Does anyone here wear "Birkenstocks"?

[pat fan]

I have been trying to find comfy sneakers for our upcoming trip and just can't.My sister swears by her Birk's,and I've found a bunch on QVC.How do you know which ones are good?Are they all comfortable?Would you buy them on the net without trying them on?(no one sells them around here).I'd ask my sis,but she's on vacation.Thanks.

 

[Saffron]

I wear mine all the time - in and around the house and to the stores etc.

Me, personally, I couldn't last the entire day at the parks in them. But -- others swear by them for the parks.

I think all Birks are made the same. They all have the same sole, that over time will form to fit only your foot. The only difference would be the back strap. Some people like the added support of a back strap.

I bought mine from QVC. I just ordered a simple two strap style. I love them!

 

[jfulcer]

I know there are people here on the DIS that swear by their Birkenstocks. I don't think I've heard anyone complain about them before. Dunno.

There are also a group of us who have trouble finding shoes that fit that buy "New Balance" shoes. I've tried Nike, Rebock, and every other name brand and off brand that you can think of and always end up back with New Balance shoes. You might want to check those out as you should be able to find them locally.

 

[caitycaity]

i wear my birkenstocks all the time, but for some reason i get blisters when i wear them for a full day in the parks. maybe my feet sweat more there or something.

like jfulcer i have a hard time with a lot of sneakers but have found new balance sneakers to be comfortable.

 

[Val]

I have been wearing Birks since the 1970's (in utero, of course!) and I swear by them. They conform to your feet and are just comfy to me (I wear clogs and the sandals with no backs). HOWEVER- in general, most Birks have the heel lower than or equal to the toe and some may find this very uncomfortable (I by now can't wear heels which breaks my heart not!). The "conforming to your feet" also is odd and when walking and your feet swell a bit may result in some discomfort. Birks also don't have as much of a sole and may not provide as much cushioning. I would also warn against wearing NEW birks into the parks. A good pair take a month or so to "break in". Again, I swear by mine and wear them to the parks. I do have a pair of sandals with backstrap for rainy days (no backs = slipping out!), and occassionaly break down and wear tennies to the parks. Try them out first and see- it really does seem to be a love/hate relationship (you either love them or hate them).

 

[Lars624]

When we were at WDW in April I alternated between my Birkenstock sandals & my Easy Spirit sneakers....I was very comfy!!!!

 

[Blondie]

I wanted to like Birkenstocks, I really did. I tried talking myself into them, how comfie they'd be letting my feet breath, how so many people wear them so they must be good!

But everytime I looked down at my feet I thought "they are just so darned UGLY!" (the Birkenstocks, not my feet, LOL!)

I'd rather wear sneakers!

 

[thinkerbell]

I have two pair of Birkenstocks and I love them. They are all I wear most of the warm months. I took mine to WDW a couple of weeks ago. They were not cushiony enough to last a whole day at the park. I would sometimes wear them in the morning and change when we went back to the room mid-day or I would change into them at mid-day. I also tried Nike Straprunners. They are also very comfortable all day at home or around the mall but not all day at Disney. The only shoes I could wear all day at WDW were my tennis shoes.

 

[pat fan]

***But everytime I looked down at my feet I thought "they are just so darned UGLY!"
****************************************************

LOL!!!Truly,at QVC there are about 3 gajillion styles(only a slight exageration )that I was able to find some I thought were cute.It's just convincing my DH that I'm not turning into a tree-hugger!

I also did try a bunch of New Balance sneakers,but they didn't seem any better than any of the others.I have a pair of old Nike's that I love,they are just so old that they are no longer wearable.Of course they don't make that style anymore.The new Nike's all rub my big toe,and the next size up is TOO big.

Guess I'll just keep looking,but I need to find something soon,as we leave shortly!

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

I love mine. I actually have Betula's which are the original Birkenstocks. Sam's Club carries them for $37. A huge savings! I actually just bought a second pair this past weekend.

I would not be able to wear them all day in a park. But love them for day to day.

Debbie

 

[Buckalew]

I love mine.
They are my work shoes, my park shoes, my slippers. I don't run in them though.

However, I always have to break mine in also. It takes me at least 1 month. I hate a new pair of birkis--they feel like someone strapped a board to the bottom of my foot to me!

Honestly, there are so many different kinds of footbeds that I think you have to try on (JMO) There is one that is good for high arches that make me feel like I am standing on a tennis ball. Ick!

I wear the original footbed. But there are several other kinds too. I tried on one this spring that was entirely different that was as comfortable as anything that I don't believe I'd have to break in at all.

There is real leather and a man made leather called birkibuc (or something like that) I have both kinds and prefer the leather for the comfort and softness as I break them in although the man-made kind looks better/newer longer. I just don't think it conforms to your foot like leather (I'm talking straps here--not footbeds)

So there you have it...several opinions on Birkis. LOL And I agree--people love'em or hate'em. And like Blondie said above about the looks of them, well, you may not even like the look of them.

 

[loisg1]

Love my Birks. Sandals in the summer and clogs in the colder months. Never wear sneakers at all. Last year at WDW I wore them all day. My only problem was the heat (90s in April) and me which caused severe leg and feet swelling. But that was not caused by the Birks.

Good luck with your decision
Lois

 

[pat fan]

Thanks for all the opinions guys(& gals)!

 

[bobcat]

I love my Birks! I am on my feet all day long and these are one of the only types of shoes I can wear. I can't wear them for a long day in the parks though. They don't have enough cushion and my shins hurt after walking in them all day.

 

[Fire14]

I love my new balance tennies for work as a nurse. I have thought of trying Birks on a few occasions, I just might have too. To me it seems like it would be a reminder of my high school years and wearing Klompmens on my feet.