Birkenstock

[MsMiaWallace]

I'm looking at getting some Birkenstock for my hols.

I have had some cheaper footbed sandals before so love the style.

Are they worth investing in?

Which ones are comfier Gizeh or Arizona's?

I'm usually size 7. Do you order size down or up?

I'm a size 7 and I get size 40 Regular and I have wide-ish feet.

I'm sorry but think both those styles are quite ugly. If you go on the Birkenstock site there are loads of styles. I usually get Tabora.

My favourites sre the Mayari style. I find they run large and size down.

Yes Mayari and Tabora are the same although Mayari has much nicer colours (but I can never remember the name!).

I have two pairs of arizonas and I love them. I have beige suede ones for summer that I've had for years and years and recently bought some black shearling lined ones for winter. They are unbelievably comfortable, I sized down with the normal arizonas and took my usual size in the shearling ones to allow for room for chunky socks.

I have several pairs (white, gold, black and red) but mine are all madrid or whatever the other one strap one is called. Im not a fan of the two strap or toe post versions.

Definitely worth the money, I used to buy cheap versions and they never lasted, my white ones have got to be on their 6th summer this year.

Wore my Arizonas nearly every day last summer. They do take some wearing in but so worth it next to the cheapy versions

I have Gizehs and my dd has some Arizonas. They’re both comfy but I prefer the Gizehs as they grip my feet so well. DD hates a toe-post style.

They had never really appealed to me but my adult step-daughter developed back pain and went to see a chiropractor who said that walking to work in the summer inchesp flip-flops was causing it and recommended trying Gizehs. I don’t suffer with back pain but can walk for miles in my Gizehs and the style has grown on me.

I think that happens with Birkenstocks. Whatever you choose, you’ll end up liking them more and more.

I always buy gizeh and love them. The only downside is how many other women I see wearing exactly the same style but usually in different colours so that's ok! They are very comfy and durable.

I have some and they were extremely comfortable last summer. However, i wouldnt pay full price for them because they are now no longer made of cork and leather, but plastic and plastic. My local (good quality independent) shoe shop refuses to stock them as they say the plastic material of the insoles is toxic, and many toxins are absorbed by the soles of the feet 🤨
Not sure if its true but research before you buy if it materials and toxins matters to you.

I have got a pair of White Madrids. Have had them many years and can't fault them. Have been eyeing up some different styles but am not a fan of the toe post ones.

They are still made of cork and leather, although there have been vegan leather substitute ones available for decades (birko flor). There is just one type that has a plastic sole and it is intended as a pool sandal.

Your shop is talking shockingly ignorant bollocks....

I love Birkies!

Use their website & measure your feet to establish your size

I have had lots of styles & they have all been great

I have a pair of Gizah and Arizona- much prefer the Gizah.

The footbed seems to be slightly different between the two models, and whereas the Gizahs grip my feet really well and are unbelievably comfy, the Arizonas rub under my toes a wee bit. They’re still wearable, but they haven’t become a faithful old pair of shoes like the Gizahs have.

I have a pair of gizeh and I love them. It took a couple of days to wear them in but then they moulded to my feet and became really comfy. I can walk for miles in them! Also I would just buy whatever size you wear normally, a lot of people size down but there is meant to be a bit of a gap at the back of the shoe, otherwise they rub (and you get hard skin on your heels!)

I love mine - they are white patent!!!!! My last ones lasted years. You can wear them every minute of every day, they are fab.

I wear them with shorts and with silk dresses - these and havianas are the only sandals I take on holiday now.

But you need a fab pedicure - with polish - otherwise you look like a hippie.

I have arizona and madrid ones. I sized down for both. Both are comfortable but I wouldn't want to war them to do lots of walking.
The Madrid ones are the ones I prefer - which surprised me, as I thought the arizonas were 'cooler'. I haven;t tried the gizeh as I don't normally get on with flip flops.

I forgot to say, the Arizona ones are old but i had a pair before and I usually get nice comments about them, even when they were considered old-fashioned.

Look at the Floridas, I think they're a bit more elegant than the Arizonas. 3 skinny straps as opposed to 2 fat straps.

I have Floridas and Miyaris. I'm a 7 and take a 40 happily enough.

Forgot to say, had Gizehs but really found the toe post hard. I remember once tripping off a kerb and the toe post absolutely ripped into my skin. OOOWWWWW!

I like all of the styles, well except Pisa, which I returned, and the ones with a Madrid front and a back strap which I bought as a gift for DM. I agree that Mayari is probably the nicest, but that Gizeh has a of the exotic colourways.

I'm glad that others have the sheerling lined ones too and love them! I bought the beige ones on Amazon for £25 Or so and now they're £££. I need another pair, they're fugly, but comfy.

WTF about the toxins osmosing through one's body?

I am on my 3rd pair of Gizehs, and also have some Arizonas. Love both but Gizehs definitely more comfortable for longer walks and as pp said the footbeds do feel different. I fancy some of the 3 strap ones next!

Well there are 2 footbeds, the soft (easy from the outset) and regular (a bit rougher).

My Floridas have the soft foot bed and omg they are lush. My Miyaris are regular and need more breaking in.

You have to be careful with the widths too, don't buy a narrow unless you have narrow feet!

I get Madrid’s & Gizeh’s. Very comfortable and hard wearing. I bought new last year and the definitely had leather & cork soles.