Our Story
Understanding the almost magical qualities of wool, my Mum - an artist, spinner, weaver and all-round lover of natural wool - decided to find a way to make the hiking boots of the 70s kinder on your feet. Blessed with ‘odd’ toes, she was prone to blisters and hot spots but she had an idea.
That idea became Foot Fleece, seen here on the stunning Milford Track in 1980, her love of wool defeated her blisters.
(Those are Mum’s toes!).
Mum knew from her work with wool that the beautiful Merino wool, beloved by spinners everywhere was not quite right when you wanted its attributes to prevent blisters, so she settled on the wool of the Corriedale sheep. Corriedale sheep are a NZ special, bred in the late 1800s between a Merino sheep and Lincoln Long wool sheep (there are a few later additions to the Corriedale line) we love its attributes as soft, white and perfect for felting around your toes/heels to stop you getting a blister.
Mum has sold her amazing product to hikers (trampers) from all over the world for over 40 years who have ventured to the Milford Track. Many imitations of Foot Fleece discovered her product with their own adventure there. Always proudly produced by hand in Te Anau, from the amazing wool of the Corriedale sheep there are people from all over the wool who have discovered the little green label of Foot Fleece has saved their feet.
We are delighted to bring you another way to source your Foot Fleece from wherever you are in the world, distributing from Australia (still packed by hand, still made with NZ Corriedale wool).
I am proud to have supported Mum in her business over many years and hope to continue to carry on with the support of several friends who manage distribution in New Zealand and via our online distribution centre in Australia.
Growing up on the edge of the beautiful Fiordland National Park (Fiordland National Park is one of New Zealand’s treasured natural icons and is internationally recognised as part of the wider UNESCO World Heritage site, Te Wāhipounamu (Place of the Greenstone)). I am proud to say that Foot Fleece has saved the day on many a hike (or run) over the years.
It’s weird but it works!
