As someone who really values sustainability, self-sufficiency, and items that last a lifetime...I'm a huge advocate of repairable shoes. I'm on my feet a LOT and it's a relief to know that when necessary, I can have my boots repaired by being resoled instead of needing to buy a whole new pair.
…all while looking good, too
While there are more and more eco-friendly shoes out there, it’s kind of hard to find sustainable shoes (or boots) that are also repairable, AND do all of the above.
My quest for waterproof boots for farming sent me to hundreds of websites, until I found duckfeet. I am delighted that they offer sustainable shoes that are also repairable.
To be honest, I found duckfeet and then looked around at a couple dozen more websites because the price was a little more than I wanted to spend…you could say I had cold feet ;)
But their sustainability, durability, and reputation for being long-lasting got me to take the plunge.
And my goodness, am I glad that I did.
While I’m typing this, I still have my boots on because they are so comfortable that I don’t want to take them off.
I got the Arhus winter boots.
And I have to say, they are the best combination of sustainable + practical
I do not want to take these off! These are maybe the most comfortable boots I have owned.
I was able to wear these boots and work in them right away.
I hate wearing socks and these boots are cozy and comfortable, even without socks - no blisters at all!
While Duckfeet says that these boots are water-resistant, I’ve walked through many puddles and wet snow in these and my feet have stayed totally dry. I did apply the waterproofing cream to the shoes once, which probably helps. This was huge for me as I live in the rainy PNW and hate wet feet.
When I first looked at the soles I was a little afraid that they would have no traction slip on frozen ground. I was skeptical when I read some reviews that said that the soles had a great grip to them - these soles don’t look like traditional “grippy” boots. But, after walking around in them, I can say that while they’re not perfect - no shoe is going to go against the laws of physics, although that would be cool - they are pretty darn good.
The craftsmanship of these boots is apparent - I was tired of buying new boots every year, as that’s not sustainable and is time consuming to find the “perfect” shoe. These boots will stand the test of time and on top of that, they are actually designed to be re-soled by Duckfeet or a local cobbler. You can buy soles and send your boots off to be repaired or have the soles shipped to you to bring to your local cobbler.
the worst thing is having your arms full of firewood or a baby goat and then your shoelace comes untied, becoming a hazard for you and for whatever you’re carrying. These laces aren’t typical - they’re made of xxx - but they stay secure and snug in a double knot, which I appreciate
the way the boots lace up is extra cozy and not restrictive
these boots look good - they come in some fun colors and some standard go-with-everything colors, and the shape of the boot is really flattering
Leather is made with less water and in an environmentally-conscious way with Terracare pebbled leather. Before I purchased my boots, I went to the terracare website and have to say I applaud them for their commitment to both the environment and creating a durable product. Their leather is buttery soft while still standing up to my woodland walking through brambles. They reuse their scraps for things like the laces and the handle of the shoebox.
is made with european sheep wool
Sole is made of Italian crepe rubber. I was curious about these as I had never heard of this material before. Crepe rubber is biodegradable and made from latex tapped from certain rubber trees. What’s great is that tapping doesn’t damage the trees, and one tree can be harvested from for 40 years. (source)
need I say more?
Check out Duckfeet!
