When shopping for supportive footwear, it can be challenging to find sandals that meet your needs and your sense of style. We’ll compare 2 excellent choices for supportive footwear: Tread Labs’ Covelo sandals and Birkenstock’s Gizeh sandals. Both are premium offerings from strong brands. Let’s dive in.

The Basics –

• The Tread Labs Covelo sandal and the Birkenstock Gizeh sandal are both supportive slip-on sandals with a toe-post (think flip-flops).
• Birks are more casual and less water friendly. Tread Labs are sportier and less traditional.
• Birks are firmer initially but will conform to your feet. Tread Labs may be more comfortable to start but will retain their shape.
• Both appeal to a similar customer – someone looking for the comfort that arch support brings - in a look that fits their style.

Shop Women's Covelo

Shop Men's Covelo

What are the differences between Tread Labs Covelo and Birkenstock Gizeh?

This chart shows Birkenstock Gizeh (left) head-to-head with Tread Labs Covelo (right). It’s based on information taken from each company’s website and our own direct observation.

Should I buy Birkenstock Gizeh or Tread Labs Covelo?

Tread Labs and Birkenstock both offer a contoured footbed designed to support the arch and provide lasting comfort. The primary differences between the sandals come down to the materials used and the aesthetics. The one you choose just might come down to how you plan to use your sandals.

Versatility

The Gizeh is solidly in the casual sandal category. It’s a very popular style that is comfortable anywhere around town. You could wear them to the beach, but it wouldn’t be a good idea to get them wet. The EVA outsoles contribute cushioning and are fine for town use. They do not offer much traction or slip resistance.

The Covelo straddles the line between a casual sandal and a sport sandal. Its design is based on the midsole of a running shoe, which comes across clearly in the contours of the sandal. The quick-drying, water-friendly materials don’t mind a dunking, and the outsole provides good traction. Meanwhile, the minimalist design makes them infinitely versatile. You could easily dress these sandals up or down.

Fit

Both sandals offer good arch support, but they feel quite different. The Gizeh’s footbed is initially stiff, but softens up and conforms to the foot over time. This creates a break-in period, but also allows some customization of the fit. The arch on the Gizeh is not quite as high as the Covelo, but it comes farther forward. Birkenstock footbeds also feature ‘toe bars,’ raised areas that fit between the balls of your feet and the pads of your toes. They are very comfortable for many but can be a problem for people with long or short toes.

Tread Labs Covelo sandals feature arch contours derived from Tread Labs’ innovative insoles. The arch is pronounced and there is significant toe and heel spring. (This is the distance from the ground to the contact point of the sole at the very front and back of the sandal.) This contributes to a natural stride, as it allows the foot to roll forward into the next step. Look at any running shoe and you will see similar toe and heel spring. The ultralight polyurethane footbeds are comfortable from the start and soften just a bit.

Durability

The cork midsole of the Birkenstock is firm but will eventually mold to your foot. The natural suede top surface is very durable. The polyurethane of the Covelo is higher tech and will last much longer, especially with harder use. Cork can also dry out over time, necessitating a new coating of sealant to preserve the material.

The ultra-lightweight polyurethane midsole of Tread Labs offers firm resilient support and long-term durability. EVA is a good cushioning material but can wear out quickly—this is a drawback of the Gizeh’s EVA outsole. The Covelo has a durable rubber outsole for long-lasting grip.

Maintenance

The suede leather of the Gizeh and the microfiber suede of the Covelo are both nice and soft underfoot. Both will feel better than a sandal where your foot rests directly on EVA or some other plastic. The Gizeh has the advantage of being a natural material, while the Covelo is water friendly and machine washable. It comes down to how versatile your sandals need to be.

Value

Both sandals use premium materials and are backed by strong companies. The Gizeh is $10 less expensive, especially significant if you buy them in a store. The Covelo is slightly more expensive, but if bought on-line has the advantage of free shipping and returns. Also keep in mind the durability factor. The materials used by Tread Labs offer a longer-lasting outsole that you can put through the wringer. Both sandals are resoleable, a big advantage over cheaper alternatives.

Style

You must be the judge on this one. Birkenstock has been around for many years and has seen a resurgence in the last 10 years. Birks are very popular, have weathered more than a couple style trends and have many brand advocates. Their styles are iconic and while many of their models feature muted hues, they often break out of the box with trendy colors and finishes.

Tread Labs has a minimalist, Scandinavian look with simple lines and saturated colors. They look faster and sportier. The new kid on the block, they do not have decades of history and tradition.

The Bottom Line

While we are biased towards the versatility of the Tread Labs Covelo, we tip our hat to Birkenstock and the iconic products they make. Whether you go with the Gizeh or the Covelo, or another supportive sandal, your feet will thank you for giving them the support they need to thrive. Ultimately the final choice is best made by trying on both styles and seeing what your feet have to say.

Shop Women's Covelo

Shop Men's Covelo