Birkenstocks for walking a lot?

[coneyislandoldspot]

I’m off on a hot holiday this summer but I’ll be walking a lot. 20,000 steps a day.

Are birkenstocks any good for walking around in all day? I want to be going to the beach, dipping in and out of the sea in the afternoons, but also exploring and walking around a lot.

I can’t really find any sandals that fit what I’m after. Birkenstocks look like they could be the answer, but I have quite wide feet and they’re quite sensitive, I get blisters easily.

My favourite for long walk days are Mayari style (although agree with others on Arizona too)

I think the traditional Birky 2 strap slide is supremely ugly, but I do have a pair of Birkenstock Mayari’s that are really comfortable for walking. Not sure about 20k steps per day though.

I love Birkenstocks but I chickened out of wearing them for a day trip to London the other day, and wore trainers. They sometimes make the soles of my feet sore.

I wouldn't, it's about 10 miles a day, I would go to a walking shop and get a proper pair of walking sandals

Like Cotswold or Go Oudoors

I want to look nice though, and as comfortable as they can be they’re not as nice looking

I personally find sandals without a backstrap really hard to walk longer distances in, and that includes birkenstocks, although I love them for shorter walks and mooching around the house/garden. However, I've got friends who can walk miles in them. Given their price, it might be quite an expensive mistake, if you discover they don't work for you! Teva are about half the price - just saying!

If you can a pair that fit correctly they are the best sandals ever. I’m an 8 so wear a 42, just had 2 weeks in Portugal and they are the only footwear I used. Forgot crocs for the pool and beach, and to hilly for wedges. Also mine did not need breaking in

I never had to break my Birks in.
As PP said they are not great for narrow feet.
Also, depends where you’re walking but if it’s loose, stoney, gritty ground you’re going to get stuff in them.
I wore mine for miles and miles day after day, but for just going about my day rather than ‘walking’ as such.

It’s mainly city/town sight seeing. I just don’t want to be rating trainers for nine days on the trot

I love mine but they’re not really my first choice for walking lots. The footbed often still makes the soles of my feet sting if I’ve been wearing them all day. If you’ve never tried them before, it’s a big gamble as you won’t know if you’re going to take to them like PP or not. I recommend Moshulu as mentioned previously.

I have said though that style is important to me too.

Ok.
Well many people have stated what they think the limitations/issues might be. Arizona don’t have a heel strap. For someone who is prone to blisters that would concern me.
However if you’re planning on getting them now and wearing them for weeks before you’re holiday then you’ll find out whether they work or not.

I have scars on my feet from birkenstock arizonas ! The blisters and rubbing was awful. I left mine in france last time i went as i needed to go to an out patient centre due to the damage!

I've found moshulu to be great for my wide feet, have used them for walking about a lot.
https://www.moshulu.co.uk/collections/womens-cork-footbed-sandals?filter.v.availability=1

I wear Arizonas all summer and often for walking miles in a day - I have the straps adjusted so they are a snug fit and not flapping about so don't have any problems with lack of ankle strap. I have very wide feet and wear the normal but a size down, 38 when I am usually a 39. Moshulu didn't have enough arch support for me, I have had plantar fasciitis in the past and need good arch support and a snug fit (but not ankle straps).

It depends on your feet. When I was younger I could walk in Birkenstocks all day. Now I have to put trainers on. If your younger or don't get aches and pains in your feet you'll be fine.

Like others, I don't find them that comfortable and they make my feet ache if I wear them for too long.

Saltwater Boardwalks are my go-to for this kind of thing. I can wear them forever, they can go in water (and in fact, that makes them fit better!). I like the way they look, but they might not be your style...

https://www.salt-watersandals.co.uk/collections/womens-boardwalk-soft-sole-sandals

Moshulu are just as stylish imho.

Are these less stylish than Arizona?

https://www.moshulu.co.uk/products/cork-footbed-mule-sandals-bavaria-waxy-tan

I live in Birkenstocks during the summer and walk 3-4 hours a day with my dog. I wouldn't go for a 3 hour hike in them but for walking around town they are the most comfy shoes I own.

I live in my Arizonas in the summer. I definitely use them for walking and they’re fine for fairly flat and smooth surfaces, they don’t have any ankle support so I tend to use something else for those kind of walks. My pair are now ten years old and still going strong. Mine didn’t even need breaking in.

They are comfortable but I think Tevas would be better for you in this scenario.

I use Birkenstocks for long walks all the time, including sightseeing in towns and medieval villages and long nature walks. I have fairly wide feet myself but have found them to be comfy from the minute I slip them on in the shop. With Birks I size down to my real size - because I have wide feet I usually need to size up in covered shoes or more decorative sandals. I use the ones with the toe post (Gizeh I think they’re called) so there is no rubbing at the sides. I also find with no strap over the top my feet feel fresher, but maybe that’s just me.

I tried the cheaper imitations but they always gave me blisters, the Birks were the first sandals that were comfortable from the first minute, I’ve been using them for at least 25 years now and they are my go to for holidays.