Tanuki - Shoes made of paper

The fair trade barefoot shoe label Wildling Shoes normally sells barefoot shoes made of cotton, hemp, linen or wool. But now there are also shoes made of paper, called Tanuki.

The fabric is made of the plant fibre Manila hemp, which comes from organic farming in Ecuador. In Japan, the fibre is then processed into tissue paper, which in turn is used to make the yarn. Polyester is also used for stability, so the shoe is not 100% paper. However, the shoe itself is not made in Japan, but in Portugal. Although the supply chain is very long (Ecuador, Japan, Portugal), all other necessary materials are sourced from Europe.

The Tanuki paper shoes are available for children and adults.

Why wear barefoot shoes - you might as well go barefoot!
The barefoot shoe maintains the natural movement of walking and a healthy foot shape, and you are protected against stones, shards and cold surfaces. Paper warms, insulates and is extremely light.

And what about when it rains? Do the shoes soften?
When it rains, the paper shoe doesn't have it easy, because it becomes water-permeable and wet. However, it does not absorb the water, but releases the liquid again and does not become clammy.