Birkenstock
Solana Charcoal Slide Sandals Men
The Birkenstock Solana is a men's slide sandal featuring a wide adjustable Velcro strap, genuine suede upper, and an anatomically shaped cork footbed lined with soft suede. It is designed for casual everyday wear and offers a regular/wide fit, a flexible non-skid EVA outsole, and is made in Germany (model 1031614). User reviews note that the extra stitching around the suede edges can feel stiff and scratchy initially, which may affect comfort for some wearers.
- Color
- Charcoal
- Material
- Genuine suede upper, cork footbed, EVA outsole
- Gender
- male
- Style
- casual, sporty
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Shoes
Color
Size
Specifications
Men's slide sandals with suede upper and anatomically shaped cork footbed for comfort and support.
Wide adjustable Velcro band, genuine suede upper, anatomically shaped cork footbed, flexible durable non-skid EVA outsole, regular/wide fit.
- Color
- Charcoal · gray
- Material
- Genuine suede upper, cork footbed, EVA outsole
- Secondary
- cork, eva
- Style
- casual, sporty
- Occasion
- everyday, vacation, beach-day
- Gender
- male
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Shoes
Additional Attributes
- genuine suede upper
- anatomically shaped cork footbed
- soft suede footbed cover
- flexible EVA outsole
- non-skid outsole
- durable construction
- wide adjustable Velcro band
- regular/wide fit
- made in Germany
- slide sandal style
- charcoal color
- lightweight (implied by EVA)
Product Insights
The Birkenstock Solana Charcoal Slide Sandal, priced at $180 CAD, offers the same Original cork-latex footbed as the Kyoto, which molds to the foot after 1–2 weeks and improves with age, paired with an infinitely adjustable hook-and-loop strap and soft suede upper for a locked-in fit, but requires tolerating a break-in period where the stiff suede and extra stitching can cause toe irritation that resolves as the suede softens, the suede may collapse when putting on, and the sandal demands care to avoid water damage, periodic cork sealing, and suede cleaning, yet its closed sides and deep heel cup provide stability, its 1-pound weight feels light, and Birkenstock's resoling service extends its long-term value.
Verified claims
- Upper comfort
- Buyers report the Solana's stitched suede strap is stiff and scratchy during break-in.
- Adjustability
- Solana's wide Velcro strap provides continuous micro-adjustment, avoiding the fixed-hole gaps of a metal buckle.
- Footbed
- The Solana and Kyoto share the same Original cork-latex footbed.
- Stitching irritation
- Extra stitching around the Velcro strap can irritate skin, but the suede softens within a few wears; wearing the strap slightly looser initially reduces the pressure.
- Strap adjustment
- The Velcro strap is individually adjustable and can be loosened to reduce stitching irritation.
- Comfort vs Kyoto
- Buyers report the Solana is less comfortable than the Kyoto, mainly due to extra stitching that can irritate skin.
- Break-in
- The Original cork footbed molds to your unique foot shape after 1–2 weeks.
- Durability
- Molded cork-latex footbed retains its shape and improves with years of use.
- Stability
- Closed sides and deep heel cup contain the foot, preventing shift while keeping toes and heel open for airflow.
- Weight
- At 1 pound per pair, the sandal feels light despite the full cork footbed and arch support.
- Adjustable fit
- Hook-and-loop strap and soft suede upper allow infinite adjustment for a locked-in fit.
- Upper collapse
- Buyers report the suede upper collapses, making it difficult to slide the foot in without adjusting the strap.
- Moisture wicking
- The suede footbed lining draws moisture away from the skin, reducing heat and friction during break-in.
- Size consistency
- Same regular/wide fit as Arizona and Kyoto.
- Initial fit
- Buyers report initial snugness from the wrap and stiff suede; the adjustable strap and break-in resolve it.
- Closure
- Birkenstock replaced metal buckles with hook-and-loop straps for infinite adjustment.
- Water sensitivity
- Avoid water: the suede can stain and the cork footbed can be damaged; after light splashes, dab the sandals dry immediately.
- Suede care
- Clean the suede upper by gently brushing with a suede cleaner or eraser.
- Cork care
- Wipe the cork footbed with a damp cloth and mild soap, then apply cork sealer periodically to prevent drying; Birkenstock offers resoling to replace the outsole and refresh the footbed.
- Resoling service
- Birkenstock's resoling service replaces the outsole and refreshes the footbed
- Maintenance
- Apply cork sealer periodically to prevent the cork footbed from drying.
- Long-term value
- The $180 CAD footbed lasts a decade; resoling further extends life
- Arch support
- After the 1–2 week cork footbed break-in, most wearers report the Solana becomes comfortable for all-day use and the arch support shifts from intrusive to supportive.
- Cushioning
- The Solana's EVA outsole is an elastic, highly cushioned material that smooths floor irregularities.
Product record
- Title
- Solana Charcoal Slide Sandals Men
- Brand
- Birkenstock
- Price
- 180 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
A pair of charcoal slide sandals worn on feet; each has a single wide charcoal upper strap, exposed toes, a contoured cork-coloured footbed, and a black rubber outsole visible against sand.
- Upper strap materialSingle wide charcoal strap across forefoot with a soft, slightly textured surface consistent with suede or nubuck.
2 regions
x 0.20 · y 0.78 · w 0.32 · h 0.14 (high); x 0.58 · y 0.80 · w 0.30 · h 0.12 (high) - Open toeForefoot opening revealing toes; strap does not fully cover toes.
2 regions
x 0.22 · y 0.86 · w 0.20 · h 0.08 (high); x 0.70 · y 0.86 · w 0.14 · h 0.09 (high) - Footbed materialContoured cork-coloured footbed visible around toes and sides, with a natural textured appearance.
2 regions
x 0.20 · y 0.84 · w 0.40 · h 0.14 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.82 · w 0.38 · h 0.16 (high) - OutsoleVisible black rubber outsole with a thin profile under the cork footbed.
2 regions
x 0.18 · y 0.92 · w 0.38 · h 0.06 (medium); x 0.56 · y 0.94 · w 0.36 · h 0.04 (medium) - Visible wear surfaceSlight creasing and natural foot impressions on the footbed near the toe area.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.84 · w 0.20 · h 0.10 (medium)
Other
Lifestyle scene showing a seated person wearing jeans and a patterned blanket, with a sandy ground and a metal chair leg visible; warm, diffused lighting with soft shadows.
- Shot compositionFramed from mid-thigh down to feet, subject seated with legs spread; focus on lower body and sandals.
- Clothing propsLight blue denim jeans with visible seam stitching covering ankles and draping over sandals.
1 region
x 0.14 · y 0.26 · w 0.72 · h 0.60 (high) - Blanket or robeMulticolour patterned blanket or robe with orange, beige, and teal stripes draped over the subject's lap and visible behind legs.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.02 · w 0.88 · h 0.36 (high) - Hand accessoriesHands resting on lap with multiple silver rings and a bracelet visible above the knees.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.04 · w 0.32 · h 0.12 (high) - Ground surfaceBrown sandy surface with visible footprints and textured sand surrounding the feet.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.72 · w 1.00 · h 0.28 (high) - Chair legCurved metal chair leg visible at left edge, indicating a seated prop.
1 region
x 0.02 · y 0.58 · w 0.12 · h 0.26 (high)
Colors
charcoal· upper strap#3D3A34cork tan· footbedblack· outsole#13130C- Upper strap materialSingle wide charcoal strap across forefoot with a soft, slightly textured surface consistent with suede or nubuck.
- 02
Product
Top-down view of a pair of charcoal gray suede slide sandals with single wide angled straps and contoured tan suede/cork footbeds showing heel cups and toe impressions.
- Overall layoutTwo slide sandals placed side-by-side in a top-down view, left and right soles visible with straps covering forefoot area; toes open.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.04 · w 0.88 · h 0.92 (high) - Upper strap shapeEach sandal has one wide single-piece strap that covers the forefoot; the strap top edge is cut on a shallow diagonal slant and extends to the shoe sides.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.08 · w 0.42 · h 0.36 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.08 · w 0.42 · h 0.36 (high) - Upper material and finishStraps appear to be suede with a uniform short-nap texture and matte finish in a charcoal gray tone.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.08 · w 0.42 · h 0.36 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.08 · w 0.42 · h 0.36 (high) - Footbed constructionFootbeds are tan and have a suede-like wearing surface over a contoured cork base with visible heel cups and raised toe area.
2 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.36 · w 0.36 · h 0.54 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.36 · w 0.36 · h 0.54 (high) - Visible stitchingSingle-line topstitching follows the outer edge of each strap near the top edge, visible in matching thread.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.08 · w 0.42 · h 0.08 (medium); x 0.52 · y 0.08 · w 0.42 · h 0.08 (medium) - Sole edgeThin darker outsole edge is visible around the perimeter of each footbed, contrasting with the tan footbed.
2 regions
x 0.08 · y 0.34 · w 0.44 · h 0.62 (medium); x 0.50 · y 0.34 · w 0.44 · h 0.62 (medium) - Inner-print text (left shoe)“BIRK”Partial
1 region
x 0.16 · y 0.38 · w 0.18 · h 0.12 (medium) - Inner-print text (right shoe)“BIRK”Partial
1 region
x 0.62 · y 0.38 · w 0.18 · h 0.12 (medium)
Other
Studio-style top-down product shot on a light neutral background with soft shadows; even diffuse lighting and slight shadow under soles.
- Background and lightingPlain light gray background with even diffuse illumination and soft drop shadows beneath each sandal toward the bottom of the frame.
- Image crop and framingShoes centered in frame with small margins; both sandals fully visible and slightly separated by a small gap.
- Shadow detailSoft circular shadows appear below the heels and outer edges, indicating overhead lighting.
Colors
charcoal gray· upper strap#64646Atan suede· footbed surface#C39D6Bdark charcoal· outsole edge#232324- Overall layoutTwo slide sandals placed side-by-side in a top-down view, left and right soles visible with straps covering forefoot area; toes open.
- 03
Product
Left-side profile of a single charcoal suede slide sandal showing a single wide adjustable upper strap with visible suede texture, cork midsole, tan suede footbed surface, and a black textured rubber outsole.
- View and orientationLeft side profile view of one slide sandal, showing full lateral outline from toe to heel.
1 region
x 0.03 · y 0.56 · w 0.94 · h 0.35 (high) - Upper materialSingle wide overlapping upper made of textured suede material in a charcoal gray tone with visible nap and stitched edge at the top flap.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.58 · w 0.60 · h 0.23 (high) - Adjustable flapProminent top flap forming an overlapping closure across the instep with visible rectangular stitched seam along the flap edge.
1 region
x 0.46 · y 0.58 · w 0.30 · h 0.18 (high) - Footbed surfaceVisible tan suede or nubuck footbed surface with a slightly darker heel cup area and a smooth worn-texture appearance.
1 region
x 0.52 · y 0.69 · w 0.42 · h 0.12 (high) - Cork midsoleExposed cork midsole running the full length of the sandal, showing a granular cork texture and a warm light-brown color.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.71 · w 0.86 · h 0.08 (high) - OutsoleBlack rubber outsole with shallow wave-like tread profile visible along the lower edge.
1 region
x 0.03 · y 0.78 · w 0.94 · h 0.10 (high) - Toe and heel visibilityOpen toe at front showing footbed edge; heel area is slightly raised with continuous cork midsole visible at rear.
2 regions
x 0.52 · y 0.66 · w 0.31 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.06 · y 0.66 · w 0.20 · h 0.12 (high)
Other
Studio product shot on a light gray seamless background with soft even lighting and subtle shadow beneath the sandal.
- Background and stagingNeutral light gray seamless backdrop occupying the full frame with no props.
- Lighting and shadowSoft diffuse lighting from above producing a faint shadow directly underneath the sandal and minimal specular highlights on suede nap.
1 region
x 0.03 · y 0.82 · w 0.94 · h 0.10 (medium) - Image crop and compositionSandal centered horizontally in the lower half of the image with large empty space above; product is fully visible and not cropped.
Colors
charcoal gray· upper (suede)#5C5E61tan· footbed surface#838484light cork brown· cork midsole#7A7C7Cblack· outsole- View and orientationLeft side profile view of one slide sandal, showing full lateral outline from toe to heel.
Brand PDP Lookup
- Brand
- Birkenstock
Solana Suede Leather
Documents & Data
Reddit Insights
1 threads · r/BirkenstocksReddit users report that the Birkenstock Solana slide sandal is disappointing compared to the Kyoto due to stiff, scratchy stitching and less flexibility.
The thread is titled 'disappointed in the solana' and comments describe returning the sandal due to irritation from stitching.
Themes
Watch Out For
Compared To
vs Birkenstock Kyoto
The Solana is less comfortable than the Kyoto due to larger Velcro and extra stitching around the edges, making the suede stiff and scratchy.
Source Threads
User compares Solana to Kyoto, noting comfort issues with Solana
The Solana had much bigger Velcro and the extra stitching around all the edges, which made the suede very stiff and scratchy, which bothered my toes.
u/Cool_Lab8988View thread →