What do you think of Birkenstocks?

[EuroShopperEnergyDrink]

Thinking of buying these:

www.amazon.co.uk/Womens-Birkenstock-Madrid-Patent-Sandals/dp/B00CAQZRXC/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&qid=1366823750&sr=8-27&keywords=birkenstock%20size%206&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

or are they completely and utterly grim?

[erowid]

behindlock They're brilliant. Like all Docs, once you break them in they're like slippers and last years!

[BehindLockNumberNine]

erowid Doc Martens are my other shoe-passion. And I love love love love those you have linked to.

Have bought my birkies for this year and there is no money left in the pot for more footwear but may treat myself at the end of the summer sale with my birthday money and save them for next year. They look fab!!!

[BehindLockNumberNine]

They don't smell. Far from it!! In fact they are the only shoe I can wear throughout the summer without socks which don't make my feet smell. I literally can only wear Birkenstocks or Crocs. Everything else reacts with my bare feet resulting in an odour fit for chemical warfare!!
And I refuse to wear Crocs!!!

Love my Birkies

[erowid]

I really liked the Gizeh style but my very flat feet doesn't like the arch in birkinstocks. But I found a similar style by Doc Martens which have lasted all summer for the last 5 years

[auntpetunia]

Love love my birkies, Am on to my 9th pair in 20 years, my favourite current ones are Kairo which are Gizeh with a back strap, fabulous as I can't wear shoes without a strap.

[Helltotheno]

Well for those of you who don't have unsightly bunions can I just say a. you're so dang lucky and b. there's not really a host of other options open to someone with that particular problem when it comes to sandals... would love to hear all suggestions but until then, I won't be dumping the birkies!

[PoppyAmex]

I might be the only person who looks at them and sees American pensioner tourists wearing bermuda shorts and socks

I wish I liked them because they do look comfy, but I'm Portuguese so I'm programmed to wear flip-flops in the summer.

[freddiefrog]

Unlike = I like

[miffybun73]

Reading this it seems that they are not comfy for everyone. I have fairly narrow feet and a very high instep and they are as comfy as bare feet for me - stay on really well, can walk for miles in them and they don't rub at all ever.

[miffybun73]

I have three pairs and live in them from May to September ish. I literally wear them every day in the Spring/Summer that it's not raining. They are so incredibly comfy :)

[freddiefrog]

Unlike them for summer in theory, but the moulding in them never fit the shape of my feet so they hurt like buggery

[Plathism]

Aesthetically I think they're hideous. Definitely a Marmite thing!

[Panzee]

I don't actually smell them. :o It's the cork that makes them look manky.

[valiumredhead]

No they don't at all because the base is cork.

[Panzee]

They look like they smell. :o

[JulesJules]

I absolutely love them and always have a few pairs on the go. Lots of great colours on Amazon, I usually have a white pair and a couple of coloured pairs. Purple patent at the moment! I have wide feet with high arches and plantar fasciitis and they give great support.

I can't get on with Gizeh sandals because of the toe post.

[valiumredhead]

I have loads of pairs but not in that style OP as they don't stay on my feet.

[cocolepew]

A tip for breaking them in is to smear them with Vaseline, it softens everything but darkens the footbed too.

[reelingintheyears]

www.birkenstock.co.uk/index.php?m=catalogue&a=vw_prod&wprid=164&colid=60&fabric=1

[reelingintheyears]

I love mine.

I have summery ones.

www.birkenstock.co.uk/index.php?m=catalogue&a=vw_prodlist&pgr_pgrid=9

[MacaYoniAndCheese]

I adore them. I have the Madrids in black patent, blue and silver. Also have the Gizeh thong in a pearly pink colour but the Madrids are my favourites. They are so comfortable, last forever and I like how they look with shorts, capris etc.

[WishIdbeenatigermum]

I love them and having gone at 2ndcoming's 30 pairs am now reading and remembering how many I've had over the years.
Are they work wearable though? I travel by tube and have a public sectory non sales job. If not any recommendations? I love having my heals free and have nice feet.

[BehindLockNumberNine]

I LOVE my Birkenstocks and never wear anything other than Gizeh ones in the summer. I have a lime green patent pair left over from last summer, a red patent pair which I bought in the sale at the end of last summer so ready for this summer and have just ordered a non-patent brown/gold coloured pair.
I just love them and have worn them every summer for the past 6 years. No other sandal will do!

[LynetteScavo]

www.footshopping.com/gizeh-plum-patent/mid_36630.html?suchbegriff=743551

[LynetteScavo]

I can't wear that style, but I love my thong ones. I shall be getting a new pair this year.


Not grim at all.http://www.footshopping.com/gizeh-plum-patent/mid_36630.html?suchbegriff=743551 Very nice in fact