To ask for your opinion on Birkenstocks?

holdmyhan · 2026-06-24T18:46:20+00:00

Just that really. I’m in my 20s, I need some good sandals and I’ve seen it reported that they work well for wide feet

FuzzyPuffling · 27/06/2026 13:38

I have narrow but long feet. They are rubbish on me.
And I've tried, I've really tried.

Original poster

holdmyhan · 27/06/2026 13:32

Dilbertian · 27/06/2026 13:31

Then you must have perfectly Birkenstock-shaped feet - lucky you! 😉

I had to teach my feet, with their fallen arches, to conform to the sole. But they have been brilliant for me ever since.

I think I have quite high arches, so I think that’s why!

OP posts:

Dilbertian · 27/06/2026 13:31

Then you must have perfectly Birkenstock-shaped feet - lucky you! 😉

I had to teach my feet, with their fallen arches, to conform to the sole. But they have been brilliant for me ever since.

Original poster

holdmyhan · 27/06/2026 12:55

Dilbertian · 27/06/2026 11:36

Definitely wear them with socks at first. Also build up your wearing. Don’t try to wear them through discomfort. You need to break your feet in, not the shoes. It took me a couple of weeks of increased wear.

I wore them for a 3 and a half km walk today, to town and back, and didn’t feel any discomfort!

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GivesYourHosieryaFright · 27/06/2026 11:56

I've got wide feet and I'm in favour of comfortable footwear. However, I've just Googled "Birkenstocks" and had my poor eyes assaulted by some of the most hideous footwear I have ever seen. They are nearly as bad as Crocs.

I wouldn't wear such monstrosities in public.

MrsPinkSky · 27/06/2026 11:40

I think they look awful, in fact I've never seen a pair on anyone that doesn't.

I've just been reading a thread about dressing smartly on a plane, and Birkenstocks were mentioned.

I found that confusing as for me, they're up there with Crocs.

Not at all pleasing to the eye, but apparently very comfortable.

So if it's comfort you're going for, why not?

Dilbertian · 27/06/2026 11:36

Definitely wear them with socks at first. Also build up your wearing. Don’t try to wear them through discomfort. You need to break your feet in, not the shoes. It took me a couple of weeks of increased wear.

patooties · 27/06/2026 09:18

Wear socks under them for a couple of days!

Original poster

holdmyhan · 27/06/2026 08:47

They’re here! I really like the arch support and the wide foot bed, it feels great. They’re a little hard on the arches, but in a good way I think

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RumAndCola · 26/06/2026 22:19

I used to live in them, the sandals in summer and the clogs in winter until I got Plantar Fasciitis and then they became agony to walk in.
My mid twenties DD really likes them, we went shopping and I couldn’t believe the price of them now. I used to be able to get them for about £35.

Flatinbed · 26/06/2026 21:54

I live in the Birkenstock Arizona habana in the summer. And that includes dog walking for hours. They have lasted well enough for about 4 years.

The cork bed is going on one foot and the soles wore away after 1 - 2 years on both heels. (Probably all the dog walking in all weathers!)

I get mine resoled now every couple of years and have bought the cork sealer from birkenstock to see if I can get some more life out of this pair.

The resoling adds platform and they are looking pretty weathered, which works with the habana version.

When I finally replace them with a new pair, I will seal the cork as soon as needed and resole them probably more or less straight away.

SisterTeatime · 25/06/2026 17:18

LoveMySushi · 25/06/2026 07:08

They may be comfy, but they are the opposite of stylish 🤣
If youre looking for comfort only then they are perfect.

Show quote history

They may not be hugely fashionable right now, but they are classic and stylish.

NattyKnitter116 · 25/06/2026 16:36

I’ve worn them around the house for years. I have a history of Achilles tendon problems so can’t really do proper walking in the sandles as I use orthotics, but I have a pair with a back strap for if I just want to schlep about locally on a hot day.
they lack cushioning so if you have bony feet you may find thrm
uncomfortable.

ffsgloria · 25/06/2026 15:52

Style is subjective; but I have noticed that ultra fashionable people are not wearing them as much. Still, I don't care about that. I love mine, I have wide feet and find them pretty comfortable. They also go with everything. I disagree they are the equivalent of a Mum boot; it's how you pull them off and what you wear with them that makes the difference.

Original poster

holdmyhan · 25/06/2026 15:49

I found out yesterday that I apparently don’t have flat feet like I thought 😂 so hopefully that’s another tick in the box for me!

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JulietteHasAGun · 25/06/2026 15:47

Pistachiocake · 25/06/2026 14:36

Another Gen Z told me they're fine with socks, but bare toes are a no.
My Millennial nerves are frayed.

I do see Gen Z types wearing them with socks. The Arizona two strap ones. Also crocs and socks. 🤷‍♀️🙈😀

pinkpedi · 25/06/2026 15:44

Ugly as hell. Wouldn't be seen dead in them. Don't even get me started about men who wear them! 🤦‍♀️

MrsCarmelaSoprano · 25/06/2026 15:36

They won't be comfortable straight away, they'll feel like rock, give them a couple of hours and they'll feel better.

ToadRage · 25/06/2026 15:36

As I keep telling my husband, Birkenstocks = grounds for divorce. He got sone lovely Karrimor sandals from Sports direct. I learnt a long time ago that men are not allowed to go shoe shopping by themselves. Mum and i made that mistake with Dad, she had to hide the monstrosities he bought, we even thought seriously about burning them.

trainedopossum · 25/06/2026 15:35

European manufacture is a strong selling point for me but I also like the look and find them insanely comfortable. The first time I tried on a pair it was like parts of my feet I didn’t know existed sort of stretched and relaxed.
I love that they have resisted the whims of fashion in most ways.

SisterTeatime · 25/06/2026 15:22

@ClearFruit a kind of basic, non-brand-name style, quite simple and plain. The term is quite old now, 2010s I think.

ClearFruit · 25/06/2026 14:48

SisterTeatime · 24/06/2026 19:51

They are classic, hard wearing, comfortable, good for your feet, stylish provided you like a normcore kind of vibe, go with everything, good quality, value for money. I bought my first pair at 20, and 30 years later I’ve never seen a reason to try any other brand for everyday sandals.

Sorry to ask, but what is normcore?

Kalanthe · 25/06/2026 14:47

I bought a pair when I became a mum. They are super comfy and good for wide feet. They’re hideous though, I wouldn’t be seen in them anywhere else than shopping or doing nursery runs 🤣

kissco · 25/06/2026 14:41

mindutopia · 25/06/2026 12:53

Very 1995. When I was in school (girls boarding school), we petitioned the headmaster to allow a change in uniform policy to allow us to wear Birkenstocks. He agreed…on the condition we wore them with white socks. You bloody well believe we did! 😂 So comfortable. But I don’t think I’d be caught dead in them now in my mid 40s (sorry!).

No need to apologise for not liking something, but they are totally different to 1995 and an enduring trend.
https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/5-birkenstock-styles-for-summer

These 5 Birkenstock Styles Have Become Summer Essentials

Don’t limit yourself to the familiar Arizona sandals.

https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/5-birkenstock-styles-for-summer

TheFairyCaravan · 25/06/2026 14:39

I can’t wear them. I’ve got flat narrow feet and they kill me. I bought some Eva ones which were more comfortable but they gave me blisters so they got sold on Vinted