North Wolf by Wildling

Winter model 2021.

I received these as a gift. I have been a fan of the brand for a few years and I am now an affiliate.

I believe in this company, I love their values, but my opinion is my own.

You can buy here.

Company

Wildling is one of my favorite brands because of their unique design and their values as a company.

They are:

• Sustainable: Environmentally, socially, and economically.
• Ethical: Good working conditions, many positions are held by women, production and suppliers are on the same country and are small family-owned companies.
• Slow fashion.

I have written a review all about wildlings: “Understanding Wildling Shoes.” You can find it here.

Materials

• Uppers: Herringbone pattern made from 100% virgin wool (sourced from Nordwolle)
• Lining: Felded wool loden , 100% virgin wool (also from Nordwolle)
• Edging: Microfiber (100% polyamide)
• Membrane: 100% polyester
• Outsole: 80% synthetic rubber from 50% recycled material and 20% cork.
• Laces: Cotton

The North Wolves are a winter model and I’m planning on wearing during the coldest months in the Midwest, USA. This is why I chose a model with two layers of wool (uppers and lining) and I’m adding an extra wool insole. Wool has natural anti-bacterial properties and regulates moisture and temperature.

One thing to know is that the membrane, which is between the two layers of wool can be noisy when you first wear them. I did not have this issue with my Crows, but it was very loud with my North Wolves. I believe it is louder when the uppers are loose around your foot. It gets better though, the more you wear them, the more it adjusts and the less noise they make.

Design

• Gender neutral
• Made of flexible and natural materials
• High cut model
• One of the warmest models as they are made with two layers of wool.
• Best for medium width feet

Barefoot qualities

• Zero drop: no toe spring nor heel lift.
• Toebox: Wide and square shaped.
• Sole: 2.5 mm thick and extremely flexible
• No artificial stabilization

Soles

The most important part of the Wilding shoe is its unique outsole. All the models are made with the same sole, which was inspired by Japanese ninja boots and the ribbed tread pattern inspired by a fox’s paw. It is only 1.5 mm thick!

The outsole has a gap right in the middle. This slot makes the shoe extremely flexible and it allows it to adjust to the foot’s movement and to any surface. The slot is protected by a patch which helps withstand various types of terrain while stopping moisture from getting in.

Wilding shoes have a squared toebox that allows for different types of feet. Because of the outsole’s flexibility, it can expand for medium to wide feet, but they might start feeling snug. It also accommodates narrower feet thanks to the lacing system.

I have not tested the North Wolf on ice yet, but I wore my Crows last winter (review here) and they can be slippery on ice or steep snow …. I have yet to find a pair of barefoot boots with great traction.

Insoles

• Wooly: 100% pure new wool with natural latex coating. Thickness: 0.16″
• Felty: 100% pure new wool with natural latex coating. Thickness: 0.2 – 0.28″
• Washi: Washi (75% paper, 25% polyester) and Lunatur (80% EVA, 20% walnut shells). Thickness: 0.1″
• DIY wool insoles: 100% felted wool with duct tape. Thickness: 0.2″

I wear my washi in the fall and my wool models in the winter. I only wear one at a time and I interchange them. * Although I did add 2 insoles when I was first transitioning to barefoot shoes… I needed more padding!

Why do I add insoles?

1. It protects my boots (they are an investment after all!)
2. They help with my low volume feet.
3. They keep my feet warm in the winter.
4. They control moisture and odors.

Just make sure you take them out of your boots after wear to allow them to dry!

Size and Fit

According to Wildling, this model runs a little wider and provides more volume in the toe box area.

Wildling sizing can be confusing. There are 3 ways you can choose your size on their website:

1. US sizes provided on each page, showing which sizes are still available.
2. Printing out the template (click on “size guide”)
3. And the “No printer available? – use this guide” option.

The US sizes are NOT correct! Do NOT rely on this option.

I even tried to print their templates and I was unable to get the right size (they show a 2″ or 5 cm line and mine never measured correctly!!!). I printed at least 5 different times and they were all wrong. I got frustrated with my printer and used their “No printer available?” option instead.

Once I was in their size chart, I could see the US size, foot length in cm and inches, and EU size.

They have size 40/W8.5-9 (my usual size) as size W8.

My measurements:

• Foot length: 24.8 cm

On their size chart, my measurement is at the end of size 40 and beginning of size 41. I wear size 40 for summer models and 41 for winter models because I add wool insoles and wear thick socks.

At the beginning, these felt humongous! I thought I had made a huge mistake, Wildling do state these are wider and higher volume, but after wearing them a few times, the shoes have started to mold to my feet and I know they will only become better.

I do have around 10 mm of extra space in the front, which is what is recommended in order to give your toes space to splay. If you do not like that much extra space, do not size up.

I have low volume feet and I do have to:

1. Add insoles to take some of the extra space.
2. Tie my laces pretty tight once they get to my ankles (the sides touch in front of my ankles!).
3. I prefer to not use the top two eyelets and I wrap around the extra lace around my ankles… it helps to keep them in place.

Things to know

• Models with uppers and lining made out of wool are the warmest.
• You can buy an extra wool insole for extra warmth.
• Wool is naturally water resistant.
• You can buy their impregnation spray but it is only recommended for models with cotton uppers and for the microfiber edging only (NOT WOOL).
• They use the same last for summer and winter models. Because winter models are lined, there will be less space inside the shoe, you might want to size up (especially if you are going to wear thicker socks). Each model will state if they fit big, wide, or normal.
• If you do not like extra space, do not size up!
• Do not use their US sizes! but use their size chart.
• The membrane can be noisy the first few times you wear them but it will get better once it molds to your feet.

Care

Wildling shoes are pretty low key, there are just a few things I like to do:

• Waterproof the microfiber edging before first wear.
• Apply glue to the exposed fabric on the sole to help with waterproofing.
• Add an insole to protect the lining.
• Do not wash.
• Allow the shoes and insoles to dry completely when damp or wet.
• Cleaning:
  • Let the mud dry and brush them off or wipe them down with a damp cloth.
  • Add coffee grounds to neutralize odor.

Performance

After wearing them all winter, I am not disappointed. These boots are the ones I reach for when the temperatures are low and the ground is covered in snow.

I got these boots to replace my winter boots. I am glad I got a size larger because I do wear them with my thickest socks, sometimes two (toe socks + correct toes + wool socks) and I would not be able to do that on a smaller size.

Because the soles are the same soles they use for all their models, they do not have great traction, but I have learned to use my core muscles and take shorter steps which helps me with balance on slippery surfaces.

Another hack I’ve used is to wear them with leg warmers. This helps keep the snow out of the boot even when I walk on deep snow.

What has been your experience with your wool Wildlings?

If you would like to explore Wildling shoes, you can use my link here.

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