With their chunky buckled straps, anatomically shaped footbeds, and cork and rubber soles, Birkenstock sandals are some of the most popular shoes ever created in modern history. Today, many people are looking for sustainable alternatives to Birkenstocks.
The brand was founded in 1774 by a German shoemaker called Johann Adam Birkenstock. It gained traction at the beginning of the 20th century after one of its descendants invented flexible insoles designed to support and conform to the shape of the wearer’s foot. At the time, the sandals were considered a fashion faux pas but were highly recommended by physicians.
The shoes were introduced in the United States in the late 1960s where they became a wardrobe staple in hippy circles. But it was not until the 1990s that they really began to take off among Americans. Nowadays, Birkenstock sandals are still extremely popular and are seen by many all around the world as a must-have fashion accessory.
However, these iconic shoes are far from being sustainably and ethically made. If you are trying to build a conscious wardrobe and only buy eco-friendly shoes, read on!
In this article, we have selected the 8 best sustainable alternatives to Birkenstocks so that your feet can step into comfort and style without harming the planet!
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Are Birkenstocks sustainable and ethical?
The brand is far from being sustainable and ethical for different reasons. While Birkenstock uses some eco-friendly materials like jute or cork for its footbeds, most of its shoes are made with unsustainable ones, such as conventional leather and suede or synthetic materials. Even though its shoes are quite durable and well made, these materials are some of the worst when it comes to their impact on the planet.
Birkenstock also does not seem to be doing much to reduce its environmental footprint apart from using almost exclusively solvent-free, water-based glues in its production process. It is far from enough! Moreover, while Birkenstock sandals are made in Germany, where the company has to comply with the European Union’s strict labor laws, we do not know whether it prioritizes ethical practices throughout its entire supply chain. Are all its workers paid fair wages and working in safe conditions? Who knows?
The brand also does not seem to disclose anything about who its suppliers are and where it sources its materials from. For all those reasons, we are all better off opting for a more ethical and sustainable alternative to Birkenstocks!
What makes a pair of sandals sustainable or ethical?
A sustainable sandal is one made with quality and longevity in mind. It should last you many seasons, and you should be able to wear it over and over again without seeing any significant signs of wear. Once it starts to wear out, see if you can repair or resole it. It is also made with eco-friendly materials and produced using sustainable practices. For instance, the brand should have taken steps to reduce its material waste, save energy and water, and minimize its use of harmful chemicals.
Sustainable sandals are also crafted in an ethical environment. Workers in the supply chain should receive fair wages, allowing them to live decently in their country and work in a non-toxic, safe workplace. Avoid buying from fast fashion brands because they do not prioritize the planet and their employees. Instead, choose a transparent brand that discloses how its products are made and where. Ideally, look for companies that received third-party certifications such as Climate-Neutral, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, or B Corporation.
What eco-friendly materials should you search for?
Sustainable sandals and shoes can be made from a variety of eco-friendly materials. One of the most sustainable is faux leather made from food waste, such as apple leather or piñatex. Other great options are models made from recycled plastic or any other type of recycled material like recycled rubber or recycled car tires.
If you prefer leather shoes, opt for high-quality leather that is vegetable-tanned and certified by the Leather Working Group. Sustainable brands also use natural materials such as cork, jute, or responsibly sourced natural rubber to make their soles and footbeds.
Our top picks for comfy, sustainable alternatives to Birkenstocks:
1. Biankina (US)
Discount: use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC for 10% off
Materials: Recycled Microfiber, Cork, Jute, Rubber
Price range: $80-90
Biankina is a sustainable footwear brand based in Barcelona that sells vegan shoes, including a variety of sandals for women. From its classic double-strap slides to one-strap models, most of its sandals are very similar to Birkenstocks. It even has double-strap slip-ons with a platform sole as well as a flip-flop type of sandal that looks like Birkenstock’s Gizeh model.
All of Biankina’s sandals have a timeless, modern, and elegant design, and they can be dressed up or down. You can choose from different colors, including some metallic ones. Both light and easy to wear, they will keep your feet comfortable and supported all day long! The brand makes the uppers using Global Recycled Standard-certified recycled microfiber. It also uses soles made from 100% natural rubber and memory foam insoles. The cork midsoles provide natural shock absorption as you walk. Since they also contain jute fiber, these sandals are designed to reduce heat conductivity, making them the perfect shoes for summer.
Biankina’s slides are handcrafted by skilled artisans in an ethical workshop in Spain. All its products are vegan and no harmful chemicals or glues are used during the production process. And if you buy the one-strap style, the brand will plant two trees for your purchase.
2. Softstar (US)
Materials: Leather
Price: $140
The Softstar Camino Lite is a wonderful alternative to traditional Birkenstocks, focusing on sustainability and a minimalist design. Made in Philomath, Oregon, each pair is crafted by hand using high-quality, full-grain leather for the uppers and water-friendly leather for the footbeds. Plus, they use non-toxic, food-grade dyes to reduce their environmental impact.
Its resolable design means you can repair rather than discard, a feature often missing in mass-produced sandals. The flexible, thin sole and wide toe box promote healthier foot mechanics without rigid arch support, reducing long-term stress on feet. Softstar’s dedication to handcrafted, locally made sandals with simpler supply chains makes the Camino Lite a great sustainable pick.
3. Duckfeet (DK)
Materials: Terracare® pebbled leather, Sheeps Wool
Price: $198
The Duckfeet Klitmøller Nut shoes provide a great sustainable option compared to Birkenstocks. They focus on durability and are made with high-quality natural materials, all crafted with care in Europe. The upper part of the shoes features Terracare® pebbled leather, which is produced responsibly and more eco-friendly than conventional leather. Inside, you'll find comfortable 100% European sheep's wool, making them cozy without any synthetic linings.
Their outsole is natural crepe rubber, which is more biodegradable and has a lower impact than many synthetic sole compounds. The shoes are handcrafted in Poland using all‐materials sourced in Europe, reducing long‐haul transport and improving oversight of working and environmental conditions. Compared to mass-market Birkenstock models, Klitmøller offers a premium option with strong ethics, comfort, and lifespan built in.
4. Will's Vegan Store (UK)
Materials: Bio-Based Vegan Leather, Cork, Vegan Suede, Recycled Rubber, Recycled Polyurethane
Price: $58-123
Will’s Vegan Store creates all kinds of shoes and clothes for women and men using vegan and cruelty-free materials. It offers multiple styles of sandals and two pairs of clogs that are quite similar to Birkenstocks. The uppers, which come with adjustable metal buckles to get the perfect fit, are either made from vegan suede or Italian vegan leather made with 69% bio-based content. Its faux leather is produced in part from cereal crops with a viscose backing fabric derived from eucalyptus trees.
The brand’s sandals and clogs feature shock-absorbing cork footbeds providing arch support, insoles made of recycled polyurethane, a heel cup, and durable, grippy outsoles made with recycled rubber. They are also lined with soft vegan suede, making them very comfortable to wear, even without socks.
Will’s Vegan Store crafts them in Portugal and ships them using plastic-free packaging. It is also Climate-Neutral Certified, meaning that it measures and offsets its entire carbon footprint. You can even use the brand’s “return to recycle” service to send back your shoes at the end of their lives so that they can get turned into new outsoles and uppers!
5. Nae Vegan Shoes (PT)
Materials: Piñatex, Cork, Recycled PET, Microfiber, Recycled Car Tires, EVA, Rubber
Price: $61-121
Nae Vegan Shoes is a Portuguese vegan footwear brand that sells sustainable shoes for women and men. Everything it creates is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and crafted ethically in certified factories in Portugal. The company offers a beautiful alternative to Birkenstock sandals with its DARCO collection. Its four unisex slides are available in black, off-white, dark brown, and dark green. They feature two adjustable straps with gold nickel-free buckles that you can adjust for the perfect fit. They are either made from GRS-certified recycled PET, locally sourced FSC-certified natural cork, or piñatex made from pineapple leaf fibers.
These sandals are lined with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified microfiber produced in a CO2-free environment. So they do not contain any harmful substances and are 100% safe to wear! The lining is also hypoallergenic and has antibacterial properties to prevent odors. The sandals’ ergonomic footbeds provide arch support and are crafted from cork and natural rubber, and their slip-resistant soles are produced from recycled car tires.
Nae Vegan Shoes also has a pair of vegan mule slippers that are incredibly similar to Birkenstock’s Boston clogs! To top it all off, the brand ships its products using 100% recyclable, recycled packaging.
6. Thesus (CA)
Materials: Recycled Plastic, Cork
Price: $138
Thesus is a Canadian BIPOC- and woman-owned brand that creates sustainable footwear and accessories. Its Terrus clogs, available in white, beige, and sage green, are a great alternative to Birkenstock’s clogs! Unlike most clogs, these feature an adjustable back strap that helps keep them securely attached to your feet as you go about your day. They are also very versatile since you can wear them with any outfit throughout the year (if you add a pair of socks in the colder months).
The Terrus clogs are 100% vegan, easy to clean, and made of 98% recycled plastic produced from repurposed marine waste collected by fishermen all around the globe.They have a footbed crafted from natural cork with a soft lining, making them very lightweight and breathable. It provides arch support and perfectly molds to your feet so you can stay comfortable all day long. You will also love the wide-toe box, designed to fit all foot shapes and sizes!
Thesus uses water-based vegan glue to bind the upper and soles together, and it produces everything by hand in a family-owned factory in Portugal. The brand pays its workers fair wages and prioritizes transparency, quality craftsmanship, and sustainable manufacturing practices throughout its entire supply chain.
7. Poppy Barley (CA)
Discount: use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC-15 for 15% off
Materials: LWG Veggie-Tanned Leather, Rubber, Memory Foam Insoles
Price: $218
Want the perfect fit? The Wanderlust Sandals from Poppy Barley have adjustable velcro straps (around the toes and back!) in order for you to customize your fit.
They also have additional arch support, so you can feel comfortable wearing them all day. Poppy Barley uses earth-conscious, water-based glues for their products. They ensure that their shoeboxes are Forest Stewardship Council-certified and made with 67% recycled paper, water-based inks, and organic pigments!
Poppy Barley is a Canadian brand and B-Corporation founded by two sisters in Edmonton, AB. Their company actively rethinks every step to create sustainably made and fairly priced products designed for frequent wear.
About the Author
Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle. She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.
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