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?

Late to the party but the oiled leather Mayaris are amazing, I have the black and the dark Habana brown, they just look better the more you wear them, I live in them in the summer, and I have felt clogs for indoor slippers and plastic clogs for the winter in the garden. beware Ebay and Amazon as lots of Birki's are fake and not just the really cheap ones.

I live in them. I wear Bostons around the house, Londons out and about (great for dog walking), and Birkis in the garden, Gizas in summer as well as Betula flip flops. I’ve worn nothing but Birkenstock for years (apart from when I cycle. I wear a light moccasin type of ankle boot for that). You have to break them in. You don’t hit the ground running with Birkenstocks. They’ll begin to take the shape of your foot after 2 weeks... then comes heaven!
You may get a couple of blisters initially but persevere! They are SO worth it. They last forever! I’ll be buried in them.

I meant Gizeh!

I'm going to go against the grain here. I lived in them for several years and badly damaged my feet in the process. I also managed to badly sprain my ankle wearing them. They smell awful and are easily ruined when wet.

I find Vionic far more supportive.

@certifiedmilf69

Birkenstocks? do you want to look stylish or like a middle aged man babe x drop the kids off at a gay club as an easy form of childcare

You’re right hun. Maybe I should get me a pair of slides...

Oops! nearly forgot ... ‘xxx’

Nice... 🤮

I love my Madrids, I have a wide foot with a high arch though (and hallux valgus), so a two-strap sandal like the Arizona rubs the top of my foot.

The Madrids don’t fall off and definitely don’t smell - and you can have them repaired when they start to fall apart. Mine must easily be ten years old by now, resoled them a couple of years ago and they look great.

Definitely worth it! I treated myself to some Arizonas last year that I got in the sale for about £50 and I wore them for the whole summer. Also got some Birkenstock slippers for Christmas that I love

My advice is read the sizing guide carefully- many people wear them too small, your toes should not hit the "bumper" at the front. This means they do look big when you first get them, but that raised edge protects your toes!

Definitely check whether you have ordered the narrow or the regular fit too! I'm a size 5 but take the 37 in the reg fit, 38 in the narrow. I have ordered some in the past where it didn't say which one it was so I had to send them back!

I've bought ANOTHER pair of Gizehs thanks to this thread making me browse.

I’m going to get oiled leather Mayaris thanks to this thread.

My silver ones have worked hard for 2 summers, they deserve a break.

@RainingBatsAndFrogs

I’m going to get oiled leather Mayaris thanks to this thread.

My silver ones have worked hard for 2 summers, they deserve a break.

I love mine, they felt very stiff when I first put them on but once they have warmed up they seem to meld to the shape of your foot and just become so so comfy, the leather does give a fair bit.