AIBU to think birkenstocks could be damaging my feet?

[NickECave]

Well not this summer as I'm still in my boots but in a normal summer I'd be mostly wearing birkenstock type sandals from May onwards. However, last summer I started noticing that the tendons in my arches and top of my feet start aching after a while. Now a friend of mine who's from New Zealand told me that her mum and aunt both have arthritis in the balls of their feet after many years of wearing this type of sandal. Does anyone else find their feet get sore after a day walking around in this type of sandal and anyone developed longer term foot problems?

I agree with Curryspice. They make very uncomfortable sandals, the horrible "clawing" you have to do to keep them on, and the stupid moulded toes thing and that they are flat and inflexible - absolutely spot on.

Plus they have a "pointless" look about them, iykwim.

The only good thing about Birkenstocks is that they are marginally less ugly than Crocs... :o

Whether you have to claw your toes to keep your Birkies on depends what type you go for. I wear this style which doesn't 'flip-flop' at all.

Also the sole does bend and I think they are very comfy.

I had a pair with the ankle strap, and i loved them. I can't wear them though as about half an hour after putting them on I get terrible cramp in my toes. Same with a pair of ballet flats I bought. I've had to switch to Karrimor walking sandals, which are ugly but I need something for warmer weather that are comfortable to walk in as we are out and about a lot.