Five Slip-On Silhouettes that Prove That Clogcore is This Summer's Hottest Trend

If you haven’t already added a pair of mules or clogs to your summer rotation yet, let this be your sign to start thinking about it. Whilst they might not be everyone’s cup of tea, these humble slip-on styles are having quite the comeback, with just about every brand – from Salomon to Dior to New Balance - dipping their toes into the trend.

Although it might feel as if it's come out of nowhere, the trend has been gaining traction for a while. In fact, Crocs (arguably the pioneering force behind the movement, thanks to a reality TV cameo and a little help from Balenciaga) alone enjoyed over $3.55 billion in sales in 2022, and became the 8th most sought-after brand on The Sole Supplier site. Undoubtedly spurred on by 2020’s lockdown, the movement towards comfy and casual styles has seen slides, mules and clogs transcend their status as house shoes to become totally acceptable outdoor options too. So, whether you once shunned the slip-on wave and are now looking to add a pair to your collection, or you’re a through-and-through sneakerhead who might need a little more convincing, here are the pairs that prove that Clogcore is here to stay.

Salehe Bembury’s Crocs Pollex Clog was easily one of the most surprising success stories of the past few years, as the futuristic silhouette saw sky-high prices on the resale market. Having previously designed footwear for Yeezy and Versace, as well as being a frequent collaborator within the sneaker scene, Bembury’s take on Crocs’ classic clog saw him rework the infamous silhouette with a newly designed upper, crafted to mimic Bembury’s own fingerprint.

Since the first release, the resale prices have dropped a little, although some of the original colourways will still set you back around £400. However, with more pairs lined up for the remainder of 2023, this is a style we’re sure to be seeing a lot more of this summer!

Birkenstock has been riding high for a while now, part in thanks to last year’s Dior collaboration, but also because of its humble Boston Mule. Now a certified classic on the streetwear scene, the searches for the Birkenstock Boston are up a whopping 316% YoY, and retailers are struggling to keep them in stock.

Though the Birkenstock Boston might not look particularly comfy, let us reassure you - when that footbed is worn in, you won’t want to wear another shoe all summer. And nor will you need to. The Boston is the perfect pair to go with all your summer ‘fits - team it with a shirt and jeans for a smarter look, or jorts and a baggy tee for a more laid-back vibe.

Is it a sneaker? Is it a slide? No, it’s the New Balance 2002R Mule. One of the weirdest hybrids to hit the shelves last year, this pair definitely took New Balance’s dad shoe reputation to new levels. The days of dad treading down the backs of his sneakers to take the bins out were over, and the slip-on nature of the 2002R Mule transformed the recently resurrected running silhouette into the perfect house shoe.

The 2002R Mule is the definition of business in the front and party in the back, and is made up of the brand’s usual suede and mesh construction, albeit with a missing lace unit. Its defining comfy tech is still there though, as although any support around the heel was missing the shoe still sat atop the same ABZORB cushioning unit as its fully intact counterpart. Although no longer built for running, a comfy slip-on shoe is still a practical addition to any rotation, so the final boss of dad shoes has every right to sit alongside the other pairs on this list.

Now, if the Nike's MMW mules trigger your trypophobia, then don’t panic - adidas has come to your rescue. This Adifom pair quickly became one of the buzziest shoes of 2023, and had the sneaker world talking when it was revealed to be based on the Stan Smith. Now, we can’t see many pro tennis players rocking these on the court, but at home? That’s a different story.

Again utilising a one-piece foam construction, this chunky mule channels serious Bottega Veneta vibes, and would even appeal to the Crocs crowd. Made in part from recycled materials, the pair is also planet-friendly, so you can go about feeling extra smug as you wear them to take out your recycling.

Thought Gorpcore was all about being practical? Think again. This year, Salomon lopped the top off its XT-4 for its collaboration with MM6 Maison Margiela, and though massively impractical, it's still a must-cop for us. Realistically there’s no way that these will support you on a hike, but given Salomon’s run of success in the streetwear scene, we’re willing to bet that most pairs of XT-4s have never seen the side of a mountain anyway. With three colourways set to arrive later this year, we’re here for the high-fashion spin on the trend - so be sure to hit the release reminder above if you are too.

So, have you been convinced yet? If none of these pairs are your cup of tea, that’s totally fine, but with all the slip-on styles that are still set to drop this year, we reckon you’ll be rocking a pair of clogs in no time.

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