KNITTED PORTUGUESE SHOES
Lovingly Crafted for Comfort, Ease, and Everyday Style
These soft knitted shoes are lovingly made by hand in a small family workshop in Pombal, in the heart of Portugal. They're thoughtfully designed for women who value comfort, ease, and a touch of elegance—whether you're relaxing at home, out and about, or recovering from an illness or surgery. Thanks to their soft, stretchy material, they gently adapt to your feet—no pressure points, no pinching. Available in sizes 5 to 12 (EU 35–44).
Choosing the Right Size
Wearing them barefoot or with thin socks? Feel free to size down—these shoes gently mold to your feet. Wearing compression socks, orthotics, or bandages? Then stick with your regular size.
Washable and Low Maintenance
These Portuguese Knitted Shoes are perfect for everyday use—indoors and outdoors. The breathable fabric helps keep your feet fresh, and you can easily wash them in the machine (just remove the insoles first). Simple, clean, and hygienic—without the hassle.
Added Comfort with Removable Insoles
Each pair comes with soft, removable insoles that absorb about 50% of impact. That helps reduce pressure on your toes, knees, and joints—especially helpful for women with arthritis, rheumatism, or tired feet. You can also replace them with your own custom insoles or orthotics.
A Longtime Favorite in Portugal
For many years, these shoes have been loved by women across Portugal—sold in pharmacies and health shops. They’re a trusted choice for anyone dealing with swollen feet, joint pain, or recovering from surgery. Their lightweight feel and flexible fit make them ideal for home, hospital stays, travel—or just everyday life.
Trusted in the Netherlands for Over 30 Years
Did you know we’ve been selling these amazing shoes in the Netherlands for over 30 years? Many loyal customers won’t wear anything else. Unlike other brands like Arcopedico, we use our own custom sole design—which many women say is more comfortable than anything else they've tried.
What Does ‘Made in CEE’ Mean?
On the bottom of the shoes, you’ll see “Made in CEE.” This often causes confusion—many people think it means “Central and Eastern Europe.” But in fact, CEE refers to the European Economic Community (Comunidade Económica Europeia in Portuguese), of which Portugal has been a member since 1986. It’s a lovely detail that reflects the true European and Portuguese origin of your new shoes.
Not Sure? No Problem.
Don’t worry—you’re always welcome to try them on. If they’re not the perfect fit, simply return or exchange them for another size. As long as they’re unworn and still have the tag attached, we’ll make sure you’re taken care of. We proudly stand behind the quality of these comfortable, practical, and stylish shoes.
Order Today and Experience the Comfort of Our Portuguese Knitted Shoes for Yourself!
OUR STORY
For over 30 years, the knitted Portuguese shoes proudly stood in “Willem’s Shop” – De Velde-Harsenhorst in Assen. They weren’t just products on display; they reflected Willem himself: authentic, warm, and always attentive to detail.
A few years ago, I helped Willem launch a webshop and start selling on Bol.com. During that time, I truly came to understand his passion for these shoes. He taught me everything – about the fit, the materials, the craftsmanship in Portugal, and why these shoes were so special. He explained the technical details, gently corrected me when I misunderstood, and involved me in every decision. Without even realizing it, I was being slowly trained to carry on his work.
The heartfelt responses from customers in the Netherlands and Belgium said it all. People genuinely felt the love and quality that Willem always stood for – and that deeply moved me.
Then, sometime in 2023, he asked me out of the blue:
“If I’m ever no longer around, would you carry on this work?”
It was a difficult question—not because of the shoes, but because I didn’t want to imagine a world without Willem.
When Willem suddenly passed away in early January 2024, that question kept echoing in my mind. It felt as if he had sensed something. After talking with his children, Ana and Robert, I decided in March 2024 to continue his legacy.
Since then, a lot has changed. The physical store on Marktstraat in Assen, where so many people had visited over the years, is no longer open. Now, we sell the shoes exclusively online—through this website, Bol.com, and Amazon.
And yet, the shoes continue to find their way into the world—more than ever before. Customers from the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, and Austria have embraced these knitted Portuguese shoes.
Not just for their comfort and quality, but for the story they carry.
Willem’s story.
Willem de Velde-Harsenhorst and Robert Jan van Hoogdalem (Photo: Sake Elzinga, 2023)