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Last October, the German footwear company Birkenstock went public with a valuation of more than $9 billion. The New York Times covered the moment with a retrospective, drawing a line from the easily recognized sandals and clogs "often worn by hippies and off-duty hikers" that built the brand to the fashion-focused collabs the company hopes will widen its appeal around the globe. Despite the push into the deeper mainstream, self-identifying Arizona-wearing dirtbags need fear not—Birkenstock is nurturing its earthy roots by expanding its outdoor collection, most recently with the release of the Mogami Terra sandal.
The Mogami Terra looks like an Arizona with an action strap and beefed up sole, but there's much more at play than that. The sandal similarly features two wide, buckled straps plus a contoured footbed that's been ortho-approved for decades. But beneath all that, there's a cushy midsole and a direct-injected outsole with TPU lugs for trail traction. In other words, there's more to the Mogami Terra than just a heel strap (which is easily adjustable via velcro, not a buckle, by the way).
Birkenstock made the Mogami Terra's upper using Birko-Flor, a synthetic alternative to the leather or suede Arizona owners might be familiar with, too. This key material update, along with the rest of the construction, make the sandal fully waterproof and thus amphibious, a prereq for any go-to adventure sandal.
And at a glance, the Mogami Terra does appear to have all the makings of a shoe capable of hiking, camping, canoeing, and more; Field Mag editors haven't had a chance to test just yet, but expect that it'll readily go toe-to-toe with Chacos, Tevas, and Bedrocks. After all, Birkenstock does have 250 years of sandal making experience...
Don't be surprised to see the Birkenstock Mogami Terra at the coffee shop paired with socks either though. Birkenstocks have lived there for a long time now, and the everlasting appeal of Gorpcore ensures that even this extra outdoorsy iteration will find a place far from hiking trails.
Published 03-01-2024
