Are Birkenstock Sandals any comfortable?

[ericabrown2120]

I've been thinking of buying these Birkenstock ankle strap sandals for a while now https://www.legendfootwear.co.uk/products/birkenstock-milano-bs-birko-flor-unisex-sandals-5825 but I'm not sure if we need to go a size up or down. I have no experience with Birkenstock before. Please if anyone here can help me. My foot size is really small, I'm not sure if they'll fit me

I live in them in the summer. Not that style though. Here is a fit guide from their website.

https://www.birkenstock.com/gb/things-to-know/fit-guide/

Do they come in children's sizes? The other option is high street sandals in a similar style.

I've got the Arizona ones and they're so comfortable. Similar to these but no strap round the back.

I’ve got Arizonas and don’t find them comfortable in the slightest - the footbed is far too hard. They look good with slouchy trousers though so I suffer in them for vanity for short periods of time.

I sold my Birkenstocks as I didn’t find them comfortable. Felt too wide all over and like my toes had to grip the hard footbed to keep them on.

The footbed is awful for me, can't get in with them. Crocs on the other hand...I I don't give a shit what they look like they are so bloody comfortable

I've got a pair of the Arizonas and the ones which have a slight platform & I love both . I find I have to get a size down though

I find Birkenstock agony. I get blisters on the arch on my foot and the outside of my foot. It's a shame as they look great but I've been caught out too many times to consider wearing them again.

I have only tried them on in a shop but I found them very uncomfortable, my feet are not the right shape for them at all.

I love them but they are a bit weird when you 1st try them , after a while they feel a relief to slide your foot into , i find the arch really supportive.
I only buy the real thing though no copies apart from many years ago i bought a pair of leather ones from m&s and they were as good , not seen them since.

I think you will only know by trying on a pair. They suit me really well but other members of my family really struggle to get on with at all.

Omg don't put them on!
Once you start you never want to put on ordinary shoes.

Surprises me that there are posters on here saying they are uncomfortable. So many people wear them. Most of my family
do ( especially the youngsters - with socks 😬🤔 )

Birkenstocks are odd and hard when you put them on to begin with. They soon settle under your foot and become very comfortable.
The next pair don't feel as strange.

I have never found them comfortable, something about the shape of the footbed hits my feet in all the wrong places. I think they are very marmite as some of my friends swear by them so I would definitely try before you buy.

First thing I do is change into my Bostons when I get home.

I love them (not tried the strap round the back though) but they are agony until you wear them in! Honestly I end up with plasters all over my feet for the first couple of weeks but then they are the comfiest sandals ever and I could walk
happily all day in them.
You can also get them in narrow sizing as they do come up a bit wide, best to try them on in store first though if you’ve never had them before.

I got the Mayaris last year and couldn’t believe how comfortable and supportive they were; i don’t think Birkenstocks are flattering but it’s hard for me to wear anything else in summer now!

I’m a Birkenstock convert. Last year I lived in my cream Gizahs, and have bought several pairs of Arizonas too ready for summer (although I’m already pootling in the garden with them)!

If you’re ok with it, I suggest buying a second hand pair and see how you get on as they’re not for everyone. I’ve had great success buying very light wear pairs for under £30 on Vinted and eBay, and have even snaffled a pair for under a fiver (which just needed a good clean, disinfect and polish & a little glue on the heel where the bonding had been trodden down).

One of my bargains has been a pair of Arizonas made from a croc-like material which are much softer which could be an option if you think the cork sole may be too hard.

Definitely join the Birkenstock mailing list too as there have been some great discounts over winter.

I love them, I go a size down I'm them
They need breaking in though but once they're done you can wear them for miles.

My favourite style is gizeh, the toe post is designed so it doesn't rub.

I have a new pair of arizonas every summer. Love them

I live in them from April to October and have a pair of the clogs for winter. But when I first started wearing them it took a couple of weeeks to break the first pair in. I love the arch support in them. Crocs on the other hand are comfy at first but I cannot wear them for any length of time without developing foot pain through lack of support.

Birks are not so good for the very flat footed - trying a fit flop Arizona lookalike this year - took them long enough to copycat though !

I have Arizonas. I usually spend all summer in mine and use them as slippers during winter!
I'm a size down from my usual shoes, be careful as their standard fit is rather wide - perfect for my feet!
I have found that my last 2 or 3 pairs needed breaking in. Mine last a few years so I was a bit surprised about that.

So definitely a case of trying them on for the correct fit.

The soft footbed ones are much comfier than the standard ones. I didn’t like the ankle strap sandals as the strap started just hanging down at the back.
For ankle strap sandals I rate the Seasalt Boardwalk sandals, which I now prefer over my Birkenstocks for going out. I wear Birkenstocks as slippers at home.

I wasn't convinced the first time I tried them on as they feel like nothing you will have worn before.
As others have said the footbed is hard. But they support your foot in all the right places.
Didn't take me long to be converted.