Bringing even more fun and foot shaped freedom to our shelves this summer, are french brand Boatilus. If your kids love clogs and Crocs but you wish there was a more foot friendly and environmentally friendly option, read on...
Origins
Boatilus is a family-run brand, founded in 2000 by Nicolas and Angela Pelous. Between them, they come from a long line of shoemakers, with roots in the trade going back to the early 1800s.
Starting from their own experience as parents, their focus has always been on making shoes that are durable, easy to wear and well suited to everyday life, with a clear effort to reduce impact along the way.
Boatilus have built their range around materials that are easier on the environment, using recyclable components and avoiding the usual coatings and treatments where they can. Some styles even incorporate recycled oyster shells into the soles, which is an interesting detail, but more importantly reduces the amount of conventional materials being used. The shoes themselves can be fully recycled at the end of their life, along with the packaging.
Who Wears Boatilus?
Boatilus will appeal to anyone looking for something uncomplicated for warm weather. The sort of shoes that can be slipped on without much thought and worn across a full day of being outside.
In terms of construction, they keep things simple. Lightweight, flexible and easy to move in, with a flat sole and plenty of give through the upper. There’s enough grip for everyday wear, and the overall feel is geared towards letting feet move freely, while still offering a bit of protection where it’s needed.
They are great for all year round, indoors and out, but they really come into their own during summer, with holidays, garden wear, water play or everyday summer use where shoes need to cope with a bit of everything. Lightweight, easy to clean and quick to dry, they are built firmly around function.
Boatilus and Happy Little Soles
Not every situation calls for a meticulous fit, or a craftspersons hand. Boatilus are light, easy to rinse off, and able to cope with long days around water or in the warm weather.
Their clogs and croc-style sandals are straightforward to wear, and do the job very well, making them a summer staple for lots of families with small children.
Our range of Boatilus currently covers easy, fun summer wear in cheerful colours, with closed toe Bosty Veg Clogs and the crocs style Cloggy Sandal.
Made from a soft, durable, phthalate free, 100% recyclable plastic, they are light, flexible and easy to wear day to day. The material holds up well with regular use and is free from the harsher additives often found in this type of shoe. There’s also a subtle, natural lemon scent - obtained from lemon rinds - which keeps them feeling fresh.
The design is straightforward and functional. A wide, squared toe box gives toes space to spread, while the zero-drop sole keeps everything level underfoot. The sole itself is thin and flexible, with just enough underfoot to take the edge off harder ground. A simple heel strap helps keep them secure when needed.
Fit and Sizing
Boatilus fit is generally accommodating, sitting comfortably across a range of foot shapes.
They aren’t a precision fit in the way a leather shoe might be. The open design and softer material allow for a bit of flexibility in both width and volume, making them an easy option for the kids to throw on, or kick off.
Boatilus at HLS run from UK4 to UK11.5. As always, it’s worth checking the size guide on each product page, as fit can vary slightly between styles.
What We Love About Them
Boatilus have taken a style of shoe that we are already are familiar with and made it lighter, more flexible and easier to wear, The roomy shape, flat sole, and soft material all work together to give feet bit more freedom.
At the same time, they have paid attention to what goes into them. Recyclable materials, a lower impact approach to production, and small details like the use of natural additives rather than harsher chemicals, all add up.
More Help
We’ve created a space filled with advice to help you get the very best from your barefoot shoe shopping. From detailed sizing guides, resources and blogs, to tips on making the most of our delivery options, you’ll find it all in The Advice Hub.
If you’d like a little more tailored support, do get in touch. Our Customer Service team love talking all things barefoot and are always happy to help.
We hope you love your purchase, but if something isn’t quite right, we offer free returns. For full details, please see our Returns Policy.
