What Makes Terracare Leather Special

Leather is a natural material with outstanding properties, making it the perfect choice for durable barefoot shoes. What’s more, leather is a by-product of the food industry.

When choosing our leather suppliers, we pay attention to quality, origin and traceable standards. Our leather is processed in tanneries registered with the Leather Working Group.

One of these suppliers is the German company Heinen Leder, from which we source the sustainable* and high-performance terracare® leather. Discover what makes this a top-tier material in the following article.

Leather of the Highest Quality

Terracare® leather is a performance leather produced by the traditional German company Heinen Leder. The term “performance” is no exaggeration, as terracare® leather boasts a range of technical features that go beyond what you might typically associate with classic leather.

Features of terracare® Leather:

• Water and dirt resistant
• Breathable
• Bacteria and odor neutral
• Flame resistant
• Comfortable and skin-friendly
• Durable and long-lasting

How terracare® Leather Is Made

When choosing our partners, we look not only at quality but also at how and under what conditions products are made.

Terracare® leather from Heinen Leder is an eco-friendly* natural product that meets all our requirements. It stands out for its minimal resource consumption, transparent sourcing, and optimal recycling rates.

Here’s what that means in detail:

• 30% less CO₂ emissions compared to standard leather production (according to Heinen Leder*). Electricity for production is self-generated or, when needed, purchased from renewable sources.
• At least 97% recycling or reuse of all by-products from production. These are turned into items like biogas, compost, gelatin, or small leather components.
• 40% less water usage than the industry standard. Additionally, the water used is treated with advanced processes and returned to the water cycle.
• Stricter chemical rules: Going beyond the legal requirements of the EU chemicals regulation REACH, Heinen Leder voluntarily applies stricter rules for handling chemicals.
• 100% transparency in the sourcing of raw materials. Terracare® leather is made from 95% German raw materials and 5% European raw materials.

Social Responsibility as a Core Value

When choosing our partners, environmental aspects are not the only thing that matters to us. That is why, with terracare®, we rely on leather from Heinen Leder, a German family business that also takes social responsibility seriously.

Here are some reasons why terracare® leather is socially responsible:

• Training and professional development are integral to Heinen Leder’s company culture. They support young people by providing top-quality education in a future-oriented field, ensuring them a solid foundation for their careers.
• The highest workplace safety standards are maintained to protect employees. This includes safety-monitored machinery, strict regulations, state-of-the-art protective gear, and regular safety training sessions.
• Generous social benefits and adherence to Germany’s social welfare principles are seen by Heinen Leder as a vital achievement. The company actively supports the maintenance and expansion of the social welfare system.

Our Barefoot Boots Made from terracare® Leather

Currently, terracare® leather is featured in two of our barefoot boot models.

BLSN-300

→ View in the online store

Elegant black Chelsea boots made from sustainable* terracare® leather, featuring a flexible barefoot sole and breathable inner lining – perfect for autumn weather and a fresh, comfortable feel.

BLSN-020

In the online store:
→  For women or men

Weather-resistant barefoot boots crafted from terracare® nubuck leather, recycled wool, and PrimaLoft® insulation – warm, breathable, and perfect for winter. Handmade in Portugal, these boots feature a flexible TPU sole for secure footing and an authentic barefoot feel.

*Find out more about the leather used at terracare-leather.de