For a foot-friendly combination of sock and shoe, check out Wildling Nebula. These barefoot shoes sport a strategically designed knit upper that hugs your foot without restricting it, with a barely-there, highly-flexible sole that allows you to feel the ground with every step.
Really important note: most of the links on this page go to the main Wildling website. I know you all come from all over the world and I LOVE that. As of 6/15/2021, however, US and Canadian customers must use THIS LINK to purchase and it will require a brand new account to do so. If you sign up, however, you will receive a 5% discount code valid on your first order placed in 2021.
I bought these myself, but am an affiliate now so if you use links on this page to make a purchase then a portion may be returned to me to support the blog.
Sections
Technical Specifications
- Upper: Knitted Merino Mix with 31% wool
- Insole: Washi – 75% paper, 25% polyester
- Removable insole: Lunatur – 80% EVA, 20% walnut shells
- Outsole: Synthetic rubber with apx 50% recycled content and cork inlay (2.5 mm up to size 41, and 3.5 mm on higher sizes, including my 43s)
- Available in sizes 36-48
Company
Wildling Shoes is a true leader in the minimalist shoes arena. They have been around since 2013 and were founded by Anna and Ran, who had spent a decade in the very barefoot-friendly country of Israel. They expressly wanted their children, and others, to have the full benefits of barefoot life even when shoes were necessary. Mission: “interfere with the foot as little as possible.” Wildling continues to achieve this with every pair, even thick, warm, snow-friendly boots like the Wombat I previously reviewed. Check out the company’s history and their corporate values here.
Appearance
These are one of my oldest barefoot shoes, bought in 2019 when they were first released, and still look great. I’m not particularly hard on most of my shoes (these have been around-town shoes) but asphalt itself can wear shoes down quickly and they don’t look it.
The color is a medium grey with a contrasting white sole. They haven’t shown any fading that I can see and hold that very pleasing middle ground on the spectrum. These pictures are from the last week, and currently available Nebula is produced exactly the same way, so you know the color holds up well over time.
They work great with blue and yellow, or cranberry, or black… or pretty much anything you want. I wear them casually with anything as either a neutral accompaniment or an integral contrast.
These are the only closed-toed Wildling shoes without an edging, giving them a unique look that is stylish and fun.
Fit
The knit fabric is designed to hug but not restrict your feet. I find they feel have less overall room than Tanuki models for my higher volume feet, and am more comfortable wearing them sockless. They are not more narrow, though. It’s simply a difference in the upper due to the material and style.
Take care to size well (see below) so that your toes are not restricted nor do you have too much extra room. The knit upper pulls the sole. If your toes are in the right spot, you feel no toe spring but if you have too much extra room you won’t flatten out that front and may feel an upward tug from the interplay between upper and sole.
Sizing
You’re really in luck when it comes to sizing Wildling. They are exhaustive in their approaches to getting you the best fit.
Step one is the FitKit printouts. These are Wildling’s special way to help you see first-hand how the size will work for you and include helpful guides. They do not show width accurately, but will let you see an ideal range to hit. I look to fall between the lines allotted for a growing foot and that for a mature foot. You want to have 12 mm of extra space for optimal toe movement.
If you don’t have access to a printer, the same link includes a downloadable PDF with their specific measuring instructions. It’s important to measure the same way a company recommends as there are variations in the results with different methods and you want to make sure you’re in line with their approach to eliminate discrepancies.
If you’re still unsure about your fit, contact them or, better yet, join a community group on Facebook. Wildling team members and other wearers are always happy to advise on fit and help you find the perfect wild companion.
How do they feel?
The simplest answer is that they feel like an unrestricted sock. And that they feel simply wonderful on your feet. But the shoes themselves are interesting and complex. There’s a lot of engineering that went into achieving that feeling. Socks themselves can be very unhealthy for your toes, pulling them in as tightly as pointy shoes, but that does not happen here. They are free.
Like all Wildling Shoes, the ground feel is at a premium, but without feeling jarring. Your mind-body benefits from the varying sensations and your feet strengthen without unnecessary support.
I have found that the insole can slip, especially when walking downhill. Crowdsourcing a response to this says that double-sided tape under it can fix you right up. I wear mine sockless, which may increase the chance of this as my foot could be gripping the insoles. I do not find this happening in the Tanuki I recently received, though.
Cleaning and Care
This particular model is straight-up water permeable. It even has holes as part of the design, so there’s no need to even consider water protection. Sprays are not appropriate for wool anyway.
Cleaning involves a soft brush (something harsh might tear the upper) and gentle washing. Do not machine wash or dry. For best drying, remove the insole.
There is the potential for debris to collect in the split in the sole. I used to be so bothered at that thought, but I’ve found with more wear that they almost clean themselves due to the flexibility of the sole. Wet grass sticks, but once it dries and you walk around in them again, everything falls off.
These do have a less robust patch at the center of the sole split than some other Wildling models, so would not be the best choice if you’re planning on walking somewhere with a lot of rocks or sticks.
Purchasing and Returns
Wildling are shipped from Germany and available worldwide with super-fast DHL Express shipping. If you’re in the US, the adult Nebula come in at just over $130 shipped and the big kids version at just over $100. As of 6/15/2021 this has changed and US/Canadian customers must now use THIS LINK.
Wildling does accept returns, and your first one is free. They must be processed through Wildling, which handles them with a smooth, orderly approach. This link gets you started.
Final Thoughts
I was instantly drawn to these when they released and have never been disappointed in the purchase. They wear so easily and are completely comfortable from the moment you receive them. Wildling has pulled off a great feat in giving us the benefits of the lightness of socks, without the drawbacks of tight toes. You can slide Nebula on in seconds and enjoy all-day comfort with shoes that do as little as possible to interfere with your natural movement.
For more on Wildling, check out my Wombat review, as well as a first look at the new Tanuki Sango, on Instagram or Facebook.
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