It all started in the 1970s, with the White Shop on Adelhauser Straße. There you could find not only sandals, but also books, and sometimes even get an apple for free. It is one of the now legendary "alternative projects" of the seventies and eighties.
The idea behind the shop: Offer a meaningful product, work independently, gladly for friends, family and acquaintances. Hardly any advertising is done, customers come on their own, often students or people from the eco scene.
Many people work alongside, mostly only for a limited time, then go their own ways. One who is there from very early on is Andreas Thilo. And soon also Heinrich Assies. These two stay – they soon "are" the Sandal Workshop Freiburg.
At the end of the 1980s, customers become fewer. The sandal makers decide to go where the customers are: To craft markets, artisan markets and eco fairs. And it works. The Sandal Workshop sustains itself again. It remains, small but vibrant.
The core ideas from the 1970s still hold in the 2020s. A meaningful and well-made product, from the finest materials, craftsmanship perfected, in a distinctive style, from a workshop that thrives on the personality of its three sandal makers: That is the Sandal Workshop Freiburg today.
A leap in time. 2019. A Japanese orthopedic shoemaker, Norihiko Tsukinowa, sees the display case of the Sandal Workshop in Freiburg's pedestrian zone. Gets to know Thilo and Assies, arranges an internship. And he decides to join.
The coronavirus disrupts the further plans somewhat. The time is put to good use: The old website is modernized, an online shop is created, workshops and courses are planned. In Japan, such courses are very popular – so why not in Freiburg?
This product comes in a wide selection of fabrics that we cannot all show here. Contact us by email or phone, and we can let you know what is currently in stock. If you visit our workshop, we can show you not only the fabrics but also various types of leather. For special requests, custom dimensions, or leather selection, simply get in touch with us.
Please note:
Shape: The sole and footbed are shaped according to your footprints and may therefore look different from the images in our online catalogue. This is not a defect.
Color: The leather is individually dyed, and your monitor or display may show colors very differently. The colors shown are therefore non-binding and this is not a defect.
Buyer participation required: We need your footprints for our custom-made products. After an online order, we will send you a footprint kit; the video below and the enclosed instructions show you how to use it. You must return the footprint kit to us so that we can begin our work.
After receiving your finished sandals or mules, you will need to adjust the straps yourself. The videos below show you how.
This participation is required; it is not a defect and does not justify a price reduction.
Fitting video for sandals:
Fitting video for mules:
Right of withdrawal and exchange: All our sandals and shoes are custom-made products that we only produce to order. The purchase contract is concluded with the binding order; you cannot return or exchange the sandals or shoes.
For in-store pickup with fitting service, shipping costs will not be refunded.
Terms and Conditions: Please read our Terms and Conditions before placing your binding order. We are obliged to provide you with this information. You must confirm that you have read our Terms and Conditions during the online order process.
Further questions: Please first check our "What You Should Know" page. If you cannot find an answer to your question there, please feel free to contact us directly!
Please note:
Minimum attendance for workshops: The booking confirmation is subject to the required number of participants being reached. We need a minimum of three participants. The maximum is five participants per workshop – except for the Tote Bag workshop, which is limited to a maximum of four participants.
Cancellation of workshops and right of withdrawal: We reserve the right to cancel workshops for important reasons, e.g. if the workshop leader falls ill. Fees will be refunded in this case.
Cancellations by participants after a binding order are possible; however, for short-notice cancellations, the workshop fee may not be refunded or only partially refunded.
Liability: In our workshops, participants work with sharp tools and machines. Injuries and damage to personal property or property belonging to others or to Sandalenwerkstatt Freiburg are at the participant's own risk and are not covered by our insurance.
Terms and Conditions: Please read our Terms and Conditions before placing your binding workshop booking. We are obliged to provide you with this information. You must confirm that you have read our Terms and Conditions during the online booking process.
No off-the-shelf: First, just have a look. Normally, you would simply pick up a pair of sandals in your usual size from the shelf in a shoe shop and try them on. With us, it's different. In our workshop store, we have samples on display, but no selection of finished sandals or shoes for you to try on. You are of course welcome to look at our models, either here on the internet or in our workshop store.
Consultation in our workshop. You can of course simply come to the workshop for advice. However, if you would like to order a pair of sandals or shoes, we recommend making an appointment so that we have enough time for you. The appointment can also be arranged outside our opening hours (Monday to Friday, 3:00 to 6:00 PM) by arrangement. Please allow 20 to 30 minutes for a standard consultation.
Once you have decided, we will ask you to stand on a so-called footprint box with each foot in turn. This is a type of footprint kit that shows us where you normally put pressure on your feet. We also trace the outline of both feet.
During this process, we also discuss any special requirements your feet may have. Although we do not make orthopedic shoes or sandals, and we do not carry out video or computer analyses of your gait or foot shape, we use our experience and expertise to take special requirements into account.
Takes a little time: Handmade sandals & shoes. Once we have your footprints, we can begin making your sandals or shoes. It is handwork, and we work in the order in which orders are received. We will give you an approximate date for the fitting or for shipping. For some models — which cannot be ordered online — we will need you to come back for a second appointment so we can fit the sandal or shoe.
We are happy to accommodate your preferences and are flexible when planning your workshop dates. Simply share your preferred times with us, and we will do our best to arrange them.
Please send your inquiry to info@sandalenwerkstatt.de
Thank you for your interest
Sandalenwerkstatt Freiburg
