To ask for your opinion on Birkenstocks?

[holdmyhan]

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 have Arizonas and fur lined Bostons and love them both, can walk for miles without blisters. Bought from Vinted and eBay for a decent discount.

Yes but I was only 20 when I started!

I’ve been wearing for yonks-currently have 3 pairs (2x Arizonas and 1x Giza). I’m terribly flat footed and they’re a god send. I trekked round Tunisia years back in a bright orange pair of Arizonas-and they can be refurbished (foot bed replaced) when they get a bit tired. Even wear in winter, inside, with socks-comfier then any slippers!

I have tried a few different styles over the years but never really got on with them - I don't know why. My feet are quite narrow, so I bought the narrow version, but never found any of them comfortable. They feel too heavy and cumbersome on my feet. But I know loads of people find them comfortable, they're just not for me.

I love my Birkenstock Arizonas and live in them all summer. I don’t have wide feet but I can see how they’d be comfy if so as they mold to your feet.

I think they’re so, so ugly but judging by the number of pairs on the streets round here I’m very much in the minority!

I hated mine - possibly the only pair of shoes that has given me blisters on the soles of my feet!

With rocker sole shoes and trainers. Also, firm arch supports (valsole firm arch supports from amazon) There are other orthotics, but you need something well supportive and most of them are quite wimpy and don't support the arch.

I wear Joya shoes all the time, but there are lots of different rocker type shoes and trainers. Try to get a full rocker type and pair up with the insoles (remove the factory insoles first). Once it's healed you can try other types of shoe, but always wear the orthotics.

To relieve the pain, try ice, ibuprofen or voltarol gel and a support tubigrip.

Only millennials use 'hipster' as a positive adjective, I don't think that will endear someone in their 20s to them.

Birkenstocks have been popular in the UK since the 1970s with a revival in the 90s (which is probably why they are fashionable again now, Gen Z wearing their Gen X parent's fashions). I've had at least one pair in my wardrobe since 1994. Your feet take a couple of wears to adjust to them and although I do love them they are not the most comfortable sandals I own (that would be my saltwaters, although I guess their moment in the sun has passed, love their retro charm though).

https://www.hoka.com/en/gb/outlet-women/rincon-4/197634474274.html?source=shoppingsite_PLA_1155131-BWHT-10B&kpid=1155131-BWHT-10B&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=HOKA%2BBD%2BMARKDOWN%2BALL%2BSMART%2BUK%2BENG%2BPMAX&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20869688366&gbraid=0AAAAACdXXcX30X-vB9p6DIzz8IYJCGVuV&gclid=CjwKCAjwgO7RBhBKEiwAZNP85gQ2ZGH9gG3gdNbRfP-qbPk2ybzrwM4zTeNaAYN0HNEU--t1U1ctqRoCbuMQAvD_BwE]]

These are an example of a rocker sole. They mean that your heel and the front of your foot aren't striking the ground separately, but instead, moving forward in a rolling motion. This puts less strain on the structures of the underside of your foot.

Maybe 35 years ago

I love mine. I have three pairs, one each of mayaris, gizehs and arizonas. I especially love the mayaris, though worth mentioning that my arizonas are the EVA ones and they are super comfortable and fantastic round the pool on holiday. I've just ordered some sibyls, inspired by another thread!

I just replaced a 17-year-old pair of white Madrid birkies with….a pair of white Madrid birkies! Absolutely love them. They’ve lasted really well but the sole was starting to crumble a bit so decided to replace.

the only thing I would say is that I bought the same size as my old pair and it was marginally too small so I had to re order in a bigger size. So size 7 now is exactly the same as the size 6 I bought all those years ago.

i think they look fab with slightly cropped chinos / jeans and bright nails. I’ve walked miles in them on city breaks.

I love them, I can walk miles in them.
this year I bought evellyhootd snd they’re even more comfortable. The dole is slightly more moulded to the feet, they feel slightly padded and just feel like slippers.
if you know someone with a blue light card you’ll get 20 % off

Just got my very first pair yesterday at a discount. I would never call them stylish, but I have messed up feet and need quite a lot of arch support to not be in pain. I started wearing dupes back in 2022 and was in luck to find it yesterday in both my size and a colour I like. I saw some people recommend resealing the cork whenever the shine wears off so will be buying some sealer as well.

I really love them and long to be able to wear them again in the winter (I am making a foray into wearing them with socks in Spring!). I have flippers - so very wide at the toe but narrow at the heel. I also have a very high instep. I have to size down too I am a 41 in trainers and 39 in Birkies. I think people often wear them too big, but your toes should be inside, but up to (not on) the front edge which rises slightly, without a significant gap.

As previous posts attest they may be a bit marmite - they either really work for you or they don't. Oh and I need an ankle strap which is now vanishingly rare and the Rios which I love are now only available for kids. They are/were less clunky than the Milanos.

I don’t have wide feet, but I live in Arizonas when not working. Little shorts, tanned legs, Arizonas. I love this look.

I love them but always have Madrid big buckle. I don’t think they look hippy. I have quite a few as they last forever but I like adding a new colour each season. So comfortable.

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

I live in Arizonas all summer, walk for miles in them. So comfortable. I have really high arches and my feet never hurt wearing them. Got a few colours!

I have some of the knock off ones which aren’t awful, which is why I’m after some real ones!

I used to wear them before everyone did and they were so well made and used to get years and years out of a pair. I'll be lucky to get a season out of a pair these days and the prices are ridiculous for what they are BUT they're good for wide feet. Certainly can't do any walking in them even in the back strap ones . Funnily enough the new plastic ones are easier to walk in and comfortable for me.

Love my Madrid’s (with the single strap), I am in my 40s but have had them since late 20s if that helps! I’m normally a 4 and have narrow feet but have to buy a size 36 narrow.

Totally agree. The sizing is really weird. They come up huge. Like you I'm a 7 but I swim around in those.

I am liking the much cheaper PVA ones and they are comfy.

I have wide feet and love mine. They go on every holiday as it’s guaranteed all my other pretty sandals will destroy my feet and out pop these that save the day and my holiday