Which Birkenstocks?

[Amandoh]

Having just looked at another shoe thread it seems lots of you find Birkenstocks comfortable.

Last Summer I bought these and I find them so uncomfortable. The soles are too hard and the raised parts dig in. They are now resigned to pottering around the garden in as I can't wear them for long without them hurting.

I didn't realise they made them in quite a few different styles until I saw them here. Which style is the best for walking around for a few hours in?

You do need to wear them in definitely. I love my many pair with a devotion unusual for footwear. I have severl pairs of Madrids and also a lovely minty green suede 2 bar pair (not sure of name) and they are all lovely.

I love my Gizehs. I also have some Bostons (the clog type style) and Madrid, and I find the Gizeh style much more comfortable and easier to wear than the others. Just not a good look with socks, which you can do with the Bostons!

Do Birkenstocks generally come up big or did you all buy your usual shoe size?

Having thought about it, the problem may be that I bought the wrong size. I'm a size 5 but I bought a 4 as the 5 felt and looked too big. That might be why the ridges are digging in.

Mine are my usual size - I'm a 39 in most shoes and that's what size B'stocks I have. The Madrid style do feel loser on my feet though than the Gizehs, I guess that's because the top strap is less adjustable/fitted, iyswim.

No you were right to buy a 4, you are supposed to buy a size smaller. (I'm a 5 1/2 and wear a 4)

Honestly wear them with socks for a bit, and you might find they break in and get comfy. I take mine with me everywhere because they are so comfortable, and wear them for long walks too.

Ok, I'll persevere with the pair I have.

Thanks for all the advice!

I bought a size bigger. I'm always a 39 but felt a 40 was a better fit for me.

I love them.

Cant wait to get them out again soon

Thanks for all the sizing advice. I think you're right WowOoo, best to try them before ordering online - just in case.

Hope you find yours comfy soon Amandoh

don't know what mine are called but they're the ones with two buckle straps over the front of your foot - very comfy.

the ones with just the one strap i find rub me cause of how much they flip and flop when i walk whereas the two strap ones stay attached to my foot and don't flap around.

Want to get some Arizonas this year. So does everyone agree that it is better to try in RL first? And/or is there a cheap good online site to buy from?

I have a pair with two buckle straps as well, but don't know what it's called. I wear them all year round as my "indoor shoes" instead of slippers. I have wide, flat feet and hate completely flat shoes (prefer an inch heel) but these have been great.

I've got a pair of thong ones in bronze, probably gizeh, and they're the first pair of thongs I've found comfortable for years.

I've always had a pair of Arizona in my cupboard - I could honestly put them on in May and wear them until october. I bought a pair last year that look like arizonas but also have a strap around the back - can;t remember what they are called - but always get lots of positive comments about them.

I have the Shudoo with the toe posts and love them. Are you sure they fit properly? I only ask as I had a pair of the ones with the two straps and they were so uncomfortable. I gave them ago again last summer and got a bigger size and think they're the most comfortable shoes I've owned.

I like the New York sandals. I'm on my 2nd pair and I get them from www.footshopping.com. I have very very ugly feet (think veins and bunions ) and the straps are thick enough to cover up the worst of the horrors. I walk everywhere and find them very comfortable.

ooh thankshave found the ones with a backstrap.....and shoes too!