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Original poster

Birkenstocks, worth it or not?

63 replies

DarylDixonsDarlin · 01/04/2014 12:12

Are Birkenstocks worth the money? I am looking specifically at the Gizeh ones but like some of the other styles too. All the ones I've see seem to look dirty where the foot sits in it, do they all go like that even if you have clean feet?

also what's the sizing like, true to size, narrow/wide or what? Not many shops down here stock them so i may need to order online if I decide to buy.

sorry this subject has probably been done to death but my flip flops are minging and will not do another summer! Grin

OP posts:
WandaDoff · 01/04/2014 12:16

Birky's are very comfortable, but they do get discoloured no matter how careful you are.

Probably not the most stylish advice, but I'd get a pair of Fitflops, they don't discolour too much, they come in lots of designs & they feel like you are walking around in comfy slippers once you've broken them in a bit.

Dawndonnaagain · 01/04/2014 12:36

I have had my Birkie Gizahs for about six years, still going strong. I love them, they're really comfy and I live in them all through the summer.

ihatethecold · 01/04/2014 12:42

I've had mine for years, they can go in the wash.

They are so comfy, I live in them when it gets warm.

iseenodust · 01/04/2014 12:43

I bought Birkenstocks last summer for the first time and I love them. Worn them a lot as slippers too! Mine are 2 strap (can't do toe thong style) and Paisley patterned. I bought in a shop and went down two sizes from what I would normally buy as they are wide.

YesAnastasia · 01/04/2014 12:46

I have black natural leather Madrid ones (not patent) and I love them. I've been wearing them for 20 years ish and probably buy a pair every 2/3 years.

Yes they're worth it, I love how they look. Sturdy & casual - great with all trousers (long & cropped) and all skirt lengths.

They do get a bit grubby underneath. Until now, I didn't think anyone else noticed...

splodgeness · 01/04/2014 12:46

I love mine too, v comfortable, I have two pairs and live in them in the summer. But the inside does go discoloured and probably doesn't look that nice when you take them off.

nipersvest · 01/04/2014 12:47

i have a pair of madrids i like them but i don't love them, i found them to be a little on the big side so sized down. they come up wide too which is why they brought out the narrow fitting.

the comfiest flip flop style shoes i own are fly london

Clutterbugsmum · 01/04/2014 12:50

I like my Birkenstocks. In fact I just had to replace my ones after about 3yrs (i prefer madrid style as I don't like toe posts).

Francagoestohollywood · 01/04/2014 12:54

Birkenstocks are the BEST if you suffer from a variety of feet related ailments. I adore mine.

Yes, they are not stylish. However, in the last 2 years they have been photographed more often in fashion blogs, following the trend for "ugly" shoes... Grin

The sizing is a bit big, a 39 is a tad big for me for instance and I am a 39. I bought them on amazon.

Mrsap · 01/04/2014 12:57

I have Madrid and Arizona. Love them. So comfortable. I agree they look a bit grubby but they aren't actually anymore grubby than other shoes.

I also love it that it is now the third time (for me anyway) that I have read they are the "height" of fashion again.

I'm so out....I'm in again. GrinGrin

piratecat · 01/04/2014 12:57

they are worth it imo. i have plantar fasciitis, and invested in Birkies (relax-similar to madrid but not as wide) and fitflops, and alternate them.

You can't get away from the foot imprint thing, it's a cork and leather sole, and normal sweat causes it.

Relax are true to size. Madrid bigger and wider. I often see them in Tkmaxx, have never paid more than £20 a pair. I Have them in silver, cerise, white and black. hth

piratecat · 01/04/2014 13:03

Relax ones

I am a size 5 1/2, with narrow flat feet, not a high instep and the 6 are perfect on me. I can fit a five, but prefer the 6 in this one.

If they were the madrids, well with my foot shape, 5 and 6 are just too big really, too wide below the toes. hth

alexheartbeauty · 01/04/2014 13:23

I'm wearing a pair of Arizonas I bought at the end of last week from Amazon for £30 and think they're definitely worth it. I've also got the clog ones which I wear as slippers. I've got slightly flat feet which makes them perfect for me.

www.amazon.co.uk/Birkenstock-Arizona-51793-Width-Unisex/dp/B003ART524/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1396354757&sr=8-2&keywords=birkenstock

ihatethecold · 01/04/2014 13:27

I want to buy some new Birkenstocks now.

Slackgardener · 01/04/2014 13:28

I have the Arizonas in leather - Birko gives me blisters. I get the narrow in 39 and I normally take a 40. I'm so pleased they are fashionable again because my feet are so much happier in them.

MrsMarigold · 01/04/2014 13:40

I literally walked around Italy in mine - can only do the thong sort though, because I have a high instep . However they aren't my comfiest but great for when you are in hospital having a baby. When they wear the cork can split which leads to painful pinching.

ephemeralfairy · 01/04/2014 13:47

I find them very uncomfortable and think they are the ugliest, most unstylish shoes known to humankind (apart from Crocs and Uggs)...!

But that's just me...

Having said that I used to work in a shoe shop and we'd always advise people to go down a size from what they'd normally wear as they do come up big (and wide).

charitygirl · 01/04/2014 13:52

I just don't know anyone who hasn't got a pair of Birkenstock's for summer. I sort of thought they were a classic that every woman has.

HermioneWeasley · 01/04/2014 17:13

Standard ones are really wide - I go 2 sizes down! I think they,re great though.

Vickiyumyum · 01/04/2014 17:32

I'm a 42 in normal shoes but a 40 in Birkenstocks. My preferred style is the gizeh they give much better support than the Madrid although I have several pairs of each. The most versatile colour is the silver as it's Matt and not overly shiny.

Fitflop a are comfy too but they both need wearing in. The first time you wear birks or fitflop they make your shins ache.

OneMoreThenNoMore · 01/04/2014 17:41

I live in Birkenstocks all summer. I usually have a couple of pairs of Madrids on the go (can't bear toe posts). I've also had a couple of pairs of the two-strap ones (Arizona??) in the past.

I walk about 4 miles a day and they are the most comfortable shoes for summer.

You'll probably need to break them in; mine usually rub across the top of my feet for the first two days.

I wear a 6 in most shoes, but I always get Birkenstocks in a 5.

OneMoreThenNoMore · 01/04/2014 17:43

Oh, and do look online, you can get most styles cheaper than in the shops. Smile

ProfessorSkullyMental · 01/04/2014 17:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

livingatheendofthewall · 01/04/2014 17:49

Birkenstock have a good sale on their website at the mo:
www.birkenstock.co.uk/SALE/ViewAll/1/

superzero · 01/04/2014 17:50

Definitely worth it.Last for ages.Mine are perennial summer staples and on a couple of beach holidays have been my sole footwear.If you are a 1/2 size take the full size down,not up.Often on special offer in TK Maxx