Natural Shoes

"PLANT-BASED, NATURAL DYES

Since our products are hand-dyed and hand-finished, it's important that we use only the safest ingredients possible. All our dyes are natural, non-toxic and sourced from nature, so they are safer for you, our workers, and our environment.

Natural latex, extracted from the sap of the rubber tree, is strong, very permeable, and free of harmful chemicals. It's excellent for sweat absorption and is highly resilient, reducing discomfort and improving odor-control.

AN ORGANIC ALTERNATIVE TO CHROME TANNING               Our products are made only with the highest quality, naturally vegetable tanned leathers. Rather than using harsh chemicals such as chromes and formaldehydes, our leathers are prepared using natural tannins such as tree bark and leaves to cleanse and prepare the leather for use.

Tanning is the process of treating raw leather to prepare it for use. Vegetable tanning is the oldest, most intricate, and most traditional approach to preparing leather for long-term use and durability. This chemical-free process is the safer, organic alternative to chrome tanning, which utilizes harmful chromiums and formaldehydes to get the job done faster.

In the vegetable tanning process, a hide is soaked in water mixed with tannins extracted from vegetable matter, such as tree bark, leaves, and plants. These tannins help remove moisture from the hide, making it less likely to rot. This process also naturally removes impurities and helps the leather to become durable and hard-wearing.

Only 20% or less of all leather goods on the market utilize vegetable tanned leathers, as the process is much more expensive and time consuming than chrome tanning. Vegetable tanning can take months and utilizes only natural materials, eliminating exposure to the harmful heavy metals and formaldehydes used in chrome tanning. 

The vegetable tanning process helps the leather develop a patina, a beautiful color transformation that occurs naturally as it is aged with exposure to oils and other elements of the environment. All materials involved in the process are 100% biodegradable and organic, yielding leather that boasts a natural, earthy smell. It's safer for you, our workers, and our planet.

NATURAL CORK MIDSOLE                                                        To fill the midsole, we use a blend of natural bark from the cork tree and recycled leather shavings. Over time, this blend creates a custom fit for lasting comfort." (Bed|Stü.com/our-materials)