Gaucho Ninja is a UK-based artisanal brand specializing in handcrafted barefoot shoes that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern design. Founded by Lisandro Serra Delmar in 2015, the company emphasizes foot health, sustainability, and ethical production practices.
Embracing the Barefoot Philosophy
Gaucho Ninja’s footwear is designed to mimic the natural movement of walking barefoot. Their shoes feature flexible soles and wide toe boxes, promoting natural foot function and muscle development. This design philosophy supports better posture, balance, and overall foot health.
The Craftsmanship: Made in the UK and Europe
While Gaucho Ninja is widely known for its handcrafted quality, it’s important to understand the two distinct lines of production:
Made to Order: Handmade in the UK
The Made to Order range is carefully crafted by skilled artisans at the Gaucho Ninja workshop in England. Each pair is built by hand using traditional techniques. Customers can customize the leather, sole, thread, and laces, creating footwear tailored to their personal style and needs.
This range reflects the brand’s deepest commitment to craftsmanship and individual expression — no mass molds, no automation, just honest shoemaking.
Factory Range: Artisan Production in Spain and Portugal
Gaucho Ninja’s factory-made footwear is produced in carefully selected artisan workshops in Spain and Portugal. These partners uphold the brand’s high standards of barefoot design and ethical sourcing, allowing the company to offer more accessible price points and faster delivery times without compromising on quality.
Sustainable and Ethical Practices
Gaucho Ninja is committed to sustainability and ethical production. They use recycled materials, such as threads made from plastic bottles, and natural rubber soles from Vibram. The company also minimizes waste by repurposing leather offcuts and using eco-friendly packaging.
Diverse Product Range
Gaucho Ninja offers a variety of barefoot footwear styles, including:
- Goodyear Welted Barefoot Shoes: Combining traditional Goodyear welt construction with barefoot design principles.
- Tabi Boots: Inspired by Japanese martial arts footwear, these boots offer flexibility and ground feel.
- Barefoot Pals: Lightweight and breathable shoes designed for everyday wear.
- Sneaky Ninjas: Barefoot sneakers that blend style with functionality.
Ethical Sourcing and Materials
Gaucho Ninja is deeply committed to sustainable and ethical production, but always in an honest, transparent way.
No 3D printing or synthetic foot molds are used. Instead, customers choosing Made to Order shoes get to customize using Gaucho Ninja’s own developed lasts, with variations in leather, sole, lacing, and thread to suit personal needs.
All leather is sourced from traditional European tanneries, often using vegetable tanning methods for a lower environmental impact.
Thread used in stitching is not derived from plastic bottles instead, the brand focuses on durable, natural fibers aligned with traditional craftsmanship.
Community Engagement
Beyond footwear, Gaucho Ninja engages with the community through educational projects, promoting traditional craftsmanship and sustainable practices. They also participate in events like the Hay Festival to showcase their work.
Conclusion
Gaucho Ninja stands out for its dedication to foot health, sustainability, and artisanal craftsmanship. Their barefoot shoes offer a unique combination of comfort, durability, and ethical production, making them a compelling choice for conscious consumers.
EXPLORE: GAUCHO NINJA
