Talk to me about birkenstocks

[WatchingTheWheels85]

Are they wedged? I can usually only walk in shoes which are completely flat. Please tell me everything about them, I'm so tempted to buy madrids.

None of mine are wedged but they do have an arch. Love mine.

Important point. They come in two widths. Narrow and regular. Make sure you get the right ones. I live in Madrid's. Love them.

I live in Birkenstocks. Have done so for years. They're not wedged. Though you can buy more 'wedged'/platformy ones.
But typically, the footbed is flat with arch support. Though if you like a 'close to the ground/flat like Havaianas' feel, Birkenstocks are not it.

It's a bit of a commitment in that they take a couple of weeks to break in- not as in they're uncomfortable and will hurt your feet. Not at all. But the corkbed sole needs to be flexed and take the shape of your foot.

They take a bit of getting used to- not much. And the idea is that the footbed moulds to your shape- which is absolutely true. They really become 'second skin'. I can honestly say, I'm almost dependent on mine and no shoe offers me the love my Birkenstocks do! If I wear different shoes out and about, the minute I come home, I slide into my Bostons. I live in Gizehs all summer long. Honestly, I've been wearing them for years and they are my go-to shoe. They last forever.

Like walking with two short planks of wood strapped to your feet. Completely inflexible and made my toes want to keep clawing them with each step.

I like the look of them and have tried different sizes and styles but can’t get on with the rock hardness of them.

I do have a high instep.

Also you don't need to size down (even though they look like you might need to). They're true to size.

I wear them all summer long, but never Madrids as they flap around too much and I need a snug fit. I am also someone who needs no heel, I feel uncomfortable in even a 1" heel but they really are low and so, so comfortable.

I do size down (38 vs 39 normally) despite having very wide feet and high insteps. I wear Arizona, Gizeh and Mayari.

I bought my 1st pair yesterday - Arizonas - and am already in love with them. Bought a pair earlier in the week from Office,took them home and discovered they were the narrow fit!!! Too narrow for my hobbit feet. Took back and tried other places, TOAST surprisingly only sell the narrow fit in that style.

Bought in Schuh. Will wear to work and around the house to wear in before any long walks.

Only annoying thing was the price. Paid 43.99 in Office (20% off) and had to take back. In Schuh they were £60.

TOAST though were £70

I also bought my first pair yesterday. Schuh had the arizona soft footbed suede on offer at £50 ( usually £70) so I got some, I'd been planning to wait until autumn in the hooe that I might get some in a sale (do they usually go in the sales at end of summer?) I'll wear around the house for a few weeks, & on the school run which is only a few minutes, before wearing them out properly. Feel extravagant as I've bought two pairs of sandals this year, last pair I bought was in about 2009!

*hope not hooe

Bloody tablet is out to get me this morning.

It's worth looking on Ebay for good deals once you know your size. I wear a 39 in madrids, which I believe is a 5.5, but a 7 in most other shoes.

I'm a size 3 in all shoes so I guess I will need to find somewhere to try them on (not easy in pembrokeshire haha). Thanks everyone

You need to buy them about 2 weeks before you can wear them out. It takes that long for the footbed to mould. The cork is actually quite soft when it's been broken in. I normally wear 6 as I have a high instep but only nee a 5 in these.

Yeah I'm about two weeks into mine and can now walk a reasonable distance in them. They didn't rub my feet or cause blisters but they did make them ache so badly. I wouldn't say they are particularly comfortable still but they are getting there. I'm reserving judgement and hoping they do turn into the worlds most comfy sandals!