Materials
We all want to be as sustainable as possible, but as everyone knows, buying new products isn’t sustainable, especially when looking at the fast fashion industry. That’s why I am making quality shoes that are designed to last for years — my goal is to promote slow fashion.
All of the materials have been carefully sourced within the EU, with a strong focus on Portugal, ensuring that my products are both eco-friendly and support local industries.
As these are barefoot shoes, there isn’t a lot of hidden layers. As with the entire brand, I aim to be transparent about everything, and that includes the composition of our shoes.
The leather:
I’ve had many discussions with the manufacturers and given a lot of thought to whether we should use a vegan alternative to leather. We concluded that, for now, cow leather is the best option, as it can last for many years while allowing the feet to breathe. However, we will continue to monitor the development of alternatives, and when a better option is found, we will of course use it.
By a better alternative, I mean a natural, vegan material that is just as durable and breathable as leather. At the same time, it is completely free from PVC or any other form of plastic and similar substances – in other words, completely natural.
When possible, we source the leather from a warehouse where leftover leathers from other projects are stored. This way, we do not contribute to the production (tanning, etc.) of new leather when using these materials.
The tannery we’re using is a member of the highly regarded LWG (Leather Working Group). The manufacturer has been inspected and has achieved Silver, which, if interested, you can read more about on the website)
The outer sole:
It is made with 30% recycled sole scraps that are cut-offs from the production of other soles and would otherwise be discarded. At the sole factory, there is always some excess rubber, and we incorporate this into our soles. We can’t use 100% recycled materials for the soles yet, but our goal is to make this possible in the near future.
The outer sole measures 5mm in thickness. The pattern is carefully designed to be flexible while ensuring a good grip on urban surfaces. When the sole is eventually worn down, it’s fairly easy for a skilled cobbler to replace, extending the life of the boots even further.
The inner sole:
I’ve tried a few options and chose my favorite — a luxury memory foam with a layer of soft vegetable-tanned leather on top and a layer of cork at the buttom.
The factory producing the shoes is well known for its high-quality footwear, and these are no exception. These inner soles are a barefoot version of the best soles the factory produces.
The transitional insoles are made like the barefoot insoles but with the addition of a slightly raised heel and without the cork layer at the bottom.
In this image, I’ve illustrated a detailed view of the inner sole by cutting the shoe in half, allowing you to see its meticulously crafted layers.
– At the top, a thin, soft layer of vegetable-tanned leather that offers a premium touch.
– In the middle, a plush layer of memory foam ensures optimal comfort.
– At the very bottom, a durable 2mm layer of cork provides additional support and cushioning.
In the black sole, the memory foam measures 2mm in thickness, while in the red sole, it is a more generous 4mm thick. The two options are included to accommodate different arch heights and ensure the customer’s comfort.
The little things for the Climate:
At Annika Barefoot, I am committed to continuously working on reducing my climate impact in various ways. I believe that by creating products of exceptional quality, they will last for many years and can even be resold second-hand, should the almost impossible happen – that someone changes their mind and no longer loves the design or fit 😉
I am actively searching for climate-positive projects to support with every pair of shoes sold. If you know of a great organization, I’d love to hear from you!
The Humans:
For my customers’ well-being:
While I aim to choose the most eco-friendly materials, I also want the shoes to be playful and vibrant. That’s why I have prioritized natural materials and vegetable-tanned leather in areas that come into direct contact with the skin—free from harmful chemicals.
For my co-workers’ well-being:
Everyone involved in the process of making the shoes — from the factory workers processing raw materials to those ensuring the shoes reach our customers — is treated fairly and in accordance with the regulations of their respective countries, which is primarily Portugal, where the raw materials are sourced, and the shoes are produced.