Clogs and Mules both types of shoes come with enormous benefits.
And both of them have a proud history to tell their users. One came to protect the working class from job difficulties and another came to ensure comfortable staying at home.
But, as both of them have almost similar outlook a new buyer faces a dilemma to choose one over another.
Though both types of shoes were introduced to meet people different types of footwear demands, later the manufacturers added different features and produced with different shape and size.
As a result, they often look substitute for one another. Actually, they are not a perfect substitute for one another, they have some differences. We have written this content to help our readers know those differences.
In this article, we have discussed the clogs and mules, sorted out the key differences, and finally pointed out some benefits and drawbacks of both kinds of shoes.
We hope after going through this content, you will be able to differentiate clogs from the mules successfully.
What Are Clog Shoes?
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General Definition
Clog shoes are a special type of footwear that is made of flexible leather or plastic upper cover and heavy materials heel and sole. From the very beginning, wood has been used for the heel or sole of the clogs. But now a wide range of materials is being used to manufacture the clog shoes.
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Traditional Definition
Clogs are carved wooden footwear that were traditionally worn by both male and female peasantries all over Europe since the shoes originated in the early 1300s.
This type of shoes was designed as a practical cover for the feet that will provide protection and comfort against harsh elements. Throughout history, clogs were worn by peasant classes of the society, but by the 20th century, these shoes turn into a form of fashion footwear for both men and women. Such two of fashionable clogs are Swedish träskor and Japanese geta.
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The Evolution of Clogs
The wooden clogs were originated in Holland and later spread to England, France and over Scandinavian countries. Throughout the Industrial Revolution era, these shoes were the most common work shoes in Europe.
The Clogs were derived from “calceus” shoes, wooden-soled shoes that existed in the course of the Roman empire. Actually, the design of wooden clogs was made depending on demand for an enclosed pair of shoes that will protect the feet from the wet and cold elements.
What Are Mule Shoes?
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General Definition
Mules are a kind of footwear that has no back or constraint around the foot heel. In the mules, the two-thirds of the shoes are covered with soft materials and the backend remains free. These mules are available in various heel heights, some are as high as the heel, and some are as low as the slipper shoes.
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Traditional Definition
Mules have a history going as back as Ancient Rome. At that time, the backless shoes were designed to wear with dressing gowns and typically matched the loose outfits inside of the house. The reason mules’ comfortable design was to ensure people comfortable staying in the house. The shoes were worn by both male and female.
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The Evolution of Mules
While mules have been worn since the 15th century to the present day, their popularity has not always been constant to people. In the early 1700s, they were just typical bedroom shoes. Later, they also appeared in famous paintings and on the feet of legendary empires.
The production materials of the mules were not the same as of now. In the twentieth century wartime, mules were made of felt, compounds of raffia, lino, oilcloth, rattan, bark or synthetic hemp.
Later, they were also made from plastic and decorated with feathers. But now various soft materials like leather, EVA foam pads and plastic are used to manufacture the shoes, and now they are also worn for style purposes.
Difference Between Clogs and Mules
We already said that clogs and mules are not a perfect substitute for one another, but how they are not?
Here, in the following section, we have enlisted the factors that create differences between clogs and mules and give each one its unique identity.
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Purpose of Invention
Clogs originated in Scandinavia and Netherlands. They typically defined backless wooden shoes those mainly manufactured for the protection purposes and are used by working class people.
On the other hand, mules originated in France around the same time. They were usually worn by the aristocrat class of society. And the purpose of mules was to provide a comfortable solution for the people during their stay at the house.
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Weight
As you know clogs are made for using while working and for protection purposes. For this reason, these shoes weigh heavier than a pair of mule shoes.
Inversely, mules are made for bedroom use, that’s why they are designed to be as light as possible.
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Design
Clogs are designed with a front cover and back support. Sometimes clogs also have laces in the back. They also have high heels. Women clogs are designed with animal print, flower print and sometimes come in a plain look. Men clogs most of the times have a plain outlook.
Mules’ designs are comparatively fashionable than the clogs. They usually come in moderate to low heel and look very simple overall body structure.
Women mules display women colors, various flower print and additional feather design. And men mules are most of the time plain and have a single color design. However, there are some mules that are made for both male and female.
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Materials
In the past, wood was the primary materials for manufacturing clogs. But now premium leather and synthetic sole are used as manufacturing materials. Also, some clogs are made of the rubber sole and imported EVA material. And the durability of the clogs also depends on these materials.
Pure leather, synthetic, rubber and memory foam are common materials that are used in the manufacturing of mule shoes. As usual, the durability depends on the quality of the materials.
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Comfortability
Though in the past clogs were made of wood and were less comfortable, nowadays clogs are comfortable enough. Because of their comfortability as well as protective nature, most of the workers, like the nurses, choose these shoes over other types of shoes.
Basically, mules were used as comfortable bedroom shoes. But now, you can get this kind of mules where comfortability is the first priority. Though few modern look mules are not that much comfortable like bedroom shoes, still they can be a good choice for smooth walking.
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Modern Look
Clogs are primarily used as work shoes. But you can get some clogs with modern touch those can be worn in both formal and casual working condition.
Mules are more fashionable than clogs. Interestingly, a good number of celebrities around the world often choose mules as their footwear.
Why People Wear Clogs and Mules?
Some people choose clogs, and some go for mules.
What is behind the purchase decision of the people? There are some favorable and unfavorable factors that guide the people to choose one over another.
Let’s unearth the benefits and drawbacks of both clogs and mules so that you can get even more clear idea on why they are different from one another.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Clogs
Benefits of Clogs
- Wooden clogs help to maintain a straight posture.
- Wooden clogs help to decrease back pain by keeping your spine straight.
- Clogs work just like Dr. Scholl’s sandals that were very much popular to the ’70s and 80’s women.
- You’ll not have to tie the shoes to wear.
- Clogs provide you with great stability on different types of floor.
- These shoes fit loosely, so your feet won’t feel scrunched up all day.
- Your feet will get ample breathing room while wearing these.
Drawbacks of Clogs
- Clogs come in bigger size.
- Wooden clogs are heavy compared with other types of shoes.
- Rubber sole clogs are sometimes unable to provide proper stability on wet floors.
- Without having proper ventilation wearing rubber clogs is
Benefits and Drawbacks of Mules
Benefits of Mules
- A perfect solution to style and comfortability.
- Mules are open in the back, so your feet will get ample breathing room.
- Lightweight and modern design.
- Easy to carry while traveling.
- A wide range of shape and design for both men and woman.
Drawbacks of Mules
- If your mule doesn’t fit with your feet, you can’t step confidently.
- Not a good choice for regular working hour use.
Last Words
So, if you want a pair of shoes for your busy working schedule, you can go for clogs. But if you are a fashionista and want a casual comfortable solution to your fashion need, you can choose the mules.
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