Advice on Birkenstocks

[Notarealmum]

I’ve just been advised by a podiatrist that my problem feet would be way better off encased in Birkenstocks. I know many of you ladies love them so I’m here for advice. I’ve worn the ones with just one strap in the past and found they rubbed my feet. Which would you recommend as the most comfortable style in terms of straps etc? I need to walk A LOT in them.

I find they dry my heels out terribly. I gave some Birkenstock Arizona's in the 'exquisite' range which gave a leather sole. They cost a whole lot more but don't dry out my heels.

Have not gave

I love my Birkenstocks! I've also got a bunion on one foot so wanted something really comfortable and supportive. I first got a pair of Arizonas which were brilliant and lasted a good few summers, then this summer have got some Mayaris (just for a change) and love those too. Both needed breaking in, and tbh rubbed my feet horribly the first few times I wore them, but once the leather had softened a bit and they'd started to mould to the shape of my feet they're just the most comfortable sandals ever. I wear them every day in warmer weather, unless it's raining!

I second everything pp have said about Arizonas vs Milanos, I love them both but Milanos are better for long walks and I can walk quickly without kicking them off.
I haven't had a moment's trouble with pf since wearing them.
I also covet a pair of Bostons. I had some in the 90s that I repeatedly had recorked and resoled. Went on a blind date with someone who was wearing the same ones but sadly that was all we had in common.

I second the Mayaris. Have walked miles and miles in them. The first day they feel a bit strange but bear with them. I can't be doing with toe posts either but these aren't like that. I've also had the Papilio version of the same design but I can't remember what they're called. I also have a bunion and they're fine.

I have bunions and very wide feet and like in the Madrid ones.

Perhaps when they rubbed you had the wrong size and/or width? They do come in different widths.

I love my Arizonas (I have plantar faciitis), and have recently got the most wonderful pale pink shearling ones for indoors. They are heavenly!

What problem feet do you have OP? I have long term Plantar fasciitis and can't wear Birkenstocks 😢

Gizeh are my go to's in summer , just love them . The Arizona are popular but I always wonder if you have to scrunch your toes up to keep them on

I have Arizonas in wide fit. I don’t have to scrunch my foot to keep them on (with my Madrids I do though), and I walk a lot in them. I did find that the soles of my feet had to get used to them, but I quickly found them very comfortable. I only wear my Madrids if I’m not going to be walking much. I live in my Arizonas during the summer.

Gizeh girl here (9 pairs in the drawer, from 1-11 years old). Also Amsterdam (3 pairs in 2 locations), the best slippers in the world.

I walk miles in my Mayari.

Try some on; I have never felt the straps that go over your toes rub, and it definitely doesn’t feel like a toe post.

Gizeh here too but I’ve just discovered the Gizeh with an ankle strap. It’s giving me even firmer support which I’ve noticed really helps my PF

Thanks so much everyone for sharing your advice and experience - so useful! I’m going to go and try some on for size and to see which styles accommodate my bunions best then probably buy online so I get more choice of colours.

@SavingsThreads, I do have plantar fasciitis which doesn’t trouble me much at the moment (🤞🏼) but the podiatrist still recommended Birkenstocks 🤷‍♀️

Those of you who recommended Gizeh, I’ll definitely try those on too and see how the toe thing feels (my feet do seem ridiculously vulnerable to anything that can possibly rub!)

I always have a couple of pairs of Arizonas on the go each year, different colours. I live in them from April to September. They do come up large so I take a couple of sizes smaller. And at the start of sandal season my feet sometimes get some blisters beside the straps as they get used to them again but it passes quickly.

Mayari for me too! I can't usually wear anything with a toe post (I have an enormous gap between my toes which is problematic) and these work perfectly for me. It's not really a toe post, it's more just where the straps cross. Both straps are adjustable so you should be able to accommodate your foot whatever its shape.

I like that the straps are narrow, so they look less bulky, and also that the bottom strap is quite low so it holds your foot well.

I have v mild PF and find the shape of them very comfy. I walk many miles in them too.

I wear my Madrids nonstop through the summer and I love them. My best advice would be to go try some on, there are so many sizes and widths (narrow, normal, wide) it's better you get an idea of how they each feel before committing ☺️

As an aside if I may, I always bought mine direct from the Birkenstock website in Germany but I haven't bought any since Brexit (that's how long they last!).

Has Brexit made a difference In terms of delivery times/taxes etc or is there a good UK website to use?

@Notarealmum I have horrible bunions and I live in my Kumbas- ankle straps and adjustable toe straps. I have the vegan ones in lilac and some black ones. I've also just spotted lovely brown leather ones so they may be next. I've had them quite a few years now and they still look new.

Oh, I meant I’d try the Mayaris, not the Gizeh. I’ll have a look at Kumbas too.

I definitely need some kind of strap on the arch of my foot or a heel strap, otherwise I claw my toes to keep flip flops/birkenstock madrids on.

I have had the 2 strap Arizona , the Boston clogs, 2 strap + heel strap Milano (they do make you look like a toddler, but you can wear them for days), Gizeh (toe post isn't too uncomfortable), 3 narrower strap (Florida). My favourite pair is a pair of silver gladiator style ones Betula, but they've never re-made that style that I've found so they are special occasions only. With the straps, one of the challenge is finding that sweet spot between too loose and so tight that it rubs.

The great thing is once you know your birkenstock footbed size, you can pretty much buy them without trying. The downside is my heels do start to resemble elephants tusks if I wear them all day/every day so you do have to stay on top of filing and moisturising.

Taormina is similar to Mayari, but with an ankle strap. I live in Taorminas all summer. They are so comfortable and secure on my feet. No toe clenching to keep them on, no slipping off if I sit with my feet dangling. Gizeh is also more secure on your foot than, say, Madrid, but Mayari and Taormina are much easier to get used to and wear all day because they do not have the rigid toe post.

Whichever style you try, do not attempt to wear it all day from day 1, not to go out walking in it straight away. It took me about two weeks to get used to wearing Birkenstocks, and it was very painful if I wore them for too long at first. They reposition your arch and this affects more than just the sole of your foot. It affects your ankles, knees and hips as well. So increase time and distance slowly.

Thanks for explaining, @Dilbertian - with that kind of adjustment, do you find it hard to adjust when you wear normal shoes?

I have gizeh and mayari as I like a toe post.They are incredibly comfortable and I am already wondering about what to wear on my feet in the autumn.
If I didn't have rather narrow flat feet with bunions I would wear arizonas as I like the look of them , they don't work for me.