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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be going through so many pairs of sandals this summer?

43 replies

SoManySandals · 06/08/2022 06:58

I'm not sure if I'm walking in a 'heavier' way than before, I know I am slightly heavier than last year but I am about to start on my fifth pair of non-Birkenstocks but in the style of Birkenstocks footbed sandals this summer... has anyone else found that these sandals don't seem to last longer than 3 weeks of daily wear?

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 06/08/2022 07:06

It might have been cheaper to buy Birkenstocks at this rate. In answer to your question even cheap fake Birkenstocks should last longer than three weeks. I had some M and S ones last year, and they lasted about 3 months before the leather strap tore.

I have some Joseph Siebel ones this year and they are brilliant, and far less ugly than Birkenstocks.

Original poster
SoManySandals · 06/08/2022 07:09

RampantIvy thank you yes I think you may be right. It's the heel end of the sandals which wear down in three or four weeks so the rubber has gone and I've been walking on the Cork part. Perhaps it's the way I am walking.

OP posts:
BendingSpoons · 06/08/2022 07:12

Are you buying too cheaply? My 'everyday' sandals that I'll wear to work usually last at least 2 summers. Where are they wearing out? I eventually get a hole under the ball of my foot or they just end up worn flat.

Sexdoesmatter · 06/08/2022 07:13

I wear Birkenstocks and each pair lasts for years.

Original poster
SoManySandals · 06/08/2022 07:15

BendingSpoons I live in the back of beyond so rely on online shopping. Nearly all of my fake birkenstocks this year have come from asos so have retailed for between £16 - £25 pounds. It would have been cheaper to have bought one pair of Birkenstocks but then again if it's the way i am walking, maybe those wouldn't have lasted long either?

OP posts:
Friendship101 · 06/08/2022 07:15

Buy some actual Birkenstocks. I have 2 pairs, 1 are 15 years old, the other 5

Original poster
SoManySandals · 06/08/2022 07:16

Sexdoesmatter that's good to know thank you.

OP posts:
triplechoc · 06/08/2022 07:20

Just last night I was comparing the wear on my Birkenstocks I’ve had at least 6 years and a pair from New Look, bought last year but worn this year.

The NL sole is worn right down to the cork after wearing them mainly for work for around 6 weeks; my job doesn’t involve a huge amount of walking and I commute by car.

The Birkenstocks are looking shabby and the cork is beginning to crack, and the sole is starting to wear away at the heel, but they’re still perfectly wearable. These are sandals I’ve walked for miles in, tramped around cities, along beach fronts, and pretty much lived in for as much of the year as possible (at least 4/5 months each year).

I was thrilled with my NL bargain last year, but actually looking at cost per wear, the Birkenstocks win hands-down.

BerylBird · 06/08/2022 07:21

Friendship101 · 06/08/2022 07:15

Buy some actual Birkenstocks. I have 2 pairs, 1 are 15 years old, the other 5

They do wear down in the sole though, if your gait is uneven.
Five pairs seems excessive but I'm not convinced that real Birkies would be all that much better.
Might be cheaper in the long run to see a podiatrist and get them to look at the way you're walking!

winewolfhowls · 06/08/2022 07:23

I bought some walking sandals with straps which I know is a different style but imho encourage you to walk as you should.mine are five years old and going strong! At the time I was very conflicted as they were about eighty pounds but been worth it.

Sam Vines boots theory of economics!

carefullycourageous · 06/08/2022 07:23

That is completely abnormal rate of wear. You are voluntarily buying cheap shoes and therefore having to buy multiple pairs, the logic has always been that you buy the best you can afford whcih saves money in the long run!

Birkenstocks are eternally popular for a reason. If you wear a pair of those out in a short period, you need to find out what is wrong with your feet/gait.

Celeryfavour · 06/08/2022 07:25

It sounds like it could be to do with the surface you are walking on. If it's stony or gravel, the pieces stick in the sole. Is it a sort of foam sole rather than solid? If you have a particularly comfortable pair you could resole them with something firmer.

Original poster
SoManySandals · 06/08/2022 07:28

Triplechoc thank you v much that is exactly the feedback I was looking for when I started this thread. I am going to buy some Birkenstocks in the hope that they will last longer and if not I think I will seek some help in terms of the way I'm walking.

OP posts:
maskersanonymous · 06/08/2022 07:28

My birkenstocks are also basically indestructible. They just go on and on for years (until I am sick of the sight of them to be honest!). I have had cheaper copies and none of them have lasted either.

Original poster
SoManySandals · 06/08/2022 07:29

I could look at re-soling as well for another solution, thanks.

OP posts:
neverbeenskiing · 06/08/2022 07:29

Whenever I've bought cheap sandals in the past I've regretted it. I'm a Birkenstocks convert now, they're so comfy, last ages and some of the newer styles are surprisingly not ugly!

AmberGer · 06/08/2022 07:29

I bought some aldi ones 3 years ago in autumn, reduced to £2.99 was £5.99.
I didn't wear them when I bought them due to the time of year but put them away for the summer. I wore them a lot last summer and have worn them most days this summer too.
I'm no lightweight either, 13 stone.
They're still looking good with plenty of life in them, I think they'll be good for another 2-3 years.

NancyJoan · 06/08/2022 07:29

My current Birkenstocks are one their third summer. Worn almost every day since April, and I walk a lot. They will still be going strong next year too.

Original poster
SoManySandals · 06/08/2022 07:30

I should say I don't have this issue with any other type of shoe, only with this cork footbed sandal type shoe which is why I wondered if anyone else was experiencing this issue.

OP posts:
TenoringBehind · 06/08/2022 07:34

Cheap sandals are a false economy.

I live in Birkenstocks because they’re the only shoes that are comfortable with my weird feet. I buy a new pair each year, relegate an old pair to be gardening shoes, and very occasionally throw a pair away if they’ve had it. I’m still wearing some pairs that are 10 years old.

VaVaVoombangabang · 06/08/2022 07:35

False economy really, better to buy one decent pair than 5 cheap ones, which I would class as fashion shoes not of the quality of Birkenstocks.

Having said that I feel BS quality has gone down over the past few years, but still better than the 'lookie likes' you can get.

DaisyWaldron · 06/08/2022 07:44

I'm fat and generally my shoes wear out quickly. My Birkenstocks are currently wearing out - I'll need new ones next summer. I'm not sure exactly how old they are, but I definitely remember them (possibly not new) when pregnant with DS 13 years ago.

Original poster
SoManySandals · 06/08/2022 08:20

It sounds like a unanimous opinion, thank you. I am going into London next week so will get my first pair of Birkenstocks then.

OP posts:
DanglingMod · 06/08/2022 08:31

Yes, Birkies last for absolutely years.

Two things:

  1. make sure you don't get fakes, so only buy from their own shop or website.
  2. make sure you buy them big enough. Your feet are supposed to sit inside them without touching the edges.
dottiedodah · 06/08/2022 08:34

Never buy cheap shoes as dm would say.if you can afford to I would buy the best you can afford. You can always pick up a top or skirt for a snip .but shoes and beds the best (you are always in one or the other!)