Pull the Wool over Your Feet with Baabuk Shoes
Sheeps say baa- we say Baabuk
If you google what most shoes are made out of, you’d find materials such as leathers, textiles, synthetics, rubber, foam, and plastic. Sounds comfy AF right? Something to be aware of in 2021- shoes can be made from more than the traditional factory produced methods. Shocker, we know. In fact, the team at Baabuk found that hundreds of years ago, shepherds had no escape from the elements so they created a tightly woven wool fabric called burel.
So, fast forward time, spice up some resources, and insert manufacturing marvels, you now have today an you get Baabuk. Featuring sneakers that are handcrafted from locally sourced wool by highly skilled artisans on antique machines with histories as impressive as the material they create. This OG sneaker of the world is not front and center in 2021 as another sole-searching shoe option. Known for their Urban Woolers, these puppies are streamlined for warmer weather and are made for moisture- wicking goodness.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
Something is different here. Maybe it’s the wool slip-on/slip-off design, or the elastic laces (so yes, no more tying your shoes) that make these sneakers cool in every which way. Maybe its the variety of color combos, shoe profiles, and options that can fit any dude, lady, or child. Maybe its the lightweight Felted wool (like you’ll find in Baabuk sneakers) that is derived from a process that spins the wool into a cloth that’s then churned in hot water and dried on high heat to make a fabric that’s strong yet fluffy and won’t fray at the edges that make these shoes different.
Whatever it is, the initial impressions of these unique shoes are something we thought you should know about. Things like:
All Wool
Featuring a Merino lining, the Urban Wooler’s 100% wool uppers are durable, flexible and water-repellent on the outside; cozy and itch-free on the inside. Whether it’s hot or cold, wool’s natural wicking and breathable properties keep your feet at a comfortable temperature.
Elastic Laces
Comfort meets convenience in these elastic laces that making slipping on and off your shoes a breeze. The no-tie design is easy to adjust to ensure a snug fit and makes for a clean, modern look.
Durable Soles
Bend doesn’t break. That’s the kind of flexibility and strength these TPU rubber soles provide. Also featuring resistance to water and extreme temperatures as well as oils and grease, they give you the security and stability needed to deal with the unpredictable nature of life in the city.
So tying this all together (see what we did there), these shoes are made from some pretty unique processes and materials- some that go back long before you even put the first pair of shoes on your feet. The materials, sustainability, and design of Baabuk are in fact unique and one-of-a kind!
Initial duuude Impression: The modern spin on the OG shoe is something worth trying on!
TESTING IT OUT
Now that we grabbed a pair of these sleek sneaks, we wanted to test these out!
Quality: Designed in Switzerland. Made in Europe (Portugal)
Materials: upper & inner 100% Portuguese mulesing-free sheep wool, soft Merino inner lining, durable TPU Thermoplastic sole.
Care: Machine washable with “wool” program (30° C, gentle spin). You may want to use a special wool detergent.
To kick things off its important to know that these sneakers come in a variety of sizes and colors, and feature the same technology, composition, and durability of other Baabuk shoes.
THE FIT
Right away one of our crew members stole the shoes for themselves to review. We get it- they were a highly sought after pair of sneakers. So when it comes to the fit, you have to see what they said:
“Super comfortable, and fit like a glove. Yes, we are picky when it comes to how a shoe “fits your foot” and these are not too tight, not too loose, and hold the foot just right. The sizing is true to size, and even with one foot slightly bigger (don’t judge), these still fit perfect for both feet. “
Seems like they liked it.
THE FEEL
That same crew member also shared their feelings about the feel. That is A LOT of “feels” right there.
“WOOOW these are soft. The outer shell of the shoe feels like, you guessed it, wool. Super smooth and soft, and the inside of the shoes are comfortable and feel really lightweight. They actually feel soft like a wool-cloud.”
Seems like he dug it.
OVERALL
Overall the report from the field was positive. The first few times wearing these shoes, there was a “break-in” period that was needed to loosen them up a bit. But after this, the slip on ease, comfort, and ability to be dressed up/down was a huge selling point. The look was sharp, the fit was perfect, and the overall feeling wearing these shoes was worth wearing.
STANDOUT FEATURES
After testing out the sneakers, wearing them, researching the materials and standards that these shoes met, and the OG methods of introducing a shoe that is as timeless as the shoe itself, there were some noted Standout Features:
The materials used for these shoes are unlike other shoes you can find out there
The soft feel and comfort make these shoes all-day wearers and can go anywhere and worn anytime
The OG methods and sustainability factors make these sneakers a refreshing option in 2021
Cleanup is easy and the no-tie laces is one of the coolest parts of these sneakers
You can see the vast amount of men’s shoes/styles on Baabuk’s website.
BONUS FEATURES
As an added bonus to the sneakers, Baabuk offers a wide range of slip ons, men/woman styles, and accessories like wallets! Head over and see the lineup for yourself!
Also- if you want to read up on the practices, methods, beliefs and impact from Baabuk you can check out their blog and other “about” pages on their website.
Baabuk overall duuude Impression: Baabuk makes wool made shoes cool again!
Price: Urban Wooler’s $115
BAABUK INFO
In 2011, while visiting Russia for Christmas, Galina’s parents gifted him a pair of Valenkis, traditional felted footwear favored for centuries by Russians Czars to laborers alike. Amazed by these shoes that were the most comfortable and warmest things they had ever put on their feet (even when temperatures hit -40C), they recognized what they could be if they were updated while staying true to their artisanal heritage.
“We love wool but we aren’t sheep. We march to the beat of our own drummer, never afraid to try something new. That’s how we came to combine comfort and exploration — two concepts that go surprisingly well together and are the heart of everything we do and love.”
In 2015, with the help of a Kickstarter campaign supported by like-minded folks who wanted something new that was also authentic to the past, Baabuk unveiled their slippers that combined a traditional pedigree and modern Swiss design for original products that have just the right amount of the unusual.
Two more successful Kickstarter campaigns followed to launch their sneakers and boots. The support and positive response lead to receiving our B-Corp certification in 2016 and an ISPO Gold Winner award in 2017.
