Nordwolle shoes – with Marco Scheel
Our Nordwolle shoes are not only particularly sustainable, they are also made using genuine German wool. The loden used comes from our partner Nordwolle, founded by Marco Scheel. Nordwolle sources its wool from local North German shepherds, who keep the endangered grey-woolled Pomeranian Landschaf there to help maintain the countryside. What many people don’t know is that: The wool from the Pomeranian Landschaf has similar properties to merino wool and is therefore particularly well-suited to our shoes. As well as wool trainers, we also use Marco Scheel’s wool for our hiking boots with merino wool lining and our merino barefoot shoes.
What makes our woollen shoes made with Nordwolle so special?
Our woollen shoes made with Nordwolle don’t just look stylish; they’re also breaking new ground when it comes to sustainability. The various shoe styles combine the unique design of the wool with a range of functional features and eco-friendly aspects. The wool used in these shoes comes from Nordwolle, a wool supplier based in northern Germany. For our Nordwolle shoes, we use wool from the Pomeranian Landschaf, an ancient and endangered breed of sheep that is used specifically for landscape conservation. In our shoes, the wool is used in the upper as well as the lining. It is combined, for example, with ethically sourced leather from Europe and recycled cork, which comes, amongst other sources, from our own cork collection campaign, ‘Cork Collect’. All our shoes are fairly and handcrafted in a family-run shoe workshop in Portugal.
Maximilian Hundhammer – founder of Doghammer – and Marco Scheel – founder of Nordwolle
Why do we work with Nordwolle on our woollen shoes?
To get even closer to our goal of minimising our environmental footprint, we sought a partner for our woollen shoes who shares the same values as we do. That’s when we came across the north-German company Nordwolle. In its day-to-day operations, Nordwolle is guided by the values of environmental awareness, a love of nature, fair production, and social, ecological and economic sustainability – making it a perfect fit for us. Their wool, sourced from the grey-woolled Pomeranian Landschaf, is ideal for our shoes, and this is how our unique Nordwolle shoes are created. This wool offers a wide range of functional properties. These ensure a comfortable foot environment inside the shoes, which is why our woollen shoes are not only suitable for winter but can also be worn comfortably in spring and autumn. Thanks to the natural oils in the wool, the shoes also have a water-repellent effect.
- They fit in perfectly with our philosophy.
- Nordwolle is a really friendly team.
- Nordwolle loden works brilliantly in our shoes.
Apart from Nordwolle, what other shoes does Doghammer stock?
Wool can be used in a variety of shoes. We use wool in our trainers, hiking boots, indoor slippers, barefoot shoes and Chelsea boots. Wool from the Pomeranian Landschaf is currently used in our Local Commuter range. We’re planning to launch more Nordwolle shoes in the future.
What’s the best way to clean my Nordwolle shoes?
To avoid damaging your woollen shoes through incorrect cleaning, you should handle them with care and follow a few tips. This will ensure your Nordwolle shoes last a particularly long time. The natural oils in the wool provide your woollen shoes with a slight water-repellent effect. However, if you clean the shoes too often or in the wrong way, these oils – and the natural water protection – will be lost. You should therefore wash the shoes as little as possible. It’s best to start by tapping out any dirt from your shoes whilst they’re dry, and then, if necessary, gently brushing them whilst dry with a dry or damp cloth. If your Nordwolle shoes are so dirty that washing is unavoidable, use lukewarm water with mild soap and clean the shoes by hand. The leather also requires special protection. Rough leather has a water-repellent mechanism similar to that of wool and can therefore protect your feet from moisture. To clean the leather, use a special suede brush to remove any coarse dirt from the shoes. For better protection against water, we recommend treating your Nordwolle wool trainers or barefoot shoes with a waterproofing spray.
Marco Scheel and Nordwolle?
Marco Scheel is the founder and managing director of Nordwolle. The young company specialises in the processing and marketing of sheep’s wool from northern Germany. Marco Scheel’s head office and production facilities are located in Tepliz, about a 15-minute drive from Wismar. On the estate, alongside the production facilities, there is also a sheepfold housing around 30 sheep, which Marco Scheel shears and looks after himself. Nordwolle’s loden, spun from this wool, is characterised by its exceptional comfort, which is particularly noticeable in our woollen shoes.
Marco Scheel: “I’m a big fan of Doghammer’s woollen shoes and wear them myself in the office, in my everyday life and even in the sheep shed.”