As someone who grew up in the Pacific Northwest, I grew up around people wearing Birkenstocks all year round. And as someone who loves fashion, and especially shoes, I turned my nose up at them for a long time. They were chunky and not cool — a shoe my best friend’s dad wore into the ground and one my grandma would wear with thick, wool socks no matter the temperature outside. But as the cycles of fashion turned, Birkenstocks became became cool again.
The brand upped the ante with its designer collaborations and started releasing new, sleek styles that are often spotted on celebrities and style influencers. I got my first pair, then another and now they’re my go-to brand for transitional footwear in my spring wardrobe.
The brand’s cork footbed is its claim to fame, designed to be contoured for optimal foot health. As you break your Birkenstocks in, the cork molds to your foot’s own arch and shape so you’re supported in all the right spots. It makes each pair of shoes — whether it be sandals, clogs or sneakers — supremely comfortable. It’s what keeps me coming back to the brand — and thankfully, Birkenstock continues to innovate with fresh designs that are cute and comfy.
This season, I tested a range of new and familiar Birkenstock styles. I’ve been trying out six sandals and shoes over the past month, finding out which are must-haves style-wise and if the brand’s comfort is truly consistent across all of its offerings (spoiler alert: it is). I was also happy with its accurate sizing — I can typically go between a women’s 6.5 or 7, and with all of the Birkenstocks I tried, the size 37 fit perfectly.
From clogs for running errands to sandals that’ll make my vacation packing list every time, see the six best Birkenstocks I’ve found for spring.
Starting off a with a classic, the Birkenstock Arizona is a great addition to a spring and summer wardrobe The two-strap sandal is ultra-versatile when it comes to styling. It comes in other finishes like suede and natural leather, but this patent version (which comes in nine colors, by the way) looks chic and a bit dressier, especially with the big gold buckles. Pair them with jeans, a tee and a cardigan for a fail-safe spring look, or wear them with your favorite spring dress for a cute and casual day out.
And don’t be afraid to rock the socks and sandals look — I was opposed to the combination up until I got my first pair of Birkenstocks. Somehow they just work together without looking super dorky or sloppy. I love pairing these patent Arizonas in the color High Shine New Beige with a sparkly pair of socks or a vibrant color to contrast the neutral leather.
They’re also one of my personal favorite travel shoes. I recently brought these on a six-day trip to Paris and they kept my feet comfortable throughout 20,000-step days spent sightseeing. The cork footbed helps support your foot’s natural contours, so you get a customized fit with each pair. And another big plus I realized while wearing these: They have a smooth, coated insole to match the straps, so they won’t absorb sweat as much as other Birkenstock styles that have a natural leather insole (which inevitably leads to smelly shoes — sorry, its true!).
The styling options are limitless when it comes to a quality pair of white sneakers. I’ve had a rotation of them going for the past 10 years from brands including Nike, Veja and Adidas. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Birkenstock also makes them and they’re just as stylish as the other popular footwear labels — not to mention, super comfortable too.
The Bend Low sneaker is a minimalist, low-top style that’s made with a smooth leather upper, rubber soles and Birkenstock’s signature contoured cork footbed. It has a roomy toe box, which is great if you have a wider foot like me. The style also features a peek of cork, with a stripe of it showing on the heel of the shoes. It’s a subtle nod to the brand’s heritage, without being too obvious or detracting from the simple style.
These sneakers look great for the office or on weekends, day or night. They’re really a chameleon style, allowing you to adapt them to whatever vibe you’re going for. I most often pair them with trousers or denim and a cute top.
These sporty sandals are a brand new style Birkenstock launched this spring. They’re made to handle all terrains, so you can put mileage on them in the city or out in nature. They come in five colors, including some vibrant options for spring like Elemental Blue and Burt Orange, as well as the chill Eucalyptus shade I opted for. The upper is made with the easy-to-clean Birko-Flor material and the sole and footbed are contoured polyurtehane, which is waterproof and flexible. It has a roomier fit at the front of the foot than the Arizona sandals, but the adjustable strap around the heel keeps them in place. They’re noticeably lightweight compared to Birkenstock’s cork styles too.
I’ve worn them out a few times in the city and am once again impressed with Birkenstock’s superior comfort. This style in particular balances function and trend, with gorpcore still making its mark on fashion at large. And since they’re waterproof, you don’t have to be too worried about getting caught in a spring shower.
While I haven’t taken them out on the trails yet, I have plenty of experience with hiking sandals (I’ve had the same pair of Chacos for nearly a decade, and a couple pairs of Tevas too) and will say that the Birkenstock Mogami Terras feel more like a casual walking sandal than ones in which I’d feel comfortable traversing over rocks and mud. The heel strap helps them stay on for sure, but it’s not as flexible or sturdy feeling as the other hiking sandals I own. I could see these befitting a nice stroll in the park or day at the beach, or as a pair to throw on once you’ve reached your campsite.
Related article What is gorpcore? Stylists explain the fashion trend and share their favorite pieces
For someone that wants the comfort and functionality of Crocs, but is as aesthetically opposed to them as I am, these cushy clogs from Birkenstock are an ideal alternative. Fans of Birkenstock’s Boston clog will recognize the same silhouette, now available in the brand’s EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) material, which is lightweight, water-friendly and has a foam-like, cushioning feel.
My neighbors have admittedly seen me leaving my apartment in these too often lately, as they’re such an easy shoe to slip on for running errands, grabbing a cofee or just a quick mental health stroll. I love the Fondant Pink shade that gives Barbiecore vibes, and it comes in 11 other colors too. For under $100, I love the value of these slip-ons.
The braided detailing on these slide sandals adds a bohemian touch that complements spring’s easygoing styles. I can’t wait to wear them with a sundress when it warms up, but lately I’ve been pairing them with a house dress around my apartment. They look just as nice with leggings or cropped jeans and a shacket too.
The comfortable style features the signature cork footbed, topped with a suede strap that’s soft on the foot. They’re a tad narrower than the Arizona sandal, so keep that in mind if you’re in need of a wide fit.
This moccasin-clog hybrid is a practical choice. It has a laidback look when styled with jeans, and even pairs with trendier options like cargo pants or linen trousers. And when worn with socks, they look as cozy as they feel on the feet.
I found them to have a narrower, snug fit than the other styles I tried, but they do come in two width options. Since the style offers a bit more coverage than the sandals, I anticipate this being a favorite for transitional seasons like spring and fall.
