Der Haferlschuh: Tradition - Handwerk - Mode

An extraordinary tribute to a time-honoured craft! The Haferlschuh is far more than a folkloric Bavarian shoe – it embodies centuries of shoemaking tradition, precision, and an aesthetic that has become increasingly rare. In this 255-page illustrated volume and reference work, Munich Haferlschuh expert Schuh Bertl and author Helge Sternke explore the fascinating world of this distinctive shoe – from its historical origins to the intricate craftsmanship that defines its making today.

For more than twenty-five years, Schuh Bertl has run his traditional shoemaking workshop in Munich’s Gärtnerplatz district. His path to the craft was far from conventional: after an apprenticeship as a dairyman specialising in cheese-making, followed by a spell constructing figures for film productions at the Bavaria Film Studios, a chance encounter set him on an entirely new course. During a stay in the mountains, he commissioned a pair of bespoke mountain boots from an old-established shoemaker. The outstanding quality impressed him so deeply that, when ordering a second pair, he watched every movement of the craftsman’s hands with keen attention – and in that moment decided for himself: I will become a shoemaker.

He completed his training, and in 1989 took over a Munich shoemaking business that had already been in existence for more than sixty years – a workshop he continues to run with unwavering dedication. That same passion can be felt in every chapter of this book.

The volume offers an impressively detailed exploration of every aspect of the Haferlschuh. Superb photography and precise technical drawings document each stage of production: how the Bestechnaht (welt seam) is made, how a last is shaped, how the upper leather is stretched and fixed, and how the original double-stitched Haferlschuh is created – a process mastered today by only a handful of shoemakers.

One dedicated chapter presents practical advice and techniques clearly explained for both professionals and interested enthusiasts alike.

Beyond the craftsmanship itself, the book also provides an in-depth look at the history, cultural significance, stylistic evolution, materials, and care of this traditional shoe. The Haferlschuh is revealed here in all its splendour – as an indestructible work shoe, an elegant dress shoe, and an enduring symbol of Bavarian identity.

With great enthusiasm, the authors showcase the wide variety of forms and regional interpretations of the Haferlschuh, while preserving expert knowledge that has become increasingly rare in modern shoemaking. This book is far more than a specialist volume: it is a tribute to a unique craft, to the people who keep it alive, and to the timeless beauty of the Haferlschuh.

A must for shoe enthusiasts, guardians of tradition, lovers of fine craftsmanship, and all those who value genuine quality.