Tumar felt footwear
A Bishkek brand making slippers, barefoot shoes, bags and hats from wet-felted wool.
What it is
Tumar is a Kyrgyz brand that turns felted wool into footwear and accessories: house slippers, slip-ons, barefoot shoes, scarves, bags and sun hats. It began in 1998 as a small felt co-op run by cousins Roza and Chinara Makashova in a village outside Bishkek, and has grown into an art group with its own workshop, an online store and shops across the country.
Why we picked it
Felt was the backbone of nomadic life, used for yurts, rugs and warm clothing. Tumar deliberately chose footwear and brought traditional wet felting into everyday use. The models carry Kyrgyz names, like the Kaman slip-ons, Elik and Boto slippers and Taigan barefoot shoes, and you can feel the handcraft behind them rather than a faceless factory.
We also like how open they are about production. The site has pages on materials, the making process, a zero-waste policy and product care, plus a compost slippers project. Tumar's US partner Kyrgies sells slippers made by Tumar's felt makers to customers abroad, so this is a Kyrgyz craft that has already travelled.
Where to start
- Browse the footwear catalogue and compare slippers, slip-ons and barefoot models.
- Read the sizing guide first, as felt shoes fit differently from regular ones.
- Check the accessories: the scarf, messenger bag and the Chatyr bucket hat.
- Look at the zero-waste and felt care pages.
- In Kyrgyzstan? The store map lists the Bishkek showroom and stockists in Karakol, Naryn, Osh and elsewhere.
Who it's for
Anyone after warm wool slippers for winter, fans of natural materials and small local brands, and travellers looking for a practical gift from Kyrgyzstan that will actually be worn rather than left on a shelf.
Quick answers
Can I order online? Yes, the website has an online shop; orders are processed on weekdays.
Where can I buy Tumar in person? At the Tumar showroom in Bishkek and stockists in Karakol, Naryn, Osh, Kant and Manas, all listed on the site.
Is there an exchange or return policy? Yes, it's described in a dedicated section of the site.
