Birkenstock sizing

[Howaboutthisone]

What is the sizing like? If I'm usually a fairly reliable size 5 in shoes/sandals/flip flops/trainers, which size in the Madrid one strap would you recommend ordering?

And do you have any tips for getting them at a good price please?

I usually go a size down in the madrids and I need the narrow fit as well. They last me years. Need a new pair the last ones I bought at least 5 years ago.

Well that's really good to know about how well they last. I feel like they're a bit more of of an investment than my usual £15 flip flops!
Where do you usually buy yours?

I've bought a few pairs over the years and they last years! I've given 2 pairs to my mum when I got bored of them after a couple years and they lasted ages after for her too

I've a pair of madrids that I bought 4 years ago and still look great

I'm a size 5 normally and in birkenstocks too

I've bought in the Birkenstock shop, department stores, asos

Really love them 😀

I buy them in a schuh usually but often see them in tk Maxx so going to try there for my next ones.
Be warned though for the first couple of days you may wonder what the hell you have done because they are hard and uncomfortable. Once you've softened them up they are amazing. Dd is 14 this year and I've only needed to buy two pairs since I was pregnant with her but I have bought another couple of pairs just so I had a change.

That is bloody impressive! I have to get some! Any tips for breaking them in?

I am a 6/39 usually but size down to a 38. Haven't got any madrids as I prefer a bit more support, my faves are the thong ones (Gizeh) and I also have a pair of Arizonas which seem to make my feet look huge. But I've got plantar fasciitis at the moment and they are absolutely the comfiest footwear I own right now.

I have several pairs of Mayari style. I'm a 6/39 in every other style of shoe or boot ever, but my Birkenstocks are all 38, and they fit grand!

I always size down by one. So I am a 42 and take a 41 in Birkenstocks. In all my 6 pairs

Mine are from TKMaxx, the sale section of Birkenstock website, 40% off La Redoute offers and one pair full price from John Lewis

Be aware that they're wide-fitting, too. I have very narrow feet and can only wear Birkies in the 'narrow' version.

Slightly off thread, but I went to buy some Birkenstocks in Office yesterday and noticed their near identical own brand Arizona style ones for less than half price. No idea if they will last as well or be as comfy as the real ones but only time will tell.

Size down. They're really wide too.

I love my Birkenstocks but recently ventured into Primark and bought a very similar pair for £5. They might not last as long (3 years and counting for my Madrids) but pretty happy so far.
I go down a size for real Birkenstocks.

Be careful sizing down

I am a reliable size 6 and take a 39 in my double strap Birkies

I buy the same pair from Schuh every 5 years or so....brown leather Arizona

Always go size down. I'm a 38/5. I go to a 37 for a snug fit.

I buy mine in Costco. I'm a 7.5 with broad feet and find 40 or 41 fit equally well.

It took me two weeks to get used to my first pair. I don't think I'd ever worn an orthotic sole before, and at first it felt like I was hitting my feet with hammers. But my god they have been good for my knees and back. If you be also never worn something with such a contoured sole, you may want to build up your useage gradually!

I find footbed of a new pair quite harsh on my feet at first, so I wear them with socks for the first couple of weeks. Then the leather softens nicely.

I wear mine every day, sometimes inly for a few hours, sometimes all day. They last at least 3-4y. I get home from work, take my shoes off, and I can feel my feet and back going "Ahhhhhh" as I put my Birkenstocks on

Do not size down!!!! It irks me when I see people with too small birks.
There should be room around your whole foot in the footbed. There used to be a handy sizing guide in their website. I hate it when people's toes touch the rim or the back of their feet touch the back rim.
Buy your normal European size.

www.birkenstock.com/gb/passform/knowledge-fit.html

I'm far too invested in this!

My feet don't touch the back rim or front of my Birks, but I size down. My foot sits in the toothed of a 4 but my normal shoes are 5s. It's the sheer width of them. I have been considering buying children's ones!

Toothed? Footbed

I bought a pair of Arizonas in my usual size and ended up selling them on eBay as they were just too big and uncomfortable. A size down is definitely for me (as my other 4 well worn pairs have been).

Go normal sizing
Bought mine 4 years ago TK Maxx £20 lovely!

Goodygoody I'm lucky in that I can wear mine to work in summer without causing any raised eyebrows!

I'm a size 5 and I get the regular ones in a 38. I have Madrid, Mayari, Arizona and Gizeh. I love them! I've got them from the website, Amazon and TK Maxx. I noticed my most recent pair (Arizona) didn't seem to take as long to break in - maybe my feet are used to them now.