Most Sustainable Barefoot Shoe Brand - Voted By The Community

👉 This is post 9/11 of our Golden Toe Awards 2023 series.

As we get closer to revealing the final categories, we only grow more excited to unveil the winners of our fascinating categories. This journey through the world of minimalist footwear has been a thrilling one, and our community has voted for some impressive gems along the way.

In this post, we tread into the territory of sustainability and honor the winners of the '🌱 Most Sustainable Barefoot Shoe Brand' category. These brands aren't just about letting your feet breathe; they extend the same courtesy to the planet too 🌍

Without further ado, let's meet the winners...

And the Winners Are...

🥇 Wildlings - Rating: 9.86

🥈 Be Lenka - Rating: 9.77

🥉 Vivobarefoot - Rating: 9.50

Why They Won - Community Feedback

After analysing the votes and feedback, here are the winners that have emerged from a pool of exceptional nominees. Here are the champions:

🥇 Wildlings - Rating: 9.86

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Sustainability

Wildlings places sustainability at its core, boasting a certified B-Corporation status.
The brand is built on ethically sourced materials, beefing up production quality while ensuring a minimal environmental footprint.
Innovations that make use of leftover/scrap materials, maintain repairability and allow for recycling are a part of their sustainable practices.
They received a Good overall rating in the assessment of Planet, People and Animal impacts.

Future Plans

By 2025, Wildlings aims to source all materials from regenerative sources.
They are committed to rewilding ecosystems, with a goal to return 500,000 hectares into natural spaces by the next decade.
Investments in circular economy and climate tech are part of their agenda to improve industrial sustainability.

Comfort and Performance

The shoes exhibit a superior barefoot feeling. They're light, comfortable and fit very well.
The flexibility of the sole is particularly striking and favored by the community.

Design and Fit

Wildlings shoes are praised for their unique design, which does not compromise practical functionality.
They can be worn for varied activities, including day-to-day wear and hiking and are considered as versatile shoes.

Specific Requests and Improvements

Though the shoes are not classified as running shoes, there is a request for a design that can be securely worn while running.
Protection from wet weather is another area community members would like to see improvements.

Customer Experiences

Many describe feelings of comfort and a sense of lightness when wearing Wildling shoes.
The use of unique materials, like paper and linen, is appreciated amongst the voters.

Overall Value and Price

The brand reassures buyers of their commitment to ethical practices, including fair wages and good working conditions which can affect pricing.
Wildlings is genuinely invested in quality, sustainability and transparency, which contributes to its overall value.

Get Sustainable Wildlings Shoes ->

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🥈 Be Lenka - Rating: 9.77

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Sustainability

Be Lenka considers environmental effects in their operations, making sure to reduce waste and striving for the lowest possible carbon emissions.
The brand adheres to the principles of "slow fashion", promoting quality over quantity and encouraging voters to invest wisely in durable goods.
They express their commitment to sourcing and producing locally within Europe, contributing to sustainability and upholding centuries-old shoemaking traditions.

Future Plans

There's a recognition of the brand's forward-thinking approach, constantly looking at ways to improve and make thoughtful, environmentally beneficial choices.
Be Lenka is seen as a brand that cares about the future and uses innovative techniques to create sustainable, high-quality shoes.

Design and Fit

Feedback points out high-quality manufacturing as a distinct feature of the brand.
Praise is given to the extensive research and development taken in producing each pair, ensuring top-tier design and comfort.

Specific Requests and Improvements

From the feedback, voters would love to see further improvements in sustainable materials, aiming for a more earth-friendly manufacturing process.

Customer Feedback and Experiences

Voters appreciate the commitment to the environment, recognizing the brand's care and effort in maintaining sustainable manufacturing.
The community finds the brand's commitment to reduce environmental pollution through their production process admirable. This dedication sets them apart and earns high praise from the community.

Overall Value and Price

There's significant appreciation for the brand's value, with sustainable practices and top-quality materials making the higher cost worthwhile.
Feedback verifies that the company's philosophy of "buy less, choose wisely" is shared by the community, consolidating the brand's reputation for long-lasting, quality footwear.

Get Sustainable Be Lenka Barefoot Shoes ->

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🥉 Vivobarefoot - Rating: 9.50

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Sustainability

Aims to make shoes that reconnect humans with nature, emphasizing environmental sustainability.
Labeled as a regenerative business, challenging current commerce habits.
Uses eco-friendly and recycled materials, and also focuses on minimizing textile waste.
Committed to promoting and protecting human rights, health, safety, and the environment.

Future Plans

Envisions improving systemic behaviors to address issues of discrimination.
Focuses on long term growth and relationships with ethical marketing.
Plans long-term partnerships with suppliers and manufacturing partners that share the same values.

Specific Requests and Improvements

Needs to improve on ensuring payment of a living wage in its supply chain.
Could benefit from increasing transparency on frequency of supplier visits.

Overall Value and Price

Prides itself on making soft, thin, flexible shoes that last longer.
Innovative schemes for improving lifetime of a shoe like Revivo.
Committed to conserving energy through the development of new technologies.
Uses Lifecyle analysis for a more efficient design process.

Customer Feedback and Experiences

Works towards providing equal opportunities in employment and business practice.
Maintains high standards of ethics and compliance in business dealings.
Managed to score above the average in its B Corp Certification.

Get Sustainable Vivobarefoot Barefoot Shoes ->‍

What's Next?

After all the excitement of unveiling the ‘🌱 Most Sustainable Barefoot Shoe Brand’ winners, we're now ready to move on to the next exciting category: '🏪 Best Barefoot Shoe Retailer'.

As we inch closer to the announcement of the rest of the category winners and our lucky giveaway recipients, we want to extend a warm THANK YOU to all participants. Your love for barefoot footwear lights makes us happy!

Let's also take a moment to appreciate our amazing brands: Barebarics, Be Lenka, Cool East Market, Deliberate Life Designs, Earthing Moccasins, Feelgrounds, Freet, Fullsoul Runningpad, Geniale Sandals, Iguaneye, Kyrgies, PaperKrane, Shapen Barefoot, The Last Shoe Maker, Tomar Creation, Xero Shoes, and Zlatush. Their incredible giveaways have spiced up the Golden Toe Awards.