Wool shoes may seem like a fad, but there are several reasons to go for this trend with the obvious one being warmer feet. It’s common for our hands and feet to become cold during the winter. On days such as these, wool slippers can come to our rescue.
These slippers made from sheep’s hair keep your feet comfortably warm even if they get wet. In addition to their temperature regulation, wool shoes are lightweight. This adds to the comfort of your feet. You get comfortable footwear without having to carry any extra weight.
There’s another reason to pick up wool shoes. This one will specifically appeal to the eco-conscious folks – these are made with an all-natural material. In other words, there are no harmful synthetic compounds that go into the manufacturing process. The material’s sustainability is another relevant plus point.
Not to mention, wool is a natural moisture-wicking material, and most of the sneaker varieties are machine washable, making caretaking truly effortless. Plus, the antimicrobial potential of the material means that you can wear your shoes without the need for socks.
Now that we’ve listed some important reasons why wool shoes are an incredible investment to make let’s dive into the shopping part. Except, we can’t go ahead with that unless the difference between Baabuk and Allbirds, the two wool shoe industry giants are understood.
So, here’s an in-depth look at the differences between the two wool shoe giants:
Baabuk for getting a versatile pair of sneakers
Baabuk.com is a certified b-corp with its manufacturing starting with soap, water, and wool in Nepal. The upper is then made in Portugal. Originally, a slipper-only brand, Baabuk has grown to offer a richer line of footwear including boots and sneakers as well.
Besides being socially responsible, the wool shoe giant offers a wide array of versatile styles that promise comfort. Regardless of your preferred aesthetic, you will find something by this brand that pleases your tastes.
Baabuk’s shoes are easy to put on and don’t require extensive efforts that go into shoe-tying. If you are worried about the slipper’s grip on ice, then know that the sole will help hold your position on the ice. Most of its varieties are also machine-washable, so you can throw in your shoe (provided it is machine-washable) and don’t fuss over its caretaking.
Babbuk emphasis sustainability in their shoe collections that showcase brilliant colors and wide-ranging styles. You only have to hurry to get the colors that come in the limited-edition collections because they run out pretty fast.
Allbirds for traditional wool footwear
Allbirds was born in 2004 and instantly shot to popularity in the Silicon Valley. Later on, it went to expand to the rest of the US. At the opening of this year, they introduced a new line of sneakers, which are made from Eucalyptus pulp. The collection goes by the name of Tree Collection and is comfortable as you’d expect wool shoes to be.
Allbirds standard slip-on Loungers, as well as Runners, keep your feet warm, dry, and sweat-free all day long. Plus, they are machine-washable, so you can keep your sneakers as clean as they arrive originally, making them last longer in your shoe collection.
Some other differences between Baabuk and Allbirds
If you’re looking for traditional wool shoes, you will get a reasonable pair at Allbirds. However, if you are searching for something a little more versatile, stylish, and durable, then Babbuk should be your first choice.
Babbuk is considered as a better option to Allbirds because it has the no-tie feature. This means that when you’re in a hurry to go out for a jog in the morning, you won’t need to spend time fiddling with the laces.
Another feature that sets both these brands apart is that they boast different origin points. Where Allbirds’ starting point is the Silicon Valley, Baabuk is a brainchild of Dan and Galina. It all started when Galina’s parents gave Dan a pair of Valenkis.
Originally, such wool shoes were worn by Russians to keep their feet warm in the Siberian sub-zero temperatures. Dan and Galina realized that the footwear was eco-friendly and they decided to share these to the rest of the world, which is how Baabuk came into being.
Another point of difference is their making. Baabuk boasts durability on account of its making. The shoes from this giant are seamless. This means that there isn’t a seam to tear and cause trouble. Moreover, while Babbuk uses mulesing-free sheep wool (which guarantees that they don’t harm sheep), Allbirds make no such promises.
The good news though is that both these shoe giants follow environmentally-friendly practices when it comes to their shoe manufacturing process. Plus, they aren’t any synthetic compounds used in the making of this footwear, which is why their costs are a bit pricier than the average shoe.
Closing thoughts
Wool shoes are great ways to keep your feet warm and sweat-free without having to worry about donning socks. What’s more, the material of such footwear is durable. In contrast with cotton, wool is seven times stronger. Besides, it can be bent 30,000 times and is recyclable as well.
All these factors and more make a convincing story for including wool footwear to your shoe wardrobe. Moreover, you can always choose from a variety that Baabuk and Allbirds offer.