Are Birkenstocks worth it?

[deedsnotwords11]

Have some birthday money and am thinking of investing in some Birkenstocks for summer - I'm a teacher and need something that will let me be on my feet all day/walk around site a lot but not look horrendous.

Are birkenstocks worth the money? If not, any alternatives?

100% worth it. I buy 'Madrid'
I've had the same pair for 8 years and only now they're starting to look worn.

You don't need a back strap. One of the nice things about them is the ease of slipping on and off. I don't like the single bar ones though. My favourite are the Sydney which have 2 straps but are a bit less bulky than Arizona. I also like the mayari. I walk miles in mine. Either size down or choose the narrow fitting

I wear mine for 2 summers and then they are only suitable for camping/ garden!

I have a Madrid pair and an Arizona pair. They are comfortable for wearing if not walking far, but they give me a blister on the inside edge/underside of my foot if I walk long distances in them. Like a PP it is an issue with the shaped footbed and my flat feet. I can only have them for occasional wear.

I love mine and think they’re absolutely worth the money and buying the actual brand. But you can’t run in them - wondering if you need to be able to sprint across a playground occasionally if you work in primary?

I love them when I'm not doing a lot of walking. I prefer Fitflops and Teva sandals when walking because the sole bends. You have to land every step flat with a Birkenstock.

No. I've never been able to find a pair that weren't too long. I tried three different sizes of sandal and they were all too long. My normal size and two sizes below. Ridiculous sizing!

Hmmm maybe I will look at fitflop as well - I have very little people in my care so there is some occasional running!

I have a total of 12 pairs, all different colours and 3 different styles.

I tend to wear the Giza, gone off the Madrid style, but I really think they have upped their game with new strapped style's, I am eyeing up the Ashley (the are the papillio brand, not made in Germany but still the same company)

Really I can walk for miles and miles in them and my usual size fits fine.

Only thing I will say is the cork is not as good as it used to be, and does crack sooner than previous ones I have had for about 13 years

@Seafog

I love mine, I've had three pair over 30 years. The first week is hard, the second week is fine, third week on is bliss. Once they form to your feet, they are the most perfect fit, and feel as close to safe barefoot as you can be. They do stretch a tiny bit during break in, but are adjustable.

Agree 100%

I have just bought my third pair of Mayaris, ready for the Great Footwear Swap somewhere around the end of April, where I move from Blundstone boots to birkies.

Yes. I don’t think they are suitable work shoes for rounding up little kids though.

Have a look at the Mayari. They keep the foot down at the front and reduce the amount that the heel raises. Love mine.

I live in Birkies from May- Sept.

I used to wear Madrid but find Mayari much more stable for moving around .

Oooh the Mayari are lovely I really like the style. Think that may be the one!

Ive had other branded ones in the past and they live for years so would think Birkinstocks may last longer. Only reason I bought the Cth Kidston ones was I wanted some patterned ones

I wear them as slippers in the house as they have proper arch support

I've worn them for many years and my podiatrist has recently told me not to. I wore Florida, with three straps, and my toes have distorted themselves somehow. I have no idea what I'll use instead.

I have the Mayaris in the colourway Shiny Snake Black Multicolour. Look it up, it's absolutely stunning.

Actually if you just Google Birkenstock Shiny Snake you'll find the texture in several styles and colours. Personally I always think Birks look best in any form of metallic.

I also am fond of the Florida style which is a bit more feminine on the foot than the Arizona.

Ive never needed a back strap, not when the top strap is so high on the foot.

There are 2 different footbeds, Soft and Normal, and two different widths, Narrow and Normal. So read the details.

I wear them about the house but can't wear them out. They absolutely kill my feet if i wear them for any length of time. Blisters mainly but i also find they flare up my plantar fasciitis.

I would also suggest Dr Marten sandals if you're looking for comfy and chunky. I find the sole on my Dr Martens to be much bouncier and comfier for running around and springing up a million steps every day (also a teacher).

I adore my Birkenstocks but every single one of my colleagues seems to wear them, which has put me off a bit too. Nice to not be wearing the same as everyone else. imo.

Get them. Worth every penny.

I love mine and have always had a pair to wear in the warmer months for about 10 years now. I tend to mainly wear them throughout the summer so find I don't buy many other sandles.

I absolutely love mine and live in them from April - October. They did, however, take some breaking in. Invest in some compeed and power through - it is worth it in the end!

I've had mine for a few years but never found them very comfortable but last year decided I really wanted to wear them and after wearing just a few times consistently they broke in and were very comfy!! Looking forward to wearing them again this year

Shop around for different patterns. I got my Sydneys from Next last year. I didn't see the same style anywhere else. Sydney is like Arizona but with slightly narrower straps so it looks less clumpy. You can get wide or narrow fit. The narrow is quite generous.

I'm going to recommend the Arizona Eva sandals. Plastic, lightweight, you'd don't know you've got them on. I wore them all last summer and all winter at home with thick socks 😀
The most comfortable footwear I've ever had and I'm pretty fussy. Also, they're £35 so much easier on the wallet.

www.birkenstock.com/gb/arizona-eva/arizona-eva-eva-0-eva-u_3716.html