01/02/23

The History of Birkenstock Mules

In 1774, Birkenstock was founded by a young shoemaker named Johannes Birkenstock. Before it became a shoe manufacturer as we know it today, Birkenstock was an ordinary shoemaker who made his own shoes entirely from leather. And it wasn’t until almost a century later that the German brand produced its very first footbed product in 1897. Today, Birkenstock is a brand as well known for its pairs as for its famous orthopedic insoles patented since 1932.

Mules, Made in Europe

Thanks to the resounding success of his insoles, Konrad Birkenstock made a decision that was crucial for the future of the company. He moved to Friedberg, where he set up a factory dedicated entirely to the manufacture of his insoles, which were quite complex to produce in large quantities at the time. Since then, Birkenstock has continued to manufacture its shoes in Europe, and more specifically in Germany, with the same expertise as before.

From the cork insole to the leather straps and inserts, every part of a Birkenstock shoe is made in Germany in 17 different stages and in over 100 different ways.

The beginnings of the Madrid sandal

In 1954, Karl Birkenstock, son of Carl Birkenstock, joined the family business. His attention was directed to the development of new technologies and materials. His dedication and desire to create a product that puts technology at the service of comfort gave birth to the most famous sandal, the Madrid, in 1963.

The aesthetics of the Madrid will immediately stand out. Inspired by modern architecture and more broadly by brutalism, the Madrid sandal has an ultra-simple design with a flexible cork footbed attached directly to a simple adjustable leather strap.

Initially shunned by the world of fashion, it will make its first steps in the medical field since Karl promotes it widely in the hospitals of the region. Then came its hour of glory when it was finally adopted as an indoor shoe with impeccable comfort.

And the mules in all this?

What about mules? What about them? A mule is originally a very, very classic pair of shoes, rigid, made of wood and therefore very uncomfortable and practical. It leaves the heel uncovered while the front of the foot is closed.

Now that we have a better idea of what a mule is, let’s take a look at the most famous mule, the Boston. In 1970, crowned with success thanks to their previous models such as the Madrid, the Zurich or the Arizona, Birkenstock undertook the creation of a brand new kind of shoe, a mule.

The Boston was launched after 6 years of development. The Boston mule is adorned with a cork footbed topped with a large closed instep, usually in suede or leather. Resolutely trendy and adopted as “the ideal indoor shoe”, this mule will be seen on the feet of many stars like Keira Knightley, Robert Pattinson or Kanye West for example.

What about mules? What about them? A mule is originally a very, very classic pair of shoes, rigid, made of wood and therefore very uncomfortable and practical. It leaves the heel uncovered while the front of the foot is closed. Now that we have a better idea of what a mule is, let’s take a look at the most famous mule, the Boston. In 1970, crowned with success thanks to their previous models such as the Madrid, the Zurich or the Arizona, Birkenstock undertook the creation of a brand new kind of shoe, a mule.

The Boston was launched after 6 years of development. The Boston mule is adorned with a cork footbed topped with a large closed instep, usually in suede or leather. Resolutely trendy and adopted as “the ideal indoor shoe”, this mule will be seen on the feet of many stars like Keira Knightley, Robert Pattinson or Kanye West for example.

The mule at the heart of trends

For a few years now and as soon as spring appears, it is enough to take a walk to see the proliferation of mules and other clogs of all kinds. Although the Boston mule is undoubtedly the most popular of the genre, the German company Birkenstock never ceases to offer us new iterations of the genre.

For this summer season, we will see for example the arrival of two new models in the range, the Naples for men and the Buckley for women. These two clogs take on the “mule” genre while offering an upper reminiscent of the moccasin with its visible seams. An important detail is that the Buckley, the feminine counterpart to the Naples, also incorporates a buckle strap on the front, adding more detail.

Another mule that is very popular at the moment is the A 630 Classic. Much, much more surprising and innovative, this mule with a more rudimentary appearance stands out for its manufacture entirely in Polyurethane. This model entirely conceived and thought for its practical side proposes many advantages like:

– A non-slip sole that is resistant to oil stains
– A deeper heel to ensure better support
– A replaceable and interchangeable footbed

To put it simply, the mule is now a shoe style that is widely available to everyone. Whether it’s a model’s foot in a high fashion show or a cook’s foot, the mule is practical, aesthetic and versatile. So whether it’s a Buckley or a Boston, you’re bound to fall for a mule this summer.

The History of Birkenstock Mules

Mules, Made in Europe

The beginnings of the Madrid sandal

And the mules in all this?

The mule at the heart of trends

OUR birkenstock selection

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