Dutch clogs: The famous wooden shoes of the Netherlands

The traditional wooden shoes of the Netherlands, clogs are often one of the first things that come to mind when thinking of all things the Dutch, other than windmills and tulips. You can find them in a variety of colours as key rings, fridge magnets or as wearable shoes in gift shops, but what is the history behind clogs? 

What are clogs?

Clogs, or klompen in Dutch, are footwear made from wood, either partly or completely. While in the Netherlands we might think of clogs as wooden shoes that cover your whole foot, many other types of wooden shoes fall under the same category, for example, the Japanese Geta or the Cantabrian albarcas from Spain. 

History of Dutch clogs

How did clogs come about? When did they first appear in the Netherlands, and how were they made? Let’s dive in!

When were the first clogs worn?

It is not clear when clogs first appeared, but the first clogs found in the Netherlands date back to 1230 AD, and were found in Nieuwendijk, Amsterdam. These clogs were made from alder wood.

Originally, clogs were made from a single piece of wood and proved handy for protecting your feet against dirt on the ground and even rain. They took their inspiration from “calceus” shoes, which were worn in the days of the Roman Empire. These shoes had a wooden sole and leather straps on top, resembling sandals. The clog changed its form, becoming more of a closed shoe, to adapt to the harsher weather in the Netherlands.

The craftsmen who made these clogs were called “bodgers”, “bodging” being a traditional woodturning craft. Alder, balsa, willow, beech and sycamore were the preferred wood types for these craftsmen, as they did not split easily.

Who wore clogs?

Clogs were worn by both men and women and became the preferred shoe choice for farmers, road workers, gardeners, fishermen and metal workers, as they provided support, warmth and protection without needing to be reinforced. 

How did the Dutch make their wooden shoes?

Traditionally, wooden shoes were made by hand, which was a very intensive process.

First, a clog maker would have to choose the right wood, taking into account the size and quality of a log. 

After removing the bark with an axe and adze, the wood was shaped with a sharp pole knife to form the outside of the shoe. The inside would then need to be drilled, while ensuring each shoe was the same size.

When the clog maker was satisfied with the shape of the wooden shoes, they would be smoothed out with sandpaper and then painted or varnished. Villages usually had their own “bodger”, and this resulted in different styles of clog and decoration for every village.

The industrialisation of shoemaking led to a decline in the manufacture of wooden shoes as the clog became more commonly associated with poverty. It picked up again briefly during the World Wars when materials for leather and rubber shoes became scarce and wooden shoes were the perfect alternative.

In 2017, there were only 15 clog makers left in the Netherlands, and today there are currently fewer than 10. 

Do the Dutch still wear wooden shoes today?

Nowadays, clogs are still worn by (some) farmers and people wearing traditional clothing, usually in touristy places or around the bible belt. Some residents may also wear clogs when gardening. The clog is also certified as a safety shoe by the European Union. 

Where to buy Dutch clogs

If you want to take some traditional Dutch clogs along when you visit family back home, you may be wondering where you can get your hands on a pair. Here’s where you can buy clogs in the Netherlands:

Traditional Dutch clog makers

Walk into any souvenir shop in the Netherlands and chances are high that you can buy a pair of souvenir clogs - almost 3 million pairs are made each year just for this purpose.

But you could also visit a klompenmakerij (clog maker). Often, at a klompenmakerij, you will be able to see how clogs get made.

Here is a list of clog makers, members of the Nederlandse Vereniging van Klompenfabrikanten ("Dutch Association of Clog Makers"). The world’s largest clog manufacturer is Nijhuis Klompen, which produces 2.000 wooden shoes a day.

Buy clogs online

Of course, you can also buy Dutch clogs online! The aforementioned list of clog makers also includes a few who have shops on the internet. However, it is best to buy clogs in person, as that’s the only way to guarantee that your clogs are the right fit for your feet.

Clog workshops in the Netherlands

Do you want to see how traditional Dutch clogs are made? Well, there are various clog workshops throughout the country where you can admire the craftsmanship of the clog-making process.

You can find clog workshops at various Dutch attractions and villages, such as Zaanse Schans and Volendam, for instance.

Traditional wooden shoes: a part of Dutch culture

Whether you want to try out a pair of klompen for yourself or want a little fridge magnet to embrace a bit of Dutch culture in your home, you can now say you know about the history behind the traditional wooden shoes!