If given the choice between high heels and Birkenstocks like Barbie in the titular movie, we’d choose Birkenstocks every time, no hesitation. The cork-soled shoes are comfortable, cute, and come in a variety of colors and materials to go with nearly any outfit or occasion.
Insider Tip
Whether you’re on the hunt for your first pair of “Birks” or you’re already a seasoned Arizona lover, find your next pair with the help of a few stylish celebrities and our own personal insight.
Birkenstock Arizona
When you think of the classic Birkenstock shoe, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the Arizona sandal. Its signature two-strap design has become synonymous with the brand’s identity — the sandals are even featured in the new Barbie movie, worn by Barbie herself.
The buckled sandals are easy to slip on before you head out the door to run errands. To add a bit of vintage flair to your look, wear your Arizonas with a pair of flared jeans à la Naomi Watts. One of the reasons we love this classic Birk style so much is for its versatility — the Arizona sandals can truly go with any daytime outfit and keep you comfortable no matter how long you’re standing on your feet.
Editors Say
Whether running errands, walking the dog, or even heading to a casual dinner, I love the comfort and ease of Birkenstocks. I always default to them as a comfy slip-on. —Madison Yauger, shopping editor
Style: Sandal | Size range: 4-12.5 | Materials: Birko-Flor Nubuck, natural leather, cork, EVA
Birkenstock Boston Clog
The Birkenstock Boston Clog recently made its style resurgence, and its popularity is showing no sign of waning. The slip-on shoe has been spotted on stylish celebs like Kendall Jenner, and it’s no wonder. “An all-season shoe that feels like a slipper and makes every outfit effortlessly chic? Sign me up,” says shopping writer Genevieve Cepeda.
We tested the Boston clogs both in our lab and in the real world to see just how comfortable they really are. After walking the dog, running errands, and lounging around the house, we found that the Bostons are even better than we expected. For one, they’re surprisingly lightweight. They’re also comfortable to wear with or without socks, though we recommend wearing socks while you break them in, especially if you’re prone to blisters.
Our Editors Say
My love for Birkenstocks goes back to the early aughts when I jumped on the classic clogs train. And guess what? They are just as comfortable now as they were then. I’ve upgraded mine since then to the Boston Shearling (in black) that keeps my feet nice and toasty during the colder months. —Kayla Kitts, shopping editor
Style: Clog | Size range: 4-12.5 | Materials: Oiled leather, natural leather, cork, EVA
Birkenstock Madrid
If you’re looking for a slip-on shoe that offers a slightly more polished look than the traditional Arizonas, then the Madrids might be exactly what you’re looking for. They’re made with Birkenstock’s signature molding footbed, with an elegant one-strap upper that’s available in a variety of colors and materials.
To style the Birkenstock Madrids, we would take a cue from a few A-listers who often wear them out and about. Gwenyth Paltrow paired her white Madrids with baggy white pants and a simple black tank to create a sleek and breezy outfit.
Style: Sandal | Size range: 4-12.5 | Materials: Birko-Flor vegan nubuck, microfibre, cork, EVA
Birkenstock Kyoto
The Birkenstock Kytoto is an updated take on the classic Arizona, with one large strap that covers most of the mid-foot while still allowing the toes to breathe. The comfortable slip-ons are a happy medium between the classic two-buckled Arizonas and the more covering Boston clogs, making them a great summer-to-fall transition shoe.
Fashion influencer Nazjaa shares that she would style the Birkenstock Kyotos with “a long pleated maxi skirt, a boxy button-up white shirt, and a crossbody bag for a bit of detail.” Nazjaa adds that she takes inspiration from the shoe’s namesake Japanese city’s “minimalist and casual style.” How I Met Your Father star Hilary Duff styled her Kyotos with flowy cargo pants and a boxy T-shirt.
Style: Sandal | Size range: 4-12.5 | Materials: Suede, natural leather, cork, EVA
Birkenstock Shearling-Lined Arizona
Colder temperatures don’t necessitate the end of your Birkenstock-wearing dreams, thanks to the shearling-lined versions of your favorite comfortable shoes. The shearling-lined Arizona is the cozy slip-on that we look forward to rocking this fall, taking inspiration from Reese Witherspoon’s gingham dress and over-the-shoulder sweater when the temperatures start to drop.
The fuzzy version of the classic Birkenstock sandals are a little more expensive than the standard Arizonas, but we think it’s worth the price for the super cozy footbed that feels akin to walking on a soft, plush carpet wherever you go.
Style: Fur-lined sandal | Size range: 4-12.5 | Materials: Suede, natural leather, cork, EVA
Birkenstock Gizeh EVA Sandals
We tested the Birkenstock Gizeh EVA Sandals for ourselves and crowned them the best-designed flip flops compared to over 20 other flip flops that we tried. The features that earned them this title include a molded footbed that cradled our feet comfortably, a supportive arch that works for both flat and high arches, and soft EVA straps that didn’t cause any blisters.
Style: Sandal | Size range: 4-12.5 | Materials: EVA
Birkenstock Zermatt Slippers
I’ve been wearing Birkenstocks for a decade, and although I’ve loved each pair for their own reasons, the Birkenstock Zermatt slippers are my all-time favorite pair. We tested the Zermatts and loved their supportive cork sole that, unlike most slippers we tested, provided moderate arch support that felt great on testers with both flat and high-arched feet. The inner shearling is soft but not overly fuzzy, so it won’t cause your feet to overheat or sweat.
I love wearing the Zermatts as house slippers, but because of their rubber sole, you can also wear them out of the house without worrying about damaging them. One important thing to note about these shoes is that their footbed is made with latex, so steer clear if you have a known latex allergy.
Style: Clog slipper | Size range: 4-12.5 | Materials: Wool felt, shearling, cork
What to Know About Birkenstocks
Style and season
Birkenstocks come in a variety of styles, including the classic two-strap Arizona sandals or the more covering Boston clogs. If you’re looking for shoes that go well with a pair of jeans and a sweater in the winter, then the Boston clog may be just what you’re needing.
Fashion influencer Nazjaa has over half a million followers on TikTok, where she shares styling advice and her takes on hot trends. Nazjaa tells PEOPLE that she’d style the Bostons with “a baggy pair of jeans that fall just over the shoe, paired with a nice sweater and tank.” As for the classic Arizonas, Nazjaa says that she’d style them “with a loose, slouchy pair of linen pants or cargos that end slightly above the ankle.”
Material and function
Although the classic Birkenstock sandals are made from oiled leather, styles are available in other materials, as well. For the classic Arizona sandals, you can choose from suede, oiled leather, textile, EVA, and more.
Most of the color and material options will come down to your personal preference but also consider what elements your shoes will be exposed to when choosing a pair of Birkenstocks. For example, if you’re planning on wearing your new sandals around water, then the waterproof EVA Arizonas will outlast some of the leather options and stay comfortable for seasons to come.
Price
A large range in price exists across Birkenstock styles, with most of the cost coming down to the materials that the shoes are made from. Leather Birkenstocks tend to be more expensive than EVA shoes, and more stylized options like the Kyoto are more expensive than the classic Arizona sandals.
How We Chose
To make a comprehensive guide to the very best Birkenstocks for every occasion, we consulted professional stylists, looked to the most fashionable stars for inspiration, and tested some of the most comfortable sandals ourselves.
Our editors are constantly testing shoes across every footwear category, from flip flops to sneakers to slippers. We’ve tried out multiple pairs of Birkenstock shoes in a variety of tests, wearing them for long walks, trips to the pool, and running errands. Those insights helped inform our list of the very best Birkenstock shoes for any activity.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Cai Cramer is a shopping writer at PEOPLE, covering the best and buzziest products across the beauty, fashion, health, and lifestyle spaces. For this story, Cai consulted real-world testing insights and did in-depth research to determine which Birkenstock shoes are the best. Cai also spoke with TikTok fashion influencer Nazjaa, whose video on how to style Birkenstocks has earned nearly a billion views on TikTok, who provided insights on Birkenstock style trends. Cai also used personal insights from her ten years of experience wearing Birkenstock shoes to inform this story.
Our Expert
Nazjaa is an Atlanta-based fashion expert and influencer who offers styling advice and shopping recommendations. She has a combined following of 939K across her YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram accounts.