How to turn your Birkenstock Lutry Clogs into Barefoot Shoes
Learn how to replace the cork insoles in your Birkenstock Lutry clogs with wool insoles for better natural foot function. This step-by-step guide shows you how to DIY barefoot clogs.
Clogs are trending right now, and they’re an easy, comfy style to pair with a casual outfit. The Birkenstock Lutry is a cute and well-made clog, but like all Birkenstocks, it comes with an overly stiff and supportive cork insole. For someone that wears barefoot shoes, it feels more like a cast than a shoe. I want my feet to be able to move naturally, and the cork insole makes that impossible.
Luckily, the insole is pretty easy to pop out on the Lutry clog, and you’re left with a slip-on shoe that has a nice, wide toe box and a pretty flexible sole. I replaced the cork with a wool insole that I cut down for size, and now I have a cozy, comfortable barefoot clog that’s good for my feet.
Why use the Birkenstock Lutry?
It’s true, there are barefoot clogs that don’t need any modifications. But, none of them quite fit the style and quality I was looking for. Birkenstock shoes are known for being exceptionally well-made, and as someone that typically can’t buy the conventional, trendy brand, it was an easy way to modify the shoe and get exactly what I wanted.
While these Birkenstock clogs are a similar price point to many of the barefoot clogs, it’s more likely that you’ll be able to find them on sale. For example, I purchased mine for $80 during their Black Friday sale.
When the cork insole is removed, the Lutry fits all of the barefoot features that I look for. The remaining rubber soles is zero drop and flexible. They’re also really wide. Birkenstocks are often available in two widths: Medium/Narrow and Regular/Wide. The women’s sizes for the Lutry are Birkenstock’s Medium/Narrow width, but it’s actually very wide. For example, when I cut down the wool insole for my EU37 Lutry, the width was 9.6cm. This is wider than most of the barefoot shoes I own. The men’s Lutry is available in the Regular/Wide width, so some sizes are available in both widths.
Step-by-Step Instructions on converting your Birkenstock Lutry Clogs in to Barefoot Shoes
Here’s how to make your own barefoot clogs from the Birkenstock Lutry.
- Figure out your size for the Lutry clogs when the cork insole is removed
- I wear an EU37 in a Birkenstock sandal or clog with the cork insole included. The EU37 is supposed to have 24cm of usable insole space. I opted for the same size (EU37) in the Lutry clog as I planned to added a thicker wool insole to add warmth, cushion, and take up some of the excess space. Because the cork insole cups the heel at the back, there’s a lot of extra room once you take it out. When I traced and cut out the wool insole as a replacement, it was about 25cm long, so you can plan on about 1cm of extra space when you remove the cork insole.
- Wool: When I’m wearing a 5mm thick wool insole and a pair of thicker wool socks, size EU37 fits me a little loose. If I double stack them to 10mm and only have a thin sock, it’s a pretty good fit. I have a higher instep, so if you have a lower instep/low volume foot, you’ll likely need an even thicker insole to take up room in the shoe, or size down.
- Sheepskin: The sheepskin insole takes up a lot more room, so that plus a pair of medium wool socks offered the best fit for me. The sheepskin will compress over time, so it may end up starting to feel a little loose after more wear. I’ll check back in and update if it does!
- If I wasn’t planning on adding as thick of an insole, then I’d probably want to size down.
- I’ve seen the women’s sizes listed as medium/narrow, and the men’s as regular/wide. For my medium width feet, the medium/narrow width is pretty roomy.
- Order your Clogs
- Birkenstock has the biggest selection, but you can also order them from a few other retailers, like REI.
- Remove the Cork Insole:
- Pop out the cork insole from your Lutry clog. Since it’s not glued or attached, it comes out without damaging the shoe, but you do need to maneuver it around a bit. The leather goes all the way around the back of the shoe, so this doesn’t affect the structure.
- Buy a wool or sheepskin insole:
- Felted wool or sheepskin insoles are two of the best options as they’ll both take up some of the excess volume in the shoe, and keep your feet warm.
- Wool: I purchased the largest size in this wool insole to ensure I’d have enough room in the toe box.
- Sheepskin: These are a good option for an affordable sheepskin insole.
- Find a comprehensive list of insoles for barefoot shoes here.
- Trace the Cork Insole:
- Lay the cork insole on top of your wool or sheepskin insole. Use a marker or pen to trace its outline onto the wool. This will ensure you cut the insole to the exact size and shape of the original.
- Cut the Wool Insole:
- Using scissors, carefully cut along the outline you traced. If you didn’t trace, simply cut the wool insole down bit by bit, testing the fit inside the clog as you go. Since the most sheepskin insoles are the sheepskin layer sown onto a layer of felt, I made sure to trace my outline so I would only be cutting at the front. After the cut, these two layers are obviously no longer sewn together at that part, but I haven’t had any issues with anything moving around as most of it is still sewn together.
- Insert the New Insole:
- Place the trimmed insole into the clog. Adjust as needed to ensure it lies flat and fits snugly.
- Test the Fit:
- Put on the clogs and take a few steps to check the fit and comfort. If necessary, remove the insole and trim any areas that feel too snug.
By replacing the cork insole in your Birkenstock Lutry clogs with a wool or sheepskin insole, you’re transforming them into a more flexible, barefoot-friendly option. This simple modification supports natural foot function while maintaining the timeless style of your clogs. Give it a try and enjoy the freedom and comfort of your customized footwear!
