GERMAN footwear maker Birkenstock, whose roots can be traced back to 1774, joins forces with Filson, the American heritage brand outfitting explorers and adventurers for over 127 years, for an exclusive collaboration.
A true fusion of both brands’ legacies of supreme quality, storied craftsmanship, and timeless designs, the collection of three new styles has been engineered to wander the wilderness of the modern world, emphasising their inherent traditions of fine craftsmanship, function and an authentic connection to the earth.
Separated by continents but cut from the same cloth, the collaboration recalls the natural environment of the American North by applying rustic finishings to earthly materials like Mackinaw wool, waxed cotton and leather.
Birkenstock x Filson
Combining Filson’s distinct ‘Original Alaska Outfitter’ heritage with the DNA of Birkenstock, the collaboration imagines rough-hewn, practical footwear with a rustic, bushcraft identity. Shades of forest green, flame orange, mink and roast browns comprise the elemental colour palette, while a custom stamped logo or an antique brass ring-buckle ornament the facades of each silhouette.
The collection introduces the London Methow, Lahti and Skykomish to the collaborative repertoire with their own unique combinations of ease and durability. Designed as a low-top shoe, the London Methow is constructed with an adjustable buckled strap and unlined, malleable leather soft enough to feel the sensation of earth beneath your feet.
Birkenstock x Filson
Lahti is a soft hunting boot with a cosy, collapsible upper in Filson’s signature Mackinaw wool, complete with an anti-slip outsole. The Skykomish is a rustic yet utilitarian-style boot with a Filson tin cloth upper and a textured, rubber mudguard perfectly suited for city-park promenades and mountain treks alike.
Birkenstock x Filson
The Lahti and Skykomish boots from the collaboration showcase a standout feature: Birkenstock’s signature Deep Blue footbed. Easily inserted and removed, this anatomically shaped footbed, inspired by natural foot movement, offers exceptional support and pressure distribution.
Perfect for those seeking Birkenstock’s unique support, the Deep Blue Footbed fosters a barefoot-like sensation, making it an ideal feature for this collection.
by Chidozie Obasi