“In my opinion, Birkenstocks are the perfect shoe for school and everyday life because they give you comfort as well as support and style,” said junior Isaac Ahn.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, casual dress in both the work and school environments has become a norm. Students across the country have found it a tough adjustment to go from attending class with pajamas through a screen to adhering to a strict dress code or uniform. Although it has been a few years since the pandemic and the Hackley dress code is back in full force, many students have found wearing different footwear has been the best source of comfort and adjustment back from the casual times of COVID-19.

However, Birkenstocks have not always been a booming trend and have a rich history dating back over 200 years.

The Birkenstock brand started with Johann Adam Birkenstock in Frankfurt, Germany, who over the years designed a brand that reflects a passion for comfortable shoes. This passion was passed down to each of his descendants with Karl Birkenstock creating 38 companies under the Birkenstock umbrella and dividing them amongst his three sons.

Birkenstock dates back all the way to 1774, and the brand’s first product was a blue footbed, the company’s trademark at the time. Sold throughout Europe in the 20th century, Birkenstock then grew to be sold at California food stores. This new marketplace gave Birkenstock a new association with surfers, skaters, and college students.

Over the years, the brand has expanded to worldwide markets with distribution in 100 countries offering over 800 styles. But especially around 2021, Birkenstocks grew to huge popularity after the COVID-19 pandemic. In search of comfy shoes to wear to school, many kids across the world, and on our own Hackley Hilltop, looked towards Birkenstocks for the perfect slipper-like shoes that also looked appropriate for a school environment. Since then, many styles of Birkenstocks can be found on the feet of Hackley students. Whether it’s the waterproof lightweight sandal or the newly popular clogs, many Hackley students find them to be the perfect balance between comfort and style.

Junior Isaac Ahn is a big supporter of Birkenstock and can often be seen wearing them throughout campus.

“I love my Birkenstocks because they’re very easy to wear. They slip on and off really easily but also provide more security than a normal sandal,” he said.

Isaac’s favorite style is the Milano, especially during the summer and fall. The Milano style has a special latex and cork blend which allows for a more personalized fit. When you buy Milanos, the box comes with a special set of instructions on how to break them in and develop a footbed that is curated to your own foot.

“Some people find it weird having three straps, but I find it more supportive and convenient. Because of the multiple straps, I’m able to do some heavier walking and sometimes even running in them,” Isaac said.

Isaac also loves the Arizona, a similar sandal to the Milano but without a back ankle strap. These styles of sandals are very popular and one of Birkenstock’s bestsellers. With a choice of cork or fur for the footbed, these sandals come in handy for athletes after sports practices.

Junior athlete Jiya Dhakad also loves Birkenstocks and wears the waterproof Arizona style in purple for post-practice comfort.

“I normally wear my Birkenstocks to go to squash so that after a tough game or practice I can slide them on instead of having to put my sneakers back on,” said Jiya.

Jiya recommends the waterproof Birkenstocks because of their versatility. They are easy to clean which allows them to look brand new for months. “For me, the best part of Birkenstocks is their comfort. When going to sports or school, it’s always nice to wear a comfortable shoe that goes with any outfit to feel relaxed and ready to conquer the task at hand,” she said.

Whether across the country or on our campus, Birkenstocks have come a long way from 1774 to becoming a huge go-to sandal for students following the pandemic. Along with the shoes, Birkenstock has recently dropped a new foot care line that aims to bring awareness to the importance of caring for your feet as you age. Although this foot care line has yet to be reviewed, their shoes still remain popular due to their comfort and versatile styles.