What do the Christian Brothers, dentists and American Tourists all have in common? They all wear Birkenstocks on a regular basis. At least until fairly recently, I used to always associate the famous sandal with all of the above.
Some would say open-toe footwear is the ultimate summer sartorial essential. The first time I wore a pair of sandals was on a trip to Thailand having broken two bones in my foot the week before. Arriving on an obscure island in the Gulf of Siam equipped with my trusty crutches, I soon realised hobbling up and down the beach wearing a pair of white converse wasn’t going to cut it. I needed to allow my tootsies space to breath.
It was then I was introduced to my first pair of Birkenstocks. Notable for their contoured cork foot beds, which mould gradually to the shape of your feet, my ‘birks’ provided sudden relief. Wearing a pair for the first time you suddenly realise the attraction. Quite simply they are unbelievably comfy. While sales of the two-strap ‘Arizona’ style continue to be the best seller worldwide, Birkenstock have diversified with other more stylish models which look quite cool (once you get beyond the Jesus comparisons). My love affair with Birkenstocks has continued and I’m now on my third pair. They make a great combo with some tailored shorts at this time of year, as do a nice pair of woven sandals or even a gladiator style from Camper.
Recently though I’ve been having a tryst with Fitflop (I’m wearing them at the moment). While I’ve known about their womens collection for several years, they’ve recently brought out a range for men which give Birkenstocks a run for their money. In many ways they are quite similar with the exception of the hidden weapon in the sole.
Developed by boffins at London’s South Bank University, Fitflop’s multi-density sole with, get ready for it, “microwobbleboard technology” increases the time your muscles are engaged when you walk. This helps tone the legs and buttocks (never a bad thing) while also reducing pressure on the knees, ankles and the lower back. Ideal if you’re recovering from an athletics injury and still want to look stylish.
It has to be said, while Birkenstocks and Fitflops take the lead in terms of comfort, there’s no beating Havaianas when it comes to style and colour. The Brazilian brand of flip-flop has gained worldwide recognition for their design flair since 1998 after they developed a style for the World Cup featuring the Brazilian flag. This summer you can take it to the next level by customizing a pair. The ‘Make Your Own Havaianas’ service recently arrived at BT2 Grafton Street meaning you can now create your own unique pair of the cult flip-flop from hundreds of different colour soles and straps. If you feel like it, you can even add a bit of bling.
Before you rock your inner Jesus, just remember cleanliness is next to godliness so be sure your feet are up to going on public display!
By Darren Kennedy
