Birkenstocks or dr martens sandals?

[beigetea]

As the title says really. Looking to get a new pair of sandals for when (if) the summer arrives.

www.birkenstock.com/gb/arizona-birko-flor/arizona-core-birkoflor-0-eva-u_1.html

Or

www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/blaire-hydro-leather-strap-sandals-black/p/24235001

Which would you choose?

I have both. The arizonas are comfier than the docs. The docs are smarter than the Arizona's. You need both

I had those DM sandals - I found the straps very scratchy on the top of my feet, and the skin between the straps would also get pinched when my feet flexed on walking. I changed them for these ones and they're more comfortable (but quite heavy).
I also have the Birkenstocks 😁. The DMs definitely look more striking but I can walk longer distances in the Birkenstocks.

I think it's clear that I just need to invest in both!

I think I prefer these actually as I like the stitching isn't yellow

Ah yeah my DMs are Voss. Needed no breaking in, were comfy from the off.

Sad to hear it's not necessarily the same for the other styles.

I bought Birkenstocks. The first time I wore them I felt sick, they were so uncomfortable. I decided I had paid too much not to persevere, and that my feet were bloody well going to get used to them. Reader, they DID, and B were the most comfortable shoes ever, and the only shoes I wore for many years after that.

A word of advice, though - IMHO it's worth getting some with heel straps so that you can run in them without fear if you need to. https://www.birkenstock.com/gb/mogami-terra-birko-flor/mogamiterra-birkoflorterra-birkoflor-0-pufoamed-u_11815.html And nowadays my shoe of choice for the winter is FitFlop, but I would vastly prefer the B for sandals due to the toe grip - the little raised bit at the bottom of your toes.

They're very different sandals, but I would choose the Birkenstocks. I basically live in mine year round (Arizonas in summer and Bostons the rest of teh year). I would recommend sizing down/trying them on in store to be sure. Ive never had to "break in" Birks but they do get comfier with wear.

Neither. I'd get leather Birkenstocks but not in black.
The DM straps are not adjustable which puts me off.

I have both, but I like Dr Martens better. For me, both are comfy and durable but for Birks I always have to decide what I'm wearing first, DMs on the other hand literally go with almost every outfit I have.

I bought the doc marten blaire sandals last week but the platform ones, I’ve read they were good sizing so size down but I actually went half a size up as my feet swell in the sun, the fit great and don’t need breaking in but think because I went t half a size up I love them was going for the black too but ended up with the silver instead x

I find both uncomfortable 😬, I don’t like Birkenstocks, they remind me of my old school teacher who had ugly feet, for me they are old peoples sandals. I bought a pair of Dr marten sandals last year but they tore my feet apart (mainly my heels). My most comfortable pair of sandals are from the art company but they no longer do the same design.

I'd say it depends on where/how you want to wear them?
I have both exact pairs and the docs are much smarter looking. I can dress them up to wear to work and they're my go to for a night out or a meal in the summer (don't do heels). Obviously they do work for casual too.
The birks are much comfier, but a lot more casual. Probably my go to for daytime wear in the summer, but when I've wore them to work I've felt like I was pushing it with how casual they are and I wouldn't wear them out for drinks.

I have those Docs and love them!!

I had similar DM sandals, and the stitching was so poor that they gave me blisters every time I wore them.

I now have Birkenstocks.

I have the Blaire DM’s and the Voss DM’s. Blaire you really need to try on as I found the middle strap cuts across a certain point of your foot and can be uncomfortable walking long distances or all day. Not because of the sole which is fab and so comfy but just that strap issue for me personally. I’ve never really had the whole breaking them in thing but I think that might be because I wear DM boots year round and my feet are probably hard as old boots themselves.

The Voss I had no issues with whatsoever. Super comfy. But I know what you mean about preferring the look of the Blaire.

Birks. I got Arizonas last year and yes the breaking in was a bit of a pain but yeah they are most definitely the comfiest thing going as I wear them round the house constantly now. But I can’t walk distances in them as I need a strap so I’ve just ordered the big buckle Milano for this summer.

As to which is more ‘in’ my take would be the Blair’s was summer 2021 breakout smash on the sandal circuit and still going for summer 22. I think summer 2023 the birks took over. As to what will be the go to this year, might be something new but both birks and DM’s still in the frame of being ‘in’.

I have Birkenstocks and had DMs and the latter absolutely destroyed my feet, I had to sell them on.

I live in Arizonas as soon as it’s warm enough , I don’t even need to break them in as I have Birkenstock shaped feet . I find Dr martens too heavy to comfortably wear them all day .

I've got both those sandles (what are the chances!). I live in the birkenstocks in the summer. I am trying to sell the DMs because the straps chafe and my feet seem to fall over them (!)

I absolutely adore my Birkie Arizonas. I agree - go for the right footbed (I'm narrow). I live in them. They're SO comfortable, look great and just sip on without buckles and ties (which drive me nuts).

The DM ones are okay, but I much prefer Birkenstocks.

DM Gryphons - the most comfortable sandals ever.

I have both, you need both I'm afraid 😂
My DMs are the Clarissa pair and I also found them more comfy than the blaire.

Just bought these fit flops Very comfy

I have Arizona’s. Love them and they go with just everything. I do like the DMs but at 40 I feel it’s like I’m trying a bit hard to dress ‘young’. Whereas Birkenstocks are timeless.

Steer clear of the fit flops! They should be banned from the ‘style and beauty’ category

I’ve just received the Birkenstocks in orange and I’m shocked at how the quality has gone down. The buckles look cheap and flimsy not abit like they used to be,

I've never had Birkenstocks but I tried some Dr Marten sandals on and I found them too heavy. I got some Timberland sandals in the end and they're really comfortable.