When I ordered my Birkenstock Franca sandals on their website, they explain that you need to stand on a piece of A4 paper (each foot) against a wall, make a mark where your big toe is and then the widest parts of your foot, so the small toe and the opposite side. You then measure the distance from the big toe to the heal on the paper and then the width. You then look at their sizing chart and they tell you which size to purchase. You shouldn't be buying a size smaller. I also found a helpful RU-vid video by Birkenstock direct of how to fit them to your feet once you purchase them. You need a certain number of millimetres from the big toe to the tip of the sandal again a certain number from the heal to the back of the sandal. Regarding the buckles, you shouldn't be tightening them to wear them in, according to Birkenstoke's video you need to have a certain number of millimetres between the buckles and your foot from the moment you put them on. I would attach the link but I don't think RU-vid allows them...
Great perseverance! 1.) the toe raise bar isn’t supposed to leave. It is a orthotic support. It keeps the big toes gripping down with each step of the gait, increasing blood flow in the feet. I think you maybe needed one size bigger. 2.) you can have a cobbler fix the sole for pretty cheap. And they can add extra guards to the back heels thus greatly extending the life! 3.) each “bump” in the Birk footbed has a specific orthopedic purpose for foot health 🦶 ☀️
After wearing Birks over 30 years... A cobbler can restore them easy. There are many who carry OFFICAL Birkenstock soles and parts. And you can get vibram soles instead if you like. The toe ridge is functional, it's designed for proper toe grip too stay on, it will not go away.
I got a pair to help with plantar fasciitis. Had them for three days and just wear them in the evenings. So far they feel like I’m walking on rocks. But I’m not giving up! 😂
Good video, thanks. Everyone pretends that these are the best sandals ever, but you give your honest opinion. For something that cost £100 the quality seems to be lacking.
Thanks for your review. I know it was a awhile ago but it still applies. I bought my 1st pair while on vacation a year ago. Glad I bought them at a Birkenstock shoe store because I was able to find the right size and type by trying it on. After that I did find used ones on ebay and a garage sale. That first pair is precious to me and I only wear it indoors because I have seen the way the soles wear down really fast. But some of my other (used ones) pairs I wear outdoors because they are so comfy on my feet and I like the look, even with socks in cooler weather. I just wish the soles lasted longer. I am trying shoe goo on the worn spots on the sides of heel and also ordered some eva adhesive tape to put there. It's taking a while to get it so I don't know how it will work. I don't have a cobbler near me nor do I want to spend so much money to repair them. I know that would be a good thing but I have a budget and can't get new soles or patches put on or keep buying brand new Birkenstocks. I do find decent ones on ebay sometimes for a great price. I guess the Birkenstock company makes a lot of money on the shoes and also the shoe repairs and parts but just wish they could use a thicker sole that wouldn't wear down so fast. I love Birkenstocks so much and need comfortable sandals for my feet.
It´s important that you choose carefully regular or narrow feet, makes all the difference in the world. Not all stores have narrow feet, and getting the wrong width makes quite unconfortable. measure your feet, it´s on their official website how to do it, and which size you should choose
I agree. However, most people will choose the regular as the narrow size is very narrow. Unless someone is for sure that they have very narrow feet, the regular/wide is good
I went to department store and tried the size 44 and 43 Birkenstock Arizona today. I felt the issue you have on your Birkenstock (toe area) on the size 44 but when I tried the size 43 it wasn't there (don't feel it at all) even tried both size at the same time 44 on the left and 43 on the right. It says on their website this sandals runs large so you should size down, your sandals is a tad long.
I just got the exact same pair a week back - these are the oiled leather Habana. I went in fully aware of the ‘rigorous’ breaking-in period of Birks, especially leather ones. I have at least 5 spot bandaids to show for the last week already where the straps chafe on the upper feet. But at the same time, I can feel the shoes begin to give and form into a more and more comfortable shell around the feet. I was surprised and a bit disappointed at the durability of the soles though. Surprisingly, no other reviews mentioned that and you don’t look like a particularly heavy guy to help it wear so quickly (something I can’t say for myself). I wonder how long mine will last under mixed use.
Yeah the soles are not the best, perhaps one can replace them with normal rubber instead. I think other reviewers didn't take time to use them enough before making a video.
Thank you for posting. Your review is one of the best Birkenstock reviews, if not the best Birkenstock review, that I found on RU-vid. I have ordered the Birkenstock Arizona Rugged Man Oiled Leather Sandal. Perhaps its bottom sole will wear a little better than the model you purchased. We'll see. Enjoy the journey.
Glad it was helpful! The sole material isn't very good, so probably not but hopefully! Not expensive to replace though to something generic at any cobblers
@@GMODISM Actually I had ordered the Arizona Rugged Man Oiled Leather Sandals prior to seeing your video. Hopefully - since Birkenstock claims that the Rugged model has a more durable bottom PU sole - this sandal's bottom sole will wear longer than yours did. Again my compliments because your Birkenstock video review was one of the best. Enjoy the journey.
Once u own a pair Birkenstocks sandals they are yours for life because they will mold to your feet for that comfortable zone, am guessing every once feet will mold differently
I have unexplained arch pain, right foot. Guess I’m just getting older and feeling the effects of all those years of high heels and other ill-fitting shoes. Had a girlfriend years ago who wore Birkenstocks, I though they were ugly then, and still kind of do. With my slim legs, shoes like this make my feet look huge….however, I think they would make great house shoes….so I will probably get a pair after all!
Sounds like plantar fasciitis, if it’s extra sore I’m the morning then it probably is, especially if it’s painful on the arch near the heel. spend a couple months trying to stretch your calves out that should help. If you do one day you’ll wake up and notice you don’t have pain there anymore. It may take a couple months of stretching though. Tight calves effect the arch of your foot more than you know
@@jamesfeth7484 yes, I think you are right. I also have high arches and needed to switch to shoes with more support, as I am on my feet all the time on my job. I got Vionic slippers, no more barefoot around the house, and sneakers with good arch support, aaaaand I did buy my first pair of Birkenstocks, the Arizona. Loved them so much and found them to be so comfy, I now have 5 pairs in different styles, and I think they are pretty cute, they don’t make your feet look big, if anything, the opposite. Since changing all my shoes, I’ve had no pain.
Regarding the ridge, i feel like you should have tried a size smaller, it shouldnt be that promenent. I tried 2 different sizes in both narrow and regular and found the rigde to be very noticible in the larger size which didnt fit me. Yes, there is supposed to be a little gap in the back, but not overly much (looks like you may have to much). Your toes can reach/bump into the front lip when you walk, as long as its not unbarable/hurting.
Iva had a pair of a year and they still look new the key is kinda jus to wear them casually here and there I’m onto my 4th pair this year and tried out the boston clogs
It looks like the oilled leather habana color. Have the same ones. Birko-flor is synthetic leather and likely won't last as long as the real leather options, but birko-flor is more pliable at the beginning which may translate to a more comfortable shoe during the breakin period. You should honestly just try to find a retailer near you to try them on and compare.
It wouldn’t be advisable though it is fine if it happens occasionally. If you still want the “shape” of the Birkenstock footbed, then the EVA ones are good. They have a fully rubber version so you can wear them it whatever weather you want.
I was thinking that….but doesn’t the footbed one eventually compress and flatten out somewhat, taking away from the orthotic support? I read a few reviews where it said that happens. Have you worn both?
@@geslinam9703 brand new softfootbed soles are already pretty flat. I dont mind if that happens since I have flat feet and the standard soles hurt my feet even after breaking in.
@@orbispictus6127 I haven’t tried the original, but got a pair of softbed arizonas ordered online this week. I would not call them comfortable at all. I have high arches, so I’m going to go buy a pair of the originals this weekend, somewhere in person, where I can try them on first. I have some Vionic shoes and slippers with great arch support, very very comfy, and the Birkenstocks don’t even come close to how great the Vionics feel. I do like them, though, just hoping the original will be be better.
@@geslinam9703 I think softfootbed birks are only good for people having flat and normal arches feet, like me. Since you have high arches, you need more arches support so standard footbed Birks could be comfy for you. Dont forget to try a same size in both Regular and Narrow.
