Opinion on Wearing Birkenstock's At Park

[donnajz]

I don't own any, but am thinking of getting a comfy pair of Birkenstock sandals to wear at the parks. Anyone wear them all day/evening at the parks? If so, how were they? Will they be ruined if they get wet when it poors or on water rides?

 

[TxRabbit]

Will they be ruined if they get wet when it poors or on water rides?

Yes.

I will write assuming you have never owned a pair of Birks before...excuse me if you have...they are comfortable sandles in that the soles mold into the actual shape of your feet over time...it doesn't take too long, but you do have to wear them a bit and your arch area can get a bit sore until your footbed is properly formed...but they are not good all day walking shoes, especially if you sweat...because you don't want to make the straps too tight and so your feet will rub on the footbed as you walk, especially if you power walk to get somewhere, and if you sweat you will really slide around, and this movement will affect the integrity of the footbed, and water will ruin the leather. DH and I both own Birks and Tevas, Birks are our lounge around and wear around, but for walking, we pick Tevas everytime, which btw are also made for water sports.

 

[smep013]

I love Birkenstocks and wear them ALL summer.
I cannot imagine wearing those or Crocs in the parks - because of all the walking and all the time spent on your feet. There is NO ankle support at all. I do not know how people do it!

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I live in Birks during the summer, and I've worn them to and through WDW many times. I have problem feet and I haven't found a better shoe for my high arches.

That said, they get funky and slimy if they get wet so you have to avoid that.

I have a couple of pairs of Crocs sandals that I wear to the pool. I think I'm going to try them for a day when we are at WDW and see how my feet feel at the end of it. They are definitely comfortable, but I don't know how they'd be after many hours and many miles.

 

[kittythepoohbear]

Until very recently I always wore my Birks to the parks. I was able to go all vacation wearing them without a problem. I also never had a problem getting them wet on rides or in rainstorms. I would just dry them off as best as possible in the hotel and if they were not dry the next day wear my other pair of shoes for the morning. Wetness can make the leather stiff and can be taxing on the cork footbed, but mine always held up very well all summer long. I just wouldn't wear them in the pool! My favorite pair has been going for about 4 years now. I just bought a pair of Crocs as lately Birks are fitting me differently and they have become a bit uncomfortable to wear all day, even at home. The Crocs are supper comfy but I miss my Birks so I plan to get resized and get some different styles to see if it helps!

My suggestion is to go to a Birkenstock store (check their website for one) and get measured before you buy. They run on European sizes and the style you choose will affect the fit. The straps should be loose enough to slide a finger under and there should be a little gap between the sides and ends of the shoe and your foot. The Milano style is great for the parks due to the heel strap - you don't have to worry about them falling off on rides like Soarin' and the strap seems to make them a bit more comfortable for walking around in the park. They are also a very popular style and so easy to find. There are also some very pretty styles with daintier straps that look nice with casual skirts and dresses. Once you know your size and how the basic styles fit, you can search online for good deals as they can be expensive.

Good luck shoe hunting!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I've had birks before, and several shoes that were similar construction. My favorite pair were a German shoe (Couldn't tell you the name as it wore off). I wore those many times at WDW and all summer too. I also had a pair of Clark's sandals that were also similar and excellent. Clarks tend to run narrow though.

I like to choose a black sandal with more straps, including an ankle strap. The more straps, the more you can adjust the fit, and the less likely you are to get any chafing. When something starts to rub at all, you can adjust a strap.
Black shoes with more straps also look nicer for evening. I'm not talking galas, but WDW business casual.

Personally, I always bring at least two pairs of comfortable shoes to WDW. Mostly, the second pair are sneakers. I trade off between the two, and in that way avoid major pressure points. Also, I don't like to stretch out my Birks wearing socks.

I'm looking forward to wearing Crocs again at WDW. Actually, I've been wearing mine a lot at home, and have recently found even sneakers to be less comfortable...

I don't really recall getting my sandals really wet. I must have worn them some in the rain. I vaguely recall getting faint black marks on my feet from the bkack leather straps....Crocs are great wet!

 

[Bev J]

I have been wearing birks for about 15 years, year round. When we go to WDW I have 3 pair, different styles, that I change out. One pair in the morning and a different pair for the evening. This usually keeps the sore feet at bay..
The last trip my heels were very sore before we even left for the trip, it changed the way I walked so my pressure points also changed, the Birks killed my feet with no cushion. I ended up wearing my sons crocs. So this trip I am bringing birks and crocs. I am going to buy one of the new sandle style crocs. So many years in Birks I just can't wear closed toe shoes!
As for wet Birks- they are the worst and in Florida they never dry out.
If your going to buy Birks then do it now to get them broken in, I wear mine around the house with socks for a few hours each day to break in a new pair, accept no phony birks!!

Bev

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

accept no phony birks!!

Bev

This is so true! I am a birk wearer and have been year round for about five years. A friend of mine recently said she would give Birks a try. Well she went and got a fake pair and complained the whole time she had them on. I tired them on for a few minutes and boy were they uncomfortable. THere is nothing better than the REAL Birks. So I bought her a pair -- and she hasn't taken them off since.

 

[TravelinGal]

To me Birks = Blisters. No matter how long they are worn.

I wouldn't wear shoes that expensive if there was a chance of rain or if you were planning water rides. If you don't need ankle support then go with Crocs or Tevas. Made to handle the water situations. (I've worn both and Crocs are 100% on top of my list - they have been a real foot saver for me at WDW with my plantar faciatis.)

 

[Colleen27]

I don't own any, but am thinking of getting a comfy pair of Birkenstock sandals to wear at the parks. Anyone wear them all day/evening at the parks? If so, how were they? Will they be ruined if they get wet when it poors or on water rides?

Birks aren't great for that much walking/sweating/getting wet in my experience. I have a pair that I like for every day, but for more active pursuits and for Disney, I have a pair of Columbia sandals that I adore. They're just as comfy as athletic shoes, have straps so that they stay on (after I lost a couple of flip-flops getting in and out of our boat, this is a must!), and they don't stay wet like most shoes do.

 

[donnajz]

Thanks so much for all your opinions. I think I'll look for the new "sandal" style crocs. I didn't even know they had such a thing.

 

[Bev J]

If you can't find the new sandle types locally then you can go to Crocs dot com and find them all. I have not had any success locally or on the other popular shoe sites. Here is a code for free shipping too.... spring07
put it in at checkout, it's good till may 31..

Bev

 

[perd]

I'm thinking I will wear Tevas, assuming it will be warm enough in September (I'm sure it will). If they get wet they dry fast, water runs right off of them, and they are comfy!

 

[labdogs42]

I own Tevas, Crocs, and Birks and I'd never wear my birks to the parks, especially if they were brand new. My Tevas have never let me down as a prks shoe. They are the ultimate in comfort and convenience for me. My crocs scutes are a close second.

 

[maryjl]

I have worn Birkenstocks for many years and would recommend them to anyone. I am a nurse and wear them at work also. The only time I do not like them is when it is wet. I own a pair of crocs and those are ok for the rain or when you expect to get wet. I would recommend getting the Birks and breaking them in several months before my trip though.

 

[RustManFan]

My Birks are fine for short time wear or running around town but not for WDW. I have TEVAS that are excellent. Wore them every day on a September trip to Scotland. The pair I took along has a strap across the heel so that your feet do not slide at all while walking a lot. Also stand up to dampness really well.

Tevas and Clark sandels are my favorite shoes....

 

[tink07]

I have a pair of waterproof Birkis that
I am taking to try out. Hopefully they
will work out great. Anybody else tried
these ?

 

[ToniB]

I don't own any, but am thinking of getting a comfy pair of Birkenstock sandals to wear at the parks. Anyone wear them all day/evening at the parks? If so, how were they? Will they be ruined if they get wet when it poors or on water rides?

I would like to share with you what I wear all the time. I wear Ryka's, they slip on like clogs with stretch material on the top so if your feet swell the shoe stretches. They are made for women, by women. I order them from QVC and love them. They are true to size too. I have bad feet and they are wonderful. I will be wearing them starting 4/27/07 in WDW so I can let you know how I made out when I return.

Toni