Swedish clog boots with a stylish twist

Doctors and nurses rely on them for their long shifts, as do chefs and other professionals who stand all day. The perfect work and (for the rest of us) pandemic shoe, wooden clogs are like a slipper — comfortable and easy to get into —with soles sturdy enough to wear for hours (inside or outside). Winter is coming, and it’s time to consider adding a pair of clog boots to your wardrobe.

Clog boot, just like its well-known relative classic clog, refers to any type of boot with a wooden bottom. Although clogs have been among us for centuries, they are not humble work shoes anymore, but also a fashion statement and a choice of many. From famous people to hippies, artists, professional chefs, there are many clog enthusiasts worldwide. Swedish clog boots are comfortable and all-natural shoes that can adapt to any climate and occasion. They may not be cheap, but they are handmade, comfortable, healthy for your feet, and do last a long time.

Clog boots for women

A century ago, Swedish cobblers began to make wooden clogs as practical, protective working shoes. After generations of experimenting and improving materials and techniques, they came out with a type of shoe known as a Swedish clog. Swedish boots (and particularly clog boots for women) come in a range of unexpected colors- silver, pink, grape, copper, as well as in various prints and leathers. They come in numerous styles such as shearling clogs boots, wedges, high heel clog boots, hiking boots, etc.

When we talk about style, the best known are probably classic Chelsea boots, but there are plenty of variations with laces, metallic details, zipper, embroidery, or lined with wool and shearling. If you are looking for shoes that will keep you warm through the cold days, the recommendation is always warm shearling wooden clog boots.

Clog boots for men

Men’s clog boots may not be new on the market, however, they are still confusing for most men. But for those gentlemen brave enough to give them a chance, Swedish wooden clog boots have many benefits. They are comfortable, easy on and off, and materials and detail are almost endless (patent, waxy, vegan, nubuck, pull-up, vegetable-tanned, suede, etc.).

Swedish clog boots are (in most cases) handmade, eco-friendly, and natural footwear. They are still made in small family-owned workshops with custom-made options that give them a bit of that special romantic touch. A distinctive wooden sole is made with natural wood, in most cases alder wood, lime, or brisk, with an anatomically shaped footbed that is healthy for the body posture. The wooden bottom softens the impact of walking on hard surfaces and keeps your back in a good posture. Also, most clog boots have a Grip-tech PU layer on bottoms, a material developed for increased slip resistance. Combined with a leather upper, you get warm, waterproof, and comfortable, distinctive boots with interesting details such as laces, metallic buckles, stitches, or horsbit.

How to take care of the pair of Swedish wooden clog boots? 

The answer is: it takes only a few steps. If the wooden bottoms absorb too much water, allow your clog boots to dry slowly. Never try to heat the leather upper and wooden bottom, and do not try speeding up the drying process. Taking care of the leather uppers depends on what type of leather Swedish clogs boots are made of. Although there are many different products you can use, always test a new spray, cream, or oil on a small hidden part of boots. Even better, put on your wooden clogs boots, take a walk to the nearest local shoe repair shops, and ask for a piece of advice.

How to take care of your Swedish clog sandals…

…or any other Swedish wooden clogs?

With summer around the corner, it's time to unbox your favorite Swedish clog sandals and give them some love before the summer season begins.

Here we come up with some tips and basic rules on how to take care of the pair of women’s clog sandals. Because their sole is always made of wood, taking care of Swedish clogs is a little different from the advice that applies to other types of shoes.

 

First things first: wooden soles

Clog sandals for women have a wooden sole that is lacquered on the sides and has naturally untreated wood on the footbed. The easiest way to clean the wooden bottoms of your wooden clog sandals is to wipe the dirt with a damp cloth and allow the sandals to dry at normal temperature (around 20 degrees Celsius). If wet cloth is not enough, try to clean them with little soap.

Most of the bottoms of women’s sandals are varnished. Although that offers some protection from water or rain, if they get too wet, it’s important to give them some extra care.

Let your clog sandals dry at room temperature and don’t try to speed up the drying of the wood by putting them somewhere hot. In this situation, it’s best to fill them with a newspaper or kitchen towel and leave them overnight to completely dry.

Whatever you do, always do it carefully. Wood is a living material and it should be handled with love.

Women’s clogs sandals and different leather uppers

How to take care of the leather depends on what kind of leather your Swedish wooden clog sandals are made of.

A pair of Swedish clogs for women in suede or nubuck leather is best to brush with a nubuck and suede brush to remove stains on the surface of the leather.

After the recommendation is to apply special nubuck and suede spray that will provide a layer of protection. For the best results, apply the spray when the clogs are new.

Clog sandals in pull-up leather must be handled carefully.  The pull-up leathers are treated with oils and waxes after being dyed which gives the leather a beautiful two-tone effect. There are many cleaning products and creams made specifically for oily and greased leathers, but it’s best to ask your shoe repair shop to recommend your product for this type of leather.

Many types of clogs for women are made of pigmented or patent leathers, which means that they can easily be wiped off with a damp cloth. If that does not work, try soap and water on the spots of dirt.

Be careful when you try any new product (cleaning, cream, wax products…) for the first time. Always test any new product on a small hidden part of the clog, or leathers in black and other darker colors. These products can sometimes give the leather a darker tone, so it’s good to keep in mind when you try them on your clog sandals.

Of course, these tips apply not only to clog sandals for women but also to any type of clogs for women and men, as well as other leather shoes.

Repair your wooden clog sandals to wear them longer

Follow these basic few rules on how to take care of your Swedish wooden clog sandals for women and be sure you’ll them for many years. Conserving and repairing is the most beautiful, sustainable, and economical way of holding on to your favorite pair of comfortable clogs.

How are Swedish clogs made?

The wooden clog production process is quite different from that of normal footwear that is made on a leather or rubber sole.  Since a traditional Swedish clogs is made on a base of wood, a large part of the production process is woodwork for a wooden clog producer. While most Swedish clog producers do not make the wooden bottoms themselves there are still some clog factories that both produce wooden bottoms and do the final assembly of the clogs in-house.

Wooden clog bottom production

Producers of Swedish clogs usually buy logs directly from forest owners or wholesalers and then saw up planks in different dimensions depending on model and shoe size. Those planks are then entered into a wood kiln to dry for several weeks until the moisture level is around 12 – 15 percent. This is essential in order to get a clog bottom that will keep shape after being produced. Once the planks are dried, they will be sawn into shape depending on the size of sole and then those pieces are put into a milling machine where the bottoms and foot beds get their shape. After this stage, outsoles are attached to the wooden bottoms and then they go into a fine milling machine to get the final shape and a finer finish.

What wood can be used in the production of wooden clog bottoms?

Wood suitable for producing clogs should be hardwoods that are relatively light and remains stable after drying. It’s also important that the wood can absorb moisture well. Swedish clogs are traditionally made out of alder wood and most Swedish clog producers still prefer to work with alder. Birch and lime wood is also common in clog production. Below you can read about some of the properties of these three types of wood:

• Alderwood is part of the birch family and is generally considered light and soft for being a hardwood. It’s not very susceptible to shrinkage and importantly remains stable after drying. Alder usually grows in moist areas like next to rivers and lakes and the wood usually remains stable when used under water. One of the important properties that make alder popular among Scandinavian clog producers is that it is easy to dry and doesn’t crack easily. It’s also easy to work in machining and turning and can be nailed without the wood splitting while also being easy to glue. It’s uniform, small pore structure and relatively consistent color makes it good for sanding, painting and for staining.
• Lime wood is also known as Tilia, Linden or basswood and is a soft hardwood that can be easily worked by hand or machine. It has an even, fine pored wood structure that makes it ideal for staining, painting and varnishing. The wood is stable once dried but it is not very durable and is therefore mainly used indoors.
• Birch is also a hardwood which has a medium-weight and good strength properties, it is quite elastic and tough but not very hard. Birch is relatively easy to work with and can also be turned and cut easily. Similarly to the above wood types, it can be stained and polished which is important for clog makers. Its bending properties are good but splitting properties are unfortunately not so good.

Making of the Swedish clog upper

Any Swedish clog factory will also need skilled workers for making the leather uppers. The craftspeople will need to understand the different properties of different leathers. Padded insteps and linings are then stitched on before the clog parts enter another part of the clog production stage, nailing and lasting. Here the uppers are shaped into the three dimensional shape of the last and attached to the wooden clog bottoms with nails or staples. The clogs are then inspected and heel pads with the clog producers’ or the clog brands logo are attached to the footbed.

Swedish clog makers are continuing a traditional craft that has been handed down from generation to generation. Working with natural materials takes patience and skill that is not something many factories have a lot of these days.

Finding the Best Wooden Clog Boots Made Easy

 

Clogs have been the in-thing for a couple of years now. The credit of bringing them back into people’s eye from being brushed under the carpet can be accorded to Chanel and Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer collection of 2010. Since then wooden clogs haven’t gone out of fashion, and from the looks of wooden clog boots, seems like they’re here to stay.

There has also been some debate about the benefits and troubles caused by Clogs. A reason as to why people face troubles with clogs is probably because they’re wearing wooden clogs that are not built for them. Therefore, finding a pair (or plenty!) wooden clog boots that suit you is crucial. So, how can you find the appropriate wooden clog boots?

Inquire what goes into Crafting Wooden Clog Boots

It’s important to get to know what all goes into the making of your footwear, especially when they’re wooden clogs.

• Know what kind of wood it’s made out of
• Ask whether they’re orthopedic
• Inquire about the type of adhesive being used
• Get to know if the wooden clogs that you’re buying have staples or nails
• Which material for clog boots is good for you – leather or suede?
• Check whether the boots are designed to be sturdy and not just stylish

Do your Clog Boots Come with a Set of Special Care Instructions?

If your wooden clog boots come with a set of special care instructions then you can breathe a sigh of relief. This means that your clog’s manufacturers care about your boots as much as you do.

Their care manual would include instruction about taking care of the wooden part of the heels, maybe how to clean it when it gets dirty. Or which material (sandpaper or cotton cloth) to clean it with.

Instructions should also cover how to take care of the upper – suede or leather – because just the wooden part of the boots is not prone to damage.

A Pair of Good Wooden Clog Boots should be Able to Live up to Certain Expectations

• The bottoms of the boots should be designed in a way that promotes even weight distribution across each foot.
• There must be an arch support and raised heels in order to support your feet and legs and reduce lower-back strain.
• Wooden heel boots should be noiseless to walk in. An ideal shoe bottom should be made of thick PU sole.

How popular were wooden clog sandals in the early 20th century?

Wooden clogs were vastly popular among the peasant folk throughout Europe in the 20^th century and were worn to provide protection and comfort to the feet. Though considered a footwear for the labor class, wooden clog sandals came of age and became a fashion accessory towards the end of the 20^th century.

 

These wooden clog sandals had their roots in Holland and eventually spread into France, England and Scandinavia. During the time of Industrial revolution, clogs became the most preferred shoe for workers. The all-wooden shoe was manufactured from a single block of wood and were called by different names in different countries. In Netherlands, they were called Klomp, in Germany, Klompen and in France, Sabots. The Dutch clogs were made entirely of wood whereas the French clogs were made of wood and leather.

 

Wooden clog sandals were popular among both male and female peasants since they provided warmth and protection. Wooden clogs kept the feet in good stead and so were worn by miners, agricultural workers and construction workers. The clogs protected the feet of agricultural workers from mud and from injury caused by sharp tools used in the field. Farmers used to wear specially decorated clogs to attend church on Sundays and also on holidays.

The working clogs were just simple ones and devoid of decoration. However, clogs which were worn to church or to weddings were painted and carried embellishments on them. Red, black and yellow were the only colors used on the clogs. The wooden clogs also didn’t carry any decoration but to make them look a bit fancy and give a leathery feel, the upper portion featured laces and lace holes.

Wooden clog sandals are made from three types of wood- European willow, yellow poplar and tulip poplar. These woods are hard and resistant to water. After the tree is felled, the wood is cut and made into clogs. No other material is used to manufacture these shoes. Wooden clogs were traditionally made entirely out of hand by specialized artisans though nowadays the shoes are carved by machine.

A clog is made from a single block of wood. The logs are first debarked and sawed into rectangular blocks. Then a machine called shaper, shapes the exterior of the wood into a shoe by rotating its two blanks in opposite directions which help in carving a left shoe and a right one simultaneously. The interior is then carved by a boring machine which scoops out the wood blocks according to the required dimensions.

Next, the shoes are placed in a refiner which trims and chisels any excess wood to give the shoes a smooth finish. The shoes are then left to dry for three to five weeks. After the shoes are completely dry, the clog worker sands them inside out. The clogs are now ready to wear.

Why You Should Incorporate Clogs Into Your Daily Fashion?

The love-affair women have with clogs have been the talking point for more than a decade now. The grace and daintiness clogs bring to a woman’s feet is something women find too hard to resist. Every woman loves to walk with an air of confidence and a good pair of shoes can give her that kick of self-belief. Clogs have given women the licence to flaunt their style and personality with aplomb. It’s good to see women stomping around in clogs not caring what other people think. Clogs have made walking a little more fun.

Shoes create a big impact on our physical appearance and also on our psychology. When we put on the right shoes, we feel different. We feel physically transformed. Wearing the correct shoes accentuates your dress and complete your look as a whole. TV shows such as ‘Sex and the City’ and fashionista celebrities are the reason why the cult for fashionable and expensive shoes have developed over the years.

Clogs have burst into the fashion scene at the opportune moment when the demand for fashionable shoes had shot up. A perfect accessory for the hip and fashionable women folk, clogs speak up much more than other shoes. The clumsy, humble shoe of the yesteryears reformed itself into a glitzy fashionable avatar and took the fashion statement to the next level.

Wearing clogs is fun and extremely comfortable. The moment you slip your feet into a clog, you will feel as if your spine clicked into its place. The arch-bed and the insole design of wooden clogs supports your entire feet and provides you excellent comfort. The shoes are ergonomically designed for those who have to stand or walk around the whole day. The uppers are made of genuine high-quality leather. Genuine leather is not only breathable but also adjusts itself to the shape of the feet.

Clogs come in cheerful designs and bright colors which is enough to put a smile on the face of the wearer. One of the best things about clogs is that you can wear them with any outfit. Clogs are the only shoes in the shoe fraternity which carry such a trait. Boot cut jeans with a slim top and a scarf can look beautiful with cherry red or black clogs. Similarly, a maxi skirt with a loose sweater and high heel clogs will look amazing. With such funky designs and awesome color choices, you can walk around in clogs whole day with a proud gait and never feel the pangs of weariness.

How Clogs Have Sealed A Place In Every Woman’s Heart?

The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art-Leonardo da Vinci. To keep this masterpiece in good stead you need to wear a pair which goes well with your feet and provide the protection it deserves. Truth be told, women don’t care about the right shoe for their feet. What they crave for is the right style which will bring a dash of oomph to their feet. They will not hesitate walking in towering heels which can give them a backache and cause their feet to cry out in pain. They will love to appear flirtier than go for one which adds comfort to their feet. Why? Because, shoes which are practical and ensure a bit of comfort for your feet are dull and boring and don’t strike the right chord with fashionista women.

Women of today prefer shoes that oozes sex appeal and look beautiful on their feet at any time of the day, in any season or for any occasion. Whether it’s a sleek dangerous-looking stiletto or a low cute kitten heel, if it feeds the need of a woman to look good and caters to her taste, she will not resist buying them even if she sprains her ankle walking in them.

And then came clogs. It created a furore among other shoes. Stilettos, wedges, ballerinas, all felt ‘insecure’. The aesthetically appealing design of clogs blended with comfort took the wind away from their sails and became an instant attraction for women. Fashion-crazy women, tired of the same stuff enjoyed buying these new shoes with designs that added glamour to their ensemble. Clogs arrived as a breath of fresh air and stole the heart of every elite and fashionista women.

From a footwear of the downtrodden in the 70s, clogs rose up to the occasion (after being in the dumps post their heydays) and became the apple of the eye in fashion parades of elite brands like Gucci. And from then, there was no looking back. With newer designs pouring out after their grand debut, clogs held the attention of women and left them wanting for more. The orthopaedic design of clogs puts less pressure on your ankles and allows your toes to wriggle freely. You will lose track of time but still won’t feel an iota of discomfort, let alone pain in your feet. The bottom of the shoe is shaped in an upward curve to form an arch which gives added comfort to the feet. It is because of these factors that the popularity of clogs have reached such greater heights in the fashion spectrum and will continue to be in the top in the years to come.

Swedish Clogs, You’ll Want to Live in

How many times have you sacrificed comfort, or let’s be honest, tolerated outright pain for style? Yes, there is a fix for this one, don’t buy uncomfortable shoes no matter how cute they are instead opt for classic and timeless pieces that will add to your wardrobe. Now, you might be eager to know what’s that real deal?  The answer is Swedish clogs, back in the game and they are here to stay.

The big question isn’t who would wear clogs? It is: Who doesn’t want to wear clogs? These wooden sole, chunky shoes are spotted by every fashionista who knows the style and ease it offers. Swedish clogs are ideal for women who want to flaunt but with ease, but if you think they are wearisome or uncomfortable you’re in for a surprise.

You don’t have to be a farm farmer to walk in clogs, Swedish clogs come with a vast array of styles and can be worn in any season and any occasion with any outfit. Contrary to what people may think, clogs are made of breathable wood of good quality which makes them a best fit to be worn even in summer or in winters. No one likes sweaty or cold feet to have and as just you like to dress up you should also look for great wearing comfort for your feet. Clogs, a minimalist pair of footwear, can be accommodated with any of your outfits being it dresses, skirts, trousers or jeans. These all season Swedish clogs are perfect for those who want simplicity of a step-in/step-out style. It isn’t always easy to find glamour and comfort at one place but considering the heel and slide profile, a clog can be the most comfortable footwear to choose.

Finding footwear, especially for women, that’s probably comfortable and attractive and can be worn at the workplace or for formal use is a challenging task. But once you step your feet into Swedish clog you will never want to switch to other footwear.

What to look for in a pair of Swedish clogs for women?

●     Lightweight, keeps clogs comfortable to walk in without any difficulty.

●     Choose a model with padded instep for extra comfort.

●     Clogs with laces or adjustable straps for flexibility.

●     Genuine leather is ideal. If leather feels stiff at first, don’t worry, it will eventually soften with wear.

●     And last but not the least, pair your clogs with socks to give a chic look.

●     Constructed with a thick PU sole, which makes the clog softer and quieter to walk in.

●     Clogs with raised heels put the foot in an optimal angle for support and posture.

A Concise Insight Into History of Swedish Clogs for Men and Women

Introduction

Whenever we hear the words ‘clogs’, two European countries specifically come to mind: Netherlands and Sweden. Sure, other countries also had their own piece of history on clogs, but these two countries are most predominantly credited with popularizing wooden clogs for men and women and bringing them into fashionable territory. 

As similar as the name may sound, Swedish clogs are very different from Dutch clogs. Dutch clogs typically had an entire shoe built of wood with closed backs that emphasized durability and protection over everything else as these clogs were traditionally worn by farmers and workers to protect their feet. Swedish clogs on the other hand were always fashionable and came in different designs, putting more emphasis on looks and style over everything else, resulting in clogs being welcomed to mainstream use.

History of Swedish Clogs

Swedish clog shave been used in Sweden since over hundreds of years. The main reason why clogs were the preferred choice of footwear was because wood was available in plenty. Wood was inexpensive, could be easily worked on and made shoes durable. This lead to making of the first Swedish wooden clogs that started out as staple footwear for farmers and factory workers in early 1800s. There were also variants that were used for casual use, but discovery of leather and other shoe making materials meant not many preferred to be seen in public wearing clogs.

 

Rise of Clogs in 1970s

Sometime in the 70s, top fashion houses of the fashion industry were looking to start a new footwear trend among women, and turned to clogs. This led to evolution of traditional Swedish clogs into their modern avatar which uses not only their trademark wooden construction, but also different materials such as leather and suede. The general public from different parts of the world who had never even heard about clogs started to like the. Clog footwear were hailed as a top fashion icon of the 70s, and it was just the beginning of clog fashion.

Wooden Clogs Today

Today, there are countless clog sellers available, both online and offline, selling all kinds of clogs in different styles and designs. However, not all are authentic Swedish clogs; in fact, most international clog sellers have no history of selling clogs, jumping on to the bandwagon by making their own take on clogs. While the clogs they sell are good, they do not carry centuries’ worth of history in them like traditional Swedish clog makers do. If you want the authentic Swedish experience, always prefer to buy wooden clogs from original Swedish clog makers.