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.
![Wildling North Wolf Winter Barefoot Boots Features Showcase Desk](/static/459d00b9f3c4b1e62f6749ac047b5a78/wildling-north-wolf-winter-barefoot-boots-features-showcase-desk.gif)
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!
![Wildling North Wolf Winter Barefoot Boots Toebox Desk](/static/68c8a423c3130052f478226e739e566e/wildling-north-wolf-winter-barefoot-boots-toebox-desk.jpg)
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.
![Wildling North Wolf Winter Barefoot Boots Inner Lining Desk Wool](/static/0783a3079ce6af63d423f012172179e4/wildling-north-wolf-winter-barefoot-boots-inner-lining-desk-wool.jpg)
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.
![Wildling North Wolf Winter Barefoot Boots Sole Tread Desk](/static/c3409ceb33e625951b3a96d46f97de28/wildling-north-wolf-winter-barefoot-boots-sole-tread-desk.jpg)
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.
![Wildling North Wolf Winter Barefoot Boots Side Road Walk](/static/2097064405a09158e96a2676c99f6fa9/wildling-north-wolf-winter-barefoot-boots-side-road-walk.jpg)
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.
![Wildling North Wolf Winter Barefoot Boots Tread Heel Trail](/static/862c224b988a42df1b2121defea4b8da/wildling-north-wolf-winter-barefoot-boots-tread-heel-trail.jpg)
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.
![Wildling North Wolf Winter Barefoot Boots Biking](/static/999d61d232b7ca667c5f9619b78a5446/wildling-north-wolf-winter-barefoot-boots-biking.jpg)
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!
![Wildling North Wolf Winter Barefoot Boots Pov Feet Desk](/static/cbeb6df5ab74b9f0d6a7bc709bf5b4ed/wildling-north-wolf-winter-barefoot-boots-pov-feet-desk.jpg)
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.
![Wildling North Wolf Winter Barefoot Boots Voiceover Laces](/static/e1aa70c2719ceac524f0edb70afaf6de/wildling-north-wolf-winter-barefoot-boots-voiceover-laces.jpg)
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.
![Wildling North Wolf Winter Barefoot Boots Side Stool Style](/static/62b6eaf9e9c84589ee8e71b08a31568f/wildling-north-wolf-winter-barefoot-boots-side-stool-style.jpg)
Alternatives
In terms of similar winter barefoot boots…
![Wildling North Wolf Winter Barefoot Boots Front Road](/static/2742a1d70dbeba93fde1e113f95e1e04/wildling-north-wolf-winter-barefoot-boots-front-road.jpg)
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!
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Andrew Folts
Andrew is a writer/filmmaker who creates video guides and reviews for a community of 25K+ creative rebels on YouTube.