So, Birkenstocks?

[ReadingRiot]

I've managed to get to 50yo without ever owning a pair. I tend to agree with those who say they're ugly. However, I do love a comfy shoe and am in need of something to just slip on in the warm weather.

I don't generally do flip flop type shoes, I hate a toe post and am not over keen on the way flip-flops always feel like they're falling off.

However, the I am rather taken with the Milan Big Buckle.

www.birkenstock.com/gb/madrid-natural-leather/madridbigbuckle-silkroad-naturalleather-0-eva-w.html?dwvar_madridbigbuckle-silkroad-naturalleather-0-eva-w_color=621#q=Big+buckle&start=6

What do you think? I'm not sure about the pattern, but I don't want black or brown.

Or the standard Milan in a nice summery colour.?

Or the double strap big buckle? I've always thought they're even uglier but they do look easier to wear!

Does the foot bed help with keeping them on?

i have some beat up single strap white ones, i live in them in the summer! plus i think they're quite cool

I have a couple of pairs of Birkenstocks which have been worn to death over tge past few summer.

They don't flip flop on your feet as much as ermflip flops as the sole of your foot grips the footbed.

I love those with the big buckle.

I find them very uncomfortable (wrong shaped foot for them!), so make sure you try some to see if the base is something that works for your foot shape. I have some M&S leather rip offs of them that are super comfy without the molded foot thing.

They are very comfy. I've got pink and a silver pair.

I live in mine in the summer .... got a couple of genuine birkies and some primark fake ones which are also very comfy.

I love those! But .... £80!!! When did they become so expensive or is it a limited edition?

I hate the way you get that sweat induced toe print on the footbed after a few wears in hot weather!

They are incredibly comfy I can tell you. And not the ugliest shoe on the market surely.

I love them but not the single trap ones, they don't stay on as well as all the other styles.

I like the Mayari and Gizeh styles the best (the toepost doesn't bother me even though I don't like ordinary flip flops) and also have a pair of the 2 strap Arizona ones in the softest suede.

I don't much care how they look tbh, although the Mayari style especially looks really nice!

It depends on your feet, I have narrow feet with high arches and they are so uncomfortable. I had one pair that only came in handy when I was in hospital as I could pop them on to go to the loo, which was a sufficiently short distance from my bed, but never again.

I bought these ones for this year after my ancient ones gave up the ghost after many faithful years.

www.birkenstock.com/gb/madrid-oiled-leather/madridbigbuckle-bigbuckle-oiledleather-0-eva-w.html?dwvar_madridbigbuckle-bigbuckle-oiledleather-0-eva-w_color=9798&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq82e8aX-2wIVrbvtCh1pWQCIEAQYASABEgLg_fD_BwE

The two or three strap ones stay on better

I have those style and they do "flip" when you walk

I've had them in the past , they're ok if your feet are pain free etc but no good if you have any iota of heel pain etc. They're not soft and cushioned and offer no support to anyone with high arch.

Also if they get wet they stink forever afterwards.

I have about 10 pairs, collected over several years.
I find the Gizeh tie post style the most comfortable.
I had a lovely navy pair with a red sole. My friend's puppy at one of them 😭

I bloody love mine. I've got the soft footbed Arizonas, which have two straps. They stay on my feet really well, and the soft footbed ones are significantly more comfortable and need less breaking in than others.

I have several pairs of the Arizona type in a variety of colours , I’m not fussed whether something is fashionable I’m all about comfort . I would say that you either have Birkenstock shaped feet or you don’t , I’ve never had to ‘wear in’ the footbed as they are automatically comfortable . My dsis on the other hand can’t wear them at all . I had a pair of Madrid’s a few years back and although they were comfortable I didn’t feel they were safe for driving in and they were a bit flip floppy .

Love my birkies, Milan's are my favorite. Beware that they do come up big. I'm a 43/44 and I bought a 42 this year.

I am 50 in a few weeks and bought some last week, never too old!!! They are incredibly comfy, never tried any on before. I went for patent two tone, I like them but know I will hate it when the footbed looks manky. These.

I just bought my normal size in a narrow and they fit perfectly.