Grey Ant Tevas and Jil Sander Birkenstocks: Would You Wear Them?

by Lindsay Mannering (Subscribe to Lindsay Mannering's posts)
Posted Jun 2nd 2011 at 2:00PM

Practical footwear is something we're really into around here (we hate being the girl who can't walk five blocks because her feet hurt), so when we noticed a trend in sporty and comfy high heels, our ears, and our feet, perked up.

Grey Ant x Teva Sandals

Teva and Grey Ant collaborated in December on a high-heel, high "fashion" Hurricane sandal, and we were not just a little shocked. While we're not sure who they're marketing this to (fashion-forward hipsters who rock climb on the weekends?) we were intrigued by the combination of the practical and the impractical.

Turns out Grey Ant and Teva aren't the only ones in the designer, high-heeled sport sandal market -- Jil Sander has ignored the Teva and has instead interpreted a five inch platform Birkenstock.

Jil Sander "Tiffany" Wedge Sandal

Let's compare and contrast, shall we?

The Grey Ant x Teva heels are interesting ... to say the least. At $330 a pair, they're kind of expensive for a funny novelty. We will, however, allow that they look extraordinarily comfortable for a four inch heel. Kinda kitschy, kinda hilarious, kinda genius ... we're not sure where we land with these.

On the other hand, the Jil Sander pair is easily recognizable as chic and simple -- even MS Sander, the former German designer of the label would be impressed with these clean lines. The buckles and the cork say practical and comfortable, the color and the style say fun and fashionable. For $550, we can see these having a little more staying power than, say, a pair of stiletto Tevas.

Either way, we guess we're pleased that there are some seriously reasonable, and utilitarian, open-toed heels to choose from this summer. Now if only we had a fashion-forward camping trip in the works ...

Tell us which pair you like better -- Jil Sander's high-heeled Birkenstock look, or Gray Ant x Teva's stiletto sandal?

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Filed under: Accessories, Designers & Brands, Shopping
Tags: grey ant, GreyAnt, jil sander, JilSander, sandals, Teva

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READER COMMENTS

(16)Add A Comment

Destiny, 6-03-2011, 5:20AM

I like the stiletto better than the wedge because it is cuter and less expensive.

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arubakt, 6-03-2011, 6:32AM

Both cute, neither look that comfortable but the platform more so than the heel. Both prices out of my pocketbook range-I am just too practical to spend that much on a shoe.(really-how much can these cost to make anyway?) Bigger priorities in my life than $300-$500 shoes! I will wait for the knock-offs!

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LaureenMT, 6-03-2011, 8:00AM

Birkenstocks are known for their comfort, which this shoe clearly does not have. It's not just the cork, it's the shape. No wonder the trademark "Birkenstock" does not appear on this shoe. Useless.

Amy, 6-03-2011, 9:21AM

Too bad Oprah and her best Bud, Gayle King didn't have these for their famous camping trip....I bet if they were on the market...THEY would have had them!!!!

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rinktwink, 6-03-2011, 9:22AM

To bad Oprah andd her best bud, Gayle King didn't know about these before they took that famous camping trip, as I a sure that they would have brought these along...LOL!

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Nancy, 6-03-2011, 9:47AM

Nice looking, but your foot is still bent in that high heel position, so I don't see how they can be as comfortable as a flatter shoe. And I don't spend $300 for a pair of shoes. I was at DSW and saw a pair of Teva sandals that had a low heel and were extremely comfortable but were $80 and I passed them up.

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jasmine, 6-03-2011, 10:53AM

I like the Grey Ant x Teva. It is classy and almost sexy. I do not like the Jull Sander at all. It is just ugly.

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jeri, 6-03-2011, 10:05AM

None would be comfortable and all would be damaging to your feet.

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jasmine, 6-03-2011, 10:57AM

Are you a doctor? Do you wear heels?

Bunnie, 6-03-2011, 12:37PM

No, I'm not a doctor. But from experience I can tell you, if you wear those shoes, you will eventually pay for it with pain and with cash (for a podiatrist.) You will have foot problems and possibly even surgeries as I have had. Line up a good podiatrist for future years.

jasmine, 6-03-2011, 11:02AM

What an UGLY comment to make!

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jasmine, 6-03-2011, 11:05AM

WHAT AN UGLY COMMENT TO MAKE!

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Nancy, 6-03-2011, 11:38AM

We all thought it was appaling of the old Chinese custom of foot binding especially the wealthier females. Isn't that what some vane fashion consious women are personally doing to themselves!!! I would like to wear heels at a more respectable height but they all hurt my feet and I am not in to that much missery just to look fashionable.

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JEREMY, 6-03-2011, 1:23PM

Women look better in flats than heels.
A lot less pressure on the ankles.
Flats make women's feet look better and feel better.
I defy ANYONE to argue with me on this.

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jo, 6-03-2011, 2:08PM

I wear Birkenstocks because of the comfortableness and great design for "happy" feet in my "old age". I would not wear any of those shoes. I don't need sore feet!

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