by Samantha
Wildling Shoes blew me away the first time I tried them on and they’ve only gotten better in recent years. Their much anticipated cold weather collection is out for the season with some new features and lots of water resistant options! Read on for the details about the Autumn/Winter 2022-23 models from Wildling Shoes!
Wildling is an incredible company that is dedicated to using sustainable materials and producing shoes ethically. You can read more about their business practices in the Wildling Shoes Spring/Summer Review.
Some of the Autumn Winter models were VERY popular and sold out quickly but they are being restocked at regular intervals! You can sign up for a restock notification on the product page.
Ordering from Wildling Shoes
Wildling Shoes are available from a US and an EU website, but your shoes will ship from Germany either way. They offer free shipping on orders over $200/€200 and your first return is free of charge. If you need to return more than once, it costs about $10 (or €3.50 from within Germany). You can use code AWN_ANYA for a one-time free shipping offer!
If you buy from the US website you can return them to a US address. If from the EU website, then orders go back to their EU center. Returns are super easy, you register with their Returns Portal and schedule a DHL Express pickup from your door.
Caring for Wildling Shoes
All models this season have an integrated membrane for water resistance. In addition, most models are also pre-treated with a waterproofing spray. That means your Wildlings are more functional for weather, Autumn weather! To maintain the water resistance, you can reapply waterproofing spray throughout the season.
Wildlings with 100% wool uppers should not get treated with any type of spray – they are naturally water repellent. The best way to clean your Wildlings up when they get dirty is to let them dry completely and then knock or brush any dirt off. I have found that the ones with wool uppers repel dirt pretty easily, but the fabric ones need more frequent brushing out of dirt. The new dense weave canvas cleans up beautifully!
Wildling just launched their Repair Center where you can have necessary repairs done to your Wildlings that are under warranty. Just contact customer service and they’ll give you next steps based on your individual needs.
Sizing & Fit
Thanks to the unique construction of Wildlings, they can fit a variety of foot shapes. They have a squared off toe box and the materials are really flexible. There’s nothing rigid about these shoes. I recommend using the Wildling Fitkit to find your size and referencing each model’s sizing notes on the product page. You can also use the EU/US size conversion chart that has recommended foot lengths (this was updated in April 2022 so if you’ve ordered previously make sure you check the new conversions).
Find these notes and other Autumn/Winter Collection FAQs here
Yew
$119-$149 | Wool Lined | Water Resistant Membrane | Sizes US Kids 7 to W 14 / M 13.5
The most water repellent model Wildlings has ever produced is Yew. It has a more rugged hiking boot vibe thanks to the ring eyelets and extra long laces meant to be wrapped around the ankle. I found it a little tricky to thread the laces through the tab on the heel, but it’s not necessary to pull them back out each time. There’s plenty of length to loosen the laces and leave them threaded!
The uppers are a very densely woven cotton canvas (in the perfect olive green shade!) that helps keep water out. Inside you’ll find felted wool which adds another layer against the elements. To top it all off, there’s also a integrated membrane AND water flap to give these the best chance possible at keeping your feet dry! Just remember these are water resistant and not waterproof and should not be expected to function as such.
Overall Yew feels slightly more substantial than Wildling models I’ve worn previously, and also roomier. I think they are fantastic. I love the aesthetic, the functionality, and the feel. Like all Wildlings, they’re super lightweight, flexible, and have excellent ground feel. You cannot find a more minimal boot for cool weather.
Chestnut
$79-$139 | Wool & Hemp | Water Resistant Membrane | US Sizes Kids 3 to W 14 / M 13.5
Are these the cutest shoes in the entire world? Quite possibly. Just look at them! They are precious! The uppers are a gorgeous blend of undyed wool and hemp and they are lined with wool too. They open up nice and wide, are easy to put on, and the laces give a secure fit. I don’t usually use shoes that tie with my little babies, but these are so adorable I don’t mind the extra minute it takes! You can swap them for elastic laces if you want, too.
The outsole on the toddler sizes (EU 18-22 or US 3-6) is slightly different. Same material, same wild flexibility, but there’s no split on the bottom and no wrap around on the toe or heel.
Modeled here on my 8 month old, I purposely got a size larger for room to grow. He isn’t close to walking yet so the extra length isn’t an issue and there’s plenty of room for a Wildling Wooly Insole and even socks when the temps drop further. I am hopeful they’ll still fit in the spring when should be walking!
Chokeberry
by Anya
$79-$139 | Felted Wool | Water Resistant Membrane| US Sizes Kids 3 to W 14 / M 13.5
I opted for Chokeberry this season because I wanted a pair of Wildlings that was wool inside and out so I could wear them through the winter. For what essentially feels like a slipper, they are surprisingly functional. The internal membrane makes them water resistant, and the addition of a wool insole means I can comfortably wear them down to about 20F/-7C.
They also fit extra wide, so I have plenty of space for warm socks in them in my usual size. The cool petrol green color has a neutral look to them but still add a bit of color. Like all my Wildlings, I expect them to be a go-to this cool season.
Another wool-on-wool option for the cold season is North Wolf.
Pine
by Anya
$69-$119 | Vegan | Water Resistant Membrane | US Sizes Kids 3 to W 14 / M 13.5
For my oldest son I picked Pine. These shoes are made of an organic cotton/linen blend and have the internal membrane for water resistance. They are neutral and subtle with only a few details in the laces and the inside pattern.
My son likes everything blue and refuses to wear shoes that aren’t completely soft, so Wildling is a natural choice for him. The Pine is not as warm as the wool options, so works best as a transitional fall shoe.
Other Autumn/Winter Models
Here’s a look at the rest of the models currently available this season, but sometimes Wildling releases some surprises so keep an eye out!
Robinia – $119-$149 – Sizes US Kids 7 to W 14 / M 13.5
A vegan high cut with a knit collar in light grey canvas with a hemp flax fleece lining.
Inkcap – $159 – Sizes US W 5 / M 4 to W 14 / M 13.5
A vegan super high cut with speed hooks and a hemp flax fleece lining.
Emmer – $99-$129 – Sizes US Kids 7 to W 14 / M 13.5
A low cut fall shoe with undyed wool and hemp upper, and thin felted wool lining.
Renette – $99-$129 – Sizes US Kids 7 to W 14 / M 13.5
A vegan flannel lined mid cut utilizing fabric scraps from previous models alongside a denim-like twill.
Carota – $99-$149 – Sizes US Kids 7 to W 14 / M 13.5
A vegan cotton-lined mid cut made with leftover fabric from previous models to minimize production waste.
Basics
Wildling Basics are a combination of warm and cold weather staples available year round! You can count on these models to consistently be available (left to right above):
- Tanuki: Niji, Umi, and Yoru
- North Wolf
- Flying Fox
- Nebula
- Feather Magpie (not pictured)
Conclusion
I am always smitten with the cold weather options from Wilding and this year is no exception. There’s some great new features, more protection from the elements, and a more durable canvas. All without compromising the amazing flexibility and lightweight construction they’re known for.
Samantha is a writer/researcher for Anya’s Reviews and stay-at-home mom to 5 littles. In addition to shopping online for footwear for her family, she spends her time homeschooling, reading, weaving, and doing home improvement projects with her husband.
19 thoughts on “Wildling Shoes Fall 2022 Collection Review”
Hi! On the Wildings review page, I think I found a typo but I haven’t found out how it should read! Are they water resistant and NOT waterproof? Here’s the quote: “Just remember these are water resistant and waterproof and should not be expected to function as such.” https://anyasreviews.com/wildling-shoes-fall-2022-collection-review/ Just a heads up 🙂
Thanks,
Chantilly
Thanks! Fixed! Yes, it was supposed to read water resistant and not waterproof. Thanks for the catch!
Awesome!! Thanks for this review and the other ones you’ve done on Wildlings! Hoping to snag my first pair soon on sale! I’m super excited!!
Hi, have you any blogs about kids first shoes? My little girl has started walking so looking for something for outside the house to keep her warm and safe.
Thanks.
I have this FAQ on baby shoes! It includes some of my favorite brands for new walkers. Wildling is a great option for the cooler months – they provide warmth and water resistance but are still sock like.
https://anyasreviews.com/ufaq/what-shoes-should-my-baby-wear/
What EU number is your Yew?
Samantha has a size 39 in her Yews.
Hi! Is the chokeberry blue, green, or gray? You’ve said green, but it looks blue! But on the website it almost looks a warm gray. I’m leaning away from greenish or warm gray; I’m hoping they’re more cool, blue, or cool blue green! Thank you for your review!
The body of the shoe is a cool blue green dark grey, lol. The sole, the edging/toe guard, the laces, and the eyelets all pull more blue. I would say the pictures are pretty accurate in here!
Hi. Would love to ear your opinion on Chestnut for adults.
Since I’m in love with these and maybe going for them.
What would be pros and cons of chestnut up against chokeberry?
Many thanks, Ana.
I’ve never tried the Chestnut for adults, but based on my experience with Wildling Shoes it’ll be very similar fit to Chokeberry with the main difference being the material. Chestnut’s upper material is a wool/hemp combo while Chokeberry is 100% wool. That means Chokeberry will be a little warmer than Chestnut (both are lined with wool, so it’s not a huge difference).
Is Wilding the thinnest, most flexible barefoot shoe out there? Thanks to your blog I recently bought my first pair of barefoot shoes—the purple Wilding Tanuki Kokoros, and I LOVE them (I go barefoot quite a bit already so didn’t need a transition shoe). I want to try some other brands of barefoot shoes too, but I love the ground feel of the Wildings. Are there any other brands that compare? Thanks!
I would say yes, I have yet to try a barefoot shoe that feels as much like being barefoot as Wildling. Mukishoes is a close option though!
Hi, are there enough room in Yew shoes for warm, thick socks and added wooly insoles? Thanks!
The Yew fits wide, but if you wanted to wear both thick socks and an insole you probably would want to size up. Especially if you have wide or high volume feet. Samantha, the author of this article, has extra wide, thick feet and she can wear medium weight socks and no insole in her pair.
May I ask the width of her feet? I really want to try wildling but I’m 12cm wide -_-
Samantha’s feet are 23.5cm long and 10cm wide using the wall method.
Hi
Many thanks for the reviews. I have a few barefoot shoes, Lems, Xero, Mukis and am thinking about trying some Wildlings but a bit nervous due to cost of returning…. Do you think they are worth taking the leap with? Undecided as I have also not tried Grounded or Be Lenka’s yet…I love my Mukis trainers and my Lems boulder… But wanted something with more traction for those muddy walks that British weather gifts us so often.
Well I certainly love Wildlings! I also have a tendency to hike in them often because they are so adaptive to the environment. But if your climate is very wet and muddy Wildling might not be the best shoe. They’re water resistant because of an inner lining, so the fabric and wool uppers do get wet (it just doesn’t soak through). And sometimes if the upper is often wet it can get mildewy and that’s no good. If you dried them thoroughly between wears it should be ok, but if it were me I would probably look at Freet Barefoot’s hiking shoe line.