We've been making children's shoes since 2003! And sustainability has been our focus from the very beginning – because every step counts.

Why do we use chrome-free and vegetable-tanned leather?

At POLOLO, health, the environment, and quality are our top priorities – that's why we consistently use chrome-free and vegetable-tanned leather . Instead of heavy metals like chromium salts, our leathers are tanned synthetically or with tanning agents from bark, wood, or fruit. This makes them particularly skin-friendly, breathable , and biodegradable . Perfect for sensitive skin, allergy sufferers, and anyone who wants to shop consciously.

A large proportion of the leather we use is IVN-certified – this guarantees the highest ecological and social standards along the entire supply chain.

And one more thing: Our leathers are uncoated – we forgo finishes that make leather shine but seal the pores. Uncoated leather remains breathable, adapts better to the foot, and ensures a natural foot climate. This is perfect, especially for barefoot shoes!

Walk naturally – with POLOLO barefoot shoes for children and adults

Our barefoot shoes offer a healthy and natural alternative to conventional footwear. They allow the foot to work as nature intended – without a narrow toe box, without a rigid sole, without a heel.

Instead of constricting the feet or forcing them into unnatural positions, our barefoot models promote complete freedom of movement . This strengthens the foot muscles, improves balance, and relieves joints and back – step by step. And best of all: it feels surprisingly light and comfortable.

Our barefoot shoes are designed to support the foot in its natural shape – for healthy, upright and relaxed walking in everyday life, when traveling or playing.

Your advantages at a glance:

• ✅ Anatomically correct fit – toe freedom instead of constriction

• ✅ Flexible, thin sole – for maximum ground contact and natural movement

• ✅ High-quality, breathable materials – such as vegetable-tanned leather, organic cotton, or vegan alternatives

• ✅ Barefoot shoes are ideal for all ages – from first steps to old age. They support healthy foot development in toddlers and maintain mobility and balance in older people.

• ✅ Made with love – produced in Spain & Portugal

Cotton is a wonderful material, especially when produced organically: It has a refreshing feel, is particularly kind to the skin, and doesn't scratch. POLOLO likes to use organic cotton as an alternative to leather for summer sneakers. Cotton is also particularly stretchy and light on the foot. Like leather, it is highly breathable and also has good absorbency—making cotton shoes ideal for both large and small feet, especially during the summer months.

POLOLO attaches great importance to the fact that the cotton comes from controlled organic cultivation. Monocultures are not used and synthetic pesticides and fertilizers are deliberately avoided - alternatively, plant-based products and humus are used. In organic farming, around 30 percent of the crop is rain-fed in order to avoid additional irrigation (the undamaged soil stores much more water).

• 100% cotton (organic quality / organic).
• Ban on genetic engineering.
• No synthetic pesticides.
• Optimized water consumption.
• High social standards / fair wages.
• Preservation of ecological balance.
• Health-friendly colors.
• POLOLO barefoot slippers for children are washable at 30 degrees wool cycle

Your steps for a clean ocean – with the POLOLO collection made from SEAQUAL® YARN

Millions of tons of plastic waste end up in our oceans every year – with devastating consequences for the environment and wildlife. The SEAQUAL INITIATIVE has made it its mission to actively combat this – and it inspires us at POLOLO to create a colorful, sustainable slipper collection made from recycled ocean plastic.

How does this work?

Plastic waste is collected from the sea, beaches, and riverbanks by approximately 400 partner fishermen and local initiatives along the Spanish and North African coasts. This waste is then cleaned, sorted, and processed into high-quality SEAQUAL® YARN . For every kilogram of SEAQUAL® YARN produced, one kilogram of waste is collected – thus transforming waste into a valuable raw material.

The mission: clean seas – valuable resources

The SEAQUAL INITIATIVE focuses on marine plastic waste and post-consumer plastic . Its network ranges from fishermen and collection organizations to spinning mills and weaving mills, and sustainable brands like POLOLO. Together we want to:

• rid the oceans and coasts of plastic waste
• provide ecological materials for textile production
• raise awareness of sustainable consumption

Our collection: sustainable, well thought out, washable

• Outer fabric: SEAQUAL® YARN – recycled, durable, resource-saving
• Lining: 100% organic cotton (kbA) – skin-friendly and breathable
• Washable: Our fabric slippers are washable at 30 °C on the wool cycle – ideal for everyday use
• Packaging: POLOLO consistently avoids plastic packaging. Our slippers are even without any packaging delivered.

Sustainable, vegan, innovative – our cactus leather alternative

POLOLO stands for contemporary, ecological materials – and this includes our vegan leather alternative made from the prickly pear cactus.

For this plant-based innovation, only the mature, regrowing leaves of the cactus are harvested – the plant itself is preserved and continues to grow. Cultivation is controlled organically (kbA), without additional irrigation or pesticides. Sustainability is also a priority during the drying process: The leaves dry naturally in the sun – without any energy input.

The result is a high-quality, durable material that is completely free of animal components and feels pleasantly soft. To further enhance comfort, we use a soft, vegan lining made of microfiber or organic cotton in these models.