Birkenstocks-are they really $100 worth of comfortable?

[marybet]

I started wearing them last year and love them. I had heel problems and had to wear the ugly sandals with back straps. Then I got some Birks at Sam's and could walk around all day and my heel didn't hurt the next morning.

I get most of mine from QVC, the Birki's brand, more stylish and less expensive then Birkenstocks, and easier break-in, I have gotten some that I have been able to wear from day one, most I just wear 2 hours a day for 2 or 3 days and they are fine. HSN carries the Betula brand and they are nice too.

Going to WDW in June so will find out how they do all day in the parks.

Before my heel problems I only wore Merrells, can't go wrong with those either.

 

[breezy1077]

Not a Birkenstock fan, they never fit right and the toe ridges gave me blisters. But I do love NAOTs. They are about the same price but the footbed has a layer of foam and on top a suede cover. They are still molded to your foot. And the great thing is that the footbeds are removeable and replacable. I have one pair that I have had for 3 years. I just keep replacing the footbed.

I keep telling everyone about NAOTs! They're great - you're the first person I've come across that's heard of them. They are fantastic at WDW. Wore them constantly and never had foot problems or pain. They also don't "sweat" your feet. It feels like you have nothing on and gives you tremendous support. Plus they come in very good looking styles that you can transition from shorts to sundress. NAOTs

 

[CathrynRose]

I have special needs feet! Wide width and a creature of extreme comfort. Birkenstocks are NOT for me. I can honestly say I gave it a fair try and I have two nearly new pairs that I would just give away.

What size are ya? Wanna sell 'em? PM me! For real....

I have 50 plus trips to Disney in the last 12 years and my feet used to literally BLEED from all the walking. You would have recognized me by my limping around refusing to get a scooter.

I tried gym shoes, tevas, keens, everything. Tried spraying my feet with antiperspirant, tried some sort of foot glide, tried special socks. Nothing worked.

Until Birkenstocks - I was amazed. I can walk all day - no blisters, no bloody stumps.... just happy feet.

I now buy about 2 pair of Birks a year and love them. No matter the cost, I will be a Birk girl.

I like hearing this. Mine should arrive today. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I will report back.

 

[breezy1077]

What size are ya? Wanna sell 'em? PM me! For real....




I like hearing this. Mine should arrive today. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I will report back.

 

[Val]

I have worn nothing but Birks since the mid 1970's....so over 30 years. I think I briefly wore "real" shows at my wedding, and maybe a few other times. My feet no longer will fit in regular shoes (okay, my feet just don't LIKE other shoes). My kids make fun of me....and yes, I even wear Birks in the snow. When the soles wear out- I resole them 3-4 times rather than break in a new pair. I love the local shoe repair store. Thank goodness I am a geekie science prof....that way I get away with my "poor shoe style choices"!

 

[WDW~Lover]

I had a pair of these years ago, they were ok. Then I tried Mephisto's and they are 100% more comfortable then Berks, sorry, but I will NEVER go back to those stiff hard soles!

If you are going to pay the price for berks, just throw in a couple more bucks and get something that will blow your socks off!
http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/Common/SortByBrand.aspx?pagetag=women_mephisto

 

[CathrynRose]

Well - I got 'em.

And.....

I'd be lying to you if I didnt say that I already dont feel that pain in the ball of my foot. I thought it was non-sense - but instantly your foot starts standing and walking the way it should.

Im impressed.

Lets see how this week plays out.

So far, Im sold. OMG!

 

[Buckalew11]

Fitswimmer, I am a die hard birkenstock fan.

However, you need to educate yourself on them before you buy a pair. Birkenstocks come in different kinds like Birkis, Betula, etc. All of them are for different kinds of feet. Some have a higher arch, Birkis tend to have softer bed (but not THE soft footbed--they have one like that too), etc, etc.

I think the softer footbed sounds nice but it supposedly breaks down faster than the others.

Also, if you are looking for them and see sandals that are around 100+ dollars, you are looking at real leather, suede etc. The lesser cost ones are usually Birkibuc which is a man-made leather.

Leather feels better on my feet than birkibuc as they are breaking in. However, I buy the birkibuc (for less $) for dressier sandals(I just bought the ones from QVC which were the special on Saturday. Quite cute, soft metallic Florida style (3 strap) with 3 tiny little stones on the buckle so they look a bit dressier for church etc.)

If you are serious about giving them a try, research a bit to give them a fair chance. If you buy the wrong kind for your foot, you'll hate them.
I wear a triple A shoe and can wear a narrow in Birkenstock with no problem.

I wear the Madera all wnter long. THEY are the best shoes I have ever put on my feet. Well, over $100 years ago and they are still going strong. I highly recommend them for a winter shoe.

 

[LisaZee]

I love my Birks! Once they are broken in, it's love. I find that the I stand so much straighter when I'm wearing them. I'm a little top-heavy , and I find that I lean back when I walk so that I don't fall forward. When I wear my birkenstocks, I have much better alignment.

But I agree with PP's that I wouldn't want to walk around in them when they're wet. I seem to get blisters that way...

 

[npmommie]

Love them, very comfortable, I have several pair........but i don't pay full price.......try QVC.......they have great prices on them.
also another brand to look at is Naot......i think they are even more comfy than birkinstocks.........but again you will spend at least $100.

 

[Breezie]

I loooved my Birks when I had a pair. I killed them and I'm too cheap to buy another pair right now! PPs are right, they do take a little bit of time to break in. But once they mold to your feet they are amazingly comfortable.

And I wore my Birks regularly in the rain and got them completely soaked and never had an issue of mold. I normally placed mine on a vent if they got really soaked, and that seemed to do the trick.

ETD: If you have wide feet, buy them in regular, but if you have smaller feet order them in narrow. I have wide feet and the regular fit great!

 

[kasidak]

I bought my first pair last spring after being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. Now I own 5 pair. I love them! They do require some break in, but after that they fit like a glove.

For my first pair I went to the Birkenstock store in my area and was fit properly, now I always find the best deals online. My latest came from www.baumhouse.com

I am a size 8 on the wider side and I wear a 38 R (regular) This is the outlined footprint on the shoe for those that were asking. Deals can be found on ebay and QVC, but beware. The lady at my store warned that QVC only sells the narrow.

I love Papillio by Birkenstock and find them quite fashion forward. Who says Birkenstocks can't be cute, these are! I also own Birkenstock brand. Both are great. Do your research and look around the web. There are deals AND cute, stylish birks out there.

 

[wowsmom]

I bought my first pair last spring after being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. Now I own 5 pair. I love them! They do require some break in, but after that they fit like a glove.

Have they helped with the plantar pain? My heel has been killing me. I've been wearing New Balance sneakers with a Super Feet insole for the past few weeks and it is helping some, but not when I'm on my feet a lot.

 

[kasidak]

Have they helped with the plantar pain? My heel has been killing me. I've been wearing New Balance sneakers with a Super Feet insole for the past few weeks and it is helping some, but not when I'm on my feet a lot.

They have helped a lot, but my pain has always been more in my arch. Doctor says it is PF though. I also bought some New Balance sneakers that are supposed to be for PF pain. I went to www.newbalance.com and typed in Plantar Fasciitis. A style of shoe came up specifically for PF. I love these sneakers too, but I really only wear them when exercising. They are much better than my old sneaks though.

Good Luck. Plantar Fasciitis is no fun!

 

[bumbershoot]

They do not work comfortably for my feet. I've tried since I was a teenager, and finally gave up a few years ago. They give me awful blisters and make my feet ache, and just don't work for me.

 

[crz4mm2]

I love my birks, but I REALLY LOVE my Earth shoes (remember those?).

I have 3 pairs of Earth shoes and will get more when these wear out...

 

[SplshMtn99]

I love my 3 pairs of Birks. All from QVC and don't think I paid more than $55 for any of them. The more they are broken in, the better they feel. I don't care how stinky they get, I won't get rid of them.

Its the Crocs I can't seem to get the right fit with. Something about wearing shoes that are too big for your feet?

 

[Cup Cake]

Birkenstocks = $100 worth of ugly

 

[wowsmom]

They have helped a lot, but my pain has always been more in my arch. Doctor says it is PF though. I also bought some New Balance sneakers that are supposed to be for PF pain. I went to www.newbalance.com and typed in Plantar Fasciitis. A style of shoe came up specifically for PF. I love these sneakers too, but I really only wear them when exercising. They are much better than my old sneaks though.

Good Luck. Plantar Fasciitis is no fun!

Do you happen to know the style number of the New Balance sneakers you have? When I type in plantar fasciitis, it tells me no results found.

My NBs are a walking shoe, style #811.

 

[CathrynRose]

I love my 3 pairs of Birks. All from QVC and don't think I paid more than $55 for any of them. The more they are broken in, the better they feel. I don't care how sticky they get, I won't get rid of them.

Its the Crocs I can't seem to get the right fit with. Something about wearing shoes that are too big for your feet?

Alright - you OVC people - Do me a favor....PM me when Birk's are on. Please?

I never catch QVC and I would love another pair.

Im actually really, really impressed with them. They almost hurt your feet in the begginning, but hurt in a bad way (insert Hurts So Good song here, playing while you read) It makes your feet 'stand up straight' - and it just feels right.

I dont know. Im impressed. I really am.