What's the 'new' Birkenstock? Comfy, easy, nice sandals pls

[Adair]

Yup, been wearing birkenstock style sandals for YEARS and YEARS now so they truly cannot be fashionable any more (if ever?!). But they are comfy and easy.

I have weird taste, and truly can't choose what looks like granny sandals and what looks like funky young-people sandals. I like these but too uncomfy?, and these I think, but then I also like these too in an odd anti-fashion way (told you I have dubious taste). Could do a slight wedge but comfort is most important - have baby in sling most days. Budget is small but I'd rather buy something decent quality that will last and be comfortable than cheap and unwearable.

Please find me something suitable before I buy those Shoezone ones .

Mango hi, yes u have but they still slop! it's the width near the toes, or the shape that doesn't suit me.

I saw the Relax ones a few yrs back in Tj hughes and bingo they were perfect for me!

Stick with the birkies.

TKMaxx often have them. They had Betula in LEOPARD PRINT last time I was in, but I was skint.

I have a (dull) gold pair that go with everything.

My birkies still hurt...so inflexible.
I am resignrped to putting foam rubber under the straps

piratecat, do the Relax birkies some up large would you say?
I take a size down in Madrids, but I dont find them very comfortable so may give the Relax style a try but not sure on the sizing.
Thanks...

queefer they are on their website, are you still skint ?

Panacotta,

I am a 5.5-6 and i have the relax in a 6 (39) and i find them very true to size. It's not that they are really really narrow, the shape is just better for me. My mum is a 6 and also has the same size as me, though she fills hers more iyswim!

I tried the Madrids on in silver and the relax, the very first time i discovered them, and was quite surprised by the difference. I was desp for silver ones, and the i had to go down in the Madrids to a five, yes still they slopped on me. I have quite a flat foot, my arch isn't high at all.

here

So comfortable!

what's the difference between Relax and Madrid birkenstocks?

I go down a size in Birk Madrid's from 38 to 37. Just bought the metallic pale blue they are lovely, the only colour that I've had (and believe me I've had nearly every colour they do!) that I haven't really liked is the white!

i've just bought the white, i wear them with my jeans, i like the look.

jigsaw they are just differently shaped footbeds really. PLus the coloured bit goes inside the sole on the relax instead of outside, which may be why i find them narrower.

Pirate, I think perhaps it is my feet in white shoes and sandals that I don't like - only ever had one white pair of sandals that I've liked and that was back in the 1980's! Don't know why just me - perhaps it's because my feet are quite wide and I think they look wider in white footwear.

My best pairs have been the dark bronzey brown metallicy pair and the fuschia pink patent pair that were done for breast cancer I think. I also like the apple green ones. Next on the hit list is either orange or purple patent but will have to wait for next year as I have to limit myself to one new pair a year

I'm a Fitflop fan for everyday sandals. (Russell and Bromley gladiators for style).

But have to say those Schuh ones look comfortable, and as if they'd cope with lots of walking on hard cobblestones - important consideratioon as I'm off to Rome in 2 weeks. Anyone tried them?

I thought I had Madrids, but looking at the links, I have Relaxs.....in fact I suspect it says so on the shoe . Anyway I have them in silver and red patent, I'm coveting purple patent ones.

TJHughes has them for £19.99 and they sell online (only just realised)

www.tjhughes.co.uk/fcp/product/brands-for-lessBirkenstock-Relax-Ladies-Sandals/126?colour=Plum+Patent

I tried the Schuh ones in the shop whilst dithering over Gizeh's. I liked them better tbh, I think they would go well with trousers or skirts. My mum talked me into going for the Birks. I wish I had gone for the Schuh ones instead and saved myself £15! As it was, I was on holiday in Belgium a couple of weeks ago and picked up another pair of Gizeh's in a blue shimmery colour for £30 after paying £50 in Schuh!

Another fan here of Mephisto sandals. They are narrower and neater I think. I'm amazed they haven't caught on more.

I go for Reefs every year. So comfy. I always just get something like this www.amazon.co.uk/Reef-Womens-Sandy-Flip-flop-R1541BMU/dp/B0045XJY7I/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1308512783&sr=8-12

I love Mephisto Helen sandals too. On my 3rd pair now - I find each pair lasts me 3 summers of constant use. I found the cheapest place to get them this year was online from Anderson's of Durham - £50 and free next day delivery. - My first 2 pairs were £60 from Hobbs which doesn't stock them anymore.

I'm another fan of Mephisto Helen's, but am also loving my emu sandals Milly and Queenscliff.