Birkenstock
Birkenstock is a German shoe brand known for sandals and clogs with a cork footbed. Models such as the two-strap Arizona and the closed Boston grew from practical comfort shoes into fashion classics. You see them on women and men, barefoot in summer and with socks in winter.
The history of Birkenstock
The Birkenstock family traces its shoemaking tradition back to 1774, when Johann Adam Birkenstock was recorded as a shoemaker in a church register. In the late 19th century Konrad Birkenstock developed a contoured insole that follows the natural shape of the foot. With it he laid the foundation for the footbed that the brand still revolves around.
Karl Birkenstock launched the first sandal with that footbed in 1963, the Madrid. Ten years later, in 1973, came the Arizona, which grew into the brand’s best-known model. Later in the 1970s the Boston was added, a closed clog on the same footbed. Through the hippie movement in the United States, Birkenstock also became a household name outside Germany.
What is Birkenstock known for?
The heart of every Birkenstock is the footbed: a core of cork and latex with layers of jute and a suede lining. It has a raised toe bar, arch support and a deep heel cup. Through warmth and pressure the footbed moulds to your foot over time.
For the upper, Birkenstock uses several materials. Birko-Flor is an easy-care synthetic with a leather look, Birkibuc resembles nubuck, and there are also versions in suede and oiled leather. The Soft Footbed adds an extra layer of foam to the footbed, so it feels softer from day one.
Popular Birkenstock models
- Birkenstock Boston: the closed clog with one wide strap and a buckle. On WOOVIN the suede versions with Soft Footbed are especially popular, in ‘Taupe’, ‘Mocha’ and black.
- Birkenstock Naples Wrapped: a slip-on clog with a moccasin-shaped suede upper and a midsole that is wrapped all the way round. On WOOVIN this model tops the list, in ‘Taupe’, ‘Carafe’ and ‘Concrete Grey’.
- Birkenstock Arizona: the open sandal with two adjustable straps. On WOOVIN you will find it in Birko-Flor in black and dark brown and in Birkibuc ‘Mocha’, among others.
Other brands make comfortable slip-ons too. The foam clogs from Crocs are lighter and can handle water, the Yeezy Slide is a one-piece foam slide and UGG is the pick if you want a warm, lined slipper.
How do Birkenstocks fit?
Birkenstock works with whole EU sizes and two widths: Regular for normal to wide feet and Narrow for slim to normal feet. A Birkenstock should leave some room: as a rule of thumb about one centimetre behind your heel and half a centimetre in front of your toes. Your toes should therefore not touch the raised edge at the front. If you are between two sizes, choose the size that gives you that room; with slim feet a Narrow often fits better than a smaller size.
Buy Birkenstock at WOOVIN
On WOOVIN you will find Birkenstock for women and men, mainly the Boston, the Naples Wrapped and the Arizona. When choosing, look at three things: the model, the upper material and the footbed, regular or Soft. Also check the width, Regular or Narrow, if it is listed with the product, because it is separate from the size.
