10 Best Wool Shoes: Merino Sneakers & Slippers Compared [2026]
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Are you looking for wool shoes? Then, you’re in the right place. We’ve rounded up our favorite sustainable brands creating wool sneakers, wool runners and wool slippers from responsibly sourced wool.
Wool has grown in popularity in the sustainable shoe market over the last few years, and for good reason. Wool is a natural, renewable material that’s breathable, moisture-wicking and naturally odor-resistant, which is why so many of the shoes below can be worn without socks. It’s also biodegradable, unlike the polyester and polyurethane found in most footwear.
Our editors own several pairs of wool shoes between us (Allbirds, Baabuk, Giesswein and Wildling all get regular wear), so we’ve included our own experience wherever we can, alongside a few brands our readers keep asking us about, especially when it comes to wool shoes for men.
Let’s jump in.
If you’re here, you might also be interested in our guides to sustainable sneakers, shoes like Allbirds and whether merino wool is ethical.
Our Favorite Wool Shoes
Here’s a quick comparison of all 10 wool shoes we’ve featured:
| Shoe | Type | Water-resistant | Price | Made in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allbirds Wool Runners | Lace-up sneaker | No | $110 | Vietnam, South Korea |
| Giesswein Merino Runners | Knit sneaker | No | $150 | Europe |
| Baabuk Urban Wooler | Felted sneaker | Light rain | $169 | Portugal |
| Woolloomooloo Coogee | Knit sneaker | No | $160 | China (Australian wool) |
| Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzles | Sneaker | Yes | from $125 | Vietnam, South Korea |
| Rothy’s RS01 | Knit sneaker | No | $179 | China (own factory) |
| Wildling Nebula | Barefoot shoe | No | from about $130 | Portugal |
| Glerups | Felt slipper / shoe | No | $140 | Europe |
| Mahabis Curve | Indoor-outdoor slipper | No | $164 | Portugal |
| Kyrgies | Felt slipper | No | from $89 | Kyrgyzstan |
Benefits of Wool Shoes
Some great benefits of wool make it an ideal material for footwear:
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Naturally breathable - the fibers let air circulate, so your feet don’t overheat.
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Thermoregulating - wool will keep you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot.
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Moisture-wicking - wool naturally wicks away moisture to prevent sweaty feet.
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Naturally antibacterial and odor resistant - great for smelly feet, and the reason you can wear most wool shoes without socks.
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Soft and cushioning - merino fibers are around a fifth the diameter of a human hair, so they don’t itch.
What is ethical wool?
It’s important that when looking for wool shoes, you make sure the wool has been responsibly sourced and, if it’s merino wool, that it’s mulesing-free, which means the sheep or lambs haven’t been mutilated.
When looking for ethical wool, look out for wool certifications such as ZQ certified and Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certifications. All of the brands we’ve featured below use responsibly sourced wool. You can read more in our guide to whether merino wool is ethical.
The Best Wool Shoes from Sustainable Brands
1. Allbirds Wool Runners
Sustainability: Certified B Corp, ZQ-certified merino wool, sugarcane-based SweetFoam sole, carbon footprint printed on every shoe
Best for: Casual wool shoes, merino wool sneakers
Price: $110
Ships to: USA, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, NZ, Japan, South Korea
Allbirds is the brand that made wool sneakers popular, and their Wool Runners are still one of the best casual wool shoes you can buy. The uppers are made from soft ZQ-certified merino wool, which is naturally breathable, water-resistant and thermoregulating, and the sole is Allbirds’ signature sugarcane-based SweetFoam.
We’ve personally tested Allbirds shoes (the Runners, Dashers and Pipers) and found them comfortable and well made, with very little sole wear even after a year of wearing them almost every day. They’re easy to wash in the machine on a cold cycle, too.
A drawback we’ve found is that the wool uppers do pill and stretch a little with heavy use, so we’d recommend them as an everyday walking and commuting shoe rather than a gym shoe.
Want to compare Allbirds with other brands? Check out our guide to sustainable shoes like Allbirds, or see our full Allbirds sustainability rating.
2. Giesswein Merino Runners
Sustainability: Mulesing-free merino wool, family-owned Austrian brand, made in Europe, replaceable footbed
Best for: Knitted wool shoes with arch support
Price: $149.95
Ships to: USA, UK, EU, Australia
Austrian family-owned shoe brand Giesswein creates sustainable merino wool shoes ethically in Europe. The brand has been making wool slippers since 1954 and is now in its third generation, with a growing range of wool sneakers including the Merino Runners.
The Merino Runners are made from lightweight merino wool, 3D-knit into a fine, stretchy upper that molds to your foot. Unlike a lot of wool sneakers, they come with a proper structured footbed and heel, and you can swap the insole for your own pair if you prefer. So if you have flat feet or spend all day on your feet, Giesswein is a good one to look at.
We’ve tested Giesswein’s Merino Runners and found them lightweight, comfortable and perfect for casual wear, although they do run slightly narrow. Despite the name, we wouldn’t recommend them for running.
Want to learn more? Check out our full brand comparison on Giesswein vs Allbirds, or see our Giesswein sustainability rating.
3. Baabuk Urban Wooler
Sustainability: Certified B Corp, mulesing-free wool, designed in Switzerland and made in Portugal
Best for: Wool sneakers, wool high-tops, wool slip-ons
Price: $169
Ships to: Worldwide
The Baabuk Urban Wooler is an excellent option if you’re looking for wool sneakers you can wear every day. The shoe has a sleek style, removable insoles, and comes in a range of neutral and vibrant colors.
Baabuk’s Woolers are created from felted wool rather than knitted wool, which makes a strong, fluffy fabric that doesn’t fray and holds its shape better than a knit. The felt also sheds a light shower, which is handy in autumn.
The brand is a certified B Corp, meaning it prioritizes people and the environment over profits. Baabuk only creates its shoes ethically in Europe from non-mulesed sheep, and we’ve chatted to the founders about why they love working with wool.
Ecothes Reviewed: “I’ve tested a pair of Baabuk shoes (pictured) and can recommend the brand. The shoes are well made, the wool is soft, and they’ve held their shape really well after a few years of wear. Overall 5/5 stars.” - Georges
Want to learn more? Check out our full brand comparison on Baabuk vs Allbirds, or see our Baabuk sustainability rating.
4. Woolloomooloo
Sustainability: 100% Australian merino wool uppers, digitally knitted to reduce waste, machine washable
Best for: Knitted wool sneakers with a wider fit
Price: $160
Ships to: USA, Australia and international
Woolloomooloo is an Australian brand on a mission to create comfortable footwear that celebrates the properties of Australian merino wool.
The brand creates several styles of wool sneakers, including the lace-up Coogee and the slip-on Byron, and each style comes in a variety of colors. Woolloomooloo’s shoes are knitted straight from merino wool fibers, which means they’re super breathable and there’s very little material wasted in production.
Compared to Allbirds, we found Woolloomooloo’s sneakers softer and roomier, with a wool-lined insole and a thicker, more supportive sole. They run wide, so if you have narrow feet you might prefer Giesswein. Plus, the brand regularly runs sales that bring older colors under $100, so it’s worth checking their sale page.
5. Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzles
Sustainability: ZQ merino wool, bio-based water-repellent Puddle Guard coating, sugarcane-based sole
Best for: Water-resistant wool shoes
Price: from $125
Ships to: USA, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, NZ, Japan, South Korea
We’ve already mentioned Allbirds when featuring the Wool Runners, but if you’re looking for a water-resistant wool shoe, then the Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzles are a better option.
The Mizzles feature Allbirds’ water-repellent Puddle Guard technology, which helps keep your feet dry while keeping the comfort and breathability of the merino wool. They also have extra traction on the sole and sit slightly higher on your ankle than the regular Runners, which helps stop rain splashes from getting into your shoes.
Allbirds does change its rain lineup fairly often. The Runner-Up Mizzles have now been retired, and there’s a mid-height Wool Runner NZ Waterproof if you’d prefer something closer to a boot, so it’s worth checking the current Mizzle collection to see what’s in stock.
Shop Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzles
6. Rothy’s RS01 Sneaker
Sustainability: Merino wool uppers knitted to shape with zero cutting waste, made in Rothy’s own factory, machine washable
Best for: Smart merino wool sneakers for men
Price: $179
Ships to: USA, Canada, UK and selected international
Rothy’s is best known for its flats knitted from recycled plastic bottles, but the brand also makes a men’s sneaker, the RS01, with a merino wool knit upper.
The RS01 has a low-profile sole and a cushioned, contoured footbed, and it looks a little smarter than most wool sneakers, so it’s a good option if you want a wool shoe you can wear with chinos or to the office. Like all of Rothy’s shoes, the uppers are knitted to shape in the brand’s own factory, so there’s no offcut waste, and the whole shoe is machine washable.
It is the most expensive sneaker on our list, but Rothy’s shoes tend to last well. Want to learn more? Check out our brand comparison on Rothy’s vs Allbirds, or see our Rothy’s sustainability rating.
7. Wildling Shoes
Sustainability: Mulesing-free merino wool, made in Portugal, regenerative wool sourcing projects, repair service
Best for: Barefoot wool shoes
Price: from about $130
Ships to: USA, EU, UK, Switzerland
If you’re on the hunt for a pair of barefoot wool shoes, then definitely check out Wildling. They’re a German B Corp creating a range of sustainable minimal shoes, and the Nebula is their slip-on wool model, with a merino outer and a merino lining over a thin, flexible sole.
Wildling only creates barefoot shoes, which let your feet move more freely and help train your foot muscles to improve your balance. They take a week or two to get used to if you’re coming from cushioned trainers.
We’ve tested a pair of Wildling wool shoes (pictured) and can seriously say they are super soft and cozy. The thin soles conform to the shape of your foot and are really flexible, meaning these wool shoes are perfect if you travel and are short on space. Plus, Wildling offers a repair service and takes old pairs back, which is great to see.
See our full Wildling sustainability rating.
8. Glerups
Sustainability: 100% natural wool felt, natural rubber or leather soles, family-owned Danish brand
Best for: Felted wool slippers you can wear outside
Price: $140
Ships to: USA, Canada, EU, UK
Glerups is a Danish brand that has been making felted wool slippers since 1993, when the founder started felting wool from her own sheep on the family farm. Today the brand still makes every pair from a blend of merino and Gotland wool, with nothing synthetic in the upper.
Glerups come in slip-on, shoe and boot styles, and you can choose between a soft leather sole for indoors or a natural rubber sole so you can pop outside to the garden or the shops. They’re the warmest shoes on our list, and the felt molds to your feet over the first few weeks of wear.
Glerups also sells replacement insoles, so a good pair should last you years. A great option if you work from home.
9. Mahabis
Sustainability: ReWooly felt made with at least 50% recycled wool, made in Portugal, slipper recycling scheme
Best for: Indoor-outdoor wool slippers
Price: $164
Ships to: Worldwide
So Mahabis technically aren’t shoes, but the brand produces a great range of wool slippers with a robust rubber sole, so you can wear the same pair on the sofa and out to the bins. The brand gets excellent reviews, with an average of over 4.3 out of 5 stars from tens of thousands of customers.
Each pair of Mahabis Curve slippers is created with ReWooly, a felt the brand developed with an Italian mill that’s made from at least 50% recycled wool, and lined with organic wool for extra comfort. Mahabis come in various colors and styles, including slip-ons, mules and boot styles.
Plus, Mahabis offers a recycling scheme so you can send back your old pair and keep them out of landfill. They’re pricey for slippers, but the brand regularly runs bundle offers and a discount on your first pair.
See our full Mahabis sustainability rating.
10. Kyrgies
Sustainability: Hand-felted from Kyrgyz wool in a women-owned, fair-wage workshop, all-natural materials
Best for: Affordable handmade wool felt slippers
Price: from $89
Ships to: USA, Canada and international
Kyrgies makes wool felt house shoes and slides by hand in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, using felting techniques that go back centuries on the Asian steppe. The workshop is women-owned and pays fair wages, and the wool is sourced locally from Kyrgyz sheep.
The felt is thick and dense, so these are warmer than most sheepskin slippers, and Kyrgies also has an outdoor range with a rubber sole. At under $100, they’re the most affordable pair on our list, and they make a lovely gift.
Ecothes Tip: Merino wool is naturally water repellent thanks to its lanolin, so it will shrug off a light shower. However, that doesn’t mean wool shoes are automatically waterproof. If you’re looking specifically for waterproof or water-repellent wool shoes, we’ve noted which shoes have a water-repellent coating in the comparison table above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wool shoes good for summer?
Yes, as long as they’re a knitted merino sneaker rather than a thick felt slipper. Merino wicks away sweat and the crimped fibers trap air, so wool sneakers like Woolloomooloo and Allbirds actually stay cooler than canvas or synthetic sneakers in hot weather. Felt slippers are best saved for winter.
Are wool shoes waterproof?
Not on their own. Merino wool resists a light shower because of its natural lanolin, but it will soak through in steady rain. If you need wool shoes for wet weather, choose a pair with a water-repellent finish like the Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzles, or a felted wool sneaker like Baabuk, which sheds light rain.
Are wool shoes itchy?
Although you might think wool shoes would be itchy, the shoes we’ve recommended are all made with merino wool, a super fine and soft wool fiber that doesn’t rub or scratch. Most of the sneakers on this list can be worn without socks.
Can you wash wool shoes?
Most of the sneakers we’ve featured are machine washable. Remove the insoles and laces, wash on a cold, gentle cycle with a wool detergent, and air dry away from direct heat. Felt slippers should be spot cleaned instead.
What are the best wool shoes for men?
All of the sneakers on this list come in men’s sizes. Allbirds Wool Runners are a great everyday choice, Giesswein’s Merino Runners have the most support, and Rothy’s RS01 is a good option if you want a smarter-looking wool sneaker.
Are there wool running shoes?
Allbirds has made wool running shoes (the Wool Dasher) on and off, and the lineup changes fairly often. For actual running, we’d recommend checking out our guide to sustainable running shoes. The wool sneakers above are best suited to walking and everyday wear.
Are wool shoes vegan?
No, wool shoes aren’t vegan. Although wool can be sourced responsibly and cruelty-free, animals are always involved. If you’d rather avoid animal materials altogether, check out our guide to vegan sneakers.
Wrapping Up: Wool Shoes
We hope you’ve found the perfect pair of wool shoes from our favorite sustainable brands.
If you’d like to discover more sustainable recommendations, check out our guides on sustainable sneakers, shoes like Allbirds, organic shoes and repairable shoes.
