"In the fall of 2022, Birkenstock Boston Clogs seemingly came out of nowhere to become the absolute It-shoe of the season. While many reminisced on the “potato shoes” of the early 2000s (or even earlier than that, as the first Boston was released in 1979), fashion girls from NYC to London were rocking this piece of sensible footwear. They were also sold out everywhere and virtually impossible to find. I remember feeling so proud of myself for snagging a pair in early August before the fall craze really hit. Since the Birkenstock Boston resurgence a few years ago, tons of alternatives have trickled into the market. And this shoe style has also proved that it is here to stay.
Now that we’ve had time to sit with this “trend” for a while, you might be thinking of adding a pair to your wardrobe. Whether you already jumped on the bandwagon and would like to add a new color to your lineup or are just getting on board, there’s definitely room for a new clog in your life. Even if you’re a clog veteran, you might be wondering about some of the new trending styles, such as the Birkenstock Chunky Bostons or the UGG Goldenstar Clogs. If that’s you, keep scrolling to learn what I thought of both.
Clogs are the ultimate “elevated cool” shoe. They’re on trend, but they’re incredibly easy to slip on with any outfit, whether that be for school drop-off or weekend brunch. Below you’ll find in-depth reviews of the original Birkenstock Boston, five lookalikes, and two alternatives. I just know that by the end of this, you’ll be a clog convert, too.
How I reviewed and rated these Birkenstock Boston Clog alternatives
When I set out to do this review and comparison, I knew I wanted to include a wide range of options, covering multiple retailers and budgets. I wanted to try out some of the best Birkenstock Boston dupes, as well as some alternate options if the Boston look just isn’t quite your vibe. I scoured the depths of TikTok and painstakingly looked through Amazon reviews and photos to weed out the clogs that were actually worth trying. And as a two-year owner of Birkenstock Bostons, I felt qualified to make that judgment.
Once I had the seven alternatives in my possession, I decided to rate them in the categories of look, comfort, durability, and cost. Look and comfort could earn a possible three points each, while durability and cost could earn up to two points each, for a total of 10 points. When rating cost, I decided to stick to a system of zero points for anything over $100, one point for pairs that cost between $50 and $100, and the full two points for any options under $50.
Birkenstock Boston Clogs Review
My overall rating: 7.5/10 (Look 3/3, Comfort 2.5/3, Durability 2/2, Cost 0/2)
Pros: Will last forever; get more comfortable over time
Cons: Pricey; take a while to break in
If I’m being 100 percent honest, there are a few barriers to loving the OG Birkenstock Bostons. By nature, Birkenstocks are not all that comfortable when you first buy them. They mold to your foot over time, so you need to be patient and wear them often enough to get them to a place of ultimate comfort. I’ve found that when they’re not in that place yet, I don’t reach for them as often as I should (and that further delays getting them to that place!).
If you’ve ever worn clogs, you know that they can be hard to keep on your foot, and this pair is no exception. I’ve recently learned that wearing Pilates grip socks really helps (😂). I love that there are tons of styles to choose from within the Boston line, from leather options to platforms to fun colors to shearling-lined pairs. I personally have my eye on this fun blue, braided-strap pair.
Most importantly, I have no doubt that when the trend cycle comes to take these shoes out and then bring them back again in 20 years, I’ll have the same pair of Birkenstock Bostons. And that in itself is enough of a reason to invest in a pair.
- Suede leather upper, EVA sole
- Signature soft footbed for support
- Come in 6 colors
- US women’s sizes 5-12/EU 36-42
- $160
Birkenstock Boston Clog Lookalikes
Target Betsy Clog Mule Review
My overall rating: 6/10 (Look 1.5/3, Comfort 1.5/3, Durability 1/2, Cost 2/2)
Pros: Affordable; easily accessible to try on in person; nice colors
Cons: Synthetic materials; not great for wide feet; a bit stiff at first
As a huge fan of Target shoes, I had high hopes for the Betsy clog. While not all-around bad, these weren’t my favorite of the bunch. Of all the options on the list, they’re the only ones not made from suede and EVA, meaning their low cost shows a bit more than others.
They felt a bit stiffer than other pairs, although I’m sure they’d loosen up with wear. I also found them to run small and would recommend sizing up, especially if you have a wider foot. The taupe color leans a little more gray in person, so I’d suggest going with the cognac for a richer hue.
Given their cost, I think these would be a great option if you’re really not sure about clogs and just want to try them out. I love the idea that you can pop into your local Target and try them on to suss out which color and size you like best. It’s also worth mentioning that they have tons of five-star reviews that rave about their comfort on Target’s website, so I think these would’ve earned a higher rating from me if I had gotten a different size and color.
- Polyurethane upper, rubberlon sole, polyurethane footbed
- Come in 4 colors
- US women’s sizes 5-12 (half sizes available)
- $29.99
Amazon Cushionaire Clogs Review
My overall rating: 6/10 (Look 1/3, Comfort 2/3, Durability 1/2, Cost 2/2)
Pros: Affordable; lots of styles to choose from; come in wide sizes
Cons: Not suede
This Amazon Cushionaire clog is probably the one I saw most often when hunting for Boston lookalikes. However, as far as I can tell, it’s not offered in a plain suede material. The finish on these is more of a shiny leather, creating an entirely different look (which some may be into!). If you’re looking to mix up your clog collection, these do come in some super fun styles, such as denim, corduroy, and wool. There is also a suede option with a faux fur lining.
This pair gets major points for offering both half sizes and wide sizes. I ordered them in a 7.5 wide, which is probably most true to the size of my foot. If you have specific foot measurements and want a perfect fit, this could be a great option for you.
- Vegan leather upper, EVA sole, cork footbed
- Come in 15 styles
- US women’s sizes 5-12 (half and wide sizes available)
- $39.99
Amazon KIDMI Clogs Review
My overall rating: 7.5/10 (Look 2/3, Comfort 2/3, Durability 1.5/2, Cost 2/2)
Pros: Affordable; extended size range
Cons: Insole is a bit stiff; shape and stitching slightly different than a Boston
The KIDMI clogs are definitely a solid Amazon option. The taupe color is a gorgeous rich sand, which I like more than some of the ones that lean more gray. They’re also offered in some more unique colors, such as a deep mocha brown and an olive green—which is perfect if you just want to expand your clog collection with some new fall hues!
The outer is genuine suede, but they are lined with a polyester-type material, which is different than other options on this list. The stitching on these is not present on Bostons, meaning these may not be best if you’re on the hunt for a true lookalike. They are also slightly more narrow than other styles, which makes the shape different but could be great if you have narrow feet. I also noticed that each Amazon pair has a shiny coating on the EVA sole, making them a bit slippery until worn in.
- Suede leather upper, EVA sole, cork footbed
- Come in 7 colors
- US women’s sizes 5.5-14
- $39.99
Amazon Guoluofei Clogs Review
My overall rating: 9/10 (Look 3/3, Comfort 2.5/3, Durability 1.5/2, Cost 2/2)
Pros: Affordable; look and feel just like a Boston; comfortable footbed
Cons: No half or wide sizes
Ding ding ding… we have an Amazon winner! The look and feel of these impressed me immediately when I took them out of the packaging. They’re almost identical to a Birkenstock Boston. The suede feels soft and comfortable, unlike some of the other options I tried.
Although they don’t come in half sizes, some reviewers recommend going up to the next whole size, which is what I did. And they fit great. The footbed on these also feels comfortable right away, with no break-in time. They fit the shape of my foot amazingly and feel like they’d be supportive for wearing for longer periods of time. 10/10 recommend this pair if you’re looking to grab some on Amazon!
- Suede leather upper, EVA sole, cork footbed
- Come in 5 colors
- US women’s sizes 5-12
- $43.99
Quince Suede Clog Mule Review
My overall rating: 9/10 (Look 3/3, Comfort 3/3, Durability 2/2, Cost 1/2)
Pros: Incredibly comfortable; exact same materials as Birkenstock at half the price
Cons: Sometimes sold out
After being sold out for a while, I’m very happy that these Quince clogs are back for preorder, because I’m freakin’ obsessed with them. Even though you have to wait a bit, I recommend going through with the preorder (they’re worth it). I’ve been wearing them nonstop since I got them a little over a month ago. And yes, I’ve been reaching for them even more often than my Birkenstocks.
I own the cafe color, and I love the richer, warmer brown it adds to any outfit I’m wearing. Materials-wise, these have the exact same specs as Bostons, but they ring in at just half the price. They also have a foam insole that provides a little more support than my Bostons and did not have any break-in time.
As an added bonus, you can feel good about this purchase. The leather used in them is made in a tannery certified by the Leather Working Group, which aims to promote sustainable business practices, including low energy and water usage. The factory is also certified by the Business Social Compliance Initiative, which aims to improve working conditions throughout the supply chain.
- Suede leather upper, EVA sole
- Cork midsole with ultra-soft foam insole
- Come in 3 colors
- US women’s sizes 5-10
- $69.90
Birkenstock Boston Clog Alternatives
Birkenstock Boston Chunky Clog Review
My overall rating: 7/10 (Look 3/3, Comfort 2/3, Durability 2/2, Cost 0/2)
Pros: Unique and fun; adds a bit of height
Cons: Pricey; might be less timeless; not great for wide feet
If you’re looking to branch out from the classic clog look and want to try something a bit more fun, the Birkenstock Boston Chunky Clog could be the pair for you. I was immediately drawn to this fun green hue, which is an Anthropologie exclusive. But if the bright color isn’t for you, these also come in beige, black, and a gorgeous brown with a black sole.
As a short girly, I love the platform on these for some added height. I’m also a huge fan of the gold buckle and details. I’m excited to style these throughout the fall, but I think they’ll be super cute in the spring as well. I found that they run a bit more narrow than my classic Bostons, so they might not be great for wide feet. However, I’d consider myself to have a wider foot, and as soon as I loosened the buckle, they were fine. I also predict that they will stretch out a bit over time.
- Suede leather upper, EVA sole
- Contoured cork-latex footbed and suede footbed lining
- Come in 5 colors
- US women’s sizes 5-12/EU 36-42
- $150
UGG Goldenstar Clog Review
My overall rating: 8/10 (Look 3/3, Comfort 3/3, Durability 2/2, Cost 0/2)
Pros: Unique; two looks in one with the ankle strap; extra comfortable
Cons: Pricey
The UGG Goldenstar Clog is one of the shoes I was most excited to try. I’ve been seeing this style all over social media as the hot new UGG style of the year. I was never a huge fan of the uber-popular Tazz slipper, so I love that this style is more refined and a bit more low-key.
Although it seems kind of silly, I also really appreciate the option to pull the ankle strap back to make the shoe more secure. As mentioned, clogs can be really hard to keep on your feet, but the strap option eliminates the problem. If you plan to wear your clogs on the go, this could be a great solution for you.
I opted for the hickory color—a gorgeous, taupe-y brown—but these also come in the classic UGG colors of chestnut, black, and sand. Lastly, I really like the sole on these. They’re almost a mini platform, so you don’t feel like you’re walking so close to the ground, as with other clog styles. The insole is also extremely comfortable with no break-in time. It’s like walking on clouds!
- Suede leather upper, EVA sole
- 2-in-1 heel strap design
- Come in 4 colors
- US women’s sizes 5-12
- $130
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