Birkenstock builds on its more than 250-year tradition of shoemaking and celebrates the footbed and its unparalleled functionality beyond sandals: Any City, Any Season.
Since the turn of the 20th century, Birkenstock has shaped the art of shoemaking with groundbreaking orthopedic innovations. Now, the global footwear brand is spotlighting its collection of closed-toe shoes featuring the legendary, anatomically shaped footbed. The shoe collection combines craftsmanship with modern design—for outstanding performance and ultimate foot support.
With functional, timelessly aesthetic styles and a harmonious color palette in the “Taupe” colorway, Birkenstock underscores its commitment to natural walking. The shoe collection continues the natural evolution of Birkenstock’s centuries-old shoemaking expertise, based on the Original Birkenstock footbed, and offers foot support for everyone.
With the anatomically shaped footbed at its core, every Birkenstock shoe is firmly rooted in biomechanics. The footbed’s design promotes natural walking motion and supports the foot in its natural position and balance. The shoe collection combines traditional craftsmanship with innovation and uses high-quality materials that are suited for all everyday situations and beyond.
With the function-oriented design of the footbed, Birkenstock supports natural walking—even in closed-toe shoes. Perfect for anyone who expects a little extra for their feet with every step. Whether in the city, while traveling, or in everyday life—the Birkenstock shoe collection is designed for maximum comfort and durability.
The Birkenstock family’s shoemaking tradition dates back to 1774. In 1897, Konrad Birkenstock revolutionized the art of shoemaking with the invention of an anatomically shaped wooden last and the development of orthopedic insoles for shoes that were customized to the wearer’s individual needs.
While most people associate Birkenstock with iconic sandal models like the Arizona, Madrid, or Boston, sandals played no role at all for the family at the turn of the century. The focus of the then-small shoemaking workshop was on the vision of healthy feet, which was to be realized through closed-toe shoes.
Carl Birkenstock further developed these ideas on foot health and, beginning in the 1930s, worked on what he called the “ideal shoe”—a closed-toe shoe with a highly customized fit designed to promote optimal foot alignment and natural gait.
It was Karl Birkenstock who, in 1963, developed the first Birkenstock sandal with an integrated footbed—and thus the first mass-produced Birkenstock product—to enable everyone to walk as nature intended. With the “single-strap sandal”—later renamed the “Madrid”—Karl Birkenstock created a completely new sandal and, for the first time in the family’s history, moved away from closed-toe shoes.
Today, the family-run shoemaking business has become a global leader in innovation within the footwear industry. Every pair of Birkenstock shoes is optimized for maximum functionality and ultimate foot support. The legendary footbed remains the foundation for product innovation to this day.
The Birkenstock shoe collection is based on the unique function of the footbed. The closed-toe shoe models combine craftsmanship and innovation and offer the unmatched Birkenstock footbed experience. The collection combines biomechanics, craftsmanship, and premium materials to create shoes that meet the highest standards of quality and function. The harmonious color palette in the “Taupe” colorway embodies a timeless aesthetic.
The Highwood Low Lace and Utti models are based on the Deep Blue Footbed, which reduces stress on the foot, promotes stability, and supports natural walking. The Birkenstock Bend Decon and Pasadena feature the original cork-latex footbed, which provides optimal stabilization for the foot.
The Deep Blue Footbed features an anatomically shaped transverse arch support for stability, inner and outer longitudinal arch supports for balance, and a deep heel cup for support and equilibrium.
The Highwood Low Lace combines elegance and functionality. The simple, minimalist design with high-quality suede complements the distinctive Birkenstock aesthetic with practical details.
The TPR outsole, inspired by safety shoes, ensures optimal traction, while a sturdy open lacing system with a single set of metal eyelets rounds out the design.
The Utti is a modern everyday companion. Its soft suede flexibly conforms to the foot, ensuring maximum comfort.
The Pasadena combines everyday comfort with classic craftsmanship. The hand-stitched construction ensures greater flexibility and durability, while the suede leather adapts to the individual shape of the foot over time—ideal for a seamless transition between work and leisure.
The Birkenstock Bend Decon is a modern, lightweight sneaker with an original cork-latex footbed that offers maximum freedom for the foot. Its minimalist aesthetic, subtle details, light weight, and high flexibility make it the perfect companion for urban adventures.
The Spring/Summer 2025 campaign brings the Birkenstock shoe collection to life and celebrates movement, balance, and adventure—the essence of feather-light walking in closed-toe shoes.
Whether in the city, in everyday life, or off the beaten path—the campaign makes it clear that every shoe is designed for effortless, comfortable walking and highlights Birkenstock’s expertise beyond sandals.
The larger-than-life depictions of the shoes in urban landscapes highlight the versatility of the styles—designed for the modern adventurer who moves freely and confidently through everyday life with the support of the legendary Birkenstock footbed.
Discover the collection and experience natural walking with Birkenstock’s closed-toe shoes—designed for everyone who expects more from every step for their feet.
The collection is available at select retail partners such as 43einhalb, AFEW-Store, Asphaltgold, Brooklyn, HHV, JNS, OrangeJungle, SneakerTwins, SUPPA, and ZebraClub.
Photos via Birkenstock
