El Naturalista’s well-known and loved Yggdrasil boot makes a return this fall with pretty Nordic Tree of Life-inspired detailing. The word Yggdrasil relates to the Old Norse Yggdrasill, an immense ash tree considered very holy. Other meanings of the word point to Odin’s horse (drasill means “horse”; Yggr is one of Odin’s many names).
If you’re not familiar with the Spanish line of fashionable, comfortable, colourful shoes, they use vegetable-tanned leathers as well as natural and recycled products in all their lines. El Naturalista was born in La Rioja, a fertile and prosperous area with a well known footwear tradition.
[Yggdrasil’s natural bamboo lining]
The Yggdrasil is lined with 100% natural bamboo, offering breathability, absorption, and natural antibacterial properties. The familiar Yggdrasil recycled rubber heel and outsole is super comfy and easy to wear.
The insole is both contoured, cushioned, and removable, while the recycled rubber outsole is both environmentally friendly and shock absorbing for added comfort and traction.
There’s a short zipper on the inner part of each boot for easy access. I’ve been tucking jeans into these boots, so having the zipper to readjust the hem is handy. I also like the Western style coupled with contrast-stitched florets front and back giving the boots a unique, feminine touch.
This boot will go great with skirts and tights as well as leggings with shorter dresses. One word about the bamboo lining: while 100% natural, it made easy friends with some of my cotton black socks, so if you need to take the boots off at a dinner party, consider packing a small lint roller in your bag.
The Yggdrasil comes in Bosque (forest green), Land (camel), Ocean (blue), Rioja (deep red), Wood, and black.
El Naturalista gives back to its global community by teaming up with 1% for the Planet as well as its own Atauchi Project, supporting abandoned and disabled children in Peru. Through Atauchi, El Naturalista donates one euro from every pair of their Nasca shoe line sold; the Spanish government matches each euro on a 20-to-1 basis.
One of the latest boots in the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection, the Yggdrasil retails for CDN $369 and is available online or at Searle’s Shoes in Courtenay and at Heart’s Content in Victoria, BC.
Disclaimer: El Naturalista sent me a pair of Yggdrasil boots to test drive for this feature.