Wildling Shoes Blackbird – A Full Review

Wildling Shoes Blackbird is a great way to look casual and nonplussed while getting your ultimate barefoot shoes kicks with a membrane and a cozy wool lining to boot. There’s a lot to love here, but before you take the plunge read on for tips and fit advice that will help you find a companion to last.

Disclaimer: Wildling Shoes Blackbird was to us for review and wear by my middle son (who’s in size 36, so in adult sizes), but all thoughts in this review are our own. I am an affiliate and if you choose to make a purchase through a link from my blog then a small portion of that will go to support reviews like this.

For a full look at the 2021 fall collection from Wildling Shoes, check out this page.

Company Information

Wildling Shoes is very open about their values, vision, and the conscious steps they take to bring us healthy, well-made barefoot shoes, and how they manage and mitigate their impact on the environment. They advocate openly for environmental and social causes and care deeply about building relationships with employees, customers, and movements with a purpose. I highly recommend browsing around the site for your location to learn more.

Wildling US/CA link

Wildling International link

Technical Specifications

• Upper: Canvas (100% recycled cotton) – black
• Mid-sole and lining: felted wool loden (100% virgin wool)
• Membrane: 100% polyester
• Edging: microfiber (90% polyamide, 10% polyurethane) – black
• Outsole: 80% synthetic rubber from 50% recycled material, 20% cork – black
• Sizes: EU 36-48
• Does not contain materials of animal origin

Appearance

Wildling Shoes Blackbird is a non-descript sneaker-like option that is lined in wool and appropriate for chilly weather.

You have to look to see the wool peeking out.

I don’t do the same kind of outfit pics as normal when my kids are the ones wearing the shoes, but we have had some fun in them:

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For an adult, you can style them just like any all-black tennis shoe. They’ll work with leggings, pants, shorts, dresses – whatever you want.

Fit

Because of the wool lining, Blackbird fits smaller than normal for its size. Check out the sizing details below to see how to get the correct size for you, and then it should fit like a standard low-cut Wildling model. The sole will not be especially wide or narrow, but a middle ground with an outward flex that allows most people a comfortable fit.

Sizing

Wildling Shoes truly want you to get a great fit in your shoes and will go out of their way to help you with this, but they’ve also already set up a ton of resources on their site and Youtube channel, so be sure to check around.

The first thing you’re going to want to do is check for model-specific sizing tips. They can now be found two places. First, in the Sizing section of the brown box on every product page:

But now also below the available sizes listed at the top:

The note on Blackbird is really important. This model is lined in wool inside a standard upper shell and the extra space taken up by the wool means that the interior is smaller as a result and you should look at sizing up.

But how do you know your default size in Wildling Shoes, especially if you’ve never ordered before? While the tip is below the available sizes, the link you need is above them and to the right: Size Guide.

Clicking/tapping Size Guide will take you to a page with this list:

Most of this is about Fitkits, which are printable sizing templates that will help you visually see the lengths of the shoes and determine your best fit. These can be incredibly helpful to most people, and Wildling has put a lot of work into them. Important notes: if this is your way, don’t worry about the visual width of the templates, it’s not accurate. Also be 100% certain that you are printing at 100% scale. Lastly, pay attention to the lines at the top and whether you should be at the mature or growing foot lines, based on the age of the intended user.

If you’re in the US, you’re going to want to pay special attention to that last line: EU sizes for reference needed? The US sizes do not translate correctly on the US site, and if you just go straight for your normal size, you’re almost certainly going to get something too large. Going into that last link though will tell you how they relate to EU sizes, which are correct.

If you’re completely new to sizing yourself, you prefer measurements, or you don’t have a printer, then No printer available? is the place for you.

This is my zone.

I have tips here on the website about how to measure and how much extra space you should leave in your shoes. The most accurate way to size yourself is to measure, add the space, and find the correct size. I dislike True to Size wording and will always favor manual measurement to get an accurate size.

Just remember that for Blackbird, you will need to find your accurate size (or that if your child) and then size up by 1.

How do they feel?

Warm! They are lined completely in wool and that’s a great way to deal with cold winter weather while still keeping the sneaker aesthetic.

They’re also highly flexible as always, even with the thickness of the wool.

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There is no breaking in period and no rough spots. The wool lining does reduce groundfeel a bit, but you will still have a very thin sole and highly flexible materials to maintain a great mind-body connection.

Cleaning and Care

Waterproofing the outer layer of Wildling Shoes is virtually always a good idea, and this is no exception. Being black, they won’t show the darkening you typically get with waterproofing sprays like Nikwax, which is what I’ve used in the past on the microfiber of the all-wool Wombat. (You can check out several options here, just look for 1 appropriate to fabric.) Whatever you choose, waterproofing will protect the shoes and up the water-resistance/proofing you’re already getting from the included membrane.

Take care, though, that you do not get the spray on the wool lining as this can break it down and at the very least cause it to lose some of the benefits we want by using it. Wool can be re-lanolinized with a wool wash, but it’s unlikely to need that for some time.

The flexibility of barefoot shoes is your best friend when it comes to keeping them clean. Largely, debris can be removed simply by letting the shoes and bits dry, and then knocking the shoes together firmly. After that, a brush lightly to remove any remaining debris. Wildling Shoes can be hand-washed, but I save that as a last resort. An upper like Blackbird can do well with a soft or medium brushing, or a damp cloth to remove even dried dirt.

Purchasing, Shipping, and Returns

Wildling Shoes Blackbird is available in adult sizes starting at EU 36 (listed as W5 but more like W6 in US). The cost is $128 USD at can be purchased directly from Wildling Shoes

Adult Link for US customers

Adult link for International customers

Wildling Shoes does accept returns and handles them through an internal Return Service that works anywhere DHL runs. The first return is free.

Final Thoughts

Do well on sizing these, and you should have a great winter pair of shoes. While my middle couldn’t get into these long-term because he didn’t have sock room, we will be using them with our youngest at a size when he can wear socks and have a little shield against the wool. I would definitely do the same as an adult, as some of us are just sensitive to it.

I personally love that these look like a standard Wildling model such as Tanuki Yoru at first glance, but have the extra oomph of the wool inside to keep you toasty when it gets cold. I could see wearing a model like this myself and definitely recommend it for a less boot-y way to get through the coming chills.

Want more reviews?

Check out All the Barefoot Shoe Reviews for more in-depth looks.

Want to check out other lists, such as color and type breakdowns?

Check out all the BIG lists here.