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In the era of comfort fashion, Birkenstock sandals are everywhere. But the brand is “Not Good Enough”, so we hunted down Birkenstock alternatives you’ll love even more.
Why you’re best steering clear of Birkenstocks
We get it: these chunky German sandals are comfy, hippy-chic, and go with just about any outfit. Sorry to burst your Birkenstock bubble, but the brand is “Not Good Enough” across the board for people, the planet, and animals.
In our article that dives into their most recent rating, we discovered that the lack of eco-friendly materials, living wages, or animal welfare regulations put a damper on the whole outlook for this iconic style. Being fans of the look ourselves, we went on the hunt for more sustainable and ethical brands making sandals like Birkenstocks that match our ‘fits and our morals, and our beloved brands did not disappoint.
This style of shoe has been around in Germany for hundreds of years, designed to support and contour the foot, rather than relying on a flat sole. Luckily for us and conscious consumers everywhere, the below brands have taken the popular style into their own hands and created conscious alternatives to Birkenstocks that deserve a spot on our tootsies. From the similarly contoured vegan Juno sandals by Good Guys (France) to ABLE’s (US) simple-yet-stylish take on the classic to the Will’s Vegan Store (UK) cork and vegan leather based versions, you’re bound to find a pair of slides to tick all your boxes.
As ever, don’t take this as a sign to toss your existing Birk’s: the most sustainable fashion is what’s already in your closet, so use those puppies until they’re falling apart at the seams and only shop new if you need to.
