SHOP $155, birkenstock.com
Welcome to The Esquire Endorsement. Heavily researched. Thoroughly vetted. These picks are the best way to spend your hard-earned cash.
I long considered Birkenstock’s Boston the pinnacle of the brand’s output. Just as comfortable as any of the 250-year-old German company’s sandals but with the added benefit of a little extra toe protection—which is very much appreciated considering the weather and the grime of New York City—the humble clog has become a staple of my footwear rotation. I own more pairs than I should. I love them all.
But recently there’s been a contender for the position of go-to Birk. It’s not a new release. In fact, especially if you work in health care or food service, there’s a very good chance you’re already aware of it. And yeah, it’s been on TV, featuring famously on the feet of both Carmy and Sydney on The Bear. It’s the Tokio Super Grip, a professional-grade riff on the clog with a heel strap and some extra oomph underfoot, and it is a simply fantastic shoe. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your lineup.
It has legendary foundations.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Birkenstock footbed, it’s well past time to become acquainted. It lives up to the hype. With ample arch support, a deep cup to cradle your heel, and a raised bar at the base of your toes, it is very, very orthopedic looking. It is also very, very comfortable. Like, “Oh, I understand why this company has endured since two years before the United States was officially a thing” levels of comfort. But it does take some getting used to. Some other models of Birkenstocks help facilitate the process for newbies with a “soft footbed” with extra cushioning that feels a little more sneaker-y right out of the box. The Tokio Super Grip goes with the traditional suede-and-cork-latex footbed, which in my experience takes a little more time to break in. The trade-off, though, is worth it. I’ve found that the traditional footbed, worn for a while, feels even more tailored to your foot, cradling every curve perfectly and supporting you even more personally. It’s worth the extra effort upfront.
SHOP $155, birkenstock.com
There’s a reason the pros wear it.
I’ve never considered the soles of any of my previous Birkenstocks to be unsubstantial. But they aren’t as burly as what you’ll find on the Tokio Super Grip. Like I said: This shoe is designed to be worn in professional environments where a 12-plus-hour shift can be the norm. It needs to put in the work, day after day. So that cork-latex footbed is bolstered by a shock-absorbing EVA midsole. And the outsole is swapped for a Super Grip version that’s designed for increased traction and durability. No matter what you do for a paycheck, it’s easy to appreciate these additions. More cushion and support are always good things, even if you don’t spend a whole shift on your feet. And that outsole really does deliver extra grip. I haven’t worn my Tokios long enough to dodge black ice on my morning commute, but I can attest to their capabilities on rain-slicked sidewalks. (Bonus: The smooth leather uppers handle nicely in wet conditions, too, as precipitation tends to run right off instead of soaking in.) And that heel strap? I can’t guarantee I’ll never accidentally fling a clog off my foot while going down the subway stairs again, because I’m not abandoning my Bostons. But I know that won’t happen with the Tokios.
SHOP $155, birkenstock.com
And, yeah, it looks damn cool.
Sure, these shoes have functionality in spades. That’s what they’re made to deliver, and deliver it they do. But there are tons of shoes out there that offer support and traction. What really sets the Tokio Super Grip apart, for a menswear nerd like me, is the vibe. For all its professionalism, the Tokio is still shaped, by and large, like a classic Birkenstock. That means it carries with it a whole set of cultural connotations. It’s a little funky. A little crunchy. A little offbeat. It doesn’t look like you need to wear it with scrubs. Instead, I like to wear mine with baggy ripstop cargo pants or frayed-at-the-hem denim, leaning into the “I spend a lot of time upstate, and I may or may not have seen the Dead this summer” feel that still lurks around Birks. But thanks to the sleeker look of that smooth leather upper, I’ve also found that the Tokio works quite well with some more directional fashion. Not long ago, I wore mine with cropped, tapered, techy black trousers and an Homme Plissé Issey Miyake blazer to a store opening in SoHo. It worked, if I don’t say so myself. The point here is that these shoes have range. Which is good, because once you realize how comfortable they are, you’re going to want to wear them with everything. To which I say: Go for it.
SHOP $155, birkenstock.com
Photographs by Joe Lingeman. Prop styling by Heather Greene.
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