Karl Birkenstock was on a roll. His creativity spurred him to design more groundbreaking styles over the next few years. In the fall of 1964, at the Foot and Shoe Trade Fair in Hamburg, he launched a new ‘closed model’, which later became known as the Zürich. In the design Karl kept the brutalist core. Again a clear silhouette was created, keeping the visibility of its construction.
This sandal featured a wide upper, available in both leather and wool versions for regular outdoor wear as well as indoor use as a slipper. The Madrid with its single strap wasn’t a typical shoe. Wearing a sandal wasn’t common in those days, especially for men, so the Zürich was designed with the same principles as the Madrid but to cover the foot. From the functional side, it appealed to motorists, older people and professionals, all of whom benefitted from the enhanced coverage, support and grip offered by the broader shape.
Meanwhile, both styles were embraced by members of alternative movements taking part in protests as well as the general public, who by now were coming around to the idea of health-promoting footwear. The design concept that had broken convention was moving step by step into the mainstream.