microfiber edging with natural alternatives without weakening the shoe. Wildling designers are currently working with wool as a potential substitute for microfiber.

Wildling has extensively experimented with new materials, including bio-based and recycled materials. The outsole, or bottom of the shoe, is currently made of 80% synthetic rubber, 40% of which comes from recycled materials, and 20% cork recovered from recycled wine corks. The soles are fully recyclable and Wildling will recycle any outsoles removed as part of a shoe repair.

The shoe’s upper, interior and linings are made from organically grown cotton, hemp and linen. These crops can have a high water footprint. However, Wildling is shifting its material sourcing to EU farms and businesses, with some exceptions, so it can monitor sources and minimize shipments. We view these decisions, at the current stage of Wildling’s evolution, as understandable compromises.

“We never stop improving the durability of our shoes,” Yona said. She explained that the company is working on transitioning to regeneratively produced materials. “We look at each [shoe] pattern to see what opposes a circular pattern. Each model has at least some improvements.

The company has pledged to use only natural and circular materials by 2030. Although it has not finalized its GHG emissions tracking, Wildling strives to reduce its carbon footprint as much as possible over time, without using limited carbon offsets, so that it can focus on emission reductions and low-impact renewable energy sources.

“We’re focused on actually reducing emissions,” Yona said. “We are working on indicators that will help us understand what is important to measure.

Packaging, repair and recycling

The product packaging we received is made from recycled paper and was plastic-free except for the plastic sleeves which contained the shipping label. A return shipping label and plastic sleeve are also included.

Wildling has launched a new shoe repair program. Repairing a product reduces its lifetime carbon footprint. Yona said the program is not currently promoted, but customers can call and request repairs now.

Wildling will also introduce a recycling program over the next year, Yona said. The company has reduced its manufacturing waste through internal recycling efforts and wants to ensure that all materials it collects can be processed before introducing the recycling option. These efforts to standardize recyclable materials should contribute to more convenient recycling at consumers’ homes. By eliminating non-recyclable components, manufacturers can increase the likelihood that their products can be recycled through curbside or collection programs.

Circular thinking seems to guide most decisions at Wildling. When we asked about the possibility of composting a shoe, Yona replied that she would rather reuse cotton and wool fibers to make new products instead of composting the materials.

In addition to its extensive investments in nature and restorative agriculture, Wildling has established close partnerships with the factories where its shoes are made in Portugal and Spain. These operations are run under fair labor practices that encourage worker feedback. The attention to detail in these handmade shoes shows that each one is cohesive yet unique.

The score card

Wildling Shoes performs very well in the real world and ticks all the boxes necessary to reduce its typical shoe footprint by over 50% compared to most shoes available today. The company is making serious investments to reduce waste and improve material sourcing to eliminate CO2 emissions.

Customers can send Wildling shoes in for repair, which extends the life of the product while reducing its carbon footprint, and will have options for recycling through the post by the end of 2023. We have been particularly encouraged by Anna Yona’s commitment to making every pair of Wildling Shoes 100% recyclable. The company’s commitment to regenerative materials and the regeneration of Europe, including its 1% for the planet contributions, are positive efforts that reinforce our belief that Wildling is a company that makes a difference. good for the earth.

Although not perfectly durable, Wildling Shoes are on the right track and are constantly improving. The company’s aggressive commitment to using all-natural, recyclable materials by 2030 makes it a greener buy difference maker you can confidently support.