Wildling Tanuki – A Full Review | Obsessed with Barefoot Shoes

If you want barefoot shoes that don’t feel like shoes at all, then Wildling is the brand for you. For the maximum barefoot feel in a line that’s already pretty much as good as it gets, go right for Tanuki models.

Disclaimer: My youngest son and I were both sent Tanuki Sango for review, but it’s not my first experience with this model and all thoughts are my own. No links on this page are affiliate links. For more information, check out my previous reviews for Nebula and Wombat.

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 am an affiliate of Wildling, so use of these links supports what I do with reviews like this and is much appreciated.

Sections

Technical Specifications

Upper: Stretch washi (75% paper, 25% polyester)
Mid-sole: 100% certified organically grown cotton
Removable Insole: Hemp-flax fleece (50% hemp, 50% flax)
Outsole: 80% 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 23-48
Currently, 4 available colors (Black, Blue, Cream, and the Red pictured here, though there have been a total of 7 over the seasons

Company

Wildling is very open about their values and the website also has a detailed listing about their history as a company founded to restrict feet as little as possible. They aim to give us the ultimate barefoot feeling and movement and do it in a sustainable way. You can also check out their blog for more information about their initiatives related to that, and their social media, including Instagram stories, is very informative as well.

Appearance

I love red deeply, and this red is the exact shade I love – not too pink and not too purple. It’s a clear, honest, crimson, beautiful red. It pops amazing color with outfits, whether you’ve woven red into them or just want to say ‘hey, look at these shoes!’

The fox on the back is not obvious on the adult version, but you can see that it stands out much more on the pair sent to my 4-year-old.

His shoes also come with elastic laces (which were not fully set up yet when he ran around in them) and instructions for how to set them up.

Package and pieces:

Finished product:

Kid eager to run around in his RED shooooees:

Wildling also has instructional videos on YouTube covering relevant topics, including this one:

Fit

Wildling has several models designed for extra volume (Hanami, Lizard, and Eden, for example) but all their soles are consistently molded between models so they are not going to be the best for super splayers. I’m more along the lines of ‘high and wide’ and I get a good fit, though with some models, such as this one, I find myself most comfortable sockless. The width at the front is good, the instep is just right with either very thin socks or no socks, and I’m not restricted.

Fit for my 4-year-old with his wide, high-volume feet is a bit more snug and he’s wearing them without insoles. The fabric stretches though, and in even the first wear they became much looser, so I believe that before long the insoles will be back in his shoes.

Note: I know they stretch because, about a year ago, I had several Tanuki models in size 42. They started out like tight gloves and stretched to fit very comfortably. I let them go, though, and am glad to be in 43 now.

Sizing

Wildling is incredibly helpful with sizing. First stop, if you have a printer, is to print out their Fitkit page for your size or potential size options. Make sure you print at 100% and do not worry about width as the templates are not intended to accurately represent that, but just let you check length. They do include guides at the end for both mature and growing feet. Research shows that we need 12 mm extra, so if I’m looking visually I want to be between the growing and mature lines. If you’re unsure about what you’re seeing there or which size is correct, the Facebook Wildling community groups have both employees and shoe lovers always ready to help you pick the correct one.

If you don’t have a printer or don’t like sizing this way (I personally prefer measuring) then the same page, under the section that says “No printer available?”, will pull up a PDF of lengths for each size. Measure your feet and use this to optimize your size.

How do they feel?

Shoes, what shoes?

Even in minimalist footwear you can feel your shoes and know you’re wearing them, but Tanuki models from Wildling are as light as they come. I’m not bothered to take them off, usually.

Low-quality cell phone pic, just chillin’ at my bestie’s. Little guy had his shoes on backwards but was really happy that he put them on all by himself to go outside.

They are extremely flexible and provide maximum ground feel. If you’re up to size 41 you have only 2.5 mm in your sole (and just 3.5 above that). It will let you feel everything and not hold you back.

Cleaning and Care

These shoes are designed to be damp- and water-friendly. I have not added any spray like I did with Wombat or glued the soles as many do (I’ve never done that myself). It seems like it would defeat the purpose in this particular model. If you take them on wet grass, they will get wet. But they will dry again, and you’ll be ready for more adventures. The only real aid you should do to this process is to remove the insoles while drying. Do not machine dry them or put them on too strong of a heat source as this could damage the glue.

The caution against this is for non-nature wear: if you’re headed to work on a rainy day and your feet get wet in these, you’ll be hard-pressed to get them dry again while wearing them. On a rainy day when you plan to be in and out of locations, or headed into one like work for a long period, I’d go with a different model.

Debris can collect in the sole. I find it best to let the shoes dry before worrying about it. If you’re just going out again into nature with them, the debris will fall off quickly as you walk, thanks to the extreme flexibility of the shoes. If you are going somewhere more city-like, then a brush will easily remove any pieces.

Spot clean or gently hand wash. Do not machine wash, and if you get salt water on them, rinse them in freshwater after.

Purchasing and Returns

Wildling shoes are purchased directly on their site and are shipped fast via DHL Express. Tanuki versions like this, or Umi, Yoru, and Niji don’t last, so snag them when they’re available. As of 6/15/2021 US/Canadian customers must now use THIS LINK.

If you’re unhappy with your Wildling purchase, they have a very smooth and easy return service, and the first return is free. You can get started at this link.

Final Thoughts

When you go with Wildling, you are getting a top-of-the-line barefoot experience. Yes, they look different with their split sole and flares around the edges, but there’s a strategy behind every piece that centers on one goal: restrict your feet as little as possible. They accomplish that with every model, and Tanuki is my favorite thanks to its light feel, easy maintenance, and (for this model) amazing color.