Woden Shoes
Sneakers Made with Fish Leather
Looking for a clean, modern sneaker with details you won't find in every other pair? Woden combines streamlined, easy-to-wear designs with unexpected materials, including upcycled fish leather, cork, recycled rubber, and recycled polyester. The result is footwear that looks contemporary and understated while giving you a completely different material story than a typical sneaker.
A Different Approach to Everyday Footwear
Woden was founded in 2013 by Carsten Holm, a shoemaker with a long history in the footwear industry. The name Woden stands for Works of Denmark, reflecting the company's Danish roots and its approach to combining design, functionality, materials, and everyday wearability.
From the beginning, Woden has focused on creating footwear that looks modern without relying solely on conventional materials. The brand's approach is built around Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, which has led it to experiment with materials such as fish leather, cork, recycled rubber, and recycled polyester.
One of Woden's most recognizable materials is its fish leather. The leather primarily comes from salmon skins that are a by-product of the Icelandic fishing and food industry. Rather than allowing those skins to go unused, they are processed into a distinctive leather with a visible texture and cross-fiber structure.
That material story is paired with simple, wearable shapes and practical footwear construction. Woden isn't trying to make shoes that only look different—the materials and construction are part of what makes the footwear recognizable.
Why shop Woden from Abbadabba's?
- Fish Leather You Can Actually See: Woden uses fish leather primarily made from salmon skins that are a by-product of the Icelandic fishing and food industry. Its distinctive texture gives many Woden sneakers a detail you won't find on conventional leather footwear.
- Clean, Easy-to-Wear Design: Woden keeps its silhouettes relatively streamlined, making the footwear easy to work into everyday wardrobes while still giving each style distinctive material and construction details.
- Cork Under Your Feet: All Woden insoles are covered with cork. The brand pairs the cork layer with soft PU foam designed to provide lightweight, shock-absorbing cushioning.
- Recycled Materials Built Into the Shoe: Woden uses recycled polyester made from PET bottles in its sneaker reinforcement and incorporates a minimum of 10% recycled rubber into its sneaker outsoles.
- More Than One Everyday Option: Woden's current footwear extends beyond sneakers to include boots, sandals, and other styles, so you can explore the brand according to your wardrobe and how you plan to wear the footwear.
The Woden Difference
Woden's difference starts with what goes into the shoe. Instead of relying exclusively on conventional leather and synthetic materials, the brand has made alternative materials part of its footwear identity. Fish leather creates a distinctive upper, cork becomes part of the footbed, recycled polyester is used inside the sneaker, and recycled rubber is incorporated into the outsole.
But the materials aren't the whole story. Woden combines them with clean, modern shapes and comfort-focused construction, so the footwear doesn't look like a technical experiment. You get a sneaker or shoe that can work naturally with everyday clothing while having a material story worth noticing.
Who Is Woden For?
The Understated Sneaker Fan
Wants a sneaker that looks different without being flashy.
The Material-Conscious Shopper
Wants to know what goes into their footwear.
The Fish-Leather Curious
Curious about fish leather and looking for something outside the usual leather or synthetic sneaker.
The Clean-Design Lover
Prefers simple shapes with distinctive details.
The Everyday Sneaker Wearer
Wants cushioning and comfort without a traditional athletic-shoe look.
The Cork-Footbed Fan
Likes the feel and natural material underfoot.
The Alternative-Materials Shopper
Looking for alternatives to conventional materials in everyday footwear.
The Versatile-Wardrobe Shopper
Wants footwear that works with different outfits, rather than a shoe designed for just one activity.
The Danish-Design Appreciator
Appreciates Danish design heritage but wants that idea expressed through something they can actually wear.
Fit & Comfort Tips
Start With the Shape
Woden makes different silhouettes, so don't assume every style will fit identically. Look at the shape of the toe box and overall profile.
Pay Attention to the Cork Footbed
The cork-covered insole is one of Woden's recognizable construction details. Notice how it feels underneath your heel and arch.
Give Your Toes Room
Your toes should be able to move without touching the front or feeling compressed from the sides.
Check the Heel
The heel should feel secure while walking without excessive slipping.
Consider the Upper
Fish leather, leather, mesh, textile, and other materials can create different levels of structure and flexibility. Choose based on how you want the shoe to feel.
Try Your Regular Socks
Wear the socks you normally use with the style you're considering. This is especially important with sneakers.
Not sure about your size? Check our size chart. Already found your pair? Our care guides show you how to keep them going.
