Birkenstock Arizonas rubbing outside of feet

[SeasonsBleatings]

Worn for the first time today. I used the measurements on their site to determine sizing and width. They hurt! Just on the sides of both feet below my little toes. Is this normal? Happy to persevere if I just need to break them in. Thanks in advance

I've had a pair for 2 weeks and was prepared to have to break them in but they were surprisingly comfy straight away with no rubbing. Also I didn't know about the different width options and it turns out I bought the narrow fitting for my standard width feet so I have been lucky that they fit me so well.

I would persevere if I were you unless others have had experience of them never breaking in ever

Compeed do an anti-blister stick you put on your feet. Boots sell it. I used to rub a bar of soap on the leather of new shoes to stop them rubbing.

I get tons of blisters from all sorts of shoes and sandals - any little edge, stitching, rough patch, cork sole etc can cause it.

What can help a bit are Engo patches (you can get them from amazon), which are super smooth blue stick-on patches that reduce friction greatly. They stick to most things, although I find they do come off a bit after a while from cork footbeds or with lots of movement. Worth a try though, as they're not that expensive - you can cut them to just fit the bit you think is rubbing, and that way the blue doesn't show, either.

Can't you just adjust the hole on the strap to make them wider ?

Is that where the little ridge runs? My first pair of Birkenstocks ripped my feet to shreds, but once I'd worn them in they were fine and I've never had any problems with any new pairs (albeit I won't wear a brand new pair for a long walk until I've worn them round the house for a couple of days first just in case).

Fabric conditioner rubbed into the bit which is rubbing. My leather Arizonas pinched the side of my foot and gave me blisters. My shearling arizonas are wonderful but no good for summer.

I bought a new pair of arizonas last month which gave me blisters and I was worried I had wasted my money. But I have persevered with them, and I have been able to walk comfortably with them over longish distances this weekend

Thanks all. The sore bit seems to be where the base meets the inside of the front strap. I'm hoping it doesn't mean they're too small, I've loosened the strap and it's still sore. I'll persevere.

Sadly , I can no longer wear them.

My feet seem to have got wider over the years and the edges of the footbed hurt the sides of my feet.
Opening the straps by a notch or two makes no difference.

That's what concerns me. I have other styles in narrow and the Birkenstock site suggested a narrow given my foot measurements. I've worn them outside so I can't even return!

I had similar with my mayaris when I first bought them. Loosen the strap and just wear them for shorter periods at first. They soften up quickly. You can always wear them round the house with socks to avoid blisters.

That's helpful thanks. I've been convincing myself I should have bought regular instead of narrow!

Mine hurt so much when I got them. I was really upset thinking I’d wasted money on them.
I persevered and 3 weeks later, I’m in love with them!! So so comfy

I found mine comfy from the off, I'd have sent them back otherwise. I'm not on board with 'breaking in' shoes, causing myself pain and paying through the nose for the privilege when there are so many other footwear options to try that don't require that process.

Perhaps try the different width in a shop OP and see if it's any better. As they've barely been worn and are having a moment I'd imagine you'd easily be able to sell the ones you have on on ebay/vinted and recoup most of the money to put towards the wider pair (if they were better) or indeed something else if not.