Birkenstock sandals??

[pwoodham]

I've always worn athletic shoes & white socks to the parks. It gets hot, and I've read on these boards about birkenstock sandals. Are they really comfortable enough to wear all day? I have VERY flat feet and need lots of arch support. Would I still be able to wear them? Any suggestions on style? TIA.

 

[kimberwing]

I am a huge birk fan, and always wear them to the parks instead of tennis shoes. My feet never get tired. I swear by my leather Milanos but I also wear some funky strappy Papillos. I would definately recommend something with a back strap....Arizonas are too easy to walk out of.

 

[talkdisney]

birks are awesome. The pair i own is three years old and still the most comfortable sandle I ever had!

 

[fortwilderness]

I won't even consider wearing tennis shoes to the parks during the summer. It is just too hot plus I hate having wet socks when it rains. I am always amazed at all of the advice I see for people to not wear sandals to WDW because of blisters or discomfort. I actually saw one guidebook that suggested that a person should wear 2 pairs of socks with their tennis shoes to prevent blisters. Can you even imagine how hot that would be

I always wear sandals - Birks or Eastlands- to WDW in warmer temperatures. I think that having your feet exposed to air really helps with the heat. I am actually in the process of breaking in a new pair of Birkenstock Milanos for my trip to WDW

 

[andychris14]

I purchased my first pair of birkenstocks a month ago. We are going down to disney in Aug. I am breaking them in now and that is what I will be wearing. So far so good with the comfort level. The first day they bothered me a little but not bad. Now I have been wearing them a couple of times a week and love them. They are a little expensive but I think they are worth it.

 

[Jo-Anne]

If you want to cut down your expenses on birkenstocks, check out the Birkenstock outlet store in the Premium Belz Outlets. I got two pair of sandles for less than $80!

 

[Ricola]

The Belz store is great, but I wouldn't recommend walking all day in the parks on a new pair of real Birks. They take a good 3-4 weeks of breaking in before your feet and the sandals are used to each other. During that period of time you will hate them at times and be ready to throw them away. Then that magic day will come when they all of a sudden become your favorite comfort shoes, and you'll never want to get rid of them.

For a pair that needs no breaking in, and very little getting used to, I like the plastic-soled "Birkis", which are also waterproof, which comes in handy during those Florida downpours.

You can order any of these, or look at styles on birkenstockoutlet.com.

 

[Tinky]

Thanks Ricola! I just ordered my first pair from birkenstockoutlet.com! Can't wait to get them and start breaking them in.

 

[pwoodham]

We are fortunate enough to have a retail outlet close by so I can see before I order. I'm headed there today for a pair for me and my DH. I love this forum!!

 

[andychris14]

I think on Saturday June 8 on QVC(home shopping channel) they are going to have the todays special value as a birkenstock sandal. I ordered a birkenstock from them about 1 1/2 ago and love them. I paid around $45 for them and see them at retail stores for close to $100. So check it out.

 

[DisTwix]

Hey all - don't forget your local Sam's Club as a possible place to find basic Birks. They have the two strap and the three strap in Taupe, Mocca and Jet Black nubuck - all cork. They are only $39.99 a pair!!!! That's a great deal.

The pair I got at Sam's are my first pair, and I agree with the observation that it takes around three weeks of consistent wearing before feet and sandal agree. Now there are all I wear. I am investigating to figure out what my next pair will be!!!!!!

 

[4crusinransiers]

They have brand new ones all over EBAY too! I just got a pair for 50.00!

 

[Keeplaughing]

They are awesome! I have been trying to convince my mother to buy a pair for our trip in August. You can buy them at www.qvc.com. They have lots of styles and are priced right.

 

[disnaholic]

I also hate wearing Tennis shoes, but I have a lot of foot problems. All I wear at home are Birks, I haven't tried them at a theme park yet, but my advice would be to break them in at home and see what you think. You could also bring your Tennis shoes with you and Rent a locker to keep them in at the park in case the Birk's don't work

 

[kendall]

I too have flat feet and absolutely love my birkenstocks. I am right between the regular and narrow widths - so I have to try them on to be sure to have an appropriate fit. Well-fitting birkenstocks are awesome! Poor fitting birks can be uncomfortable and "floppy" feeling. And I agree with the previous posters - you need _at least_ three weeks to allow your feet and your birks to become comfortable with each other. I have the casual three strap sandals (both with and without the backstrap - if the fit is good, the backstrap really doesn't matter to me), a plastic soled birki I wear around the house instead of slippers, and a couple pair of dressier birkis for work.

No one has mentioned Tevas yet - many folks find Teva sport sandals comfortable too.

I would take along a pair of tennis shoes too - a change in shoe also feels good on the tired feet!

 

[HARRIS2169]

I wear my Birks at Disney, and love them! I also went through the break-in period, unsure if I could wear them 15 minutes let alone a whole week or more of walking. But yes! One day, they became more comfy than my slippers!!! I now have a waterproof pair also, because when wet, my leather & cork ones became - uh- slimy to say the least! And the brown stain took days to rub off, and when walking it "splashed" up the back of my legs making it looked like some kind of Poo was running down my legs. My water proof ones are great though, I even wore them into my pool and walked around to see what the dryout was like. A little squeaky, but quick and painless. Try that with sneakers! This year I plan to wear my leather ones, but keep my lightweight water ones in my backpack to switch off to for wet rides or fountain splashing.