THE BEST BIRKENSTOCKS OF THE SEASON FOR EVERY STYLE
Birkenstock’s ascendance from heritage sandals to fashion darling is partly down to the range in styles. Explore the best Birkenstocks of the season and find the right silhouette for you.
When Birkenstock started trading in October 2023, it cemented its meteoric ascendence from a heritage German sandal maker to an international style superpower. What began in 1774 as a small operation in the rural town of Langen-Bergheim has grown to be one of the most talked about shoemakers in modern style, as likely to be found in a retirement home as tucked under a table at Fanelli’s. Herein lies the key to the brand’s success: Birkenstock sandals appeal to everyone. How? Because there’s a pair of Birkenstocks for all lifestyles.
By the early twentieth century, Birkenstock made a major breakthrough with the first anatomically designed “last”—the frame around which a shoe is built. This meant that Birkenstocks were some of the first shoes to distinguish between left and right feet, and were designed with orthopedics in mind. This remains one of the brand’s main attractions, providing comfortable Birkenstock sandals for wide feet, narrow feet, and everything in between.
How do Birkenstocks fit?
Due to their famous orthopedic soles, it’s important to get the correct size Birkenstock sandals, or the arch support and toe grooves may not align with your foot. Luckily, Birkenstocks fit true to size—take your normal size. With that in mind, they are available in narrow and wide widths, so be sure to check which width is listed.
Which Birkenstocks are right for you?
Today, silhouettes like the Birkenstock Boston or Birkenstock Arizona are permanent fixtures on high streets the world over. But the best Birkenstock sandals don’t begin and end with the classics. There’s a host of lesser-known designs like the Super-Birki Clogs, A 630 mules, or Tokio sandals to choose from, too. And, with the whole spectrum in stock, SSENSE might be the best place to buy Birkenstocks.
Birkenstock Boston
The Birkenstock Boston is arguably the most popular offering from the German brand. Characterized by its closed-toe upper, the clog-shaped mule not only features an easy slip-on build but also provides protection against the elements. Favored by celebs and collaborators alike, the Birkenstock Boston has become a viral sensation, and for good reason: There’s no place where the Boston sandals aren’t welcome.
A neutral tan suede upper makes this one of the easiest Birkenstocks to style on a day-to-day basis.
Fitted with a buffed leather upper, these black Bostons emphasize the understated utility of the silhouette.
This season sees a range of beautiful colors for the Boston mule. This khaki iteration is a prime example.
Made using high-end materials, the Birkenstock Boston Exquisite has a sleek, luxurious edge that raises the bar.
Birkenstock Arizona
Defined by its two-strap fastening, the Birkenstock Arizona is another bestseller. Although this design is a favorite in summer for obvious reasons, variations on the style, such as the shearling Birkenstock Arizona, mean that it’s applicable all year round.
Birkenstock’s proprietary Birko-Flor® leather substitute boasts a camo finish.
A pair of white Birkenstock Arizona sandals can legitimately last a lifetime—footwear rarely comes as timeless as this.
Riffing off the classic silhouette, this pair features exaggerated buckles to bring a new angle to the fan-favorite Arizona.
Fitted with a 1-inch raised sole, these platform Arizona sandals add some welcome height this season.
Birkenstock Gizeh
Gizeh is one of the most popular Birkenstocks for women. With a classic split-toe design, it offers a sturdy, skin-baring option, which is particularly favorable in summer. Features like an oversized buckle fastening are available for those looking to add a twist to this classic.
Made using the brand’s Birko-Flor® material, this pair of black Gizeh sandals offers a vegan alternative to leather uppers.
With such a simple construction, bold colors like silver can add punch to the Gizeh’s appearance.
Birkenstock London
Birkenstock London is a lesser-known silhouette within the collection, but one that’s worth attention in 2023. As the more popular Birkenstock sandals reach all-time highs, pieces like the London become visual standouts. One of the only Birkenstock sandals that isn’t a slip-on, London stands in a niche that’s ideal for those who aren’t ready to fully commit to the sandal lifestyle.
As one of the more striking Birkenstock silhouettes, London lends itself to super clean palettes like this off-white one.
For a classic take that really platforms the London silhouette, this pair with tan suede uppers is a great choice.
Birkenstock Kyoto
Somewhere between the straps of the Arizona and the closed-toe Boston, the Birkenstock Kyoto offers a convenient way to take the road less traveled. Its velcro-fastened uppers are just the right balance of familiar and unexpected to turn heads and spark a conversation.
The Kyoto silhouette has a relatively detailed upper, featuring rivets and a velcro strap fastening. This all-black pair tones down the detailing and shifts the focus onto the overall form.
For those who revel in detail, this taupe version makes no attempt to veil the multilayered upper.
Birkenstock Zermatt
Named after the Swiss mountain resort, the Birkenstock Zermatt is inspired by and made for the cold. The stitched suede upper features a cozy shearling lining that gives Zermatt the feel of a slipper rather than the sandals and mules that make up the rest of Birkenstock’s offering.
Remember that Birkenstock sandals fit true to size, but this pair is fitted to a narrow width, meaning that—with the plush shearling included—it isn’t suitable for wider feet.
Although Zermatt sides more with a slipper style, this all-black version of the silhouette gives more wiggle room when it comes to wearing these out the house.
Honorable Mentions
People have a tendency to overlook Birkenstock’s full range in favor of the tried-and-tested favorites. Of course, when the favorites are the Arizona and Boston, that’s completely understandable. But in the darker recesses of the collection are some shining gems for anyone hoping to stand out while still making the most of Birkenstock’s famous orthopedic footbeds and wild versatility.
Once the toast of chefs and nurses, rubber mules have earned themselves a rightful spot in the style-conscious rotation. The Birkenstock Super-Birki Clogs are a safe bet with hard-wearing faux-leather uppers and a comfortable polyurethane sole unit as well as a classic clog-shaped toebox.
Love the Boston but need a bit more reassurance during activity? The Birkenstock Tokio is a criminally underrated sandal which boasts the same overall shape as the Boston but an added heel strap and, in this case, a treaded Super Grip outsole.
In similar fashion, the Birkenstock Milano sandal riffs of the backless Arizona silhouette, adding a heel strap for more support.
- Date: May 17, 2024
