Birkenstocks

[il0vew1ne]

HI
I would like to buy some Arizona Birkenstocks. As they are unisex
would you buy narrow or normal width and what are the sizes like.
I am a 39 - size 6 and thinking of getting size 5.5/6.
Also are they comfy
Thanks

Blissfully comfy! I have the normal width which is plenty wide enough - and I always have to go with wide fit. I think they are slightly oversized and when I replace these I will go down a size.

I find my hideously uncomfy 😩 i agree they are sized quite big as well

I wear a 40 and I’m a 6.5 shoe. I buy normal width as I have a wide forefoot & if you have long toes, don’t size down.

Once broken in, they’re extremely comfortable but I wouldn’t recommend a long walk fresh out of the box.

I find them big, flappy and uncomfy!

I LOVE my Arizonas! Also a big fan of Madrid, which I have in several colours.
My feet are a wide size 8, so I sometimes have to go up to a 9 in narrow fitting shoes and I wear a 40 normal.

They are very comfortable but will probably take a bit of wearing in. The footbed can be a bit rough to start off with, so don't go off on a massive hike the first time you wear them!

I love my Arizonas! I am a 5.5/6 and usually a standard width. I have the 39 narrow and still need the buckle on the tightest hole. So unless you have really wide feet go with narrow.

I find them incredibly comfy, but both my pairs are the soft footbed ones.

I find Birkenstock’s wide and mine are very uncomfortable to actually walk in
Won’t buy anymore

My favourite sandal. I buy the soft foot bed and suede for comfort. I'm a 39 but I find I need a 40 in this sandal. Your toes and heels aren't supposed to rest right on the raised edges of the foot bed.

I wear Madrids all year round, I always buy a 38, I am actually size 39.
I buy standard size (narrow also fit)
But, my daughter just bought 3 pairs of Arizonas, one for her, one for me mothers day, & one of r her grandma's bday.
They are all at least a size too big huge, something wired has happened to their sizing, they are all going back.
I would buy a size less than normal, & 2 sizes less than normal & return the pair that don't fit.

I have to wear a size down in any model Birkenstock's I buy

i love my madrids too and a 6.5 and have size 40. they fit well. Got from TK maxx a few years back though. (if sizing has changed)

I have recently bought the Mayari birkies and bought my usual size which are a great fit. No issues in comfort at all. I go for wide fit.

Worst sandals I've ever bought! So uncomfy 👎🏼

Mayaris all the way

I size down one full size and get the narrow fit. Both my pairs are Arizonas I think.

How long does it take to break them in? I tried some on and they were painful.

They take a year to break in. Then they are so comfy it's untrue. Shortly after this they start to fall apart so you buy a new pair. It takes a year to break them in.. and the cycle continues. I'm on my 4th pair

However, I bought some slippers last winter which I've worn with socks and they are fabulous.

I find them true to size. I have wideish feet and find the normal width size fine.

@LynetteScavo

They take a year to break in. Then they are so comfy it's untrue. Shortly after this they start to fall apart so you buy a new pair. It takes a year to break them in.. and the cycle continues. I'm on my 4th pair

A year???

I have Mayaris and have done for a few years. They fit me perfectly and I can wear them out of the box no problems. Other toe post sandals are impossible for me but these are perfect. So I guess it depends on your feet. I’m a wide 6 in most shoes but a normal 5.5 (39) is spot on. I’ve had them for years now and replace about every 3 years. The Arizona sandals just didn’t suit though, guess it was the style. I found the papillon versions to be a a bit narrower but also fine. My favourite shoes now!

It has never taken me a year to break them in! I have two pairs of Arizonas that are on their 6th or 7th summers of frequent wear (the black ones I've worn more than 150 times) and still going strong. They are extremely comfortable.

I'd be wary of sizing down though, made that mistake in my noughties Birks phase and they were never quite as comfy. They are designed to seem to come up big - the ridge at the back of the heel will rub your foot if you downsize too much.

The other thing to bear in mind is that Birkenstock will re-sole your shoes when they wear out - I've had this done from the London shop but don't know if you can arrange it online (though I might check as my black ones will probably need doing this year). It costs, but obviously less than a new pair of shoes!

I disagree that they take a year to break in. I've actually bought a pair whilst on holiday and subsequently wore them straight out of the shop and walked for mile.
I own 7 pairs including Arizonas, Mayaris, Gizahs and a pair of Boston clogs. I do wear orthotics insoles in my normal shoes so perhaps I have Birkenstock shape feet.

Well I suppose everyone is different but a year to break them in?
I have 2 new pairs, one gold khaki and the other a frosty rose gold which I've been wearing alternately the last 3 weeks and no problems at all. Totally painless and very comfortable.