There’s a specific type of shoe that we all need but possibly don’t think about too much. I—as a person raised in the U.K.—call them bin shoes, though apparently their proper name is back-door shoes. They’re what you wear to take out the recycling, or let the dog out for a pee, or if you’re having breakfast in the yard in your PJs.
When I canvassed friends, I discovered most of us don’t actually wear them, eschewing them in favour of husbands’ or sons’ sneakers, flip-flops (no good if you’re wearing socks) or in my case, a pair of Vessis that I’ve destroyed by standing on the backs of them. Happily, you can actually buy real back-door shoes that meet my personal criteria: easy-on-and-off, waterproof and washable and (sorry entry-level Crocs) not too ugly.
OK, these aren’t exactly waterproof, but we’d love to be able to say our dog-walking shoes come from Dior. The brand teamed up with Birkenstock to create the Birkenstock Tokio Mules in suede with rubber details and industrial details, for the men’s winter 2022/2023 collection (available in June). Can’t wait that long? Another Birkenstock mashup, available now, sees the brand collide with famed pump producer Manolo Blahnik. The collaboration includes an update on classic sandal shapes, embellished with sparkling buckles.
Alternatively, we could tell folk our bin shoes come from Balenciaga, which has worked with (who else?) Crocs on a collection. They come in multiple colours and prints including a platform shoe with metal-effect studs and logo and the Crocs Madame, complete with stiletto heel. We love the eminently more practical tulip-printed Slide Sandal.
Vancouver’s Native Shoes has the Ava Bloom, a mule that is made from excess algae, through a manufacturing process that cleans the air. They’re pretty, slim-fitting, sustainable and sustainable.
Outdoor expert Baffin (another Canadian name) offers the Patio Clog, which is made from rubber, with a non-slip rubber sole, and has a slightly raised part at the heel so you’re protected from the elements without compromising the easy-on-and-offness of the shoe.
Who better to provide you with a waterproof shoe than Hunter, which offers its Play clog in rainbow pattern this season? Certified vegan, it’s handmade from natural rubber and has a recycled polyester lining and insole. —Aileen Lalor
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