Love ‘em or hate ’em, the best Birkenstocks for men aren’t nearly as divisive as they used to be. Once a woefully misunderstood brand repped by an equally misunderstood circle of loyalists, Birkenstock has become one of the first names in all things exceptionally comfortable and relaxed—and surprisingly, downright cool.
From its early days in Germany (where it invented the contoured footbed), to taking the US by storm in the ‘70s, to the freaky high-fashion collaborations it trades in today, Birkenstock has come a long way from the health-food store.
Of course, that’s all thanks to its tireless commitment to churning out some of the best sandals on the planet. Whether you’re looking for your first pair of Bostons or eager to snag a gone-in-a-flash collaborative riff, these are the brand’s most quintessential silhouettes—plus a few left-field picks to keep you on your toes—all ready to be slipped on at a moment’s notice.
The Best Birkenstocks for Men (and Their Tired, Aching Feet)
The OG Pick: Birkenstock Arizona Sandal
Men’s fashion has evolved in leaps and bounds since the Arizona debuted fifty-odd years ago, but the unisex two-strap sandal has only grown in appeal. With its trademark cork footbed—designed for superior arch support and reinforced with a sturdy rubber outsole—the open-toe leather slides look just as funky now as they did back when the B-52s were on the radio. Snag a pair with the classic footbed (CF) or opt for the soft footbed (SF) if you need extra cushioning, and wave goodbye to any foot-related aches and pains.
The Viral Pick: Birkenstock Boston Clog
If the Samba was fashion’s reigning sneaker of the last few years, Birkenstock’s Boston clogs conquered the house shoe market with equal ferocity—and rightfully so. Crafted from oiled nubuck leather and butter-soft suede, the low-profile slipper expertly merges form and function thanks to a roomy toe box that syncs up swell with the baggy jeans du jour of the TikTok crowd. By some minor miracle, the Boston is mercifully well-stocked across the web right now, so you can nab a pair (or two) at your leisure.
The Up-and-Coming Pick: Birkenstock London Clog
Hold on to your shoe straps, Boston fans: Word on the blogosphere is that the internet’s favorite Birkenstock silhouette might have some competition from across the pond—the Atlantic, not the Charles. Much like its better-known counterpart, the London boasts a classic Birk footbed and a roomy toe box, but is anchored by a raised heel to keep it all securely in place. If you’ve suffered through nightmares involving a backless clog careening onto the train tracks, the London will help you rest easy at night.
The No-Slip Pick: Birkenstock A630 Clog
Yes, Birkenstocks are perfect fall shoes. But if you’re looking for a sleeper-hit silhouette purpose-built for spring, we’d point you towards the line-cook-loved A630. Crafted from water-resistant PU able to withstand country puddles and city grime with equal panache, the rubbery clog boasts a suede-lined footbed for added comfort and looks just as killer with a white tee and sawed-off Dickies as it does a shell jacket and swishy cargos.
The Left-Field Pick: Birkenstock Kyoto Sandal
Partly inspired by its Japanese namesake, Birkenstock’s criminally underrated Kyoto sandal flies under the radar—but not for long. Supple leather or sumptuous suede nestles on top of the brand’s famously grippy soles, but the real X factor here is the adjustable velcro strap that criss-crosses the center of the vamp, a nifty flourish that’s plenty practical—and just looks really cool. Wear ‘em barefoot with a fresh pedicure to the beach or with your nubbiest camp socks to a post-hangover brunch.
The Ultra-Chill, Ultra-Cushy Pick: Birkenstock Super-Birki Clog
With a name befitting its heroic foot-cradling prowess, the Super-Birki clog might be the cushiest pick of the whole bunch. Made from water-resistant polyurethane that’s also dirt-, oil-, and grease-proof, these triple-threat clogs are also—brace yourself— machine-washable. Pop out out the removable cork-latex footbed before tossing ’em into the laundry and they’ll emerge good as new in time for your next attempt to nurture an inevitably short-lived balcony garden.
The Poolside Pick: Birkenstock Arizona EVA Sandal
Dipping your toes into the Birkenstock waters but not quite ready to spend a buck-fifty on your first pair? The waterproofed Arizona is the best place to start. It boasts the same unimpeachable silhouette as Birkenstock’s hero product, but swaps the leather for lightweight, spongy EVA, a summer-ready upgrade that means it can hold its own poolside. The best part? It’ll only set you back $50.
The Contentious Pick: Birkenstock Gizeh Sandal
The Gizeh is a pleasantly crunchy, quasi-Egyptian flip-flop the brand introduced in the ‘80s—and it’s been dividing onlookers ever since. Which, GQ’s Avidan Grossman writes, is a very good thing. According to him, the Gizeh accomplishes what all divisive swerves should: earn you a few knowing nods from the real heads who salute your game while riling up the purists still bleating about the fundamentals. It feels less like a flip-flop “and more like the fisherman sandal’s Deadhead cousin,” Grossman notes, “and it makes a strong case for reconsidering the silhouette’s non grata status.” If anyone scoffs at your shoes, tell ’em to catch these feet.
The Hunkered-Down Pick: Birkenstock Zermatt Slipper
In nubby wool form, the Zermatt is a mainstay of our slippers ranking, and its beefed-up brother is just as aces. All that premium suede will cost you a few extra shilling, but it’s a relatively small price to pay for a go-to indoor-outdoor slipper that promises to elevate your bed-to-bodega shuffle (and earn you a few approving nods from the diehard Birkenstock zealots). To our eyes, the Zermatt looks a little funkier than, say, the Arizona, but that left-field verve only adds to its appeal. Few other options on this list look chiller with blown-out vintage work pants and a texture-heavy chore coat.
The Upgrade Pick: Birkenstock x Tekla Nagoya Clog
The raddest side effect of Birkenstock’s fashion glow-up? Consistently fantastic collaborations with insider-y labels like Tekla, the Scandi textile brand behind some of the waviest bedding in the business. Earlier last year, the German brand enlisted fashion’s favorite sleepwear gurus to rejigger the Nagoya, a velcro-strap-adorned riff on a crowd-pleasing silhouette. The cozy, shearling lined result is exactly the kind of winter-busting, mood-boosting slip-on you’ll want to live in from now through June.
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