There's a reason almost everyone has a pair of Birkenstocks. Their famous cork footbeds are legendary for a reason - they mold perfectly to your feet, offering incredible comfort and support that just gets better with wear. The brand has mastered a minimalist, earthy style that feels both timeless and effortlessly cool.
If you've already broken in your favorite pair and are curious about what else is out there, you're in luck. Whether you're hunting for a similar focus on foot health or just craving a new style with that same laid-back vibe, here are 18 other shoe brands that deliver on comfort.
Known for its unmistakable sporty sandals with adjustable straps, Teva is the go-to brand for outdoor adventures and everyday comfort. Their designs are practical, durable, and increasingly stylish, embracing a "gorpcore" aesthetic that works just as well in the city as it does on the trail. Many of their newer styles are also made with eco-friendly materials.
Compared to Birkenstock's laid-back vibe, Teva is more active and performance-oriented. If you love the supportive feel of Birks but need something ready for a hike or a day by the water, Teva is your perfect match.
Shop now at teva.com
Naot is a fantastic alternative if you love Birkenstock's signature cork-and-latex footbed but want a slightly more refined or elegant look. This Israeli brand creates footwear that prioritizes foot health without skimping on style, often featuring beautiful leathers, intricate straps, and unique embellishments.
Think of Naot as Birkenstock's dressier cousin. While the core commitment to anatomical support is the same, Naot's designs can easily transition from a casual day out to a dinner date, offering a bit more fashion versatility.
Shop now at naot.com
You can usually spot a pair of Chacos by their signature Z-strap system that wraps around the foot for a completely custom fit. Built for adventure, these sandals offer serious arch support and durable, grippy outsoles perfect for navigating uneven terrain. They are a staple for outdoor enthusiasts, from hikers to rafters.
Like Teva, Chaco is more rugged and performance-driven than Birkenstock. If your idea of comfort involves supportive footwear that can securely handle any activity you throw at it, Chaco is an excellent choice.
Shop now at chaco.com
Vionic puts foot health first with its podiatrist-designed orthotic footbeds that are built right into every shoe, from sandals and sneakers to flats and slippers. Their "Vio-Motion Support" technology provides excellent arch support, stability, and cushioning, making them a popular choice for those with foot issues like plantar fasciitis.
Vionic shares Birkenstock's dedication to ergonomic design, but often packaged in more modern and sleek silhouettes. They offer a huge range of styles, so you can find that essential support whether you're looking for recovery sandals or work-appropriate loafers.
Shop now at vionicshoes.com
A classic for a reason, Clarks has built a reputation for producing timeless, comfortable footwear that lasts. From desert boots to cushioned sandals, their shoes are known for their quality construction and incorporation of supportive technologies like contoured insoles. Clarks offers a wide array of styles that fit into casual and even office settings.
If you appreciate Birkenstock's focus on all-day comfort but need shoes with a more polished or classic aesthetic, Clarks provides a great balance. They are reliable, comfortable, and versatile staples for any wardrobe.
Shop now at clarksusa.com
ECCO brings Scandinavian design principles to comfort footwear, blending minimalist style with innovative technology. The brand uses premium leathers and lightweight, ergonomic soles to create shoes that support the foot's natural motion. Their sandals and sneakers are built for walking and provide a high level of cushy support with a modern look.
ECCO offers a similar commitment to quality and comfort as Birkenstock but with a sleeker, more contemporary feel. They are perfect for travel or city walking when you want long-lasting comfort without a bulky look.
Shop now at ecco.com
While best known for its iconic winter boots, Sorel also makes an excellent range of fashion-forward sandals and casual shoes that don't compromise on comfort. Their footwear often features chunky silhouettes, supportive footbeds, and scalloped rubber soles for added durability and grip. Many of their designs incorporate waterproof materials, making them stylishly practical.
Sorel shares Birkenstock's knack for creating functional style statements, but with a bolder, more rugged edge. Their shoes are for someone who wants to look good while being ready for unpredictable weather.
Shop now at sorel.com
Haflinger is the king of cozy. Specializing in slippers and clogs made from natural wool felt and other breathable materials, this brand focuses on at-home comfort and foot wellness. Like Birkenstocks, a lot of their styles feature a supportive cork-latex footbed, great arch support, and designs that encourage natural foot alignment.
Think of Haflinger as the indoor version of Birkenstocked comfort. If your goal is ultimate coziness and support while you're relaxing at home, their wool clogs and slippers are second to none.
Shop now at haflinger.com
Aetrex is laser-focused on orthopedics and creating shoes that solve common foot pain issues. Every pair of Aetrex shoes contains their signature arch support, designed to properly align the body and relieve pressure. They also use technologies like memory foam cushioning and gel inserts to enhance comfort across their range of sandals, sneakers, and boots.
Aetrex offers a more technical and data-driven approach to the foot health benefits found in Birkenstocks. If you're dealing with specific foot concerns or just want maximum engineered support, Aetrex is a standout brand to check out.
Shop now at aetrex.com
Keen created a whole new category of footwear with its hybrid Newport sandal, famous for its protective rubber toe bumper. This brand builds rugged, supportive, and incredibly roomy footwear perfect for outdoor adventures. Their contoured footbeds provide great arch support, and their designs are meant to give your toes plenty of space to breathe.
Similar to Birkenstock's practical nature, Keen is all about function, but geared toward trails, rivers, and mountains. For any outdoor activity where you need more protection than a standard sandal can offer, Keen has you covered.
Shop now at keenfootwear.com
Now existing within the broader Earth Shoes collection, Earthies was designed to prove that stylish shoes could also be incredibly comfortable. Their designs feature contoured footbeds and arch support hidden within on-trend silhouettes, from elegant heels to contemporary sandals. They often include details like unique embellishments and premium materials.
Earthies deliver on Birkenstock-level support but specialize in more fashion-forward, feminine styles that are perfect for dressier casual occasions where you still want to be comfortable on your feet.
Shop now at earthshoes.com
Handcrafted in Europe, Mephisto is a premium footwear brand that combines luxury materials with orthopedic-inspired comfort technology. Their shoes feature extremely supportive cork-latex footbeds, soft-air mid-soles for shock absorption, and sophisticated designs that appeal to those who don't want to choose between comfort and quality.
If you're willing to invest in an ultra-high-quality shoe, Mephisto is the luxury alternative to Birkenstock. The comfort benefits are comparable, but the craftsmanship and materials are in a top-tier category of their own.
Shop now at mephisto.com
Inspired by the island lifestyle of Hawaii, OluKai creates shoes and sandals that blend a relaxed, easygoing vibe with serious anatomical support. Their signature contoured footbeds provide excellent arch support and a comfortable heel cup, all designed to mimic the feeling of walking barefoot in wet sand. They use premium leathers and waterproof materials for a durable, elevated finish.
OluKai is perfect if you love the foot-molding support of Birkenstocks but prefer a more refined, beach-inspired aesthetic. Their styles are equally suited for a vacation or just bringing a bit of laid-back luxury to your everyday life.
Shop now at olukai.com
While primarily known for their high-performance outdoor apparel and gear, Outdoor Research also offers sandals and footwear perfect for hikers, climbers, and adventurers. Their footwear is engineered for technical performance in rugged environments, emphasizing durability, traction, and support to keep you comfortable on the trail all day long.
Consider Outdoor Research the highly specialized, athletic evolution of Birkenstock's comfort ethos. This brand tailors its support features for specific outdoor sports, making it the right pick for those whose comfort needs are tied to performance.
Shop now at outdoorresearch.com
Spanish brand Camper is known for its quirky, creative, and exceptionally comfortable footwear. Their designs are often playful and unconventional, yet always grounded in ergonomics and quality craftsmanship. You can expect supportive footbeds and flexible materials packaged in unique silhouettes that make a fun fashion statement.
Camper is the art-school cousin in the comfort shoe family. If you like Birkenstock's priority on comfort but are bored by classic designs, Camper offers an alternative with plenty of personality and European flair.
Shop now at camper.com
For decades, Merrell has been a trusted name in outdoor recreation, but their expertise in trail-tested comfort extends to a wide array of sandals, slip-ons, and casual shoes. Leveraging technologies designed for hiking boots, like their supportive air-cushioned soles, Merrell brings performance-level comfort to your everyday life.
Merrell bridges the gap between a high-performance outdoor brand like Keen and a lifestyle comfort brand like Birkenstock. They create incredibly supportive and durable shoes that you can take on an easy hike and wear for weekend errands.
Shop now at merrell.com
For the true minimalist, Vibram FiveFingers offers a radically different path to foot comfort and health. These "toe shoes" are designed to create a barefoot experience, encouraging natural foot movement and strengthening intrinsic foot muscles. While they lack arch support, the focus is on a different kind of biomechanical wellness.
While the feel couldn't be more different from a contoured Birkenstock, Vibram FiveFingers shares philosophical DNA in prioritizing foot health. This is an option for those who want to feel the ground instead of being supported by a structured footbed.
Shop now at vibram.com
Söfft excels in creating stylish, feminine footwear without sacrificing comfort. Their gorgeous sandals, heels, and flats incorporate cushioned, flexible footbeds with a keen sense for the season's latest trends. This allows them to offer elegant shoes that can genuinely be worn all day long.
If you find Birkenstock's bulkier look a bit too casual for your taste, Söfft is an amazing alternative. They bring the same commitment to support to a more sophisticated collection.
Shop now at sofftshoe.com
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