Wildling Shoes: My Honest Take on Their Vegan Winter Models

Finding vegan barefoot shoes for winter isn’t easy, many Wildling winter shoes contain leather. That’s why I was excited to test two of their vegan autumn/winter models: the Kordian Sage, which I bought myself, and the Arnidois, which Wildling kindly gifted me.

After wearing both through autumn and early winter walks, I’m sharing how they compare in comfort, warmth, water resistance, and fit. If you’re looking for autumn Wildling barefoot shoes that are cozy, minimalist, and leather-free, this review will help you pick the right pair for you.

But, if you’re looking for warm, water resistant, vegan winter shoes neither of them is the right choice. As much as I love my Wildling shoes for autumn and spring, they’re simply not warm enough for a cold winter with freezing temperatures.

Wildling Kordian Sage Review

The Kordian Sage quickly became one of my favorite autumn shoes. They’re super comfy, flexible, and they fit perfectly in my usual size. Even my niece, who’s never worn barefoot shoes before, tried them for a walk and said they’re so comfortable, they feel like slippers.

The upper is made of a unique cord-like material that’s both stylish and unusual for shoes. I absolutely love the sage green color, which adds something a bit different to autumn outfits.

That said, they do have their quirks. The shoelaces are unusually long, so I have to double-knot them every time, which isn’t a big issue but worth noting.

The biggest downside? They’re not waterproof. I wore them in the rain once and my socks were wet pretty quickly. I haven’t tried using a water repellent spray yet, but I plan to, and I’ll update once I see how that works.

Overall, the Kordian Sage is an amazing choice for dry autumn days!

Use the discount code VEGANDERLUST5 for €5 off!

Wildling Arnidois Review

The first time I wore the Arnidois on a cold autumn walk, my feet felt chilly within minutes, even though it wasn’t even winter yet. Now, I always wear two pairs of socks with them: one normal and one thicker. This helps keep my feet warm in autumn but in winter it’s still too cold.

It turns out that works well for another reason too, the Arnidois they run a bit big. I ordered my usual size, but with just one pair of socks, they feel slightly too big. With two pairs, though, they fit great and feel secure.

Where the Arnidois really shines is in wet weather. They’re very water-repellent, I’ve walked through rain and damp sidewalks with no problem, and my feet stayed completely dry.

For mild winters or rainy autumns, they’re a solid choice. But if you live somewhere with heavy snow or sub-zero temperatures, they’re probably not the right pair for you.

Use the discount code VEGANDERLUST5 for €5 off!

Which Vegan Wildling Winter Shoes Should You Choose?

Both the Kordian Sage and the Arnidois are great for autumn and mild winter days, but neither is ideal if you live somewhere with heavy snow or freezing temperatures.

The Kordian Sage is the more comfortable and better-fitting option. They’re super cozy and stylish, but not water-resistant, so only good for dry days.

The Arnidois is water-repellent, great for rainy autumn walks, but it runs a bit big and feels cold. So, double up on socks, that helps with warmth and fit in autumn, but for winter they’re still too cold. When I wore them in snow I could feel the cold creep up from the ground.

For cold winter days, I’ll stick with my barefoot Chelsea boots from Feelgrounds, their sole is thicker so my feet stay warmer.

Curious about other seasons as well? I also put together a full guide to my favorite minimalist travel shoes, including pairs for every season and travel style.

🥾 Shop all of Wildling winter shoes and save €5 with the Wildling discount code VEGANDERLUST5

How I Stay Warm in Barefoot Shoes During Colder Weather

Barefoot shoes aren’t always known for being the warmest option, but with a few small tweaks, I’ve managed to make them work even in colder weather:

• Double socks: If your shoes run a bit big (like the Arnidois), wearing one regular sock and one thicker pair adds warmth.
• HappyTipToes: These neoprene toe socks are made from wetsuit material and are great for keeping your toes warm, especially on damp or chilly days. (get 10% off with the code VEGANDERLUST)
• Thermal insoles: Adding a warmer insole can help insulate your feet from the cold ground without losing the barefoot feel too much.

These tweaks won’t turn your barefoot shoes into full-on snow boots, but they definitely help extend their use into the colder months, especially if you’re in a climate with mild winters.

❄️ Stay warm with HappyTipToes and use code VEGANDERLUST to get 10% off!

Final Thoughts: Are Wildling Winter Shoes Worth It?

If you’re looking for vegan barefoot shoes that work for autumn and mild winter days, both the Kordian Sage and Arnidois are great options, as long as you know what to expect.

The Kordian is stylish, cozy, and super comfortable for dry days. The Arnidois handles wet weather better but needs a bit of layering to feel warm and snug. But neither is perfect for deep winter or snowy conditions.

Personally, I love having both pairs and rotate between them depending on the weather. If you’re after minimalist, lightweight shoes that still feel seasonal, these are worth a look, just don’t forget the warm socks!

If you’re looking for something lighter for summer, I also reviewed the Wildling Tanuki, my favorite barefoot shoe for hot weather and minimalist packing. Read my full Tanuki review here.

💸 Don’t forget the discount code VEGANDERLUST5 to get €5 off!

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