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Original poster

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:

WanderingTrolley1 · 22/05/2014 06:50

My Madrids are extremely comfortable.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 22/05/2014 09:38

I prefer Clark's version of Birkies - the footbed is soft and they are like slippers in 2 days! I have lots of Birkies but only for pottering around in, couldn't do any serious walking/shopping on them.

MyNewNormal · 22/05/2014 09:49

I have flat feet and even though I diligently tried breaking them in they simply hurt my feet and gave me blisters. Such a shame as they're good looking sandals.

PurplyBlue · 22/05/2014 10:27

Does anyone who finds them comfortable have a high instep?

Just wondering if that has anything to do with the comfort factor.

ophiotaurus · 22/05/2014 10:44

I have a high instep and find them instantly comfy and don't need to break them in. My friend who has flat feet can't wear them. So there could be something in it PurplyBlue.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 22/05/2014 12:30

Yes, I have a high instep.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 22/05/2014 12:31

Your instep is the top of your foot though not to be confused with your arch - I did for years, I thought they were the same thing!

PurplyBlue · 22/05/2014 14:24

Ah that is interesting - I've got both a high arch and a high instep, and find them uncomfortable.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 22/05/2014 17:39

I have high instep on one foot ( broken and misshapen!) but also wide feet so perfect for me

PurplyBlue · 22/05/2014 22:44

But but but - my feet are wide, with a high instep, and they're still reeeealy uncomfortable. Waaaaaah!

Pollywallywinkles · 22/05/2014 23:28

They don't look comfortable to me. Give the positive comments on here perhaps I should try some.

Floralnomad · 22/05/2014 23:33

I have quite flat feet and I never need to wear them in ,I assume I have Birkenstock shaped feet . I'm currently living in a pair of Arizonas - love them ,and I walk a lot.

LilyBobtail · 22/05/2014 23:35

They are only good if your feet exactly fit the footbed, IMO. I'Ve had a pair since 2002 (plenty of time to wear in) and they give me blisters on the balls of my feet if I walk too far in them. Shame as I really like the look of them.

CocktailQueen · 22/05/2014 23:39

I've had the silver birkies and black and white papillon ones and they are supremely comfy! They fit naturally and need no breaking in. The footbed is fab. Tra La la!

They are not the most glam sandals, but hey ho.

scarletfingernail · 22/05/2014 23:43

I have flat feet and have never had any problems wearing Birkenstocks. This is my 3rd summer of wearing Madrids. I've bought a new pair each year but the old ones are still going strong. I fancy trying a different style, maybe Gizeh as I think they look nicer, but I'm worried about shelling out for them and then not finding them as comfortable.

The wide fitting is more comfortable for me.

mamalovesmojitos · 22/05/2014 23:48

So so comfortable. I have a few pairs of sandals for summer and the clog-type ones (Boston?) for winter. Love my Birkenstocks an insane amount.

Macocious · 23/05/2014 05:15

I love mine. They are so comfortable and last for ages too. Have walked for miles in them on holiday. My feet are narrow though so need the narrow fitting which I've always had to buy online as I can't find them in the shops.
For those who find them uncomfortable, are you wearing the correct size? I've seen a lot of people wearing them too small. There should be room at the front and back for the foot to move.
See here: www.birkenstock.co.uk/Article/View/articleCode/Sizing/

Lagoonablue · 23/05/2014 07:56

I broke my ankle once and damaged ligaments in my foot. Means I can't keep flip floppy type shoes on as just can't grip with my left foot. It is a real pain. I have to have sandals with a back strap. Clarks do one that looks like a Birkies but it is drifting into the Jesus sandal arena though. Remember those?

WitchWay · 23/05/2014 08:36

I have a couple of pairs of Birkenstock type sandals by Big Leaf which are very comfy with a shaped footbed and were half the price . I have wide feet. They do fart a bit

ThePerfectNegroni · 23/05/2014 08:49

I find them uncomfy. I have wide feet and the arch digs in to me. I also have to walk with my toes scrunched up so they don't flop off.

amazonianwoman · 23/05/2014 08:58

I couldn't survive summer without my silver Gizehs. I must be on to my fourth pair. Had a couple of pairs of the bronze ones too. I don't have a problem keeping them on my feet and I could walk forever in them. My husband's podiatrist rates them too. I've just ordered DD (10) her first pair

I like the look of the Madrids but find them much harder to keep on, lots of toe scrunching.

Tiredemma · 23/05/2014 09:00

really uncomfortable.

notjustamummythankyou · 23/05/2014 18:08

I've had a pair of madrids for nearly ten years. For the first couple of weeks I do find that my arches ache a bit where the built-up support is, and i get a little blister from that funny ridge on the footbed underneath the big toe. Soon passes as I get used to them again.

I think its about time I treated myself to some more. I fancy the toe post to ones but I wonder if I might get a bit toe-scrunchy in a bid to keep them on??

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