Sustainable consumption: why the choice of materials really matters
When you buy a new pair of shoes, you probably think first about fit, style and comfort. But every material has a story: Where does the leather come from? Under what conditions was the wool obtained? These questions are anything but theoretical – they affect the environment, animal welfare and the people along the supply chain. Sustainability isn’t a passing trend, but a mindset that starts small. Choosing consciously makes a statement. And this is where standards such as LWG Gold-certified leather and mulesing-free Merino wool come in: they make quality measurable and responsibility visible.
What does LWG Gold-certified leather mean?
Materials with a story are more than buzzwords – they’re a promise. The Leather Working Group – LWG for short – is a non-profit organisation that develops and verifies global standards for leather production. Its certification system assesses tanneries worldwide against environmental and social criteria: water consumption, waste management, energy efficiency, use of chemicals and traceability of raw materials.
The Gold award – the highest level in the LWG system – means that a tannery demonstrably meets high standards in all these areas. Regular, independent audits ensure that these standards don’t just exist on paper, but are actually put into practice. For you as a buyer, that means you can assume the leather in your shoe comes from a tannery that works in an environmentally conscious and transparent way.
Leather is a natural material with a long tradition. When produced responsibly, it can be long-lasting, hard-wearing and manufactured with comparatively low resource use – provided the production process is consistently geared towards sustainability. That is precisely the aim of the LWG Gold standard.
Mulesing-free Merino wool: animal welfare as a mark of quality
Mulesing-free Merino wool shows that animal welfare is a genuine mark of quality. Merino wool is considered one of the finest natural fibres in the world. It is especially fine, temperature-regulating, moisture-managing and naturally odour-resistant – properties that make it particularly attractive for making shoes and textiles.
However, there is a practice in sheep farming called mulesing, which is heavily criticised in the animal-welfare debate. It involves removing skin from the sheep’s hindquarters to prevent flystrike – a painful procedure usually carried out without anaesthesia. Mulesing-free Merino wool comes from farms that explicitly refrain from this practice. The welfare of the sheep is clearly the priority there.
Abstaining from mulesing is not a given – it requires alternative husbandry concepts and committed herd management. So when you choose a product made from mulesing-free Merino wool, you actively support agriculture that applies higher animal-welfare standards.
Shoes that meet this standard
Wondering where to start in practical terms? With us you’ll find models built precisely on these two material standards – with LWG Gold-certified leather and mulesing-free Merino wool. Whether for everyday wear, leisure or on the go: the following shoes combine comfort and quality with a more conscientious approach to production.
What do our customers say?
The Merino-wool trainers Merino Runners WOMEN are feather-light and very comfortable to wear. The colour is as shown in the catalogue, truly beautiful.
Bettina — ★★★★★
Merino Runners MEN The shoe fits great and is nice and light. The well-cushioned, soft sole helps me walk with a softer step. I chose the shoe because of my back problems and will be expanding my collection.
Norbert — ★★★★★
