Cheaper alternatives to Birkenstock Boston for a committed Birkie lover

[Thumbtwiddler]

Help me please mumsnetters.

From spring to autumn I live in my Birkenstock sandals, and in winter I manage to force my feet into a pair of men's leather boots for the school run then revert to my slippers or plastic gardening clogs once I am working from home.

This time of year I really need a shoulder season shoe. I love my Birkie sandals because they fit my feet perfectly and suit my "style" (using that term loosely.) I really want the Birkenstock Bostons in oiled leather (not suede - I want the shoe to have some solidity) that I can wear over socks with jeans. But £140 is just too much.

I know there are alternatives but are there any true Birkenstock afficionados out there who have tried and tested a cheaper pair of mules and can confirm they're up to scratch? I've bought fake Birkie sandals a couple of times before and always end up back at Birkies because I want the thicker leather and properly moulded foot bed - I swore I wouldn't bother with pretend Birkies again.

Can anyone help? I don't want to use Vinted as I want to make sure the fit is right so need to be able to return. My usual size is EU40 (6.5/7) in standard fit.

Ideally would spend up to £50 but could stretch for a really solid recommendation.

Try Dr Brinkmann. Closest fit to Birkenstocks that I’ve found. I have a pair of leather bostonalikes that are now in their fourth year and still look great.

I bought these for under £30 as there is always a reduction on one of the sizes and I was lucky.

I’ve bought all my Birkenstocks from vinted!

Grünland are better than recent Birkenstock IMO as you’re more likely to get real leather or suede than whatever plastic mixture “Birkenflor vegan leather” is.

Boston dupe Grünland

Useful, thanks.

Does anyone have a pair of the Fitory copies you see advertised online? What are they like?

I've got the ones you're taking about, they do last well. Stalk shops for sales? Lots of retailers sell them and will discount a final pair. I don't know how to set up Google alerts, but I think this would be a good occasion to use one.

Thanks everyone!
@Jins I looked at those earlier, recommended on a previous thread (by you maybe?!) They look good but I don't love the branding printed on the side of the shoe.
I've just ordered the Scholl Olivier clogs from Debenhams in their sale so am going to try those but if no good I will try the Grunland ones. Thanks @Sgtmajormummy for the recommendation, they look good.

I have had great luck with my last two pairs of sandals in charity shops! But as I want to be able to wear the mules over socks I want to try and be able to return if necessary so probably need to buy new this time.

I went into Schuh and spent a while trying on Bostons with or without socks and got my perfect size. I wasn’t 100% on them and didn’t want to pay £140 but then bought a brand new, in box pair on Vinted for £56.