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 think you should go and try them on in person first.

I have the Mayari and they were not even ones I was considering as I don't like a toe post. But these are a toe loop and don't rub like I expected them to.

I wanted the Milano like you and that was he first I tried on. And imo the most uncomfortable as that back strap came up quite high and rubbed onto my ankle and I couldn't even walk in them while in the shop.

Also, I am a size smaller than I expected to be.

I wanted the Milano. Bought the Mayari, but it was a choice between those and Arizona in the end.

As above, look out for lightly worn 2nd hand if you want to try some out for a cheaper price. Lots of people don't hang in to break them in and sell them on after just a few wears. Some people can wear them comfortably right out the box, but some need a bit of time for them to shape to the foot. The leather take longer I think, I have the birko flor and it took 2 to 3 days to get used to. No blisters, just the foot getting used to the footbed.

I found Arizona's very uncomfortable. Definitely not for me.

I live in Arizonas for as many months as I can

Wore them on a family dinner out on holiday and really hurt my foot ( wasn't drinking) just wrenched the top of my foot bc not enough support with them - never again

Were they the Madrid style with the one strap?

Personally I don't think I would be able to walk well in those and it seems you need to grip your feet to keep them on.

I only get Arizonas I'm on my 4th pair in 35 years, they last and last. The new ones I have for this summer are pink.
Lovely Pink If you are anywhere near Cheshire oaks, go and try them all on

You do get used to them and they mould to the shape of your foot etc but I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t wear them anywhere involving a walk longer than about 20 minutes. Great for round the house and I’ve also worn them at work.

I wouldn’t wear the ones in your pic OP ….but I’ve been wearing Arizona since the 90s

Not so much if you've got flat narrow feet. I suspect that if you've got an averagely shaped foot they should fit well.

I bloody love Birkenstocks, I have been wearing them for years and they are very comfortable.

The sizing is also really consistent and accurate.

If you have narrow feet there is a narrow fit. Standard is pretty wide.

Go by your European size.

Try them on, you may need to size down, but make sure you aren't hanging over the ridge round the edge. I wear smaller in birks than in DMs or Superga.

I've worn Madrids to do 38,000 steps around cobbled and uneven city streets in really hot weather. I struggle with my feet but Birks are the best for them.

I bought my first pair last summer for holiday to wear instead of flip flops to nice dinners.
The double strap ones like @MrsCarson posted but in black.
Had never worn them before until the day we flew, I had tried them on for size but other than that not at all.
Ended up having a minor catastrophe at the other end of the journey once we’d arrived which resulted in approx 2 hours of solid walking backwards and forwards inside and outside - they were so comfortable! By the end of the holiday I had a small blister on the top of one foot where the leather had rubbed but oh my god they were so comfortable. Obviously it’s basically rained every day since we got home in September so haven’t worn them since but they’ll be coming with me again this year!

<Stares hard at many pairs of Birkenstocks>

No idea.

I don't know what these are called. Anyone know? I love the look of them but they are so uncomfortable. Gutted because they weren't cheap.

You need to make sure you get the right size so as pp suggested, use the fit guide. They also need to be broken in, this can take a while. I live in Birkies, sandals, trainers and boots, I don't think I own any 'regular' shoes anymore.

I agree with this-my friend and my sister both have quite flat narrow feet and hate them-my mum thinks her feet slip through the bar. I’ve got wider (though still pretty narrow tbh) feet but they have more of an ‘arch’ and the moulded footbed is like wearing slippers!

Never mind being uncomfortable, they are so ugly. Great big thick straps.reminds me of elderly train spotting and God Botherers.

I don't think my toes were long enough for Birkenstocks. I bought a size 4 so that the ridge on the inside sole would be under the correct part of my toes. This meant when walking the tops of my toes were rubbing on the front where it curves up. The next size up would have looked odd with too much space between the tip of my toes and the front of the sandal. I was disappointed. I loved my red leather Scholls as a child plus a fake pair from Asda with wood soles so thought I wouldn't mind the hardness of Birkenstocks but was wrong.

They must be fine if your feet are footbed shaped. Mine aren't, so they are extremely uncomfortable.

Love the Arizonas x

You have Birkenstock shaped feet, or you haven’t.

If one of their standard footbeds fits, they are the comfiest shoes you will ever wear. If not, they are god-awful.

Yes after 2-3 weeks wearing then in.

I’ve got fairly narrow and flat feet, and Birkenstocks don’t feel right on my feet at all. I do need a proper arch support though. Have discovered that the footbed of the Scholl Bioprint range is perfect, and some styles have fully adjustable straps.

I recommend trying them before you buy. I bought a pair and they caused cramps in the arch of my my foot and middle toes within 5 minutes. Some people swear by them, but they're not for me. I can wear the cheap birkenstock rip offs, no problem, but the real ones are an absolute no go for me.

I just got my first pairs yesterday - light pink vegan Arizonas (regular footbed) and pale green Francas (soft footbed). I'm a 6.5 and tried them on in the Birkenstock shop and was advised to get a 40 narrow, which so far seems to have been a good recommendation. I bought them online from the retailer as I got a discount, especially the Francas which were already reduced, but was glad I had the chance to try them on in store first.