Birkenstock --- Clumsy & Comfy
By M.-L.
@MALUSE (69428)
Germany
June 19, 2018 2:45pm CST
I’ve done something I thought I’d never do. I’ve bought a pair of Birkenstock* sandals! Why have I waited for so long? Because they’re ugly and clumsy. Why have I bought them after all? Because I needed white sandals, they were the only white ones I could find.
Birkenstock was first marketed in the UK in 1975**. It was not widely known. It was restricted mainly to dyed-in-the-wool greens, hippies and vegans. All this changed in 2002 when the actress Gwyneth Paltrow was photographed wearing Birkenstocks around London. In 2003 a mass hysteria broke loose. Some outlets even had to introduce the one-pair-per-customer policy to prevent a catastrophe!
I bought the two-strap sandal Arizona (which has been on the market for 45 (!) years*). I was surprised that the size half a number smaller than my usual one fit me. I called the shop-assistant. She looked at the way I was standing in the sandals, my heels were firmly surrounded by the heels cup, my toes and heels didn’t touch the rim. She said the size was OK. I’m mentioning this in case you’re thinking of ordering Birkenstock sandals online. Don’t think ‘bigger is better’ and order a bigger size than you usually wear.
The straps made of Birko Flor, a material developed for Birkenstock, are adjustable with a buckle, but I felt they weren’t wide enough for my high instep and I didn’t trust them to get wider with use. So after buying the sandals I went straight to a shoemaker and asked him to punch two more holes in each strap. I haven’t used both holes but I’ve made three straps wider by one hole.
Some people have problems with the arch support at the beginning. That didn’t disturb me, though, but the toe grippers needed some getting used to. Birkenstock advise the customers to walk around indoors for some days to break in the sandals gradually. The footbeds made of latex and cork may feel a bit stiff at first but they become softer and more flexible with time. In this way you create your own customised shoe!
It didn’t take me longer than three days to become friends with my Arizona sandals. I then took them on hols with me. They need quite a lot of space in the suitcase which is not so good but can’t be helped. I walked with them on asphalt, I slipped into them with wet and sandy feet, I put them under the tap to clean them, they didn’t mind. Now they feel as if I’ve had them for yonks and I think we’ll stay together for a long time.
The Birkenstock homepage offers a repair service. You should have a look at the ‘before - after’ piccies, just for fun. The ‘before’ one shows a sandal with half the heel obviously chewed off. Should my sandals ever look like this, I wouldn’t send them in for repair, I’d buy new ones.
These are the links to the British and American version of the Birkenstock homepage. You can find a catalogue there with different types of sandals and designs, the aforementioned repair service and a list of stockists:
https://www.birkenstock.com/us/storelocator
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* Birkenstock is the name of the founder.
**The firm was founded in 1774. It’s two years older than the Declaration of Independence!
15 people like this
15 responses
@infatuatedbby (97992)
• United States
19 Jun 18
I used to think Birkenstocks look silly and bulky but they are sort of catching up to me! I tried them on and they're really nice and goes well with a lot of outfits. So far I'm still using my Rainbow Sandals.
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (97992)
• United States
19 Jun 18
@MALUSE Yes that is the perfect phrase, acquired taste and adjustment to like these pairs at first thought and impression. :)
@andriaperry (116876)
• Anniston, Alabama
19 Jun 18
I would wear them. I have always worn shoes others wouldnt, I like ugly or geeky shoes. I also like the pretty girly stuff to, although some would not think I am that girly but all the hardening and mowing and construction I do
@anikoonline (3254)
• Hungary
20 Jun 18
I've never had a Birkenstock, but I've been thinking of buying a pair for a long time. I always thought that Birkenstocks are very comfortable and your post says the same. I think they are a bit expensive (but affordable).
@anikoonline (3254)
• Hungary
23 Jun 18
@lnillerman I used to think the same, so I understand you, but now I prefer comfort. Like I realized that my feet worth more for me than always having painful blisters and scars. I decided to buy comfortable shoes with good quality and I feel better.
@anikoonline (3254)
• Hungary
23 Jun 18
@kepweng I've never bought shoes online, because I like trying them to see that it fits to my feet or not.
@shaggin (71573)
• United States
20 Jun 18
That is really neat though that they do repairs. I would throw them out too but for the very environmentally conscious and wealthy they would be saving the item going to the landfill by having it repaired. I don't know if they were the actual name brand or on but I did have a white pair just like this when I was 13. They were very comfortable.
My feet used to sweat really bad at that age though so I remember we couldn't get the smell out when cleaning them so they had to be thrown away. I remember another girl I was friends with had them and had the same problem but she just kept wearing them and the smell was unbearable. We got in a fight once right before she moved and I told her off finally all the things I thought of her and her stinky feet lol
@allknowing (130088)
• India
20 Jun 18
While I certainly look for fashion but comfort for me comes first. And no brand is not important. In the good old days we had those Chinese shoe makers with whom we would place orders.
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
28 Jun 18
I love Birkenstocks, I have 6 pairs. They are so comfortable and they last forever. I have sandals but also 2 pairs of slide in winter shoes. I love the way they mold themselves to your feet. Pretty they are not but comfort is better.
@LeaPea2417 (36261)
• Toccoa, Georgia
26 Jun 18
I have seen those shoes for sale on the shopping channel, QVC, but I have never bought them. Are they comfortable? Are you happy with the purchase?
@Marilynda1225 (79226)
• United States
19 Jun 18
I need a pair of comfy sandals and I hesitated because Birkenstocks aren't very pretty. However after reading how comfy they are I'm going to look into getting myself a pair. Comfort before beauty is the way to go for me these days
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 18
They are so reliable, durable,comfortable and very popular albeit quite expensive. I don't care what they look like as long as they are comfortable. Hope you get many years use out of them!