The Great Slipper Debate | Baabuk’s Eco-friendly Slippers

Are you a slippers kind of person? I am. When I get in from the cold, there is nothing I love more than putting on a pair of super cosy, comfy slippers and drinking a cup of (pink) tea. However my husband is definitely not. Well that was until recently. Since he received a pair of Baabuk slippers, Baabuk’s ethical and eco-friendly slippers. All of a sudden, he’s become a slipper man. I’d love to say it’s because they are produced in an ethical and environmentally friendly way, but I suspect it’s because they look so darn good and are incredibly comfy. Oh and before I forget, there’s a great discount for Baabuk’s slippers, just carry on reading.

Eco-friendly Slippers | The Baabuk Story

Baabuk is the brainchild of Galina and Dan. The story began when Dan was given a pair of Valenkis by Galina’s parents after a trip to Russia, incidentally where she grew up. In the past these traditional felted wool boots were worn by Russians to keep their feet warm from sub-zero temperatures in Siberia. Galina and Dan wanted to share these amazing eco-friendly slippers with people outside of Russia, and so Baabuk began.

What Are Eco-friendly slippers Made From?

Now Baabuk slippers are made from completely natural materials. The shoe is made from 100% felted wool, and the sole 100% natural latex. It’s the felting that makes them look aesthetically so modern, which is ironic as this is a technique that has been used to make Valenkis since the end of the 16^th century. In contrast, if you bought a pair of slippers from the high street, they are likely to be made from (or in part) synthetic materials such as polyester, which is essentially a plastic.

The Cost?

During my time as a knitwear buyer for the UK high street, I saw fast fashion businesses moving away from using wool as material. This was because of rising costs. Synthetic materials are undeniably cheaper. This is why you can buy a pair of polyester slippers from H&M for £12.99, whereas Baabuk’s wool eco-friendly slippers cost €69.90. Yet Baabuk have produced a pair of ethical and eco-friendly slippers that are much more durable than any synthetic alternative.

So Why Is Wool So Great?

Those of you who’ve been reading n4mummy for a while know I always rave about wool, it’s a wonderful sustainable material and is seriously superior to any synthetic alternative. Here’s why:

1. It’s Thermoregulating

Wool regulates your skin’s temperature, this means when it’s cold it keeps your feet warm, but equally when warm it’ll keep them cool. Yep, wool is seriously clever.

2. It’s Antibacterial

Because wool is antibacterial, you can wear these slippers without any socks. It is also breathable, so no stinky feet and definitely no frump factor.

3. It’s Water Repellent

Yep, feel free to cook in your Baabuk wool slippers, as the fibres of wool are covered in a special waxy coating that makes them water-repellent. It also means spillages aren’t easily absorbed into them & if they do need cleaning you can pop them in the washing machine, just make sure it’s a wool wash.

4. It’s Environmentally Friendly

Most breeds of sheep need to be sheered at least once a year, so this means wool is naturally grown and renewable. It’s also biodegradable and if needs be, easily recycled. In fact it can be composted and then used as a fertilizer due to its high level of nitrogen.

5. It’s Durable

Absolutely key to sustainable fashion, is the idea of durability. Apparently felted wool can be bent 30,000 times without any damage and wool is 7 times stronger than cotton.

Phew, that’s a lot of reasons.

How Are Baabuk Slippers Made?

The production process involves wool, water and soap and that’s it. So the process itself is very environmentally friendly. Baabuk slippers are actually made entirely in one piece, there are no seams. This is what makes them so comfortable, and the more I’ve worn them, the more the wool has moulded to the shape of my foot. Baabuk also claim this is what makes them so durable as there isn’t a seam to break. However, as I’ve only been wearing mine for a month, and not a year, I’m not yet able to confirm this.

Where Are Baabuk Slippers Made?

Baabuk’s eco-friendly slippers are handmade in Nepal, where Galina and Dan set up a workshop from scratch. They are currently working towards receiving Fair Trade accreditation for their factory, but in the meantime they guarantee higher than average salaries, good working conditions (ie breaks and holidays), training, equality and absolutely no child labour. To read more about the how and where Baabuk’s slippers are made, please click here.

Seriously Fun Slippers

Their slippers come in a whole host of beautiful colours, from sensible grey and navy through to bright pink, red and orange. And if you’re a child (or have child sized feet), they come with wool to personalise your slippers with a funny face, or motif. Please click here for ideas! They also come in different shoe shapes, I’m wearing Gus, my husband Jeremy, there is also a boot and a child’s slipper. Baabuk also make wool trainers, which I secretly have my eye one, and  boots, but that is a whole other blog post.

Now, Baabuk have succeeded in converting my husband to eco-friendly slippers, so the question is will they convert you too?

For 15% discount off Baabuk please use code n4mummy15 valid until the end of March 2018

Shop Eco-Friendly Slippers

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Gus Light Grey Slippers | Baabuk

Jeremy Navy Slippers | Baabuk

Kids Slippers | Baabuk

____________________________________________________________________________________________

The slippers were gifted to us by Baabuk, but all opinions are as always my own.