Shoes without a fastening across the instep. The two main forms look similar in a thumbnail and quite different in a full set of photographs.
The distinction
- Slip-on. A closed heel and no lacing. The upper holds the foot by fit alone.
- Mule. Open at the heel. The foot is held by the front of the shoe only.
- Backless sneaker. A sneaker upper with the heel removed — sits between the two.
What the photos need to show
For this category the rear view matters most, because that is where the distinction lives. A set showing only side profiles and three-quarters can leave you unable to tell which of the three forms you are looking at.
Where to find them here
Look through Birkenstock for the classic open-back forms, and the designer lines — The Row, Bottega Veneta — for sneaker-derived versions.
Related
Reference gallery — images and data are shown for identification and study only. Nothing on this site is for sale.