Haferlschuh

Haferlschuh

The Haferlschuh is the traditional Bavarian shoe. It was designed originally as a work shoe for alpine terrain, but it developed into a timeless classic. 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. However, Sternke asserts that the Haferlschuh is much older. With a boatlike front and a nailed 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 the Oktoberfest.

References

• 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).