10 key facts about clogs

There is nothing more clumsy to express "Dutch" or more precisely "Dutch" than clogs. But this iconic form of Dutch footwear is — literally — enduring.

1. Clogs or wooden shoes = Netherlands. Why the Dutch should be considered excellent clog wearers is not clear, but it is true. Some forms of clogs were and are worn by people all over the world, and many of them are also beautiful, such as the elegant Cantabrian albarcas and the avant-garde Danish traesko.

2. The classic Dutch clogs cover most of the feet and are usually made of poplar or willow. Its sturdiness has earned it a CE certificate, which means that they are actually EU-certified safety shoes. It is perfect for cows to step on your toes, but not suitable for getting out of the hay loft quickly through a ladder.

3. Traditional wooden clogs are either black bottom, suitable for working on clay, or yellow bottom, suitable for working on sand. This way the clogs will not look very dirty. It is said that the decoration on the top makes clogs look like shoes, a commodity that few farmers can afford.

4. In Belgium, clogs are called "holleblokken" or hollow blocks. If you look at this old news from 1925, you will understand why.

5. Of course, there is a clogs museum in the Netherlands. It has approximately 2,200 pairs of clogs from all over the world, including a pair of clogs made by Eite Wijkstra. In 1954, his son Berend (Berend) completed the Elfsteden Skating Marathon.

6. After the First World War, there were about 3,900 clogs manufacturers in the Netherlands, and now only a few are left. One of the largest clogs manufacturers in the world is Nijhuis in Beltrum, which was founded in 1938. It produces about 300,000 pairs of clogs every year and exports them all over the world. Part of the process of making wooden clogs takes place in...China. The wear and tear of clogs is decreasing, which is why Nijhuis is promoting the sustainability of clogs as well as their orthopedic and ventilating properties.

7. Wearing wooden clogs is not as easy as you think. It involves bending the toes to hold the object in place, which is a laborious process, which may be painful at first, but becomes easier over time. Farmers can even dance in it, the so-called "klompendans". If your toes cannot bear the pressure, you can always choose the wooden slippers that tourists love.

8. The oldest clogs found so far are said to be 1230 and made of elderberry. It was discovered during excavation work in Nieuwendijk, Amsterdam. The biggest clogs ever can be found in Enter in Overijssel. It is 403 cm long, 171 cm wide and 169 cm high.

9. Not surprisingly, there are quite a few expressions in Dutch characterized by klomp or klompen. Dat kun je op je klompen aanvoelen (you can feel wearing clogs) is something that is really very obvious. Or Nou breekt mijn klomp (this broke my block) ie well, I never did!

10. Handmade clogs are still highly regarded. There is even a European Clogs Foundation dedicated to keeping crafts alive through clog days and festivals and clog making courses.