All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
We've said it before and we’ll say it again: Fall is the perfect time for Birkenstocks. Yes, the German shoemaker specializes in sandals. But if you really stop and think about those sandals? They’re not that summery! The most iconic Birks are built from rugged leathers with hard-wearing cork soles, which are more than capable of handling the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot. And with the autumn’s official start just a few weeks away, Birkenstock has dropped some luxurious riffs on two menswear-approved silhouettes: the iconic Boston clog and cult fave Kyoto sandal.
At first glance, these new elevated sandals don't look all that different from your standard-issue Birks—but that is precisely the point. The high-end details announce themselves quietly, like a whisper. The Boston Bold, as the upgraded spin on the clog is known, comes in ultra-premium leather with edge embossing. Fresh out of the box, the leather looks more like a well-loved Birkin bag than a squeaky Air Force One, with just the right amount of patina and subtle texture. (The other leather options for standard Bostons—oiled and smooth—look absolutely fine, but true leatherheads will spot the bump up in finish from a mile away.) The other small-but-mighty tweak comes via the strap, which features a double-prong brass tonal buckle.
The Kyoto, meanwhile—a style that isn't quite as everywhere as the Boston—comes reimagined with an entirely suede silhouette, right down to the fully-lined footbed. It all coordinates beautifully, cutting a smooth and luxurious profile. And when the weather really starts to dip, Birkenstock has you covered there, too: both the Kyoto and Boston also come in toasty shearling-lined versions.
Both silhouettes will add just the right amount of smooth, stylish quirk to all your fall fits. You'll find that they pair quite nicely with your waviest corduroy trousers and wide-leg jeans. (If you need a starting point, follow Seth Rogen's lead.) Fall is the season for Birkenstocks—all the better if they're even more sumptuous than usual.