15 Best Birkenstocks and Alternative Styles to Shop Right Now

When it comes to Birkenstocks, there's nothing quite as iconic as the Boston clog. They are classic and versatile and work literally for every season, from summer to winter. These Bostons feature a layer of cushy foam on top of the contoured cork footbed, making them extra supportive and comfortable.

“The suede Boston with the ‘soft’ footbed provides terrific support and comfort after 20 or 30 hours of wearing, so that the cork footbed can conform to your feet and your feet adjust to the aggressive arch support,” a Nordstrom reviewer writes. “After 40 or 50 hours of active wearing, that snug fit relaxes noticeably. The soft footbed IS softer than the traditional Birkenstock footbed, but it is still MUCH firmer than most people are used to. If you wear your Bostons three or four days a week, that firmness becomes your new normal, and other footwear will feel mushy and unsupportive. After you and your Bostons have adjusted to each other, you can wear them 12 hours a day, and your feet, ankles, and knees will still feel fine.”

• Why they stand out: They come in a variety of colors and finishes, and are extra comfortable.
• What could be improved: Leather versions may cause some friction initially.

If you are not quite sure and want to test run the style before committing, these Hana clogs are truly an excellent alternative to the Boston Birks. They’re made from 100% genuine suede, have a vegan upper, and feature a high-quality EVA outsole with excellent traction. The best part? You can choose from several different colors, including ivory, tan, and sand wool. “These shoes are super comfortable. They did take a bit of time for me to get comfortable with wearing them as my foot was sliding out with every step, resulting in shin pain, but I realized that tightening the straps on my foot definitely helped with that pain,” wrote Faith, an Amazon reviewer. “Once I broke them in, I wore these shoes religiously. I will say that the stone color is beautiful, but it does scuff quite easily. I probably wore them every day for a month and a half before realizing that the scuffing was too much and no longer looked good.”

• Why they stand out: Crafted from 100% genuine suede insoles; has premium traction EVA outsole for comfort and grip.
• What could be improved: Some shoppers have noted that the sizing and durability are not ideal.