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Slip-ons, mules, clogs, call them what you want, but the fact of the matter is, people simply can’t get enough of them. Take it from us. The appetite has gotten so out of hand that just about every reliable, already-celebrated sneaker has been ozempicified in the process. Brands that once lived and died by their streetwear credentials have done a complete 180, suddenly finding themselves with entire sections dedicated to these so-called “half-sneakers.”
Yes, we’re looking at you, Vans. Now, before I sound too pessimistic, I have to hand it to them. There’s an art to replicating a silhouette everyone on the planet associates with a certain brand and, in this case, city (you know who). But Vans has managed to keep its flair and energy alive in a plush mule, no less.
In the case of the Harbor Mule, less is more. This one isn’t trying to impress you. It’s not flashy or gimmicky, it’s just a damn reliable slip-on, and at the end of the day, that’s gotta be enough. It’s the kind of shoe you reach for without thinking twice, whether you’re running out the door for an overpriced pilates class, nipping out to the corner shop, or just generally refusing to put on a pair of shoes that require any effort, AKA laces.
Maybe this whole mule-ification surge is simply a reflection of us getting lazier. If that’s the case, I can’t say I blame us. There’s something to be said for a shoe that asks absolutely nothing of you.
While at first glance, these may resemble a Boston, after a couple of wears, I can safely say they’re... far more comfortable. Usually, a mule or clog-adjacent shoe needs a bit of breaking in before you reap the benefits. Not this one. The plush lining helps, sure, but these felt good from the get-go, which is more than can be said for most shoes in this category.
It may fall into a severely oversaturated market, but at this point, it’s time to get on board. This seems as good a place as any to start.
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