Target Sells Super Cheap Birkenstock Dupes—Are They Just as Good?

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Few fashion items have had the trajectory that Birkenstocks has had over the past few decades, skyrocketing from a serious fashion faux pas to one of the must-have trendy items of the year. However, while the footwear may seem relatively straightforward, its careful design and high-quality production make it a surprisingly expensive item.

But lately, Target shoppers have taken to social media to point out what they consider a very convincing dupe . In a TikTok video posted in July, user @trishadawnjackson_ points out the big box retailer’s Betsy Clog Mule Flats by Universal Thread, calling them “Birkenstock lookalikes.”

And in a similar video , TikTok user @matttiiieee also gushes about the “Boston Birk dupes,” noting their resemblance to the popular Boston clogs made by the company.

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Birkenstock

“These clogs definitely look like classic Birkenstocks, and they’re super highly rated too: They have 4.5 stars from 119 ratings,” Julie Ramhold , consumer analyst with DealNews.com, tells Best Life .

But what makes the Universal Thread pair really shine is the price difference. “The Birkenstock Boston clog will set you back around $158, but these Betsy clog mule flats at Target are just $29.99,” Ramhold says. “Reviewers note that these are actually more comfortable than the Birkenstocks, as well, so while saving money, you may also be getting a more pleasant experience in general.”

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When it comes to dupes, it’s about more than just looks: Many shoppers try to justify the sacrifice in quality for deep savings. But in this case, Ramhold thinks there’s very little risk to grabbing a pair to try for yourself.

“As far as quality goes, reviewers seem to think they hold up pretty well, but even if they only last a season or two, for that price it’s not hard to justify the purchase,” she says. “If you can get 30 wears out of the shoes, that’s pretty much $1 per wear, which isn’t bad at all. And if you can get even more out of them, it’s even better!”

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Social media can make shopping discoveries like this one possible in a way that wasn’t possible a decade ago. But the fan fervor over the find creates another type of problem.

“They’re super popular, which means they may be gone soon,” Ramhold warns. “If you’re interested in these items, it’s worth running to your local Target ASAP to see if you can still nab a pair. I only saw sizes 9 and 11 available online in the Taupe color, though Black and Cognac had more sizes available.”