Are there Birkenstocks that would work for me?

[CoconutAmericano]

Basically my feet are so bloody high maintenance they turn their nose up at everything! I get blisters incredibly easily, I have high arches, they're narrow, i cant keep mule/ slip on style shoes on my feet, they just fall off . But id really like to try Birkenstocks. But what should I try? If you have similar high maintenance feet what works for you? Oh and I'm an eu 41 so there's that..

I get sore arches and blisters easily too but Birkenstock sandals are great. I have two pairs of the vegan leather ones and they last well and I can walk miles in them. You do have to break them in and you'll get blisters a couple of times :( but once it's done they are like slippers/bare feet/walking boots in one.

I’d give Birkenstock Gizeh a try - great for high arches, they stay on really well and are adjustable - sorry can’t link.

I have a couple of the Arizona style, they are comfortable but I've had better to be honest OP.

Tewa are better than Birkenstock IMO

I have high arches and narrow feet. I find birkenstocks really comfortable. Whilst they do get more comfortable with wear, I don't need to break them in, I don't get blisters from them. I wear Arizonas and Bostons. Contrary to what a lot of people say about them I size up from my usual shoe size, then put the straps to the tightest settings. They are my go to shoes from spring through to autumn.

Noooo, i cant do any more breaking in, i just cant!! I want to put a pair of shoes on and they just feel right ya know? Comfortable, stylish, nice happy feet 😊
Im still traumatised over spending weeks upon weeks trying to break in my DNM’s for them to still be instruments of torture. No, i cant, i just cant dramatic
Ok ill look at the Gizeh and Teva. Thank you!

I see Gizeh have toe posts. Not a hope would they be comfortable on me. Ive never met a toe post that didn't rub. Bloody high maintenance feet, i curse you!

I love Birkenstocks but they hate me! The footbed part never worked and I was scrunching my toes up to keep them on. Similar to you, high arches and feet that blister at the very thought of anything other than a pair of slippers. I did buy these last weekend though which are a similar look but much more comfortable.

They now do ones with a comfy footbed! It’s like a cushion for your feet. I had a pair with and a pair without - would deffo go for the footbed when I get new pairs. I go for the two-strap ones and tighten to fit (eu43 here!).

They'll take weeks to break in, I have similarly sensitively feet and can only potter around the house in mine,I use them as slippers.

I have sensitive feet. High arches but kinda hypermobile too, so it makes a lot of slip on shoes, slip off.
Birkenstocks Mayari do work quite well for me and Ive been wearing them for years, Gizeh are comfy too, but i am not as keen on the look.

I wear Arizona's and I break them in real fast by just popping them on about the house every now and then. It's not sore at all they just mould really fast to your feet.

Weeks? Mine take a few hours of occasional wear at home, so less than a day!

Mayaris

Birkenstock Eva don't require any breaking in. I have high maintenance feet and find these very comfortable.

OP I tried a couple of mule type, Cork soled sandals on in Jones on Saturday. Their own brand and not dissimilar to Birkie styles but not their Birkie knock off. They were soft and like walking on air. Can't link on phone.

I've got the same type of feet and Arizonas are ok. I prefer the original footbed though, feel as though my bones all slot back into the right place when I put them on. Have had other Art shoes before so might take a look at the Art ones linked above - there was no breaking in with the boots.

But the best for comfort are Tevas with the Hurricane sole. I needed some when had damaged my knee but knew we'd be walking a lot. So lovely to wear.

I didn't have to break mine in but they do get more comfy with wear - in fact I only wear Birkenstocks now (I have boots and trainers for winter from them). If you want to try them out without a massive cost commitment, you can buy their different insoles separately on their website - I have a pair of their comfy soles that I have in a pair of Skechers for when I need super soft and gentle.

I have had exactly the same issues as you and tried various Birkenstocks as I loved their colours but all of them were hell to wear. Twice one flew off whilst walking (genuinely haha) so awkward to walk in and I had the worst blister/cuts on my feet ever. Also it's not great hygiene imo having bare foot on suede so you have to keep washing them and drying them out. I've given up on sandals/flip flops for anything other than round the house or evenings out with no walking. I stick to Converse with trainer socks hidden for summer days or plain synthetic cloth Nike running trainers with jeans/trousers for day to day use. Converse still need breaking in but it's worth it and you can wear them with dresses or shorts. Those type of Nike trainers require no breaking in at all and are the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. They're breathable and can be put in the washing machine endless times too and come out brand new!

I found them too wide and not supportive enough for plantar faciitus (sp?). Timberland ones are excellent though, really soft leather and never a blister, even when they got wet

Gizeh are the only toe posts Ive ever been able to wear which are 100% comfortable! All others I hate. I also have Arizona's which I love

Everyone's feet are different which is why some.people don't need to break them in and some do. Mine are very sensitive and blister easily, I have friends who can wear anything. Slightly off topic but neither ds nor I can walk on a pebbly beach, dd and dh can. DD and DH don't blister like DS and I do and can just put on a plaster and soldier on.

AFAIAC Every M&S shoe comes with a complimentary blister and are very hard. Birkies for me fall into the same category.

OP I'd recommend trying: Clarks, Siebel, Gabor, Hotter (even Hotter have a couple of knock-offs). Much softer. And yes, I do like shoes very much.