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Are Birkenstocks as comfy as they look?

48 replies

Sunnyfeet · 21/05/2014 21:09

Do they stay on your feet when you walk, can you go shopping in them? And I've seen another brand mentioned here - I think it's Fly Flot (or something similar)? I've posted before about discovering comfortable shoes in 2014, I've never looked back!

OP posts:
NickNackNooToYou · 21/05/2014 21:13

I love mine BUT you need to break them in first. Wear them in the house for a few days first, then you'll never look back Smile

I can run after my DCs in them and walk for miles Grin

Passmethecrisps · 21/05/2014 21:15

I second what nick said. I bought mine a size smaller than normal and also in narrow so that they got my feet perfectly. I love mine

Doinmummy · 21/05/2014 21:16

They are comfortable but they make my feet fart!

TheLastThneed · 21/05/2014 21:17

Absolutely.

Sunnyfeet · 21/05/2014 21:22

They seem to be back in fashion this summer (or maybe they never went out of fashion?) but the 'slide/footbed' type of sandal seems to be everywhere at the moment.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 21/05/2014 21:22

I love mine, very comfortable. My adult dd hates them and found them painful!

NumptyNu · 21/05/2014 21:24

Been wearing mine for 5 years! Pushed three kids in prams, up and down hills, lots of miles done in comfort!

CointreauVersial · 21/05/2014 21:28

I don't find mine hugely comfy (and I've had them for a couple of years now).

DoingTheSwanThing · 21/05/2014 21:32

Wonderful - but expect to put in the effort breaking them in. I very nearly gave up they were so uncomfortable at first. Pretty much live in them now Smile

EasterSundaySimmons · 21/05/2014 21:39

Along with Scholls I cannot wear them.

I've tried wearing my size, a size up and a size down and they are the most uncomfortable footwear I've ever worn. They make my feet scrunch up as I walk.

Shame, as I quite like a few of the styles.

HermioneWeasley · 21/05/2014 21:44

They are very comfy, but fit flops are even comfyer

DillydollyRIP · 21/05/2014 21:46

They makes feet fart too Blush

DillydollyRIP · 21/05/2014 21:47

Make my^

Bert2e · 21/05/2014 21:49

It depends on the style - I can't wear the nicer looking single strap Madrid's but love Florida or Arizona which have 2/3 straps.

Gerrythetootallgiraffeswife · 21/05/2014 21:52

Every summer it takes me 3 days to break them back in, I guess my feet are just being pushed back into the right place! But after those 3 days, it's like walking on air. And they last forever. God knows how old mine are, 7/8 years perhaps? I wear them from April to September every year almost exclusively. From now on I will never be without a pair!!

Tigresswoods · 21/05/2014 21:53

I have bought new ones this season. Possibly 4th or 5th pair I've had. I've worn them everyday for a week including one day all around a wildlife park. It's like I'm wearing nothing on my feet. I have not even thought about my feet. Love them.

TheLastThneed · 21/05/2014 21:58

I live in them over the summer, and wear the cloud style in spring/Autumn. I've even considered buying the insoles for my boots...

CQ · 21/05/2014 22:04

They do insoles???

I live in my Birkenstocks - have several pairs of the Madrid (?) single strap ones in a variety of colours. DOn't know what I'd wear all summer if not these. Can't do strappy sandals or flip flops, not all day anyway.

They have good arch support if you are prone to plantar fasciitis too.

Alchemist · 21/05/2014 22:07

I am very lucky in that there must be a woman, local to me, who is my Doppleganger.

She donates about once a month and you can tell by the clothes and shoes in the charity shop when she has done it. I bought a pair of Fit Flops and Papillon Birkenstocks for £2.50 each with tags still on Shock.

Fit Flops more comfortable, but now the scabby bit from rubbing the top of my foot has healed, the Birkenstocks feel like nothing on my feet. I love them.

We also wear the same size clothes Smile.

ZacEfronsLeftBicep · 21/05/2014 22:10

I live in them all summer too. Done several disney parks in them as well!

PurplyBlue · 21/05/2014 22:32

For some reason I find them horrendously uncomfortable. Gutted as I have a lovely pair of Madrids that I've had for about four summers. Each year I get them out, wear them around the house then put them back in the wardrobe.

I'm used to flip-flops, maybe that's the reason. They just seem to heavy and flappy, hurt the top of my feet and don't stay on. Maybe it's the way I walk :S

theresnowheretohidewithachip · 21/05/2014 22:42

Purply I could have written your post. So frustrating as I'd love some. I can't wear any flip flops either as no matter which ones I try from the cheapest to the dearest, the toe posts always dig in. I must have very strange feet.

KoalaDownUnder · 22/05/2014 05:23

I found my old Madrids horribly uncomfortable and didn't know what all the fuss was about. Then I discovered the narrow width.

I have really narrow feet, and now have narrow Gizehs done up on the smallest holes. They are the most comfortable thing ever. Unfortunately, I also think they are quite ugly. Doesn't stop me wearing them, though!

icanmakeyouicecream · 22/05/2014 06:28

Once you've broken them in, they will be like slippers on your feet.

BikeRunSki · 22/05/2014 06:33

V comfy and hard wearing. Didn't have to break them in. All other (cheaper!) footbed shoes have been really uncomfortable on me, but Birkies are brilliant. Also walk, run and push prams for miles in mine.

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