Klompen is definitely my new favorite word.
It sounds like a verb (“Don’t make me klompen you!”), but really it’s the Dutch term for clogs that cover the whole feet.
These are klompen.
Did you think clogs were all the same? Silly you. Clog-type foot contraptions are native to many cultures, and even just within Holland itself the range of klompen varieties is quite diverse.
First of all, there are many different sizes: large, jumbo, and gigantron.
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The gigantron is obviously my favorite, as it could also potentially serve as a small vehicle. The Klompen Kart!
But there’s so much more to clog styles than just size. If you need to skate, there’s a clog for that. Are you a fisherman? Special klomp for that! And if you’re working in the garden, don’t forget your square clogs.
There are even special backward-pointing-footsteps klompen for those smugglers amongst us.
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It turns out that while brightly colored klompen are a fixture around the Netherlands’ more touristed areas, aside from the occasional farmer most Dutch don’t actually wear them these days.
Which is sad, really. These things are awesome!
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I was going to pick up some of these but don’t think they will fit well in my pack.
Jonathan Look, Jr. recently posted: Isla Holbox
Yeah, they’re not the most convenient shoes to transport.
Love the word klompen too. And what a cool set of photos you got. I used to wear clogs a lot and I had a pair that were surprisingly comfortable though definitely not a fashion statement.
Leigh recently posted: How To Bring Traffic to a Complete Stop in a National Park
It seems like some clogs are infinitely more comfortable than others. I understand having a wooden base…. as long as there’s some padding in there, lol.
This will be the next big thing here in the States at some point. And we will read about a movement to run marathons in klompen, accompanied by expert studies of how it is the ideal shoe for running. We will have to listen to a bunch of middle aged hipsters talk about how klompen cured their back pain.
Now, I am going to shuffle off in my Danskos (which have totally cured my back pain).
Caanan @ No Vacation Required recently posted: Photo Wrap Up of USA Road Trip
Hahaha, hipsters WOULD start wearing wooden clogs “ironically”. Don’t give them the idea! Save their feet!
The gigantron klompen look great! Is it just me or did it rain all around the gigantron klompen that posed for a photo with you – but not on the gigantron klompen itself? Just from the look of the sidewalk…
Ayelet – All Colores recently posted: Travel Video: My First Snowing Experience
I didn’t notice that until now – how strange!
Haha, “klompen” really IS a fantastic word. Love it! And love this post.
Amanda recently posted: Euro Trip Week 2 Round-Up
I think I’m going to start using it in my normal conversations.
Wow, I love that whole clog culture. I like the jumbo ones. They’re just the right amount of obscene and tawdry.
Scott – Quirky Travel Guy recently posted: Lost luggage and frozen tents: lessons in perseverance from Alaska
Hahaha, I like how you’ve decided that there’s a “good” balance of obscene and tawdry.
Loved the word, cool!!! And what a fantastic post too!
Have a wonderful weekend:)
Arti recently posted: Planning for Japan: Visa, Flight Bookings, Hotel Reservations, etc.
Thanks, Arti!
I’m going to have to start klompen my way around Holland soon! klomp klomp klomp! You two should start a business on Klompen Karts – I’d ride them.
Chrystal McKay recently posted: Slovenia – Small cities and country side
OMG, best. idea. ever!
Fun klompen. I didn’t see any that big when I was in the Netherlands. In fact, you’re gigantron picture reminded me of a wooden shoe ride they had at Kings Island Amusement park. They dismantled the ride years ago. I wonder whatever happened to the shoes?? Perhaps they made it back to Holland??
Juliann recently posted: Surprises Around the Corner in Gent
Oh my, a wooden shoe ride. SIGN ME UP.
I want to go klompening! Want to join me?
Ha! Ha! Whatever that could mean.It sounds like a cool word.
Didn’t realize that there are tons of variety of clogs just like cheese. Interesting.
Ok got to go. I have to go klompening!
Marisol@TravelingSolemates recently posted: Santorini: Our Tiny, Skinny Greek Wedding
Ha, klompening sounds like so much fun! We should start a klompening club.
It IS sad they don’t really wear them anymore! They’re such fun shoes to look at, but I can’t imagine walking around in wooden shoes is comfortable, so I guess it makes sense. Love the ginormous one!
Ali recently posted: Freiburg, I Love You, But…
Yeah, they don’t look comfortable at all! It seems worse than going barefoot to me…
The good old clogs
they totally stand for the Netherlands, don’t they? There are mire commercial ones that many people in Germany wear. They have wood under them and then leather or plastic covering the front half of the food. They used to be totally in for a while. My mom would wear them in all kinds and colors 
Sabrina recently posted: Austin Street Art and My Hunt for German Food in Austin
I know, some clogs are totally in right now! I think Dansko shoes are clog-like, and they’re super comfortable and well made. Also expensive, of course.
We used to have a wooden pair for decoration when I was growing up and I always tried to walk around in them – until they didn’t fit anymore, of course!
Andrea recently posted: Travel Memories: Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia
Clearly your family should have brought back the jumbo size.
I had no idea there were so many clogs! You two are adorable in those photos.
Christy recently posted: A Taste of Summer – Celebrating a Movement Beyond Farm to Fork
Haha, thanks!