Hello, my name’s Andrew, and these are the Wildling North Wolf, a lightweight barefoot boot with a wide toebox, wool insulation, and minimal tread for winter casual.
Features
Back in 2021 I bought a pair of the Wildling Flying Fox (aka Atmo) and I was really impressed with the flexibility and sustainable materials, but the lower cut ankle was a little drafty for freezing cold days.
So I asked Wildling for a pair of North Wolf boots to test and while they’re definitely warmer the herringbone upper is so classy that…
It’s kind of like buying a vintage 1950’s blazer…for your feet!
Upper/Lining
Because the North Wolf has a wide foot-shaped toebox with a soft wool upper, optional lace loops, and a high-cut ankle, along with a warm wool lining, water-resistant membrane, and leather heel strip for extra durability.
Sole/Tread
Underneath you’ve got a 3.5mm zero-drop sole that’s highly flexible in all directions, plus a minimal tread that’s split and tapered under the arch for natural movement on hard surfaces, like roads and sidewalks.
Testing
Looking at a minimalist boot like the Wildling North Wolf that only weighs 273 grams (which is less than a third of a traditional snow boot), it’s hard to believe that it could actually keep you warm in the winter.
Walking
But going out for a walk on roads the thin sole felt smooth and natural, while the wool insulation did an excellent job of locking in my body heat and the water-resistant membrane kept frigid winds from seeping in through the fabric.
Also, the North Wolf’s higher-cut ankle was nice for keeping out little stones and the tread felt hearty enough to handle some light gravel, although I wouldn’t recommend slogging through mud or going up and down wet, slippery hills.
Casual
Surprisingly, the North Wolf worked well as a cold weather biking shoe, because of its minimal weight and wind-resistant membrane, and with a thin wool insole I was able to stay warm walking around in single digits, or even doing a bit of low-key running.
Style wise the North Wolf feels classy yet natural, thanks to Wildling’s high ethical standards and workmanship, and they’re so ridiculously light that I frequently found myself forgetting to take them off after I came back into the house!
Conclusion
Overall the Wildling North Wolf is an excellent choice for anyone who prioritizes sustainable materials and ground feel but still wants some solid insulation and wind-resistance for winter casual.
Pros/Cons
Because the upper is wide and comfortable, the herringbone wool is warm and cozy, and the minimal zero-drop sole is just about as close to barefoot as you can be in cold weather.
However, the North Wolf’s toebox isn’t roomy enough for extra-wide feet, the synthetic membrane isn’t completely waterproof, and the minimal tread doesn’t have enough grip for wet, slippery conditions.
Alternatives
In terms of similar winter barefoot boots…
Resources
If you’d like to support the channel, you can shop with the referral links above/below, browse products at my website barefootwear.org, or watch my Zero-Drop Transition video to learn more about barefooting.
Finally, if you have a question about the Wildling North Wolf, or about barefoot shoes in general, let me know in the comments.
Thanks for reading, catch ya next time. Peace!
Andrew Folts
Andrew is a writer/filmmaker who creates video guides and reviews for a community of 31K+ creative rebels on YouTube.