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?

If it’s comfort, (it is in my case!) Arizona are extremely comfortable IMO. DM leather is very hard.

I have them both, fwiw I get a lot more wear out of the Arizonas. As @PraiseTheSunshine says the DM's are heavier than you'd expect. They do feel prettier if I was going to dinner in a floaty summer dress when the birkenstocks might be a bit too casual.

I have both. The DMs are like torture devices and rip my ankles to shreds. Birks are my dreamy comfy slipper shoes. I think they’re the comfiest shoes I’ve ever owned?
HOWEVER, the DMs are cooler and look better if you’re going out in them. Great with dresses, jeans etc. The Birks are a bit too casual for most of the time.

I have Clarissa quad & madrids & they’re both great & comfy (once worn in) but my fave are definitely the docs, they’re just so nice to look at!

If you are anywhere near the Cheshire Oaks shopping place, there's a Birkenstock outlet shop which sells them at a discount.

Mine were half price as they were apparently seconds. The only thing wrong with them was a tiny bit of glue on the leather which polished off.

I've had both the pairs of sandals you've linked to!

I personally find the Birkenstocks way, way more comfortable. The straps on the Docs aren't adjustable and unless your foot is exactly the same dimensions as the sandal in all three places, they're just not comfortable. Also, they weigh a ton. I sold mine very soon after buying them.

The Birks are easier to break in, lighter and adjustable. Also, you can buy a 'soft footbed' version if you want extra comfort. (They also do a real leather variant if you prefer leather to the Birko-Flor.)

I love all my Doc Marten boots but their sandals are a no from me.

Yes I agree with @ttcat37 and @KreedKafer I love how the DM sandals look, but by comparison hate how they feel.

I think the Blaire sandals are pretty light because the sole is made of a foam type material. The Clarissa ones I've got are heavier but will last for years.

I've heard lots of negative things about the leather Birkenstocks being awful to break in - apparently the leather is really hard and shreds the skin on top of the foot. I have the BirkoFlor and they've been fine.

I’ve had a number of different styles of leather Birkenstocks and feet are sensitive to blisters, but never had a need to ‘break them in’; all fine from first wear.

Arizona is the best style I’ve tried (and have a pair worn daily at home) tempted to get style with a back strap next time though (for outdoor use).

I don’t like DM anymore since they outsourced them they are poor quality IMO.

Get Dr Martens. BrummyMummyof2 has just bought Birkenstocks.

I have the DM Blaire's which I'm currently breaking in. They are gorgeous but they definitely need to stretch and soften a bit before I could wear them for a whole day. I've got my eye on the olive nubuck Gryphon ones now.

I wear Birkenstock Madrid sandals every year and these are my staple summer shoes. I've never had to break them in and they last for years and years.

I have Birkenstock Arizonas and these https://www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/voss-ii-hydro-leather-strap-sandals-black/p/26799001. Both are super comfortable. For your options it depends on what look you want. They are very different styles so I’d choose whatever is most likely to work with what you want to wear them with.

I have the Dr Martens Blaire. I have really awkward feet and usually all shoes hurt me and take loads of breaking in but those sandals are the comfiest I've ever had. I didn't have to break them in at all - unlike Dr Martens boots which took 5 years - the sandals were so comfy from day 1. Can't recommend them enough.

So I bought the Birkenstocks. Initially I bought black Arizona's in a size 4 but I didn't like them! They felt too big and as I PP said I had to have them on the tightest strap hole to make the fit and I just didn't like how they looked like that.
So I swapped them for a half size smaller and in the mocha colour and love them!
I'll be saving for the de martens now!

I have the sort of feet that are excruciatingly painful in most new footwear, regardless of brand.
I've got the Blaires and found them to be comfortable from the start, unlike my many pairs of DM boots. Also, I much prefer the way they look over the Birkenstocks. I even wore them whilst officiating at a wedding!

Bit late to this thread but anyways...bought a pair of DM Gryphon Quads but upon receiving them I realised they weren't for me. The soles felt way too heavy & the ankle strap lands right on the ankle bone, I have osteoarthritis here so unfortunately no good for me!

I've been to my nearest DM store today & tried on & bought a pair of DM Voss ll. For me personally these are so much lighter & comfortable & I actually found I prefer the style to the Gryphon. As a bonus the DM store knocked me a tenner off so happy days!

Birkies, every time. I have six pairs and they're all slip on, ridiculously comfortable and look good with everything.

I have DM Voss sandals which are really comfortable and I like the added height for certain outfits, but I rarely go for them as they need more careful styling and there are buckles. I also had Blaire but sold them because they ripped my ankles to shreds! No shoe is worth that sort of pain. I couldn't even travel to the end of the road without feeling like I was being tortured.

Sorry to be late to this thread. I love Birkenstocks but can't wear all styles The Arizona second strap is very uncomfortable on my high instep but I can wear cheap copies.... go figure.