10 Sustainable Sandals like Birkenstock for Summer 2024

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Are you looking for sandals like Birkenstock this summer? Don’t worry; we’ve rounded up the best Birkenstock alternative brands creating high-quality sandals from sustainable materials.

If you’re like me, who loves the classic look of a Birkenstock sandal but hates the blisters you get from wearing them for hours, coupled with the hefty price tag Birkenstock sandals retail at, then this post is for you.

Birkenstock is a German footwear brand creating men’s and women’s sandals that feature an anatomically shaped footbed and a cork and rubber sole.

The classic Gizeh and Arizona sandals are synonymous with the brand and have become some of the most worn sandals worldwide.

My pair of Birkenstocks
My pair of well worn Birkenstocks

The sandals brand is in the top five largest shoe producers globally. It produces most of its Birkenstock shoes in German factories in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Saxony.

The Birkenstock brand can be traced back to its founding in 1774, with the classic Birkenstock footbed innovation arriving in 1896.

Birkenstock uses some natural materials, including cork, leather, and natural rubber, but the brand doesn’t always prioritize using sustainable materials. But fear not, you can still get the Birkenstock style using eco-friendly materials, as many other sustainable brands are creating eco-friend Birkenstock dupes for more affordable prices.

1. Nae Darco Cork Vegan Double Strap Sandals

NAE sandals like Birkenstock Boston

Materials: Portuguese cork, vegan materials, nickel-free buckles, recycled rubber

Best for: Sandals like Birkenstock Arizona

Ships to: Worldwide from Portugal

If you’re looking for vegan sandals like Birkenstock, check out Nae, a Portuguese vegan footwear brand creating stylish sandals ethically from sustainable materials.

The brand uses innovative materials, including recycled rubber from car tires for a lightweight and slip-resistant sole, paired with a renewable, sustainable sourced cork footbed.

The Darco sandals feature a sleek cork upper coated in an antimicrobial microfiber that prevents blisters and odors.

Along with the double strap, which mimics the classic Arizona style, Nae also creates unique sandal designs, including a one-strap band sandal, perfect for dressing up or down in the summer.

Also available to shop at Urban Kissed and Staiy.

Nae sandals like Birkenstock Arizona

2. Biankina Marbella Sandal

Biankina Arizona dupe

Materials: Cork midsole, recycled uppers

Best for: Birkenstock sandals like Arizona

Ships to: Worldwide

Biankina’s stylish Birkenstock dupes are the perfect vegan sandal for summer. The brand uses Mediterranean influence to design its stylish sandals and shoes.

Biankina’s shoes are ethically handmade in Europe using traditional techniques and sustainable materials, including a cork sole and recycled uppers.

The Marbella sandal is available in six different color styles, including classic black, brown, and metallic silver, and features a contoured footbed.

The brand offers free shipping and returns!

Psst. Use code ECOTHES for 10% off your order

Biankina cork footbed shoes like birkenstock

3. Chacos Chillos

Chacos sandals like Birkenstock

Materials: Vegan materials, Blown EVA footbed

Best for: Birkenstock dupe

Ships to: Worldwide

Chacos are a cool footwear brand creating stylish hiking sandals, flip flops, and sliders for those who love adventure.

Chacos shoes are waterproof, practical, and get great reviews, with their classic Z-style receiving an average rating of 4.2/5 stars with over 1600 reviews.

The sandals are comfortable for walking as they are designed with podiatrist-accepted LUVSEAT™ arch support.

Our editor Georges owns a pair, and he loved the comfortable footbed and the style of the Z-sliders.

A downside of Chaco’s is the fact they don’t prioritize the use of sustainable materials and are still using virgin EVA to create their sandals; however, they do offer a repair program for their sandals which reduces waste to landfills and extends the life of your sandals. So far, Chaco has saved over 266,000 sandals from being sent to landfills through its Rechaco program.

For a detailed comparison check out our Chacos vs Birkenstocks guide here.

Chacos chillos sandal

4. Naot

Naot sandals like Birkenstock arizona

Materials: Suede & Leather, Cork, and latex footbed, EVA sole

Best for: Sandals like Birkenstock Arizona

Ships to: Worldwide

Much like Birkenstock, Naot is known for its anatomical footbeds. These footbeds are made of natural cork and latex and are designed to replicate the shape of the foot, providing optimal arch support.

Naot creates its range of sandals like Birkenstock in a great range of colors. Plus, they have both men’s and women’s styles.

The brand uses high-quality materials, including genuine leather and suede. The brand is also known for its craftsmanship, ensuring its sandals will last summer after summer.

Some of Naot’s designs, including the Santa Barbara sandal, offer adjustable straps for a customized fit, enhancing the shoe’s comfort and wearability.

Naot Birkenstock dupes

5. Native Shoes

Materials: Satin and PU uppers, Sugarlite™ EVA sole (Bio-based EVA from sugarcane)

Best for: Birkenstock Arizona dupes, Birkenstock alternatives for children

Ships to: Worldwide

Native Shoes is an American-based footwear brand specializing in waterproof footwear for women, men, and kids.

The brand creates classic waterproof sliders and strap sandals while creating Birkenstock dupes like the two-strap Frankie sandal, available in men’s, women’s, and children’s styles.

Once you’re done with you’re sandals, Native shoes will recycle them and transform them into children’s play areas across the US. To date, Native Shoes has created five playgrounds from recycled shoes, and they’re on a mission to create more.

Native Shoes

6. Wills Vegan Store

Wills Vegan store clogs

Materials: Bio-based vegan leather uppers

Best for: Sandals like Birkenstock Boston and Birkenstock Arizona dupe

Ships to: Worldwide

Love the Birkenstock Boston style but looking for a vegan alternative? Check out Wills Vegan Store’s Birkenstock dupes, including double strap sandals and clogs.

The brand ethically creates sandals in Portugal using sustainable, animal-free materials such as bio-based vegan leathers and recycled soles.

7. Biankina Malaga Vegan Sandal

Biankina sandals like Birkenstock Gizeh

Materials: Cork midsole, recycled uppers

Best for: Birkenstock Gizeh dupes

Ships to: Worldwide

In the post, we’ve already mentioned Biankina, but the brand also creates sandals like Birkenstock Gizeh’s. Plus, Biankina’s Birkenstock alternative is created from animal-free and eco-friend materials!

Psst. Use code ECOTHES for 10% off your order

8. Freedom Moses

Freedom Moses waterproof Birkenstock dupe sandals

Materials: Vegan materials, PCU plastic-based, which can be recycled

Best for: Sandals like Birkenstock waterproof EVA sandals

Ships to: Worldwide

For waterproof Birkenstock-like Sandals, Freedom Moses has you covered. The vegan brand creates waterproof, hand-washable sliders in various colors and patterns.

The brand infuses its vegan sandals with a light scent of milk and honey and features a comfortable footbed that will support your feet all day long, whether you’re at the beach or relaxing by the pool.

Freedom Moses creates one standard style that features the classic double strap, but the brand offers cool designs on its sliders.

One drawback of the brand is that they predominantly use plastic to create their footwear, and although you can recycle the sandals, it’s still relying on non renewables.

9. Allbirds

Allbirds waterproof Birkenstock dupe

Materials: SweetFoam® bio-based sole, 100% recycled polyester straps

Best for: Sandals like Birkenstock Madrid Eva

Ships to: Worldwide

You may know Allbirds as the sustainable shoe brand taking the sneaker world by storm. The brand has recently expanded its footwear collection to include sustainable sandals, sliders, and flip-flops.

Created from its iconic sugarcane-based SweetFoam®, Allbirds sandals are perfect for long summer days.

Like Nisolo, Allbirds are a certified B Corp that ensures workers are treated fairly, work in safe environments, and are paid a fair wage.

10. Scholl

Scholl sandals like birkenstock

Materials: Cork footbed

Best for: Sandals like Birkenstock Arizona

Ships to: Worldwide

While Birkenstock has long been celebrated for its classic cork footbed and minimalist aesthetic, Scholl steps up with a clinical approach to foot care with their orthapedic footbeds.

Their sandals are often recognized by their signature buckle and anatomically designed sole, providing a snug and supportive fit. This makes them a favorite among those seeking both comfort and a touch of retro charm.

One drawback is that Scholl isn’t considered as sustainable as Birkenstock or other brands on this list. But if you’re looking for an orthopaedic sandal like Birkenstock, they’re definitely a good alternative. 

Is Birkenstock sustainable?

Birkenstock does use a selection of natural materials, such as cork, leather, and natural rubber, but the brand doesn’t always prioritize using sustainable materials so we can’t directly call it a sustainable brands.

What are some vegan alternatives to Birkenstock?

Our favorite vegan alternatives to classic Birkenstocks include:

  • Nae makes vegan clogs and double strap sandals, which are great alternatives to the classic Birkenstock Arizona and Boston models
  • The Biankina Marbella Sandal is a well crafted alternative to the Birkenstock Arizona made from all vegan materials
  • Wills Vegan Store offers a wide range of excellent stylish vegan sandals and is a stable brand in the world of vegan footwear

We hope you’ve enjoyed discovering a range of sustainable Birkenstock alternatives!

All the Birkenstock-like sandals featured here may not necessarily be cheaper than Birkenstocks. Still, we’ve only included high-quality brands creating footwear that won’t fall apart after a few wears.

Make sure you check out more in our “Shoes Like Series” including alternatives to Toms, Allbirds, Converse, and Vans guides!

If you enjoyed this article, and you want to discover more eco-friendly brands, check out our posts on sustainable swimwear, sunglasses, and backpacks.

Bethany
Bethany

Bethany Worthington BSc (Hons) (she/her) is the Sustainable Fashion Editor and Co-founder of Ecothes. She has a passion for the environment, and a long love of all things clothing, and combines those two interests with Ecothes. In her free time she loves dancing, hiking in the countryside, and laughing with friends.

Articles: 207

One comment

  1. Bonjour , je pense que vous avez oublié beaucoup de models alternative à Birkenstock telle que :
    -AFS Schule
    -Sholl
    -Palado
    -BOnova
    -Rhode
    -Vitaform
    ..

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