Birkenstock is celebrating a major milestone this year as its beloved Boston clog turns 50.
To commemorate the anniversary, FN is looking back at the Boston’s journey through the fashion industry over five decades, with help from Birkenstock CEO Oliver Reichert and fashion and business historian Liz Tregenza’s paper “50 Years of the Birkenstock Boston: The Rise of a Category-Defining Silhouette.”
Archival Birkenstock imagery.
Courtesy of Birkenstock
The Boston was introduced in 1976 and proved revolutionary for presenting a soft-soled clog as opposed to wooden, making it a comfort-focused option. It also marked the brand’s first closed-toe shoe, setting it apart from other Birkenstock sandals as it could be worn in various types of weather. Cycling through different names like “the soft clog” and “Formal Birkenstock Quiet Clog,” as seen in international advertising, the style eventually became known as the Boston by the 1980s.
Reflecting on what the style means to the brand 50 years after its launch, Reichert said, “The Boston stands as one of the purest expressions of our purpose — to empower humans to walk as nature intended. Designed by Karl Birkenstock, it‘s a timeless testament to our core values of quality, tradition and function. At its heart is the footbed, the foundation of everything we stand for.” The executive also called it “a silhouette that transcend seasons, geographies, and generations.”
Archival Birkenstock imagery.
Courtesy of Birkenstock
Practicality is a key feature of the long-standing Boston silhouette. From an anti-static option to Super-Grip slip-resistant soles, the style has been embraced by professionals across a variety of fields, including medical professionals and chefs. It also became a part of the American hippie culture of the 1970s, which was known to blend pieces together from cultures around the world.
As the 1990s progressed, the Boston blossomed into a fashion statement for a wider audience. A key moment came in 1998, when Narciso Rodriguez put Bostons covered in cashmere flannel on the runway for his fall 1998 collection. The high-end embracement of the shoe extended with menswear designer John Scher including custom Birkenstocks in his fall 1998 collection and Perry Ellis menswear designer Jerry Kwiatkowski featuring a brown Nubuck Boston in his spring 1999 collection. Additionally, two spreads in the October 1998 issue of Vogue Italia featured Bostons.
Archival Birkenstock imagery.
Courtesy of Birkenstock
In the 21st century, fashion collaborations, including the Boston silhouette took off, ranging from streetwear brands like Stüssy to designer names. Birkenstock’s first link up with a high-end designer wasn’t until 2018 with Rick Owens, marking yet another turning point for the closed-toe clog. Other luxury collaborations included a two-part capsule collection with Manolo Blahnik in 2022 with highlights being jewel-toned velvet styles featuring crystal-embellished buckles. This tie-up went on to win Collaboration of the Year at the 2022 Footwear News Achievement Awards.
The Manolo Blahnik collaboration was part of the luxury Paris-based Birkenstock 1774 platform which launched in 2019 and has also produced collaborations with the likes of Dior, Valentino and Proenza Schouler. A 2026 collaboration with Danielle Frankel included a bespoke version of the Boston featuring florals handpainted in France.
Manolo Blahnik for Birkenstock.
Courtesy
Speaking of collaborations, Reichert recalled calls coming in after the Boston was featured in the first season of “And Just Like That,” the “Sex and the City” reboot series — but there was no partnership, it was a natural styling decision made by the costume department.
The CEO said, “We approach collaborations with a very clear philosophy: one and one must equal three. If we enter a partnership — it must create genuine value for the consumer. That moment captures something unique about the Boston: its relevance is 100 percent organic.”
Archival Birkenstock imagery.
Courtesy of Birkenstock
As Reichert and Tregenza’s paper stressed, vertical integration is important to Birkenstock’s success. The shoes are made in Germany, where the brand originated. Reichert said, “Owning our supply chain allows us to maintain disciplined distribution, to engage with our global fanbase and to start new conversations.”
As for how the Boston fits into Birkenstock’s future, Reichert said, “The Boston will continue to serve as a strategic powerhouse — one that enables innovation while staying firmly rooted in our core principles. Its cultural relevance has accelerated significantly over the past decade, and we see that momentum continuing. We are fully committed to further invest in the silhouette — broadening its reach through product innovation, expanding the product ecosystem by introducing new clog styles, further diversifying the silhouette into outdoor, kids and premium categories, while embracing established design voices and emerging creatives alike.”
From kitchens to run recovery, from magazine spreads to TV shows, from catalogues to runways, the Boston has certainly proved its versatility and staying power over the last 50 years.
