Sandal season is finally here. And whether you’re looking for a sturdier pair of house shoes for the days spent at home, or it’s just time for a new pair of open-toed shoes to celebrate summer, there are few brands more synonymous with summer than Birkenstock. While they’ve been a mainstay for years (250 years, to be exact), these polarizing, cork-supported shoes are experiencing a bit of a moment in the world of high fashion and hype. Kanye West graced the May cover of GQ wearing the classic Boston clog, while Rick Owens described Birkenstocks as “functional and sex . . . maybe the sexiest shoes ever.”
While we may not agree with Owens’s entire sentiment, we (and every mom in Park Slope) (and every techie in Silicon Valley) wholeheartedly agree that Birkenstocks are functional mainstays. They’re designed with premium quality and lasting comfort first and foremost. And fortunately, the brand has a bigger variety than ever in styles, colors, patterns, and designs.
These days, there’s a Birkenstock for everyone. Which one is yours?
If Birkenstock’s newfound fashion fame is your first intro to the brand, then odds are that you’re more interested in the Supreme look than the Patagonia vibe. Fortunately, the newKyoto($140) sandal from Birkenstock pairs perfectly with cargo pants, drop crotch shorts, and a hoodie. These slide-style sandals feature a futuristic, compact design highlighted by a monochromatic, Nubuck leather upper, a suede-lined footbed, and a color-matching sole. If you’re into the chunkier, more futuristic look, there’s always the newAtacamastyle, too.
In the words of Birkenstock itself, theArizona sandal (starting at $99.95) is a “timeless icon.” It will never go out of style, but maybe that’s because it’s never been in style. No matter how you feel about them, you can’t deny that these sandals are as comfortable, supportive, and well made as they come. And the classic two-strap design goes perfectly with jeans, dresses, shorts, overalls, and—yes—evensuits. And if you fancy something that deviates from the most classic of classics—thetaupe leather sandals—the Arizona is also available in plenty of varieties, including ajutetextile,metallic roseandgoldcolorways,vegan materials, and even atie-dye pattern(if you’re really the crunchy type).
If you enjoy hiking, fishing, rafting, camping, or kayaking, then you probably enjoy the hardily constructed outdoor sandals—such asTevasandChacos—that can pass the test of time in rugged environments. Birkenstock has beefed up their cork insole with a deeply lugged sole for better traction, water-resistant upper construction, and adjustable hook-and-loop straps for their adventure-ready KalahariandTatacoa sandals ($170).
If you could imagine platform sandals that look like they belong in both 1996 and 2036, then you’d close your eyes and see theArizona Platform($99) andArizona Chunky Platform ($120). With stacked platform heels (that are somehow incredibly comfortable) and eye-catching neutral colorways, both of these designs have a little bit ofSteve Madden-like nostalgia and a lot of modern design cues.
Some people hate showing their toes. Some people like to keep a little more shoe between them and the world. Some people only like shoes that they can wear year-round. We get it. And that’s whythe Boston Clog ($145) from Birkenstock will never die. This four-season classic features the original Birkenstock soft footbed, a durable suede upper, an additional foam layer for extra support and comfort, and the most “Birkenstock” silhouette the brand has to offer.
For those who are able to love the ugly and embrace Crocs for their light weight, cloudlike (yet plasticky) comfort, low maintenance, and bright hues, we have your new favorite sandal. The foamy, comfyArizona Eva ($44.95) rings in at a can’t-beat price and comes in every monochromatic colorway you could hope to see, including Barbiehot pink, acreamsicle orange, seasideturquoise, metallicsilver, chicblack, and whiteoutwhite.
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