That these clogs are stylish and comfortable, that much I knew. What I didn’t know was the story behind their manufacture and the El Naturalista brand - an environmentally and socially responsible footwear company.
I saw a shoe that looked different yet functional, sturdy and well-balanced. A shoe that once I put it on, I didn’t want to take it off. Footwear that was made for traveling with perfect slide-on-and-off ease for airport security and long-haul flights.
Who knew they were crafted in Morocco by a Spanish company with social projects in Peru and that Nordic mythology was the inspiration behind its unusual name?
Perhaps it takes a dreamer and a traveler, like myself, to fall for a shoe inspired by legend and carefully crafted by a planet-loving global company.
Anyone, however, can appreciate the features of this supple and fun clog with its handstitched swirls and walkin’-on-air feeling. With a removable, anatomically designed footbed and recycled rubber sole, the Yggdsail will keep you on an even keel anywhere you go - at home and on the road.
And, as with most myths, the proof is in the day-to-day reality: in this case, a shoe that propels me onward in total comfort.
What I love the most:
1. I choose to wear these comfy clogs more than any other shoe in my closet.
2. An unusual amount of people compliment and comment on their spunky spirit.
3. Equal parts sandal and shoe - this clog is the best of both worlds: versatile enough to be worn in hot or cold climates with skirts or pants.
4. It’s easy to forget I’m wearing shoes - a cool weather necessity my sandal-loving feet usually abhor.
Part of El Naturalista’s Yggdrasil shoe collection, the N096 Yggdrasil clog is available for purchase at www.ElNaturalista.com or at The Travel Store at EllenBarone.com powered by Amazon. Available in a variety of colors. Suggested retail price; $145.
About El Naturalista
A Spanish footwear company, El Naturalista represents a different way of thinking about shoes and sandals. El Naturalista uses natural materials and organic dyes in their shoes and sandals, as well as biodegradable and recycled materials. Their frog emblem expresses the company’s desire to maintain an environmentally and socially respectful philosophy while creating shoes that make a statement. A true pioneer, El Naturalista is founded on the belief that shoes can be more than simple footwear - they can inspire us all to live better and help one another.
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Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".