Naginės are traditional Baltic leather shoes that represent more than mere footwear—they embody cultural identity, practical knowledge, and the relationship between Baltic peoples and their environment. These handcrafted shoes originated in the rural communities of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, serving as everyday wear for villagers across the region.

Crafted from soft, locally sourced leather, these shoes exemplify the resourcefulness of Baltic rural communities and their ability to create functional items from available materials. Their design prioritises simplicity, durability, and comfort for walking long distances across varied terrain, reflecting the predominantly agricultural lifestyle of historical Baltic societies.

The cultural significance of Naginės extends beyond their practical function. They represent a tangible link to traditional ways of life that have been largely displaced by industrialisation and modernisation. The knowledge of their construction and use constitutes an important element of intangible cultural heritage, preserving techniques and cultural practices that might otherwise be lost.

In contemporary Baltic societies, Naginės have experienced a revival as part of a broader movement to reclaim traditional crafts and cultural practices. Artisans in the region continue to produce these shoes, often adapting traditional designs for modern wearers, demonstrating how cultural artifacts can evolve while maintaining connections to their historical origins.

This resurgence of interest in traditional footwear reflects a wider pattern in which globalised societies seek to preserve distinctive cultural elements as counterpoints to homogenisation, using material culture as a means of maintaining and expressing cultural identity.