Which Birkenstocks to buy

[LeftTheWashingOut]

I want to buy some Birkenstocks, which I've always liked but seemed like a big purchase. But in my head I'm justifying them as hopefully they will last me and so make their expense worthwhile longer term...

Can those with experience help me choose? I am going to get black as it's more likely to go with more etc and all my other sandals are brown. But I need to choose between leather and Birko Flor, and whether to get the soft footbed.

I think ideally that I would get leather with soft foot bed, but they don't sell them! So the choices are:

Birko Flor with soft footbed
Birko Flor with regular footbed
Leather with regular footbed

I need the wide fit ones from measuring my feet so I need to buy them direct from Birkenstock. Thank you!

Have you tried any on before OP? I also coveted Birkenstocks this year and went to Schuh with the intention of buying some just the other day.

Tried two different sizes, several different styles and they are just not for me! My second toe is a bit longer than the big toe which doesn't work with the lip at the front; if I counteract that with a size up then they're too wide, the footbed didn't seem to sit quite right in either size...

Had to make myself feel better with some toe-post Ugg sandals instead.

I really want to try the soft footbed.

I recommend Mayari OP. By far the most comfortable style IME and very flattering.

Have to say I prefer the Flor stuff to suede, as it's more hassle to get the suede ones on. I also find they are better if you go up half a size, from what you normally wear.

Thanks for all your tips, I'm not quite sure in size (and as one poster pointed out they aren't for everyone) so I've gone with what is available and ordered the Arizona black leather in 37 and the Milano in 36. I imagine the 37 will be the better fit but I have very short but wide feet. I'll see how they get on when they arrive and either return one or both of them. I had a spare 5 minutes so thought rather than continue debating for another week I'd just bite the bullet and order.

And to the poster who questioned my choice of black considering my other sandals are brown, I think i should be ok - I have had black sandals before they've just be worn into the bin 😊

I have worn Birkenstocks for more years than I can remember, been through many styles and colours both Birko and leather.

I find the Birko last fine but prefer leather, the black patent Birko Giza ones I have still look new and I wear them a lot as are the silver the same (also have leather silver ones), Madrid in bright pink and soft gold must be at least 12 years old and look fine, just the soles are now going.

White, black, tan leather Giza which I wear constantly all in leather are moulded perfectly to my feet. I get the normal fit width, never had the soft footbed though have worn the same size for about 25years and they have never changed with any different design.

I have in the past tried all the lookie likes, from Spanish and Italian brands as well as couple other German manufactures as well as M&S and the usual suspects, all false economy for me. Yes your paying less but I dont find them to be a patch on the original Birkenstocks no matter how they may look like them.

I have just ordered a pair of oiled brown Giza today, I really wanted the big buckle Arizona ones but the buckle is gold, and I dont like it at all and thought £125 was a bit much..... Never tried the suede ones as I like in a hot and sometimes very humid country they would not last well. I am on holiday in the UK so stocking up! Cannot get away with the Mayari the toe bit is to tight, but I really like the look of them.

I have also tried Fit Flops, nope could not get away with them either, I just keep going back to Birkenstock

Agreed. Have just replaced my last 8 year old pair with these. They are softbed which I haven't tried before (and cost more than double my last pair!) but I really wanted that colour.

https://www.birkenstock.com/gb/mayari-nubuck-leather/mayari-eusmu-nubuckleather-softfootbed-eva-w_225.html?utm_source=criteo&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=p_uk_rtg

They're the only style I would ever consider as the others are too ugly for me (especially Gizeh). Having said that, I do have a pair of Arizona dupes from Clarks.

What are the SFB Mayari like @CharlotteStreetW1 ?
Does the footbed make a big difference?

Will let you know - they're getting their first outing this afternoon including a fair bit of walking.

(Only downside so far is they clash horribly with my usual hot pink pedicure #priorities 😂)

They were fine. I didn't really notice any difference though.

(Annoyingly they've added a buckle to the lower strap which I realised this morning had been rubbing against my little toes. My old ones didn't sit anywhere near my toes. But as they're leather, I expect them to give a bit after a few wears.)

Thanks for the update @CharlotteStreetW1 . Hopefully they'll become more comfortable.

I've had birko flor and leather birkenstocks, and found no difference apart from price! I like white Arizonas and my previous pair did go a bit creamy-yellow round the edges (sun cream maybe), but that didn't stop my buying another pair this year. I just love 'em. Used to go for Gizehs, but growing bunions have made chunky straps my friend.

I think sometimes when people find birkenstocks uncomfortable it's because they've got the wrong size - I've made that mistake myself. They look so huge that you go down a half or full size, but when you walk properly, your toes squash against the raised edge and you get blisters. There's a lot of info on the Birkenstock website about how much space there should be at toes and heels.

They arrived yesterday 😀 I was right in thinking the 36 is a bit on the small side, and having made the mistake of sizing down before I'm going for the 37 Arizonas. I've been wearing them around the house since yesterday and they already feel more comfy than any sandals I've previously owned and worn in. I might take them on their first outing this afternoon to nursery pick up (if it doesn't start raining...)