I am mildly obsessed with Birkenstock sandals, so it’s been incredibly fun for me to see them picking up in popularity with men as well. And with so many styles to choose from—all of which feature the brand’s signature molded footbeds for bonus arch support and comfort—their popularity really shouldn’t be that surprising. There are the classic Arizonas, great for the guy looking for a timeless sandal. There’s the new favorite, the Boston clogs, that offer year-round versatility with all the comfort of a slipper. There are even work shoes that will make you the envy of everyone in the office kitchen. Below, you’ll find seven of the best Birkenstocks for men looking to expand their shoe collection, all vetted and tested by real guys who wear them regularly.
The 7 Best Birkenstocks for Men, According to Guys Who Wear Them All the Time
Comfort is king
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The 7 Best Birkenstocks for Men at a Glance
Most Classic
Birkenstock Arizona Oiled Leather Sandals
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Most Versatile
Birkenstock Boston Soft Footbed Clogs
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Best Lightweight Style
Birkenstock Arizona EVA Sandals
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Best Slides
Birkenstock Barbados EVA Sandals
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Least Likely to Slip Off
Birkenstock Milano Birkibuc Sandals
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How I Chose the Best Birkenstocks for Men
Each of the styles on this list came recommended by men who own and wear them regularly. I also looked at Birkenstock’s top sellers and read reviews on multiple commerce sites to ensure these shoes are beloved by more than just my colleagues, friends and family.
What to Consider When Shopping for the Best Birkenstocks for Men
There are three things I recommend considering when shopping for Birkenstocks, especially if you’ve never worn the brand before.
- Materials. Almost every Birkenstock shoe comes in a number of different material options ranging from premium oiled leather to eco-friendly vegan microfiber. They all have different weights, textures and environmental impacts to consider. Take a look through all the options to see which option best fits your needs before you add to cart.
- Size. Birkenstock’s sizing can be a bit confusing if you haven’t worn the brand before with sizes listed as two numbers with a dash between them (i.e., 12-12.5) and widths also designated with two words (i.e., regular/wide). Be sure to check out the brand’s Fitting Guide before you add to cart to ensure you’re getting both the correct size and width. For example, I have fairly wide feet, but wear a medium/narrow width in Birkenstocks. You should also do a quick read of the product description to see if Birkenstock recommends sizing up or down for any particular style.
- Ease of Care. Are you the type of guy who brushes his sneakers clean every few weeks to maintain those brand-new vibes for even longer? Or do you tend to put your shoes through the ringer? The same pair of pale-colored suede clogs is going to look vastly different after a few months of wear to each type of person, so take that into consideration when picking out your ideal Birks.
The Arizona may not be the original modern Birkenstock shoe (that would be the Madrid), but there’s no doubt it is the most iconic. They come with the brand’s signature cork footbed that molds to the shape of your foot over time, and the buckles are both fully adjustable to give you better control over the fit. “They’re comfortable to wear inside or outside,” says Nolan Murphy, 35. He also notes that the oiled leather version has a nice heft to it that feels not just comfy but supportive too. “They’re a nice material that support my feet and stay on well, unlike a lot of thong sandals.” Kevin Keenan, 33, also find his Arizona sandals super comfortable, adding “They’re a perfect balance of cushioning and stability.” As for how to wear them, Murphy highly recommends leaning into the once dorky but now incredibly cool socks-with-sandals look: “I like them with socks, inspired stylistically by my mother-in-law.”
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 6-6.5 to 17-17.5
- Available Widths: regular/wide or medium/narrow
- Materials: oiled leather (also available in suede, nubuck leather, vegan faux-leather, EVA, woven textile, Birkibuc and Birko-Flor)
VP of Talent Relations Dylan MacNamara named these trendy clogs as a staple in his footwear collection. “The Birkstenstock Bostons are as comfortable as they are versatile,” he notes. “They don't particularly require break-in time, and I love how they can be worn with (nearly) any fit: running errands, gardening or even with nicer jeans and collared shirt. They really can be worn with anything.” Multiple other friends also called out the Boston clogs as a super comfortable shoe that feels almost like slippers, but can still be worn out in public. And while the buckle across the top is adjustable, it doesn’t have as much range as the straps on the Arizona, so be sure to double check the measurements of the regular/wide width versus the medium/narrow width to ensure you’re getting the right fit.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 6-6.5 to 17-17.5
- Available Widths: regular/wide or medium/narrow
- Materials: suede (also available in oiled leather, nubuck leather, wool felt, EVA and shearling)
Brendan Dunlap, 31, loves this lightweight EVA sandal as an alternative to beach shoes or slides. “I love that they’re as light and breathable as flip flops, but are much more structured and supportive,” he explains. “Great for the pool, the beach, traveling (especially since they weigh basically nothing), really anything. Pretty durable too, they’ve survived a few unsupervised chewing sessions from our dog." And just like the leather Arizonas, the straps are fully adjustable. The EVA material is also incredibly easy to clean and, according to reviews, doesn’t hold on to odor in the way that the cork soles sometimes can. One potential downside, however, is the fact that this style only goes up to a size 13-13.5 (although it does come in two different widths). But fingers crossed Birkenstock starts offering larger sizes in the near future.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 6-6.5 to 13-13.5
- Available Widths: regular/wide or medium/narrow
- Materials: EVA (also available in suede, nubuck leather, vegan faux-leather, oiled leather, woven textile, Birkibuc and Birko-Flor)
If you prefer the look and feel of a classic lightweight slide, the Barbados sandal is a major best-seller for Birkenstock with a classic look that requires no break-in time. It’s made of the same super-light EVA foam as the Arizona style above, but in place of two adjustable straps there is just the wide fixed wide strap. The benefit there is that, by having one smooth continuous shape, there are fewer hot spots likely to cause blisters or chafing. Unfortunately, this does mean that these sandals are not adjustable, and they also come in just one width. But reviewers rave about how easy and comfortable these sandals are, with many noting that the higher sides and molded foot help them stay in place better than similar designs from other brands. Another benefit of that molded footbed? Improved arch support to keep your feet feeling happy and comfy, even after all-day wear.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 6-6.5 to 13-13.5
- Available Widths: regular/wide
- Materials: EVA
My husband’s least favorite thing about sandals and backless shoes is that he feels he needs to grip with his toes in order to prevent them from falling off (whether real or imagined), changing the way he walks. But this twist on the iconic Arizona sandal fixes that with the addition of a third adjustable strap across the back of the heel for extra security when walking. Just like its predecessor, this style comes with Birkenstock’s signature molded cork footbed, which continues to conform to the shape of your foot with every wear. Per one REI reviewer, “I have been a big fan of Birkies for decades. These Milanos replace an older pair almost worn out even after resoling several times. I appreciate the back strap of the Milano for all-day use, although I also own Arizonas for kicking around. Best sandals ever for superior arch support plus comfort.”
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 6-6.5 to 17-17.5
- Available Widths: regular/wide or medium/narrow
- Materials: Birkibuc (also available in leather, patent leather, oiled leather, Birko-Flor, suede, EVA, shearling, synthetic, microfiber and textile)
For the guy who likes the look and feel of flip flops, but is ready for a cooler upgrade, try these faux-suede sandals. The wider thong strap gives more support than flimsy plastic models, as does the adjustable strap across the top of the foot. The Medina comes in a number of different material options—leather, Birkibuc, suede, etc.—but reviewers note that the vegan microfiber suede is particularly comfortable for the toe strap, with minimal rubbing or irritation. P.S. If you prefer a slimmer design, try the Gizeh style, which is almost identical to the Medina but with a thinner toe strap.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 6-6.5 to 13-13.5
- Available Widths: regular/wide or medium/narrow
- Materials: vegan microfiber (also available in suede, nubuck leather, vegan faux-leather, oiled leather, Birkibuc and Birko-Flor)
These clogs were originally designed with kitchen, hospital and garden workers in mind, but can really be worn by anyone looking for an easy, comfortable clog that’s also supportive. The polyurethane material is super easy to clean and also water resistant, so it won’t hold onto any unexpected puddles or spills. The outsole has improved traction to avoid slips, as well. It comes in only the one width (regular/wide), but there are tons of colors to choose from, from classic black to brat green. Oh, and did I mention that the cork footbeds are replaceable? So if you feel them wearing down, you can just snap up a new insole for $30 without having to replace the whole shoe.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 6-6.5 to 15-15.5
- Available Widths: regular/wide
- Materials: polyurethane
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Style of Birkenstock Is the Most Comfortable?
This really comes down to personal preference—do you prefer a lightweight slide or a heftier leather sandal? Open toe or closed toe? Real suede or vegan microfiber? That said, the best-selling men’s shoe on the Birkenstock website is currently the Boston clog, which for a company known for its comfort, leads me to assume it is a super-comfortable pick.
What Is the Most Popular Birkenstock Shoe?
At the time of publishing, the number one best-selling men’s Birkenstock shoe is the Boston clog, according to the brand’s website. The classic Arizona falls just behind that in the number two slot, with the EVA Arizonas rounding out the top three.
