Oh god - pleeeeese tell me that Birkies get more comfortable and that I haven't just flushed £35 down the pan

[Vamonos]

Following loads of rave reviews about how comfy these are I bravely removed my Crocs and tried on a pair of

these

They didn't seem all THAT comfy in the shop, but I tried on a couple of different sizes and strap adjustments, and finally went for size 38 (I normally take a 38 or 39, depending on style).

Have been schlepping around the house for an hour or so with them on, and the tops of my feet (where the strap is) are all bruised and sore and red. I can't imagine walking in them for any distance. Is there something wrong with my feet Am I doomed to Croc-dom and flip-flops forever???

Nice to know I have such goodf taste! Cant afford to be buying new shoes as I do havve a pair of white wrangler flip flops thast are still good but will try and persuade dh they are a necessity!!! Anyone know of cheaper places to buy them?

Well it sounds as though Costco have them in again. I couldn't afford to renew my membership, so will have to tag along with someone else if I can save up enough to get some...when I bought them in '06, they were about £46 for the two pairs, so considerably cheaper.

ooh vamonos, I think you may have worn them too loose at first (the strap) and now you are bruised so wearing them tight is hurting more

I have a high instep too and tend to wear them quite snug. I got a new pair abroad (because they were cheaper) and I really bruised the top of my feet but then realised they were too loose so tightened them and they are like good old slippers now

I think that bruised feeling is common, I remember it well.

I have the thong-style ones. It probably took about a week to get used to them, but I wore them for the rest of the summer and they were fab.

And they CURED my plantar fasciitis, so it just goes to show that no two feet are the same LOL!

Someone posted on another thread that birkies were in TK Maxx for £19.95.

Thanks again all.

Horton - the crocs 'n' socks combo is just the best isn't it... like walking on air. I just kid myself that no-one else ever bothers looking at my feet, I mean, they've probably got much better things to do haven't they? Haven't they??

I like those orange Piazza's too, they didn't have any in the shop I went in though.

Mumof2 - the purple ones look great in the pic but try them on if you can before you buy - I find that style makes my feet look really weird (but that may just be my non-Birkie compatible feet - sigh)

foxinsocks - ta will try that once this bout of bruising has subsided

Well have been out this afternoon, but not brave enough to wear the Birkies, even with socks. Will persist with indoor breaking-in with socks for now

In Costco, the Madrid ones are £20.68 (inc VAT) the Gizeh from memory were £26.?? Had loads of sizes but not many colours.

Someone else mentioned TK Maxx so will have a look in there next week.

I have juat ordered these I love the colour, and as i already have a silver pair and a bronze pair I felt I could go for a more unusual colour.

Rub your Birkies with vaseline, or similar, I have to do this on new ones to soften them up.

p.s. A generous amount, rub it right in, should be ok after a week.. It's only your first pair of Birkies that make you think "WTF have I done!?". Once you've lost your Birkie virginity it's fine [bgrin

The TK Maxx ones have the strap attached to the footbed as opposed to over it and attached at teh sides, iyswim. I hadn't noticed before it was pointed out to me on here but it may be crucial to fans.

The ones in TKMaxx are usually Papillon, part of the Birkenstock family, but slightly different IME.

Well they're still painful today, but I guess my feet are still probably bruised from yesterday. Will persist though [brave]

Chocolepew - sadly they aren't leather, the strap is man-made so vaseline won't soften it, bugger. Should have gone for a leather pair I think.

I just want shoes that look okay and that I can walk for more than a few yards in without shredding my feet - why is that so hard! (owww)

They will get better ~ honest! keep at it, you wont regret it.

Thinking back to maidamess' fallen arches - Birkies GAVE me much better arches, after the initial discomfort subsided.

I hate mine. Luckily didn't pay full price, but they hurt and the toe post was the most unforgiving plastic - nasty, nasty, nasty...

wear socks at first