Talk to me about Birkenstocks

[hamustro]

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?

I wish they would make some more colours I liked though, I mean there are quite a few but some shades are not the best.. sometimes I've bought kids' ones that have nice patterns!

I'd go for Tevas if I was walking round a city personally.

I live in Birkies from April to October. You'll want to try them before you commit to new holiday footwear, you might find they create some hotspots at first). Also I find they size up large so I go down a size or two in the narrow fitting. And make sure you get the genuine article. Mine last well but I usually have two or three pairs on the go.

I'm a size 7 and wear suede soft soled Arizonas. I also now wear DDs leather Arizonas in a size 6 which also fit me. She never wears them so I'm wearing them in and they'll be my outdoor pair.

They don't need wearing in as they're super comfy but I just want them to be right if I'm wearing them for hours in end outside

I live in my many pairs mostly Madrids. DD1 can't wear them at all 🤷🏽‍♀️ so definitely try before your holiday.

Have you tried the narrow Birkenstocks?
These, for example.

I have the Madrid ones and they are really comfy.

However, they do take time to break in. There is also a knack to wearing them - if you're not used to sandals then it may be hard in your feet. You kind of have to to flex your foot slightly

I prefer the Gizeh and never had issues. I'm a 37.5 and get the 37 despite shop assistants telling me to go up.

I find them really comfortable. I have a couple of pairs of Arizona and a pair of Gizeh, although I don’t find long distances as comfortable in the latter. I didn’t need to break them in. Sizing can be a bit complicated but if you measure your feet according to the instructions in their website, that should help.

I prefer Gizehs. I think they look less unisex. My go to summer footwear.

I love Birkenstocks for walking in hot weather. Once worn in they are so comfortable and don't flop off your feet.

@aramox1 trust me, I tried to get them fixed. Id had them years and they were totally done.

I’ll take better care of my new ones though. Get them new soles as soon as they need it etc. I hate throwing things out

I keep looking at the Kyoto Suede. I love birkies… mainly Arizona but also have a pair of Boston clogs.
Those who have bought Kyoto have you been happy?

I'd also look at the tulum ones. They've got a strap at the back. I walked loads last summer I'm mine when I went travelling.

Yes DD also finds them uncomfortable as the hard leather rubs her and the sole is too flat which why I'm glad they fit me because I love hers

On the resoling thing I got my Arizonas resoled (I live in London so walk pretty much everywhere) and I am delighted with the result. The leather/buckles were in perfect condition but I had worn down the back of the sole due to my gait. took about 4 weeks but they are as good as new. defo recommend and much cheaper than a new pair.

I have the Gizeh and don't struggle to keep them on my flat and shallow feet, but I did have to wear mine in a long time before they stopped giving me blisters (dishydrotic eczema on my feet, so more than prone to blisters!). And I still couldn't wear them for long walks and it's been years.

I have Arizona, Gizeh and Boston and love them all but reach for the Arizonas first. I’m a bit late to the Birkie party as my first pair were madrids and so uncomfortable and difficult to wear that I refused to look at different styles.

I’m a wide 36.5 and need to size down. A 37 fits but is nowhere as comfortable as a 36 as the toe support is in the wrong place for me. Trying them on is pretty critical and definitely try different styles. Wearing them in didn’t take long and I can walk miles in them.

If I know there’s a walking round day planned on holiday I often wear my Tevas instead. In those I have to size up to 37

I've been wearing them for over 20 years (I've just dug out some 29 year old Boston clogs which I bought when they were most unfashionable 😅 but now my daughter borrows them). They are worth buying as they last for years and are the most comfortable sandal for my feet and I like the chunky look. I've just ordered another pair but I can't remember ever throwing any away. I size down to a sz 5 (I'm a 5.5 to 6).

I've been wearing Birkenstocks for years and have walked through loads of pairs of Madrids. They are pretty much the only sandal I wear in the summer and I have walked miles and miles in them.

You need to break them in though, the foot bed moulds to your soles so it takes a little time, never take brand new Birkenstocks straight on holiday - that would be a catastrophe. Once the are broken in it will be like wearing slippers.

I am currently walking around the office in my new Birkenstocks - I have started late as the weather has been so rubbish this spring. They have to be comfortable by the time of our holiday in early July.

I love Birkenstocks- Madrid in my case- and I wear them all summer, every summer and have done so for the last 15 years or so (not the same pair- I’ve been through a few 😂). I have often worn them on days involving a lot of walking. I think I might have worn them walking several miles up a fairly steep hill in Santorini. (And back down the other side!)

I’ve always found their sizing a bit off, so while I’m usually a 6 or 6.5 in trainers (39/40), I am a 5 in Birkies (38).

I am also quite flat of foot with a very low arch so I don’t know how they feel for people with high arches, but I see plenty of people wearing them and assume they can’t all be as flat-footed as me!

I hate them. They rub the soles of my feet and give me blisters. Fit flops all the way!

Currently wearing gizeh EVA birki's and they are like walking on air. The original ones are amazing, but as others have said, do need breaking in. The EVA ones are comfortable from the off, but more casual looking.

I have had Madrids and Gizehs, I find they do need breaking in.
they are pretty much all I wear May to September and I once accidentally walked up Pen Y Ghent in Gizehs .
I can’t drive in Madrids tho.