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For a while there, getting your feet into Birkenstock's reliably sold-out Boston clogs felt like a Sisyphean struggle. (A cushy suede slip-on: Not the worst shoe to spend the rest of your days wretchedly plodding up and down a mountain!) But now that the craze has died down a little bit and the Boston is finally back in stock, we can all stand to think a little more rationally–and by that, of course, we mean wake up to the fact that the German footwear whizzes make plenty of rad sandals that aren't already plastered across your timeline.
The two Birkenstock sandals we're feeling the most right now are the Kyoto and Tokio, a duo of sleeper-hit silhouettes inspired by—you guessed it—Japan's twin cultural hubs. Both will add a dose of laid-back charm to warm-weather outfits, and if they weren't on your radar yet, spring happens to be the perfect time to snap up a pair before they start selling out, too.
Like the Boston, the Tokio comes crafted from smooth leather or butter-soft suede, and features a gently rounded toe plopped on top of the brand's signature grippy sole. The key difference is the addition of an adjustable ankle strap that ensures your sandals stay firmly secured to your feet whether you’re cross-crossing the bustling streets of Harajuku, winding down for a nightcap in Ginza, or just daydreaming about doing either while you try and stay awake on Zoom.
The more leisurely Kyoto, on the other hand, tacks the other way, with an open toe and thick strap across the top accented with a velco strap at the vamp. It's a tasteful, no-frills riff on the mules Birkenstock is most famous for—and an affordable alternative to the buzzy sandals the brand released in collaboration with Fear of God earlier this year.
Now that it's warm enough to consider stepping outside without a down-filled jacket, a duo of strappy spring kicks is just what the doctor ordered. (Even better when said kicks are from the first name in cozy footwear, and will run you less than 150 bucks a pop). Money might not be able to buy happiness, but, it turns out, it can buy your feet a little welcome respite from the boots they've been living in all winter—just don't expect either of these slept-on Birkenstock sandals to stay our little secret for long.