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In the era of comfort fashion, Birkenstock sandals are everywhere, including in the recent Barbie movie and at the fore of the enduring “dad sandal” trend. But the brand is “Not Good Enough”, so we hunted down Birkenstock alternatives you’ll love even more.
Why you’re best steering clear of Birkenstocks
Birkenstocks are the chunky German sandals that have long been considered a fashion faux-pas. Yet they’ve defied the odds and bounced back from a hippy staple to become iconic warm-weather shoes. Comfort made them a lockdown must-have, while TikTok propelled the Boston clog to stardom, even gracing the feet of Kendall Jenner. And then there are Birkenstock’s high fashion collaborations with Rick Owens and Valentino, and an appearance in the new Barbie movie. “According to Lyst, the movie moment sparked a 110% increase on searches for Birkenstock Arizonas following its release,” reports Yahoo. And most recently, the brand went public—debuting on the New York Stock Exchange in October 2023.
But while Birkenstock’s stardom rises, the brand’s sustainability record isn’t as stellar. Sorry to burst your Birkenstock bubble, but the brand is “Not Good Enough” across the board for people, the planet, and animals.
In our last rating review, we discovered that the lack of lower-impact materials, living wages, or animal welfare regulations put a damper on the whole outlook for this now iconic sandal brand.
Being fans of the look ourselves, we went on the hunt for more sustainable and ethical brands making sandals like Birkenstocks that match our outfits and our morals—and we weren’t disappointed. This style of shoe has been around in Germany for hundreds of years, having been designed to support and contour the foot, rather than relying on a flat insole. The brands in this list have taken the popular style into their own hands and created conscious alternatives to Birkenstocks that deserve a place on your tootsies.
As ever, don’t take this as a sign to toss your existing Birks: the most sustainable fashion is what’s already in your closet, so use those sandals until they’re falling apart at the seams, look out for second-hand options, and only shop new if you need to.
