How Birkenstock became the cult travel shoe | CN Traveller

Nov 07, 2024

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Here at Condé Nast Traveller, we are constantly mining our own team of jetsetters and journalists for the best in travel tips. When discussing a recent feature – what we wear on a plane – not one, not two, but three of us said the same shoe; the Birkenstock Boston. It seemed there was a wide appeal for the shoe; comfy and practical enough to travel in, but also with the kind of Scandi meets normcore style points that we're drawn to for laidback airport styling.

I remember a time when Birkenstocks were not cool – specifically because my mum wanted to buy me a pair. They were seen as a good quality, sturdy, support shoe – interestingly enough, none of these words were seen as desirable when I was a teenager. If it wasn’t specifically bad for me, I wasn’t interested (case in point: smoking, cheaply made stilettos, and that one boyfriend who may or may not have scratched my car).

But times have changed. In the last decade we have seen a macro trend of wellness that has infiltrated our lives; a seismic changing of the guard that has seen a generation turn away from the Heroin Chic of yesteryear and embrace a kinder, earnest attitude, one that includes everything from the sober curious movement to smoothies, staying in, to a love of knitwear.

At the intersection of these various trends, cult items are born. Think of the Nutribullet, The Ordinary, the Oura smart ring, and the rise of eco-conscious meets fashion-forward brands Reformation, Ganni, and Rixo. Our dedication to mindful living and absorbing healthier living into our routines resulted in ‘lifestyle’ becoming a trend in itself.

This has had a big impact on our wardrobes, too. Believe it or not, there was once a time when ‘flats’ were deemed unacceptable, particularly for women in the workplace. We have since invested in sustainable fashion, athleisure, and – get this, mum – sensible footwear; such a departure from previous women's footwear trends that wearing Birkenstocks actually became seen as counterculture. They are a rejection of the toxic femininity of the ’90s or the ‘cool girl’ era of dressing for men.

I specifically remember an older female family friend commenting on my Birkenstock-wearing, saying something along the lines of ‘You must be a vegan’. Well, I’m vegetarian, not vegan, but I would take that as a huge compliment – another marker of a generational divide, as well as the progression of wellness culture. The shoe is also unisex, a remarkably forward-thinking design, which appeals to the genderless and non-binary wearer.

And so Birkenstock became the face of the mindful movement. The brand was even used as a symbol in Margo Robbie’s Barbie, when the character choses ‘to know the truth about the universe’ by accepting the signature sandal. Pretty big stuff for just a small shoe, wide set as it is.

Everything that makes the shoe so practical for day-to-day life makes it a convenient travel shoe. The Birkenstock Boston, originally named the ‘Kork-Clog,’ was one of the first suede and cork (as opposed to wooden) clog styles designed in the mid-1970s. It was designed with pure comfort in mind, with an arch-supporting tread and a wider toe shape. Due to its Brutalism-influenced design, it immediately chimed with the bohemians of the decade as well as the mid-century minimalists.

Today, the shape aligns with a practical but minimal aesthetic that has defined airport chic. It is arguably the most comfortable shoe on the market, the only exception being actual slippers, so wearing for a full day of travel is the best choice for comfort. The Boston style in particular is also easy to slip on and off – a very handy feature for airport security, as well as slipping off mid flight.

It's worth noting the few (minor) drawbacks of this shoe. They're, obviously, slip-on and, therefore, not a great choice for when you might need to move quickly (to anybody who ends up running to their gate with seconds to spare before the flight closes, this might not be the shoe for you). They also need to be sprayed with a decent suede protector the second you unbox them if you want them to stay looking pristine. Rain, dirt and seawater sprays can mark the fabric – although, for what it's worth, I didn't protect mine and don't mind the slightly lived-in look and feel at all.

The shoe, though technically in a sandal-leaning category, works with socks, either chunky wool socks for a Scandi vibe or in-flight socks for another wellness consideration. This also means you can wear it UK-side with socks for warmth and then holiday-side sock-less for a more beach-friendly look. Plus, the wide, non-snug shape and fit mean that your feet can expand (as they want to do mid-flight) without rubbing or discomfort.

You can shop Birkenstock Boston suede clogs, from £130, on the brand's website.