A Clog-Shopping Guide: The Good, The Rad, & The Fugly

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A Clog-Shopping Guide: The Good, The Rad, & The Fugly

Fashion may need clogs, but clogs don’t need fashion. The shoe style has long thrived on the sartorial sidelines, happily occupying space inside the functional footwear category without requiring recognition. While sometimes known to unfurl its freak flag, the clog never sheds its core traits of function, dependability, comfort, and relative affordability. Despite its occasional appearance in the limelight, the chunky classic is a steadfast foot supporter that crosses styles and decades. Thus, I present to you, my love letter to the clog: The uber-functional, super-comfortable, and (most of the time) good-for-your-feet shoe.
 
The upshot of the 2023s clodhopping renaissance, however, is that there are more clog options (ahem, cloptions) out there than ever, rendered in materials like wood, cork, leather, rubber, felt, and foam. We’re getting down to the what — aka all of the clogs on the internet that we think are worthy of your time and coin.

We left no clog unturned, rounding up kicks from every type of brand, whether it’s the working Dansko clog to trendy Everlane, indies like Charlotte Stone, and Crocs (yes, really). Consider this your clog-shopping guide — a cataclog, if you will — to every good, rad, and fugly style of this eternal footwear.

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Old intro

Fashion may need clogs, but clogs don’t need fashion. The shoe style has thrived for centuries on the sartorial sidelines, happily occupying space inside the functional footwear category without requiring recognition. While sometimes known to unfurl its freak flag, the clog never sheds its core traits of function, dependability, comfort, and relative affordability. Although 2020 may be crowned the golden age of clogs, the same trend title can also be awarded to the years of 2016, 2005, and even 1976. Despite its occasional appearance in the limelight, the chunky classic is a steadfast foot supporter that crosses styles and decades.
 
The upshot of the 2023s clodhopping renaissance, however, is that there are more clog options (ahem, cloptions) out there than ever, rendered in materials like wood, cork, leather, rubber, felt, and foam. We’re getting down to the what — aka all of the clogs on the internet that we think are worthy of your time and coin.

We left no clog unturned, rounding up kicks from stalwart brands like Dansko to up-and-comers like Everlane, indies like Charlotte Stone, and of course, Crocs (yes, really). Consider this your clog-shopping guide — a cataclog, if you will — to every good, rad, and fugly style of this eternal footwear.

Jenni Kayne Shearling-Lined Moc Clog

Jenni Kayne’s shearling-lined take on this traditional shoe is the stuff clouds are made of. “I had to size up from an 8 to a 9 in these but they are so cozy and comfy. I wear these out And get compliments all the time. JK quality is just so good, yes it’s that good. I’ve never had an item that isn’t amazing,” wrote Kelly R., a Jenni Kayne customer.

Shop Jenni Kayne

FP Movement Halftime Clog, $, available at Free People

FP Movement Halftime Clog

Whether you’re hitting the gym or stomping around your house, these sleek PVC clogs are great for an easy on and off. Maybe pair them with some funky socks if you’re feeling it.

Shop FP Movement

FP Movement Halftime Clog, $, available at Free People

Intentionally Blank Risen Platform Mule

If you want a basic, no-frills mule that goes with everything, Intentionally Blank has the shoe for you. We love the simple yet well-made design that includes a memory foam footbed for the dogs.

Shop Intentionally Blank at Madewell

Intentionally Blank Risen Platform Mule, $, available at Madewell

Naot Fiord Clog

Based in Israel, Naot makes some pretty cool (and comfortable) kicks. Really, these are American Podiatric Medical Association-accepted, meaning they promote good foot health! Affiliate Writer Becca Sax has a few pairs of shoes from the brand, including the Fiord. They are the perfect grandpa-chic shoe to complete any look.

Shop Naot

Naot Fiord Clog, $, available at Naot

Birkenstock Boston Suede Leather Clog

And now the shoe that no clog love letter could do without: The Boston. Made in Germany, it offers all-day support with Birkenstock’s EVA sole, specially crafted to provide lightweight support. This taupe suede can easily go with any outfit no matter the season.

Shop Birkenstock

Birkenstock Boston Suede Leather Clogs, $, available at Bloomingdale’s

Melissa Zoe Mule

Melissa is adored for its fun rainbow of jelly shoes in a number of silhouettes. We are throwing it back to the ’90s with jelly shoes. Yes, that’s right, Melissa has blessed us with some colorfully squishy mules that are sure to brighten anyone’s day. If green isn’t your color, there’s also a pretty pink and black.

Shop Melissa

Melissa Zoe Mule, $, available at Melissa

Maguire Gaia Pink Clog

Barbie-mania may be settling down (unfortunately), but pink is in style year-round. Get in on the action with these hot-pink suede clogs.

Shop Maguire

Maguire Gaia Pink Clog, $, available at Maguire

Birkenstock Tokyo Super Grip Slingback Clog

Birkenstock is an OG when it comes to clogs, so new updates to the brand’s classic styles are always worth a closer look. On these easy-going slingbacks, you can expect a “Super Grip” non-slip sole, which makes running those “slip-on-and-go” errands in winter weather a tad more bearable.

Shop Birkenstock

Birkenstock Birkenstock Tokyo Super Grip Slingback Clog, $, available at Zappos

Simon Miller Platform Bubble Clog

Simon Miller has always made a nice array of investment-worthy pieces, but these best-selling clogs have our jaws dropped. They come in an array of colors, including blue, silver, and other neutrals that are just the right amount of chunky and sleek. Can you imagine these with thick socks in the colder months?!

Shop Simon Miller

Simon Miller Platform Bubble Clog, $, available at Simon Miller

Crocs Siren Clog

Say goodbye to that last shred of resistance against Crocs. The reign of this rubber shoe is fully upon us, and it’s no longer ironic, thanks to these platform Crocs that are sure to make any outfit effortlessly cool.

Shop Crocs

Crocs Siren Clog, $, available at Crocs

Dansko Professional Clog

Our love for Dansko is well-documented, so we won’t spend too much time on it here. What we haven’t discussed are the latest additions to its print canon — like this heart-happy pattern in a patent-leather finish. However, if you’re looking for a more subtle iteration, this writer recommends the black patent leather for a look that’s elevated but still clog.

Shop Dansko

Dansko Professional Clog, $, available at Dansko

FitFlop Shuv

Founded in 2007, FitFlop is an orthopedic footwear brand that uses biomechanics to inform the design of its shoes. It means that these clogs are guaranteed to keep you feeling aligned and supported all day — and you can be certain this style is backed by science. The Shuv is also backed by two clog-loving members of the R29 Shopping team.

Shop Fitflop

FitFlop FitFlop Shuv™, $, available at Zappos

Charlotte Stone Amaro Clog Boot

California cool-girl brand Charlotte Stone has cornered the market on colorful, carefree heels. The Amaro is the boot version of the brand’s beloved Martino clog. The clog boot features a 2.5-inch heel adorned with little studded flowers — it’s giving ’90s baby!

Shop Charlotte Stone

Charlotte Stone Amaro Clog Boot, $, available at Charlotte Stone

Everlane Puffa Clog

Everlane’s take on the puff clog is perfection. The leather-covered wedge adds sheer style to any outfit. Plus, the leather used in the clog is sourced from a Leather Working Group Gold-certified tannery, meaning there is transparency and accountability within the leather supply chain.

Shop Everlane

Everlane The Puffa Clog, $, available at Everlane

Lotta From Stockholm Swedish Clogs

While you’ll often see clogs in muted natural tones like tan, brown, and black, we love a clodhopper in a nice, eye-catching hue — like this cherry-red pair from affordable footwear brand Lotta From Stockholm. (See also: a patent-leather lace-front style from Etsy clog merchant Verka.)

Shop Lotta From Stockholm

Lotta From Stockholm Swedish Clogs, $, available at Etsy

Bottega Veneta Flash Rubber Clogs

The ugly clog trend is officially a thing when the season’s most coveted shoe is a seamless waterproof slingback clog from famed Italian luxury brand Bottega Veneta.

Shop Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta Flash Rubber Clogs, $, available at Bergdorf Goodman

Swedish Hasbeens Husband Clog

Another big name in the clog game, Stockholm-based Swedish Hasbeens pushes the limits of the traditional style with flashy finishes and creatively woven uppers, but it’s the no-frills “Husband” style — a stapled slip-on with a classic upper strap — that customers flock to.

Shop Swedish Hasbeens

Swedish Hasbeens Husband Clog, $, available at Zappos

Cordani Zorba Clogs

A clog to know? The Zorba, a classic, Italian-made style from Boston-based comfort footwear brand Cordani. This slip-on shoe features a rubber-coated wooden base, polished suede upper, and our favorite detail — a subtle nailhead trim. The Zorba is one of the brand’s most-requested styles, but we’re also seriously eyeing the Zandie, its ankle-height boot style.

Shop Cordani

Cordani Zorba Clog, $, available at Nordstrom

Maguba Berkeley Clog

This new-ish Swedish brand has an eco-conscious offering (in addition to colorful and well-priced footwear): For every pair of wooden shoes purchased, the company plants a tree in partnership with the non-profit WeForest.

Shop Maguba

Maguba Berkeley Clog, $, available at Maguba

Sandgrens Nubuck Leather Clogs

Sandgren, a heritage Swedish clog brand that’s been in the wooden-footwear biz since 1846, still makes its premium clogs in Sweden — each pair takes a full 24 hours to construct.

Shop Sandgrens

Sandgrens Olive Wooden Clogs, $, available at Etsy

Sanita Estelle Clog

A shiny Pepto-pink slip-on from heritage Danish clog-maker Sanita will definitely banish winter blues.

Shop Sanita

Sanita Estelle Clog, $, available at Amazon

Troentorp Wright Leather Clog

This Swedish brand was founded over 100 years ago in the town of — you guessed it — Troentorp. We love the subtle braiding on the upper of the Wright, a best-seller that’s been in the brand’s collection since the 1970s

Shop Troentorp

Troentorp Wright Leather Clog, $, available at Amazon

Rachel Comey Bose Clog

While this beloved indie brand gets a lot of credit for its mid-aughts-defining Mars Boot, Rachel Comey’s contributions (clog-tributions?) to the canon should not be overlooked. The designer’s premium wares don’t come cheap, but these clogs boast design details like no other.

Shop Rachel Comey

Rachel Comey Rachel Comey Bose Clog, $, available at Rachel Comey

Baffin Patio Clog

These treaded rubber slip-ons could have shuffled off the Loewe’s Fall/Winter runway, but they’re actually gardening clogs from Canadian boot outfit Baffin.

Shop Baffin

Baffin Patio Clog, $, available at Zappos

Calzuro Classic Washable Clog

Shopping savants have long embraced this low-heel rubber clog, manufactured in Italy for medical professionals — which, owing to their European provenance, are chicer than they need to be. “Nurse for seven years, usually wear Dansko or sneakers,” wrote reviewer Monica Wells on Amazon. “Just changed to an OR position and a lot of the surgeons, techs and other nurses swear by these, so I decided to give them a go. After a month and a half later of wearing them I am so pleased. Plan on ordering another pair to put into rotation.”

Shop Calzuro

CALZURO Classic Autoclavable Clog, $, available at Amazon

Hunter Gardener Clogs

We know this British heritage brand for its oh-so-English knee-high galoshes, but upon probing their inventory we discovered a low-heeled rubber clog that will look smashing as you walk the grounds of your Cotswolds estate.

Shop Hunter

Hunter Gardener Clogs, $, available at Hunter

OOFOS Unisex OOCloog

No, it’s not a typo — this ardently beloved “cloog” from foam-footwear brand OOFOS is the comfort brand’s foot-hugging take on the increasingly ubiquitous trend. While it might not be the easiest on the eyes, the reviews don’t lie. “These are the most unsexy shoes a person could possibly put on their feet. However, they are just pure bliss to wear,” wrote Amazon reviewer Erin. “Out of the box, they are the most comfortable thing you will ever put on your feet. Seriously, shut up and just buy them.”

Shop Amazon

OOFOS Unisex OOCloog, $, available at Amazon

Steve Madden Study Leather Clog

If you’re looking for a statement clog, opt for this slip-on style with an in-your-face chunky gold chain strapped across the top.

Steve Madden Study leather slip on clog with chunky gold chain, $, available at ASOS

Dansko Professional Clog

Our ardor for Dansko is well-documented, so we won’t spend too much time on it here. (Fellow fangirls are welcome to read our endorsements of the brand’s limited-run leopard and neon-hued colorways.) What we haven’t discussed are the latest additions to their print canon — like this heart-happy pattern in a patent leather finish. However, if you’re looking for a more subtle iteration, this writer recommends the black patent leather for a look that’s elevated, but still clog.

Shop Dansko

Dansko Professional Fragment Patent, $, available at Dansko

Everlane Clog

Everlane’s classic twist on the wood-soled style needs no qualifier — it’s simply “The Clog.” Rendered with the brand’s signature aesthetic restraint, the slip-on style is a steal at $98.

Everlane The Clog, $, available at Everlane

Santa Venetia Clog

The price points may be steep, but for good reason — all Santa Venetia clogs are crafted entirely by hand at the brand’s Bay Area studio. That means every stitch is manually sewn, every nail is individually hammered, and every upper is thoughtfully manufactured in batches by a small embroidery team. Who knew there was such a thing as couture clogs?

Alex Steele x Santa Venetia Alex Steele x Santa Venetia, $, available at Santa Venetia

Tory Burch Tory Charm Mule

This perfect high-low hybrid of a clog involves a crunchy, Birkenstock-like sole with a deluxe, designer-approved leather upper, complete with the trademark Tory Burch hardware logo on top.

Tory Burch Tory Charm Mule, $, available at Nordstrom

Bottega Veneta Puddle Rubber Clogs

The ugly clog trend is officially a thing when the season’s most coveted shoe is a seamless waterproof slingback clog from famed Italian luxury fashion brand Bottega Veneta.

Bottega Veneta Puddle rubber clogs, $, available at Net-A-Porter

Crocs Classic Platform Clog

Say goodbye to that last shred of resistance against the tide of Crocs’ creep into the fashion-sphere — the reign of this rubber shoe is fully upon us, and it’s no longer ironic, thanks to highly covetable prints that are sure to add an effortless cool to any outfit.

Crocs WOMEN’S CLASSIC PLATFORM TIE-DYE GRAPHIC CLOG, $, available at Crocs

Maguba Berkeley Clog

This new-ish Swedish brand has an eco-conscious offering (in addition to colorful and well-priced footwear): For every pair of wooden shoes purchased, the company plants a tree in partnership with the non-profit WeForest.

Shop Maguba

Maguba Berkeley Silver, $, available at Maguba

Madewell The Layne Clog Mule in Nubuck and Shearling

Madewell’s current take on this traditional footwear is lined with the fuzzy stuff. “I loved these so much that as soon as they arrived and I tried them on, I ordered a black pair that is not shearling lined. If you’re on the fence, buy them. Once the word is out, they will be sold out,” wrote a customer on Madewell.com.

Madewell The Layne Clog Mule in Nubuck and Shearling, $, available at Madewell

Kulikstyle Leather Clogs

The oversize buckle on these pumpkin-orange nubuck clogs from Polish brand Kulik make for an unexpected take on a time-tested standard.

Kulikstyle Leather Clogs, $, available at Etsy

MIA Abba Clog

While you might know contemporary brand MIA for a wealth of footwear styles, you might not know that they actually started out as Mia Clogs in the 1970s. And we’d venture that their best-selling, disco-inspired wood-heel platform is still one of their coolest kicks.

MIA Shoes Abby Clog, $, available at Free People

adidas Adilette Clog Slide Sandal

As of press time, it’s been 16 days since Adidas launched a close-toed version of their ubiquitous Adilette slide, and the sporty rubberized shoe is already sold out on the brand’s website. Luckily, we found a few on Amazon, but don’t delay in carting — when the hypebeasts come for a style, you can bet it won’t stick around for long.

Adidas Adilette Clog Slide Sandal, $, available at Amazon

Simon Miller Vegan Bubble Clog

Simon Miller has always made a nice array of investment-worthy vegan leather goods, but they just dropped these clogs and our jaws also dropped. They come in an array of colors including black, white, and rusty orange, and are just the right amount of chunky and sleek. Can you imagine these with a thick sock in the colder months?!

Simon Miller vegan bubble clog, $, available at Simon Miller

Lindy Clog Boot

California cool-girl brand Charlotte Stone has cornered the market on colorful, carefree heels. The brand’s Marlo clog is a Shopping team fave — one of our editors may or may not own more than one pair. “Hot ‘n’ chunky in the only good way possible,” wrote customer Darcy on the brand’s website. “The fit is perfect and there’s enough flexibility in the leather to wear with wool socks if that’s your thing (it’s def my thing). The footbed is soft, unlike most traditional wood clogs, making them ideal for all-day wear. The sole is grippy enough to stride in, but not so grippy that you fear for your ankles. So excited to get to wear these outdoors and around other humans who can admire them with me!”

Charlotte Stone LINDY, $, available at Charlotte Stone

No.6 Pull On Shearling Boot

Arguably responsible for ushering clogs into the 21st century for a certain type of Brooklynite, downtown label No. 6 is probably the most synonymous with the hipster-creative trope that often gets bandied about in #clogversation. While the brand makes plenty of classic, below-the-ankle slip-on styles, we wanted to give a nod to the mid heel booties — still unquestionably chic after over a decade on the scene.

No. 6 No.6 Pull On Shearling Mid Heel Boots, $, available at Shopbop

Jessica Simpson Tiarah Platform Clog

In this edition of celeb-branded footwear, we’ve got the new heeled platform clog from aughts star Jessica Simpson — which features a very cute patchwork design that will liven up any T-shirt-and-jeans outfit.

Jessica Simpson TIARAH PLATFORM CLOG, $, available at DSW

Universal Thread Maisie Clog Boots

We’re aware that many clogs — especially the Swedish-inspired styles with the traditional wooden soles — don’t come cheap. But thanks to Target’s in-house line Universal Thread, you can now give the ol’ clog trend a clomp for less than $40.

Universal Thread Maisie Clog Boots, $, available at Target

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