Thanks to the models in the new Autumn/Winter collection, we are perfectly equipped for the chilly days on the horizon. To clear up any open questions and concerns, you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions right here, along with additional information about some of the unique features of our winter Wildlings.

Wildling – and by that we mean from the very beginning, Anna and Ran – chose Portugal as the location for production for a number of reasons.

Portugal boasts well established craftsmanship expertise in the field of shoe production. Wildling is particularly fortunate to be able to work with experienced partner manufacturers.

The relative local proximity makes regular mutual visits possible and the intensive communication naturally makes cooperation a lot easier. The production doesn’t take place “somewhere” in Asia, for example. Wildling can follow the processes and witness first-hand that the working conditions meet the established standards and that employees are compensated fairly.

The comparatively high production and personnel costs are definitely worth their price. It also means, however, that we have to plan the amount of materials and the necessary production capacities with painstaking precision. Having a bunch of Wildlings sitting in our warehouse waiting for new owners is neither economical nor sustainable. 

The supply chain team strives to strike a balance between the goal of being able to provide as many people as possible with their preferred model and producing as few shoes as possible in excess of demand.

This year, Wildling and its partner companies in Portugal also faced some special challenges. The measures imposed during the coronavirus pandemic resulted in delays, closures, and changes throughout the entire production process. Neither the small-scale operations in Portugal nor the Wildling warehouse in Engelskirchen can compensate for the resulting delays.

The models Nessie, Crow, Starling, Wombat, and Buzzard – which have uppers made of wool – should not be fully treated; instead, treat only their microfiber ring trimming along with the cutouts in the sole. Wool actually has water and dirt repellent properties by nature, making additional waterproofing not needed. The material can be re-greased if the natural wool oil (lanolin) content should decrease after the shoe has been worn for a longer period of time – this is indicated by the fact that the fabric of its upper becomes more water permeable and the shoe feels clammy from inside. There are several ways to re-grease the wool. You can read all about them in the following blog article.

The uppers for Honeybear, Honeybee, Sábio, and Winter Heath are made of cotton, with each model sporting a different type of cotton weave. Because of the materials we use and the fact that we avoid using chemicals that are harmful to the environment, the whole shoe, especially the entire microfiber ring trim and including the notch in the sole, should be thoroughly treated with water repellent before they’re worn for the first time and again at regular intervals to prolong the treatment’s efficacy. 

A fluorine-free and PFC-free water repellent spray is available in the Wildling online store; alternatively, of course, you can also use another impregnation agent that is compatible with the particular material.

Unfortunately, the red pigment used in the trim around the edges of Rubus and Berry isn’t compatible with the familiar waterproofing spray “Wildling”. Its use can cause a pilling effect and lead to fuzz build-up. Although this doesn’t compromise the function of the shoe, some wearers may find it visually unappealing. For this reason, we recommend using the new waterproofing spray “Simprax” for these models. You can treat the entire shoe with this spray as usual.

In case the corduroy models ever get dirty, you can knock them together when they are dry and then gently wipe them clean with a dry or damp cloth.

Sábio is the most water-repellent model in this Autumn/Winter collection because, in addition to the membrane construction, it features a water flap that is even more effective at repelling moisture.

Along with “DexShell” waterproof membrane socks, our Hempling, Felty and Wooly insoles provide good added protection against wetness and cold from underneath. 

Meadows: The final frontier. At some point, even the best preparation meets its limits. A long walk across a wet meadow can leave you with wet feet. The moisture is virtually massaged right into the shoe as you walk. Time to go home and put your Wildlings out to dry.

You can find more tips and recommendations for proper care and impregnation treatment in this blog article.

The easiest way to find the right Wildling is to use the size finder. And this is how it works:

Please print out the Fitkit template for the size you are currently wearing. It is important to make sure that the measurement marking is exactly 20 mm long. Even the smallest deviations of 1 mm will skew the size ratio of the printout. Sometimes the scaling needs to be adjusted when printing. Using a protractor is the most accurate way to measure the line.

The printout should be folded at the appropriate place as described in the sizing process, and the fold should be positioned so that it touches the wall. The feet should be positioned evenly, with the heel likewise touching the wall and firmly planted on the Fitkit.

If the shoe size isn’t a perfect fit according to the template, taking into account the template’s visible markings, simply repeat the procedure with the template for the next larger or smaller size.

Both when measuring the sizes for the Autumn/Winter models and later when trying on the Wildlings, it is important to wear the thickest socks that will be worn with the shoes. If you’re going to be wearing wool socks and insoles in the winter, you may well need one size larger for the current collection.

This brief video demonstrates how a Wildling should fit the foot and makes it easier to judge whether your newly arrived Wildlings are the right ones or if they should be returned to the fox’s den.

If you have any doubts, our customer service team is also always on hand to help you find the right Wildling size. In the online live chat you can quickly find immediate help and personal support.