An advanced European country, with high technology and the same standard of living. But even today, it is impossible to imagine without them, despite the fact that now only a fairly limited circle of people wear them. What I'm talking about? Of course, about traditional Dutch shoes... Klomps are wooden shoes, the history of which goes back to the Middle Ages, when wooden sandals were replaced by more comfortable and durable shoes.
Once upon a time, along the entire coast of Europe, from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea and from Spain to the Scandinavian countries, you could meet people wearing wooden shoes, slightly different styles, but the idea was the same.
The historical homeland of klomps is France, or rather its southern part, but they won real popularity and sincere love from. In the 15th century, they were worn by the majority of the population (with the exception of the upper class). And, all thanks to its cheapness and practicality, especially in rural areas due to the predominance of swampy soil.
Pay attention to the boy’s feet 😉 The huge demand for wooden shoes has led to the rapid development of this craft in the country. The durable woods needed for their production, such as willow and poplar, grew here in abundance. In the old days, boots were made by hand; craftsmen created their own special models and motifs to decorate them.
Machine for making clamps By the way, it was by the patterns that it was possible to determine which province a person was from, since in different regions of the country they were decorated with a certain painting.
"Fresh" clop 
Klomps, with painting "Delft" In addition, there was a demand for special types designed for various purposes: for walking on ice (with spikes on the sole) and skating on ice (with a blade like skates), for playing football and even for weddings. IN winter time For warmth, the klomps were filled with straw or shredded paper.
Due to the decline in the number of workers in the agricultural sector and on livestock farms, it is not common to see people wearing wooden shoes these days.
But despite this, the production of traditional clogs is still alive in Russia, and manufacturers do not lose money: millions of pairs of wooden shoes are sold annually. True, now they are mainly bought by numerous tourists, for example the Japanese or Americans, who adore
The history of shoes goes back about 30 thousand years. During this time, many styles and models have changed, but it still remains the most necessary and important item of clothing.
Shoes of ancient times
According to the conclusion of scientists who studied and analyzed the found remains of primitive people, the structure of their skeleton and leg bones, the first examples of ancient shoes appeared at the end of the Paleolithic era in the western part of Europe. It was during this period that changes began to occur in the structure of the foot of ancient people: the little toe began to shrink along with the overall shape of the foot, which was due to wearing narrow shoes.
The history of footwear began with the cold snap that occurred during this period and the foundation of the first ancient civilizations: to protect themselves from the cold, people began to wear animal skins and wrap their feet with pieces of leather. For insulation, a layer of dry grass was placed between the skin, and bast made from tree bark was used as fastenings.
The history of footwear in hotter countries such as Ancient Egypt is associated with the advent of sandals, which people wore to protect their feet from the hot sand, and they always walked barefoot indoors. Sandals were made from papyrus or palm leaves and tied to the foot leather belts. When making them, they used patterns that were the same for both legs. Wealthier Egyptians wore sandals with beautifully decorated straps. Another type of shoe popular in ancient Egypt, found in excavated settlements, is very similar to modern closed-toe slippers.
Shoes in Ancient Greece
What shoes looked like in Ancient Greece can be judged from the frescoes depicting the Greek gods: these were “cripida” sandals, which were attached to the leg with lacing almost to the knee. According to historical data, it was the Greeks who first began to sew shoes using symmetrical patterns for the right and left feet.
In addition to sandals, “endromides” were popular among ancient Greek women - high boots with a sole and a leather boot top sewn to them, which was pulled over long cord from the front, with the toes sticking out. The trendsetters were hetaeras, who wore the most exquisite, richly decorated shoes. Women's sandals, which left the inscription “Follow me” in the sand, were in fashion among hetaeras, and “peaches” (stocking boots) were also very popular.
Another type of shoe - “cothurns” on a high platform - became famous thanks to Greek actors who wore them during performances so that they could be seen by the entire audience.
Shoes in Ancient Rome
Ancient Roman shoes were divided by social status and gender:
- calceus - closed shoes with ties in front were worn only by plebeians;
- solea - sandals with straps, similar to the Greek ones, poor Romans could use only 1 strap, and rich patricians - 4;
- women wore only white shoes, men - black;
- festive shoes were red and richly decorated with embroidery and stones;
- military shoes worn by Roman soldiers - strong shoes, the soles of which were nailed on, were called caligae;
- actors could only wear socci rope slippers.
Ancient Israel became famous for its great diversity, where shoes were made of very high quality, using wool, leather, wood and reed. These were shoes and sandals, shoes and high boots. Shoes with high heels also appeared on ancient Israelite soil, in exclusive models of which beautiful bottles of incense were attached to the heels.
Scythian shoes
The history of the footwear of the Scythian peoples, who were the ancestors of the Eastern Slavs, shows that the most popular among them were high soft leather boots, which were tied with belts, and multi-colored ornaments sewn from rags were used as decoration. They wore boots over felt stockings. The tops of such boots were sewn together with a mosaic of pieces of fur, colored felt and leather. The pants were specially tucked inside the boots to demonstrate the beauty of the shoes.
The shoes of the Scythian peoples were similar in appearance to the high boots worn by the northern peoples in Russia. Women's boots were not so high, but were made of red leather, they were decorated with patterns, and a red wool strip with
The most original feature of Scythian shoes is the richly decorated soles of boots, embroidered with beads and multi-colored thread from sinew. A similar tendency to decorate the sole existed among the Asian steppe peoples, who had the custom of sitting with their legs folded and their heels pointed outward.
Shoes in Medieval Europe
The history of European footwear was marked in the Middle Ages by the fashion for “pulen” shoes with curved toes, which were so long and so richly decorated with bells that they had to be tied to the foot in order to walk normally. In the 14th century, representatives of noble families were required to wear such shoes by decree of King Philip the 4th of France.
The 15th century brought new fashion for shoes: shoemakers begin to sew only blunt-toed models, and as the nose part expands and increases, the back part begins to narrow. Already at the beginning of the 16th century. the shoes had to be tied to the feet at the level of the instep. At this time, high heels trimmed with leather appeared, and also, due to the passion for hunting, boots with very high tops - “over the knee boots”, which were comfortable while riding horses, came into fashion.
Fashionable shoes in the 16th century were for men: it was men who could show off new red shoes with heels, and women hid their shoes under full skirts, and no one saw them.
And only from the beginning of the 17th century, when shorter skirts became fashionable, women were able to show their fans elegant silk, brocade and velvet shoes with small heels. Rich ladies wore shoes richly embroidered and decorated with stones.
The Baroque and Rococo eras were marked by the heyday of luxurious ballroom shoes, richly decorated with bows, beads, and ribbons. The models themselves were made from expensive fabrics and leather of various colors (red, yellow, blue, etc.). To decorate men's boots and for the convenience of riding, spurs were added to them.
At the end of the 18th century, during the Age of Enlightenment, the place of fabric shoes was taken by more practical leather boots, which both women and men began to wear with pleasure. The boots had comfortable fasteners or lacing, a small glass heel, and winter models were decorated with fur.
Wooden shoes
In ancient times, wood was rarely used as a material for making shoes because it was considered quite rough and restrictive. The only exception can be considered the manufacture of soles for sandals, which in Ancient Rome were tied to the feet with pieces of fabric and put on the feet of prisoners so that they would not escape.
In Europe in the 16th-18th centuries, wooden “clogs” (or clogs) with thick soles, which were attached to the leg with a metal hoop, came into fashion. Rich women wore them to avoid getting dirty with street dirt. Poor peasants used galoshes with wooden bottoms and leather tops, which were comfortable for walking in the mountains.
Clogs and galoshes have become very popular in the Netherlands and northern France due to their durability and comfort: in such shoes you can walk in marshy areas without the risk of getting your feet wet. It was made from wood species that did not crack: poplar, willow, etc. In 1570, a guild of shoemakers specializing in the manufacture of clogs was created; such wooden shoes are still worn by some Dutch peasants during field work.
Wooden shoes later became popular in England, where peasants wore them as casual shoes, which in holidays replaced with leather boots.
Shoes for warriors
Ancient Roman warriors began using sandals as footwear due to the fact that they had to walk long distances over rough terrain. Military sandals were reinforced with straps and nails. Later they began to use boots that were laced along the upper part of the shin, and the class and rank of a warrior could be determined by the decorative elements.
Since ancient times, warriors wore boots, most often red, because they did not show blood during battle or bloody blisters after exercises. Later, with the introduction of uniforms, military shoes began to be made in black. In Europe, boots became popular after the invasion of the steppe armies during the era of the Migration of Peoples; they began to be worn not only by cavalrymen, but also by cattle breeders.
In the Middle Ages, when it consisted of metal armor, the socks of knight's shoes (sabatons) were also made of metal. The sharp plate toe on such a boot served as an additional weapon for the warrior: it could fatally hit the enemy. Later, sabatons began to be made with a rounded toe, they were called “duck feet”.
In the 19th century, the British army began making high lace-up boots for its troops, nicknamed “blüchers.” According to legend, such boots were worn by soldiers of Blucher's army during the Napoleonic wars. They existed as military shoes for many years.
In the 20th century During the First World War, the armies of European states were equipped with “trench boots” with durable thick leather soles. Since 1941, the US Army has used lace-up leather boots with synthetic soles.
Shoes in Rus'
History of shoes in Ancient Rus' It starts with the most common one, which was worn not only by peasants, but also by poor city dwellers - these are bast shoes. Such shoes existed only in Rus'; the material for their manufacture was birch bast (linden, willow, oak, etc.). To get one pair of bast shoes, it was necessary to peel 3-4 trees.
There were bast bast shoes, everyday and festive, more elegant: pink or red. For insulation in winter, straw was laid in the bast shoes, and hemp rope was sewn underneath. They were attached to the leg with frills (narrow leather straps) or mochenets (hemp ropes). One pair of bast shoes lasted a peasant for 4-10 days, but they were cheap.
The oldest Russian leather shoes are pistons, soft shoes made from a piece of whole leather, gathered along the edge onto a strap. Over time, boots that were sewn in the same way for both men and women became very popular in Rus'. Leather boots appeared in Rus' thanks to the raids of nomadic Asian tribes. They were made by leather and shoemakers, who independently prepared and sewed the sole from several layers of cowhide, and over time they began to make heels from it.
The tops of ancient boots were cut obliquely so that the front was higher than the back. Usually they were made of black leather, and festive morocco boots were made of red, green, blue leather, dyeing it during dressing. Such boots were made in Rus', first from imported material, then from the mid-17th century, morocco began to be made in Moscow at the factory of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich.
Morocco boots were made from goat skin, which was specially soaked for 2 weeks in a lime solution and then carefully polished with a stone to obtain a shiny surface. They were usually dyed with aniline dyes; in addition, the leather was given a special pattern (shagreen).
In the 19th century originally Russian felted and wire rods appeared, which were made from sheep wool. Their price was high due to the laboriousness of production, so most often a family had one pair of felt boots, which they wore in turns.
In the 20th century In Russia, shoemakers received the nickname “tops” due to the fact that they worked on the outskirts (shoe workshops were located in Maryina Roshcha), and worked like lone wolves.
19th-20th century and the emergence of the shoe industry
The first guilds and shoe shops appeared in Europe during the era of feudalism, at which time shoes began to be produced in small batches to order. Quality and appearance products.
During the Renaissance, manufactories began to be founded, when shoes began to be made in stages, but each pair was still made according to individual order. And only in the 19th century. Velvet shoes are being replaced by more practical and comfortable leather shoes and boots.
During these years, mass production of shoes began, taking into account the configuration of the foot, asymmetry and the division of the pair into left-right. The shoe industry is becoming more mechanized, with shoe factories emerging where manual labor replace machines. By the beginning of the 20th century. shoe production grows to 500 pairs per worker, and by the middle - to 3 thousand pairs.
In the 20th century, shoes began to play an important role in creating a woman's image: due to the shortening of skirts, women were able to show off their nice legs and elegant shoes or boots, women's sandals have come back into fashion. Depending on the weather and purpose, shoes were made of leather, satin, suede or silk, and they learned to make boots not only with laces, but also with hooks and buttons.
In the 1930s, shoe fashion began to change: platforms and wedges appeared. At this time, designers S. Ferragamo and S. Arpad began their activities, who began to professionally manufacture modern models and invent new styles. Over time, shoes and boots begin to be made not only from leather; fabrics, wood, and rubber are also used to make boots.
The beginning of the 1950s marked the appearance of a new product - a small stiletto heel, as well as styles without heels, designed for convenience during dancing (rock and roll, etc.). Disputes still continue over who became the founder of stilettos: the French R. Vivier, R. Massaro or the Italian
S. Ferragamo.
Shoe factories of the second half of the 20th century already operate with incredible capacities, where the process is fully automated and controlled by software. They produce thousands of pairs of fashionable shoes every month, which are made from both natural and synthetic materials.
Fashionable shoes in the 21st century
The 21st century is a time of constant improvement of footwear (new lasts, styles and insoles are regularly invented and manufactured), as well as changes in the forms of its sale. Shoes can now be bought both in a small boutique, a large supermarket, and via the Internet.
Collections the latest models are represented on the catwalks every season by a large number of countries and famous designers, where there are summer, winter, demi-season, and evening shoes. Modern shoes- this is a variety of styles and models that were popular many centuries ago, and appeared quite recently: these are sandals, boots, shoes, moccasins, clogs, boots, sneakers and many other different types. Modern designers and manufacturers, equipped with the latest technology, can easily bring all their ideas to life.
Wooden shoes used to be popular in many countries, but today few people have preserved the traditions of their manufacture. But in Holland, shoes made of wood are carefully preserved. Another name for them is klompen. They, along with the world-famous windmills and tulips, have become one of the main symbols of the country. And every tourist, finding himself here, tries to acquire a pair or two of these wonderful shoes.
Nowadays, klompen is mainly a souvenir product, designed for numerous visitors. But there are also people who are faithful to the traditions of their ancestors, for the most part they are residents of rural areas. But it’s not just a matter of historical heritage; in fact, klompen are very comfortable and durable shoes: you can safely walk on nails or glass. The shoes can be quickly removed and put on, which is very convenient if you don’t have time to go somewhere. Another advantage of klompens: they are not hot in summer and not cold in winter, so your feet will be comfortable at any time of the year. Well, if there is severe frost outside, then paper or straw is stuffed into the shoes for insulation.
The first mentions of klompen date back to the Middle Ages. In particular, shoes can be seen in paintings painted during this period. Over time, the production of klompen gained momentum. At first, artisans made them by hand, but in the 18th century special mechanisms were developed that made it possible to significantly speed up the manufacturing process. The 19th century was a golden time for klompen: in all parts of Holland, wooden shoes became a favorite type of footwear, and shoe production became a very profitable industry. In the 20th century the situation becomes more complicated. Consequences of the First World War and the economic crisis of the 30s. All types of industries are being severely undermined. One by one, factories producing klompen are disappearing. During the Second World War there was, of course, no time for shoes, but in post-war years There is a rapid, albeit short-term, increase in production. Since then, klompen have hardly been used as everyday shoes. In the mid-70s in Holland there were about four hundred small factories producing wooden shoes. Today, more than 3 million pairs of these ancient shoes are produced annually.
The Klompen are truly an integral part of European culture. At the end of the 80s, the Klompen Museum was opened in the Belgian city of Laakdal. But there is a high probability that in the near future we will only be able to see them on the canvases of ancient masters or as museum exhibits. The fact is that klompen does not meet the standards for shoes in Europe. Therefore, factories producing wooden shoes may be forced to close, and the current three million pairs annually may become several hundred. Time will tell whether standards and norms can force the Dutch to renounce part of their cultural heritage.
Now let's find out what it takes to get a good pair of the famous Dutch Klompen. First you need material. Poplar, which is at least twenty years old, is best suited for these purposes - its wood is strong and light, and at the same time easy to process.
Previously, mainly black poplar, which is found everywhere in Holland, was used to produce wooden shoes. Later, klompen began to be made from poplar imported from America. The Dutch soil was perfect for the American species, and imported trees began to be grown here. A hybrid of two poplar varieties was even bred, called Canadian. The latter becomes suitable for processing at the age of 35 years, but unlike its relatives it is poorly processed, therefore it is practically not used in the production of complens.
To make fifty pairs of shoes, you will need a cubic meter of wood. Accordingly, for the above-mentioned 3 million pairs, about 60 thousand cubic meters are needed - an impressive figure. To satisfy the industry's needs for raw materials, poplars are specially planted and carefully cared for.
After the trunk is cut down, it is sawn into several parts. The master manually gives the workpieces the desired shape using a chisel and an ax. In order to make the shoe left or right, a special mechanism is used. The inside of the shoe is then removed, sanded into its final shape and placed in a dryer; holiday and souvenir items are usually painted. Today, almost the entire production process is automated; only the drawing is applied manually.
Klompen, intended for everyday wear, are not decorated with painting. To make them last longer, they should be rubbed with sand every week. On holidays and Sundays painted shoes are worn. IN different parts The Netherlands put their own patterns on klompen, so that experts who understand klompen can determine from the pattern where the person came from.
First of all, clogs are not just souvenirs, but practical shoes - choose them according to size!
Welcome to our online store selling Dutch Clogs
We are glad to see that you are interested in Dutch clogs. Just like us, you probably love wooden clogs. Clogs are a fantastic product and have been worn for hundreds of years. The oldest clogs found in the Netherlands date back to 1230 and have remained virtually unchanged since then. As you know, the Netherlands is famous for these wooden shoes, clogs are part of the national tradition.
Why Sabo?
Clogs have many benefits. They are comfortable, provide protection, keep your feet dry and warm, and keep your feet healthy. In addition, Clogs are indispensable when walking through mud. Centuries ago, clogs were designed and created to be used for a variety of purposes. For example: traditional peasant clogs, clogs for gardeners, clogs for fishermen, clogs for ice skating, clogs for Sundays, Clogs designed specifically for women. Clogs can tell a lot about the creator and the people wearing them. They speak their own language.
Buy Dutch clogs now!
Manufacturing
Most of the wooden clogs we sell are self made craftsmen from a family that has been producing clogs for five generations. Traditionally, each craftsman has his own design. In our store you can choose from wide range Handmade clogs, but we also sell souvenir clogs.
Clogs are made of wood, so you need trees to make them. Dutch Clogs are made from willow or poplar. These trees are common in the Netherlands. These trees are moisture resistant and are light, tough and resilient. The trunk is cut into the desired shape with a special cutter and then cut with a special knife. Then a depression in the shape of a foot is hollowed out. After this, the clogs are polished, sometimes decorated with patterns and finally dried.
Order Clogs
Visit our online store to select Clogs from our various models and wooden shoe designs. If you would like your own design please contact us to discuss the possibilities.
When ordering Clogs there are a few things you should know. Wooden shoes should not fit tightly. When you put your foot in the shoe, there should be a gap as wide as your thumb between the heel and heel of a wooden shoe. Please read our sizing page carefully before you order a pair of Clogs.
For consultation, please contact us.
Clogs - the history of wooden shoes
Remember the 70s of the last century, when many of us not only dreamed of, but also wore shoes with wooden soles. I had more than one pair of these shoes. It was very comfortable for me to walk in, although some of my friends didn’t really like it, because they thought that the shoes looked bulky. But everyone has different tastes and everyone decides what to wear. If in those years it was difficult to buy clogs, now you can not only buy them easily, but also have a fairly large selection. Shoes are offered in different colors and designs, not like in the days when clogs first appeared. And you’ll find out when and where now.
Clogs, klomps, klumpes, trasko - these are all the names of wooden shoes that were worn by the lower strata of the population: peasants and workers as a daily wear, and sometimes safety shoes. It was made from various types wood - willow, poplar, birch, beech and others. There were many varieties of wooden shoes and this was related to the country in which they were made. therefore, some had heels, others looked like boots, and they even made sandals. 
Although wooden shoes in the Middle Ages and later were the main footwear in many European countries, such as France, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Sweden and Great Britain, their history goes deep into antiquity. Such shoes were worn both in Ancient Rome and Japan. In the 10th century Japanese geta had a wooden sole in the shape of a bench. They were the main footwear of women and men from different segments of the population and were worn until the mid-twentieth century. There were different styles of wooden shoes. They were closed and with an open heel, without decoration, varnished or decorated with carvings and paintings, and sometimes they were trimmed along the edges with copper wire. To increase the wear time, wooden shoes were shod with iron. While walking, such shoes rumbled terribly, and when running along the pavement, sparks even fell from under their soles. Such shoes were worn in villages until the beginning of the 20th century, but gradually they were replaced by the products of industrial enterprises. Interest in it arose again in the 60s of the last century. Then a version of clogs with a leather top and a thick wooden sole appeared, which we wore. And as I said above, now the models of clogs have changed, they began to produce both women's and women's. And depending on the style they are used various materials for shoe uppers and decor. All that remains is to carefully consider the choice and see what kind of clogs were worn not only in ancient times, but also in the present day. 
