David Lerner high-waisted coated leggings
Everlane ryan long sleeve shirt
Emerson Fry Yoshi sweater | Gift for review, medium
Sandgrens New York Clog boots | Gift for review, size 39
Happy New Year!! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season; I know mamavalveeta welcomed a new addition to her family, congratulations!! Now, I suppose, it’s back to business. We’ll ease in slowly, shall we?
I received these Sandgrens clog boots a week or so ago as a gift from Sandgrens to review. If you remember, Sandgrens used to be Ugglebo, which was a Grechen’s Closet partner for a while several years ago. It’s still basically the same company, just rebranded, so I was super-excited to work with them again, and especially to review a pair of Swedish clog boots.
I’ve always wanted a pair of clog boots, since No6 and Swedish Hasbeens made them super-popular years ago, but given my history/love-hate relationship with boots of any kind (they don’t fit my calves), I’d resigned myself that I’d never have a pair. But after discussing my options with Sara at Sandgrens, I was pretty sure they’d work for me now, and decided to try the New York “high-heel” style. I say “high-heel” because they’re not really that high, just higher than their shortest heel…
So far, I’ve worn them out about 4 times, with either leggings or my Goldsign skinny jeans, and from the first time I wore them out of the house, they were as close to perfect as boots can get, they never hurt my feet or caused blisters. When I first got them, they were a little stiff, and hard to get on, and quite a bit more snug around my calves/ankles, but with only a few wears (a first, just an hour or so in the house), the leather has softened up nicely and the calves have stretched a little, so that now, I can cinch the buckle at the top in a little to close them up. And they are ridiculously comfortable.
If you’re not used to wearing wood clogs, they’ll take a little getting used to, because the sole is stiff and your heel slips up a bit inside the boot, but I love clogs, and find them great for my posture, and comfortable to walk in/wear all day, so these were easy for me to wear.
I usually wear a size 8 shoe, or 38 in most European brands, and took the 39 in these (which corresponds to a 7.5-8 in their size chart). I also wear a 39 in No6 and Swedish Hasbeens. I wear very thin wool socks or footies with these, because I really hate socks, but they’d still be fine with a slightly heavier sock, but not ones too thick.
Overall, I’m so pleased with my new clog boots, and look forward to wearing them often this winter. Beyond just the fit and style of the shoe, I am happy to support and partner with a company that’s been handcrafting clogs in Sweden since 1846.
And for all you clog nerds out there, a bit of history: No6 clogs are made by Sven Clogs here in the US, and Sven was founded by Sven Carlsson, who was the original clogmaster at Sandgrens in Sweden before he left to found Sven in the US. His son, Christer, is the clogmaster today in Sweden, where Sandgrens clogs are still hand-made. So, there are a lot of similarities in clog bases and styles among the popular brands today, but from what I can tell, it pretty much all started with Sven and Sandgrens.
Who else is a clog fan? Do you have a pair of clog boots? How do you style them? Have you tried Sandgrens?
*I was not compensated for this post beyond receiving a pair of clog boots for free to review. ALL WORDS, thoughts, text, etc., are 100% my own.
oo, thanks for the update on the clog history (i had asked you on ig). These boots look great on you!! For winter I have a pair of the no.6 low pull on shearling boots and the temps have finally plummeted in new york, so i’m about to get them out. I usually wear them with black skinny jeans (they’re black with black shearling) just like you’ve styled them here. I’m considering a pair of the low heel buckle boots for when i’d rather wear thick socks but maybe they’re too similar in function…
I wear clogs quite a bit. All Dansko, because that is what is available at stores in my neighborhood, and I think clogs really need to be tried on.
I have a couple of foot issues (morton’s neuroma, and the thjng where the joint of the big toe hurts sometimes – can’t remember what it’s called) and both are solved by wearing a rocker/inflexible sole.
My only problem is falling off of clogs and twisting my ankle. It doesn’t happen with the closed shoe type of clog, but tends to happen with strappy/ more sandal-y types, which is too bad because I think the strappy styles are cuter.
i have a couple pairs of dansko clogs also! i wore them all while i was working full-time at starbucks and most recently when we went to alaska (they’re great for winter travel IMO) – and i do agree it’s best to try clogs on, especially if you’re unfamiliar. they can be hard to fit, and anyway, just feel “weird” if you’re not used to them!
i have fallen off clogs also – i think it’s the inflexible sole, sort of trips you up sometimes 🙂 which is why i don’t wear high-heel open clogs anymore also…
i’d love a shearing lined pair, but wasn’t sure they’d work for my larger calves. i guess they would, since they stretch enough, so i’ll have to put those on my list for next year 😉
Aw, thanks Grechen, for mentioning my sweet new grandson, Clark! I’m heading out to Chicago on the 15th, so wish me great flying weather!!!
I love these clog boots, but I’m just worried about my weird problematic feet being able to adapt to them. On top of that, I’ve still been experiencing vertigo ever since we returned from our cruise at the end of October. Dizzy + Clogs = Disaster!
I have a pair of similar boots from a few years ago – they’re UGGS which I would never have bought, but I got them on super clearance at a local outdoors shop which I like to support, and they looked very similar to the no6 pair I was in love with but could not afford… They have a shearling insole but not fully lined. I can go sockless and stay warm and they’re pretty much wonderful. None of these are things I would have ever thought I would like in a shoe (UGGS! clogs! shearling insoles!) but they’re one of my favorite winter shoes.
Those are super cute! I have long been a fan of Swedish Hasbeens, but have never owned any. Reading reviews online made me wonder if they would be too narrow for me. How narrow are Sandgrens clogs?
Buying a pair of sandal clogs is on my short list for summer!
i had a basic pair of high-heel swedish hasbeens clogs in “my size” (38) that i finally had to get rid of since they were too small/narrow for me. and i don’t have narrow feet. i just think they run small, and i’d order a size up next time, like I do with no6. but i’m sort of “over” basic high-heel clogs for now…
these are just perfect, the right width, length, everything, with no break-in period. they definitely stretched a little with wear, but no more than they “should” and not enough to change sizes. i’d just stick to their size chart, or contact someone for advice on sizing.
i wouldn’t be able to live without my uggs for winter (i only wear them at home or to walk the dog), but i was convinced i would NEVER wear uggs before i got them. now i see cute boot styles, etc., and think, why not? nothing worse than frozen toes IMO 😉
I love those clogs on you. I have a ton of trouble finding comfortable shoes of any kind so i felt like i hit the jackpot with my first pair of no. 6 clog boots, which are black and a moto style. They are ALL i wear now pretty much, because all other boots, for me, pale in comparison in terms of comfort, I just got super sick of being in pain all the time, I think that women’s shoes are actually one of the biggest scandals in terms of fashion, because shoes have the potential to actually injure a person over time, and yet shoes I find are one of the most poor quality items these days. Gone are the days when you could walk into a place and get a proper fitting, but don’t get me started! Anyway LOVE my no6 boots and thinking of getting another pair!
I love the way clogs and clog boots look, but do have an issue with falling off them (had to visit the ER after tripping in an airport once!) so have to pass on them. 🙁
oh, i’d be put off from that too!!! how terrible!
i hear you! there is nothing i hate more than uncomfortable shoes. and i firmly believe in buying multiples or sticking with a designer that’s comfortable for you….
I have two pairs of swedish hasbeen clog boot and love them.
I also have a splurgy pair of Stuart Weitzman 2010 tall clog boots
mostly for fashion vs comfort.
I do love no.6 clogs for their slip on and closed backs but they are narrower.
And I have several Sven sandals.
I want to get a pair of no. 6 clog boots custom ordered next time I go to the Sven factory 🙂
Those look very cute on you!
I have worn and loved Danskos for years. I currently have a pair of Dansko Professional Cordovan Cabrios that I wear regularly. I tried a pair of Dansko Maria clog boots…they are truly gorgeous. Comfortable, too. I wanted them to work so badly…but alas, I need one size smaller than the smallest size available (the boot sizing isn’t quite the same as the Professional sizing). ;( However, I’m loving the new sandal styles in the Dansko Tivoli collection. Can’t wait for spring!
I’ve been curious about the wooden clogs, and would love for them to work for me, because they’re beautiful. However, I’m not sure they’d fit me the same way as the Danskos do, and I think they’d be heavier as well. And possibly slippery? (I am clumsy enough to trip even in my Danskos — so much so that I stopped wearing them while my kids were infants!)
i have those exact same dansko clogs!! i haven’t worn them in a while, they’re just not my style anymore, but they were perfect for a May trip to Alaska a couple years ago 🙂
i think wooden clogs are lighter than dansko – dansko is pretty heavy compared to my wood clogs…the difference is that there’s no built-in support with wooden clogs, since they’re wood. dansko’s are supportive and a little cushioned, and wider too.
Yes Dansko’s are definitely quite a bit heavier, I echo what Grechen said. It’s interesting, because I’ve read several comments from people here and elsewhere who are big fans of Dansko -I personally can’t wear them. They never feel very comfortable to me, and are too big and clunky for my feet which I don’t like. I find the traditional wooden clogs so much more comfortable (and more synched up with my current aesthetics) and since I started wearing them can’t even think about putting on another pair of Dansko’s without my feet hurting! Isn’t it interesting how different we all are — makes blogs like this so very interesting and valuable to share info. Anyway, to my mind, those Swedes really knew what they were doing when they invented the wooden clog!
Yay to finding what works, and to how sticking with it simplifies life!!!
danskos are definitely not my style lately, but i swore by them for working 8-hour shifts at starbucks way back when…they were so comfortable for standing, but definitely big & clunky. nowadays i find wood clogs more comfortable, aside from the fact they’re just more my style.
totally agree on wooden clogs; they’re brilliant !
This is all fascinating — I had assumed that the wooden would be heavier than whatever (plastic?) Danskos are made of, and I had also read that the trendy wooden clogs — i.e. Swedish Hasbeens — were more for style than function, which is a no-go for me (I walk several miles a day by necessity). It’s becoming apparent that not all wooden clogs were created equal, though! I think I’ll try a Sven style for the spring/summer instead, maybe one of the ones with the more flexible bases. They’re certainly prettier than Danskos! Thanks ladies 🙂
i will say though, on wood clogs and walking, that they are HELL on cobbled streets or any uneven surfaces. i wore mine once in rome for all the walking we did and wanted to cut off my feet. i wouldn’t say they’re ideal for walking several miles a day unless you get a full pair with a low heel, so your foot will stay put and be “cradled” – or a boot, possibly. i think a low clog boot would be great to walk in. but again, wood clogs are different and take some getting used to, so i also wouldn’t expect them to be great right from the start…
Oh man…I live in Boston, so wooden clog sandals are out for me! Bummer. Thanks for saving me like $200 though! >.<
I carry Sangrens at Seven Sisters and have never had one complaint. I wear the clog regularly and love them. So happy you two are partners!
This is a new to me brand. I have followed Sven for awhile since they have good online sales, but I haven’t gone through with a purchase yet. They have peep toe booties that are on my wishlist. :-). Last winter I bought a pair of Coclico clogs on super sale (normally $450 but I got them for $175). And I love them so much! I did have my cobbler stretch out the opening and nail the rubbers on to the bottom (they were just glued) and after a couple of wears they are now my favorite shoe! So comfortable and give some nice extra height. I am surprised that you said you wear a EU 38 as a US size 8 though. I have always worn a EU 39 every since I went to Europe in my early 20s. I thought it was your US size and add 31. For instance, my daughter is a 2 and wears a EU 33 in Hanna Andersson clogs (we are a clog family).
I’m a clogaholic! I own a pair of clog mules with open toe from No. 6; a clog mule closed toe from Swedish Hasbeens and a clog sandal, open toe also from SH. I love all of them, and now, by chance, I think I may get this very boot you’re wearing after trying one on to day in San Francisco. I find I *do* have to be careful about where and when they go out of the house with me, as Grechen you’re totally right–they do not fare well on uneven streets, and San Francisco is full of potholes and broken-up sidewalks. There is also some fatigue after wearing them a few hours–my max is about 4-5 hours in the Hasbeens. The No. 6 is much more comfortable than the HB. As a note, I have wide-ish, flat feet and the ones that are most forgiving on me are the clog sandals and the No. 6 mule. Clogs forever!
Genevieve Roja´s last blog post ..A Fine San Francisco Romance
Grechen, just curious, is there a coupon code via Sandgrens? Wanted to ask before I clicked to buy… Thanks, love!
Genevieve Roja´s last blog post ..A Fine San Francisco Romance
No coupon! Sorry. But yay clogs!!!