Birkenstock's sandal hot streak heats up as summer arrives, with longtime partner BEAMS leveling up an otherwise classic sandal. But instead of merely imagining the Birkenstock Zurich in a typically sublime colorway, as it so often does, BEAMS has instead infused the classic slide with some serious texture.

What results from the latest BEAMS x Birkenstock venture is surprisingly stylish, insofar as it makes ya wonder why more Birkenstock's don't take a similarly subtle stab at upgrading an otherwise timeless sandal.

You can't go wrong with a simple suede or leather Birkenstock, truly. No one's gonna complain about a straightforward Arizona two-strap or Boston clog.

But the way that BEAMS tangibly improved upon the otherwise unfuckwithable Zurich? Pretty inspiring.

Like, you can't fix what ain't broken. But, sometimes, you can put a zazzy little hat on top. Or, in this case, a swirl.

BEAMS' Birkenstock partnerships have been historically humble. Rarely has the Japanese megaretailer — or any Japanese megaretailer — done anything with its collaborative Birkenstock sandals beyond offering them in tonal beige, brown or black suede.

This time, though, BEAMS upped the ante ever so slightly.

It realized the Birkenstock Zurich, one of the all-time great underrated Birkenstock sandals that remains widely popular in Japan, in beige and embossed a swirling pattern all over the shoes' thick strap.

Simple but essential.

See, though Birkenstock has itself gone to some wild places with its recently shapeshifted sandals — rugged indigo denim! Trail-ready clogs! Chef shoes that slap! — collaborators would be wise to avoid tinkering too much with mostly flawless existing silhouettes.

So BEAMS simply reimagined the Zurich in a classic color and a timeless material, then added just a dash of spice.

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BEAMS

Simple, effective and entirely welcome. Really, makes ya think. Wouldn't more suede Birkenstock sandals benefit from these sorts of modestly zesty additions?