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Original poster

Talk to me about Birkenstocks

107 replies

hamustro · 18/05/2023 21:16

The Arizona style, specifically.

I'm going on holiday and need some sandals that are comfy for walking in. Not hiking or anything, but maybe a few hours walking around a city. I don't know if I have particularly knobbly feet but for some reason I'm quite blister-prone, so the backless style of the Arizonas appeals to me.

I've heard a lot of people say they're comfy but is that just for pottering about the garden? As they're backless do they flap around on your feet and cause achey muscles after a while from trying to keep them on, like flip flops?

OP posts:
Bingpt · 18/05/2023 21:20

I don't have them but I must be the only person at the school gate that doesn't. All sorts of birkinstocks. The closed toe one is particularly popular.
They seem to be ubiquitous this year. I'd personally avoid for that reason!
FatFace has soon really nice sandals and also saw some in M&S although I've never had much longivity with M&S shoes.
I'm also looking for summer sandals. Sturdier than flip flops.

GettingStuffed · 18/05/2023 21:21

The Arizona's have the double strap which keeps them on . You need to break them in so the fit is correct, it takes a few weeks but once you've broken them in you can walk for miles in them.

LadyHag · 18/05/2023 21:21

Arizona's are great, they don't flop away from your foot due to the double strap.

I don't get the patent as I find them a little less inflexible.

Get the softer birko floor ones ("they feel super soft when you pop them on your feet!)

TheMousePipes · 18/05/2023 21:23

I have tried many types of Birki but the Madrid is the best. Try a pair on when you try the others.

PacificState · 18/05/2023 21:26

I wouldn't go for a long walk in a hot city with brand new birkies (I'm quite prone to blisters too). I can wear my arizonas on long walks now but I've had them a few years. At the beginning the straps are quite unyielding and run across the top of the foot/toes until you get used to them. If you have a few weeks to wear them in you should be alright

rainraingoawaay · 18/05/2023 21:28

I have some! I always blister on my heels / little toes really really badly when walking lots on holiday.

I wore the Arizonas last year on a hot holiday, game changing - I'd worn them in for an hour or two a day for a few weeks before holiday, they're now the most comfortable sandals I own. As PP said they don't slip as much and they're really comfy, the straps did rub slightly on the first week or so though.

Would also recommend new balance trainers, they're the first that haven't blistered me when walking 😊

Ditzydaisychain · 18/05/2023 21:29

Birkenstock are one of the better purchases I have made with footwear. Walked for miles in them, doing around 15-20,000 steps a day, and never got sore feet whilst on our last holiday.

I had to throw them away recently as I’d worn them to death and they had started wearing on the sole.

I’ve invested in 2 pairs already for this year the normal Arizona and the Arizona Evas.

blanketsforall · 18/05/2023 21:33

I've had about 10 pairs of Madrid and they are very comfortable. I've worn them to walk all day and never had problems. I prefer the ones where the strap affixes to the shoe inside the sole- think they are called relax, as they seem to hug the foot better.

Frieda12 · 18/05/2023 21:33

Birkis saved my life when I got plantar fascia - I got the Arizona and they were they only thing I could wear for months. Took no breaking in and they’re still good five years later

Itwasnaeme · 18/05/2023 21:35

I need the Birkenstocks with ankle straps for walking distances, I have arizonas for going round the supermarket type distances. I don't like having to grip a shoe without a back strap.
They are my favourite shoes ever.

mastertomsmum · 18/05/2023 21:35

They are generally too wide for me, although my go to nip to the shops shoes are Haflinger clogs.

Walking around in the heat, I like Earth Spirit sandals

zoomiesdrivememad · 18/05/2023 21:40

I've recently brought a pair for holiday and in the nice weather I thought it would be a good idea to wear them.

Walked for 15 mins and omg they are so uncomfortable, my one foot is literally blistered on the side so bad Shock they were so uncomfortable.

Someone's recommended wearing them round the house with socks to break them in

Cottagecheeseisnotcheese · 18/05/2023 21:48

i prefer milano with the ankle strap but you need to bed them in I wouldn't go anywhere with a new pair

Sunnydaysarethebestdays · 18/05/2023 21:53

How do you stop them from smelling after you’ve been wearing them for one summer?
(I wash my feet everyday!!).

discan · 18/05/2023 21:55

The quality is not as it used to be.

Once broke. In they are ok day to day but not for long walks, so wear the Eva's now if I'm doing a lot of walking they are much comfier.

aramox1 · 18/05/2023 21:56

You can get them resoled, no need to throw away!

Kenwoodmixitup · 18/05/2023 21:57

I have worn them for decades but last pair ‘fart’ when I walk.

HappiDaze · 18/05/2023 21:59

I only wear mine around the house.

I use to wear my Madrids out and walk long distances in them but my feet hurt more these days so I haven't tried my Arizonas for long walks yet

Greenfairydust · 18/05/2023 21:59

Hideous shoes.

wyntersuhn · 18/05/2023 22:06

I wear Birkenstocks all through summer, they are so comfy. I've never had to 'break' a pair in, I just take them out of the box and go, never had a problem with them not being comfortable. I love Arizonas, I have several pairs in really pretty colours. So comfy and really cute!

discan · 18/05/2023 22:15

aramox1 · 18/05/2023 21:56

You can get them resoled, no need to throw away!

The strap will tear where it bends long before they will need resoled.

peachespeachespeaches · 18/05/2023 22:26

Greenfairydust · 18/05/2023 21:59

Hideous shoes.

Thank you for your valuable input 😂

Jakadaal · 18/05/2023 22:29

A cheaper alternative and super comfortable footbed are Moshulu Bavaria. They do a number of styles similar to Birkenstock but I love the Danube

soupmaker · 18/05/2023 22:35

I've had lots of pairs of Madrids. I've walked miles in them on city holidays. Most of them I've put on and they've been comfy straight out the box. Have never blistered. I wear them loose.

Got myself my first pair of Arizonas this year. Have worn them all day a couple of days and so far so good as did over 10,000 steps both days. I got patent ones and I'm not sure how they will be when my feet swell a bit in heat. We shall see.

IamSallyBowles · 18/05/2023 22:55

I live in Birekenstocks - I sold all my Madrid ones last year on eBay as I realised I just wasn't wearing them - I have felt slippers I wear all day everyday in the house, I have two closed toe mules, 4 Arizona (silver, suede, yellow & brown), 1 pair of Kyoto. I have some fur lined boots and a pair of shoes....

I find them to be the most comfortable shoe ever, I have tried dupes (White stuff, M&S and another one I can't remember) none of them were as comfortable or as long lasting. in fact I bought my first pair years ago when a dupe Madrid broke and I literally had to walk into the nearest shop and get soemthing - the nearest shop was a poshish department store and Birkenstocks were the only thing I could afford - that pair lasted me about 16 years!

get them... dont get dupes... Arizona are the best... although I am eyeing up Uri ones for this summer