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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for your opinion on Birkenstocks?

134 replies

holdmyhan · 24/06/2026 19:46

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

OP posts:
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5
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.

Original poster
holdmyhan · 25/06/2026 13:55

They’re with Evri now so fingers crossed they come tomorrow and are comfortable

OP posts:
Ginmonkeyagain · 25/06/2026 13:24

I wear Madrids with everything in the summer - usually in a metallic colour strap.

They will never be uber fashionable but they are trendy in certain circles. My pretty cool yoga and pilates studio in inner London has a mountain of Birkenstock sandals and clogs in the shoe area during class.

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!).

Didimum · 25/06/2026 12:31

Love mine. Have had them for 8yrs, worn them silly over every spring and summer, and they are only now just beginning to fail.

mcmuffin22 · 25/06/2026 11:57

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

Well, yeah, they're not your idea of stylish but plenty of people who fashion mags deem stylish are photographed wearing them...

LifeBeginsToday · 25/06/2026 11:45

I ordered a suede pair this week, just waiting on delivery. They seem to be cheaper on almost every other website than their own.

Gettingbysomehow · 25/06/2026 07:24

I find Hotter resort sandals much more comfortable and cheaper. Birkenstocks are so expensive. Resort come in wide and standard fit and half sizes too and different colours. I live in them.
They are currently on sale for £44. Im buying some more.
https://www.hotter.com/resort-sandals-brown-2439?_gl=11dh2oyi_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwgO7RBhBKEiwAZNP85pGwcBBt8qWsNj-gOoWBEQrY3ECqxQVXQ2Sy8qwsDMssOWNHOW8hGRoCD20QAvD_BwE

wrinklycactus · 25/06/2026 07:23

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

Everyone seems to wear them and love them where I am. They can't be that bad. They go with everything.

jeaux90 · 25/06/2026 07:22

Big buckle ones are nice and slightly more upscale for work IMO. I have several different pairs and live in them in the summer.

wrinklycactus · 25/06/2026 07:21

AlgaeDreams · 24/06/2026 22:44

I struggle in my Birkenstocks and they have been well worn.
I think maybe it's because I have peripheral neuropathy and can't feel my feet, so feel like I'm actively trying to keep them on - if that makes sense. I feel like I'm scrunching feet up so they don't slip off. Even though I know they won't. It's a bit gutting because I bought them especially hoping that they'd last for years and be comfortable (I wouldn't know!)

I don't have peripheral neuropathy but also feel like I'm scrunching my feet up trying to keep them on.

Tbh though I get this with any flip flop type shoes without a strap at the back.

I find Birkenstocks better than most as they go a bit further up the foot. But I still find myself reaching for my other sandals that have a back strap.

Birks were good when I was pregnant and needed something I could slip on.

moonshinepoursthroughmywindow · 25/06/2026 07:20

I like the look of them but they are too wide for me, so if you have wider feet they might well be just right for you. I always think they look effortlessly cool.

JacketPotatoFoodOfTheGods · 25/06/2026 07:17

DundeeNewcastle · 25/06/2026 06:46

Moshulu do dupes that are cheaper and also good for wide feet

They aren’t as wide as Birkies.

JacketPotatoFoodOfTheGods · 25/06/2026 07:16

holdmyhan · 24/06/2026 19:53

I’m really hopeful they’ll work for my feet. But they are a bit hippy, aren’t they?

Get a rose gold or a patent pair. Def not “hippy”.

LoveMySushi · 25/06/2026 07:08

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.

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

Duvetdayneeded · 25/06/2026 07:03

I hate them as my feet fart when I walk! They make a squelching noise. Apparently the base is now a different - cheaper - material,

DundeeNewcastle · 25/06/2026 06:46

Moshulu do dupes that are cheaper and also good for wide feet

Plan2025 · 25/06/2026 06:43

smallglassbottle · 24/06/2026 20:35

I was liking mine, but then I got plantar fasciitis which took months to heal and I couldn't wear them anymore. They have no real cushioning and I found them comfortable, but also hard on the structures of the feet.

Edited

Just shows how everyone is different - it was Birkenstocks that cured my plantar fascitis! I wear their slippers too now.

msmolli · 25/06/2026 06:41

I bought these eva ones a couple of years ago, primarily for when we go off in campervan so that I could go wear in showers. I also have the one with the cork footbed in the same style.

These rubber/eva ones are so very comfortable I'm wearing them in the heat just now outside. They are extremely lightweight and aren't sweaty at all. They are much more comfortable, for me, rather than the traditional cork soled one I bought - but I will keep trying to break it in.

https://www.birkenstock.com/gb/arizona-eva/arizonaeva-eva-eva-0-eva-u_1942.html

Buy Arizona EVA for GBP 50.00 | Birkenstock

Buy Arizona EVA at Birkenstock EU.

https://www.birkenstock.com/gb/arizona-eva/arizonaeva-eva-eva-0-eva-u_1942.html

JulietteHasAGun · 25/06/2026 06:37

tttigress · 24/06/2026 22:53

Tried some on it a shoe shop wanting to like them, but they were so uncomfortable.

I understand the point that you have to wear them on. But honestly I don't think they would be comfortable even if you wore them for 10 years.

As m o the only one?

They mold to your foot so become very comfortable ime. It doesn’t take long either and are then very comfortable.

Original poster
holdmyhan · 25/06/2026 06:29

I really want the arizonas too, but I don’t really see the point when I’m not allowed to wear them to work

OP posts:
EleanorMc67 · 25/06/2026 00:44

StanleyR38 · 24/06/2026 22:50

If you try them on it shops I think they generally just stock the narrower version, unless it’s changed recently. Could never quite find the right size for my feet and my toes didn’t seem to fit in the mouldings comfortably.

I did order the wider fit in a few sizes online and they were possibly better but I can barely remember the result - sent them back as couldnt justify £120 for sandals at that time.

Dupes have served me well and have been comfortable but are false economy as they always fall to bits. Got my eye on some Boston’s but think I’ll have to cut back on take out coffee and save up.

I thought it was the other way round? I have narrow feet so always have to get the narrow version - but it's not actually available in all style/colour combinations I don't think? Which is why I'd thought that the standard width is the default one?

EleanorMc67 · 25/06/2026 00:40

Settlersa · 24/06/2026 21:31

I have a couple of pairs. I wouldn’t say they are particularly stylish though, they are the sandals equivalent of mum boots

What are mum boots??!

SaraHoliday · 25/06/2026 00:34

holdmyhan · 24/06/2026 19:46

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

I don't like them and never will.

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