Haferlschuh

Haferlschuh

The Haferlschuh (German: [ˈhaːfɐlˌʃuː]) is the traditional Bavarian shoe. It was designed originally as a work shoe for alpine terrain, but it can now be worn in a more general setting. In Bavaria it may also be called a Bundschuh. In Austria, it is known as a Schützenschuh.

According to legend, in 1803 Franz Schratt, an alpine shoemaker from Oberstdorf (located in the Allgäu region of the Bavarian Alps), developed the Haferlschuh inspired by the goat hoof. [1] However, Sternke asserts that the Haferlschuh is much older. With a boatlike front and hobnailed sole, the shoes gave the wearer stability.

Since 1900, the Haferlschuh has become a part of many alpine Trachten. Nonetheless, the Haferlschuh is still worn as an everyday shoe, and not just for special occasions like Oktoberfest.

Black haferlschuhe

References

1. "The Bavarian Haferlschuh: Half a shoe?". 18 November 2015.

• Helge Sternke: Alles über Herrenschuhe. Nicolai Verlag, Berlin, 2006, 560 S., 450 Abb., ISBN 3-89479-252-3. (With a detailed information about the Haferlschuh).
• Schuh Bertl / Helge Sternke: Der Haferlschuh: Tradition, Handwerk, Mode. Heel, Königswinter 2015, ISBN 978-3-86852-787-2.