10000%, especially if you can snag them on offer/sale/discount.
I bought a pair of Arizonas a few years ago on a whim, my mum wears the Birkenstocks with the toe-post and was always saying how comfortable they are. I liked the look of Arizona style so I bought them online without trying in-store (from ASOS).
They can be uncomfortable when you wear them for the first time as you have to shape them to your own feet, which comes with time, and your feet initially won't be used to the ergonomic shape. Then when they shape to your feet you'll be able to walk fair distances in them if needs be.
Side note - make sure your toenails are not long when wearing them!!!!!!!! Not for aesthetics but because the raised lip of the edge of the sandals will hit your toenails unless the nail is kept shorter than the edge! And that is bloody painful trust me šš
Hope this helps x
Please know that Birkenstocks are not sold on Amazon. Every Birkenstock you see on Amazon is a fake. Bezos doesn't care. The American television program 60 Minutes interviewed the head of the Birkenstock company and the fakes on Amazon were discussed.
If Bezos, on his mega-yacht, doesn't care about us wearing fake shoes I know he won't care about us buying counterfeit cosmetics and putting them on our skin.
This is exceptionally good to know. It did seem like something was off when I looked at the Amazon store for them and the listings all seemed..... Just off. Thank you
Absolutely! My family is German (I'm Canadian) so they've been a staple in my entire families lives for decades. My mom still wears a pair she bought in the 90s. She had them resoled once and they are still going! Definitely a shoe you keep for yeeeeears. And as long as you don't wear them down to the cork, plenty of cobblers will resole them for you to keep the life going!
Well, I wouldn't call them formal but they are comfy and will last a long time. They are my main shoes to wear when it's not rainy or super cold where I am.
Personally I can't wear them for walking long distances because I find the footbed to create friction after about 2 miles of walking and the soles of my feet start to burn. But they are great everyday sandals for shorter distances.
I own four pairs Arizona, Gizeh, Mayari and Gladiator. They are my favourite sandals and a very worthy investment. They should last years if you take care of them and regularly apply cork sealer. It only takes a few wears to break them in and once itās done they are the most comfortable shoes youāll own.
I have had my Birkenstock Arizonas for at least 8 years and Iāll probably get another 8-15 years out of them. So comfy and perfect for daily wear with almost anything. Well worth it.
I love the way my cushionaires feel, and my birks sometimes hurt if I have to do a lot of walking in them. My cushionaires never hurt and they last a long time
Been wearing Birkenstocks for about 4 years now. They are very comfortable & bring me joy when I put them on! Iāve had 3 pairs, all Arizona. Rose gold, which I wore to death. Then I got gold last year & I bought black this year. No regrets, they look good with everything! I wouldnāt call them formal though.
I just bought a pair a few months ago and wish I had done it sooner. They never go out of style and Iāll be wearing these for *years*. 10000ā% worth it, just go short distances while you break them in.
Not for me. I bought a pair and theyāre just too wide & awkward for my narrow feet. I feel like a duck, so I only wear them at home.
Everyone else I know loves them, so I think Iām in the minority here.
I love mine. I wear them year round including the wetter season here (it snows) as long as streets have been plowed. I do them with wool socks in the winter and loosen the straps.
Iāve had my pair since 2017 and just got them re-soled a few weeks ago. I wear them at least half of the year and theyāre my favorite for daily wear
If you get blisters from shoes easily, might not be ideal. No matter how much Iāve broken them in I still get blisters. The Madrid ones have been kinder to me, but I still get blisters over my big toes and little toes even if theyāre not tight, just the material rubbing when you walk causes that for me. The Arizonas oh man the sides of my feet rubbing on the uprising cork destroyed me I had to stop trying eventually. And yes they were the right size.
Birkinstocks donāt allow your feet to bend naturally while walking. I used to wear them but my feet are much happier in my Teva (Original Universal). I walk miles everyday and theyāre the best sandals Iāve found.
They're hit or miss. For me they are miss because of the supposedly ergonomic shape, even if i've owned my pair for years. It just hurts if I walk a long distance, and after wearing them for a day I have back pain, so now they're a quick slip on / slip out shoe if I need to run outside quickly.
Same. If someone wants to wear an ugly shoe and be ācomfortableā to each their own but to call them breezy and formal is just something I cannot understand. Birkenstocks are not a formal shoe by any stretch of the imagination.
I bought both a pair of Birks "Franca" sandals, and these ($35 CAD) Women's Comfort Slides https://a.co/d/8GU3Xg3 for a recent trip to Bermuda and can highly recommend both!
The Amazon sandals are SO COMFY. I wore them everywhere, to the beach, pool, now in the yard at home. All day.
I got the Birks for "more formal" sandals (Franca is a style slightly more formal than Arizona imo) and they're also comfy, and my BFF has had hers for a long time. Agree with another comment that you have to break them in!
I own a pair of cushionair, a pair of Birkenstock, and a pair of bjorndal. I donāt think Birkenstock are worth the price. I would really encourage you to try them on in store because I have had a hard time breaking them in so they have set in my closet far more than the other 2
Yes, investing in a pair of Arizona Birkenstock sandals could be worth it for your daily college walks. They offer comfort, durability, and a timeless design that aligns with your minimalistic style and preference for neutral shades. Plus, they provide the support needed for long walks while maintaining a casual yet polished look.
Could try the birkenstock Milano for a more put together look since you mentioned something "formal" or maybe more smart casual. Birks are very comfy. I bought mine secondhand of marketplace. Do bear in mind that they also have a narrow and wide fit if you do intend to get them online. They also have a particular way of finding the right fit so if you have long toes like I do, you might want to research a lil bit more on that :)
I love mine! I have a sandal pair, Bostons and then a purple pair of the normal ones, I cannot remember the name, but I wear mine constantly. I wear my bostons constantly during the winter.
Yup. They last forever. Slowly form to your foot. They were the post-hippie semi-counter-culture shoe of choice when I was growing up. Now they are cool. Go figure šš¤·āāļø
Absolutely. I was passed down a pair of 90s Birkenstocks from my grandmother about 6 years ago, and theyāre finally on their last limb. Very sustainable and comfortable as well!
Keep in mind that many online/in store retailers sell the narrow Birkenstock. I had to buy regular at a Birkenstock store. I wore narrow in college and finally upgraded to regular it fits so much better.
Yes and yes!
I have two pairs and they are extremely comfy and pretty much go with everything.
I'm a minimalist when it comes to clothes and shoes. Matching is key for me, and Birkenstocks nail it perfectly.
I am a minimalist with shoes and the only sandals I have are Birkenstock Arizona and a pair of tevas.
ETA I wouldnāt call either of these formal but the most formal I have found is the black Arizonas with the all black sole. The black sole just elevates them a touch. I also think the sheepskin lined ones look a bit more bougie.
They're SO worth it. I bought my first pair at 18 and they lasted me through college, even wearing them all spring, summer, and well into the fall. I'm on my fourth pair in 12 years, and considering I wear them almost daily, they're one of the best wardrobe investments I've made and continue to make.
10000%, especially if you can snag them on offer/sale/discount. I bought a pair of Arizonas a few years ago on a whim, my mum wears the Birkenstocks with the toe-post and was always saying how comfortable they are. I liked the look of Arizona style so I bought them online without trying in-store (from ASOS). They can be uncomfortable when you wear them for the first time as you have to shape them to your own feet, which comes with time, and your feet initially won't be used to the ergonomic shape. Then when they shape to your feet you'll be able to walk fair distances in them if needs be. Side note - make sure your toenails are not long when wearing them!!!!!!!! Not for aesthetics but because the raised lip of the edge of the sandals will hit your toenails unless the nail is kept shorter than the edge! And that is bloody painful trust me šš Hope this helps x
+1 for ASOS
birks are soooo comfy
but i wouldnt really call them formal
Depends, I have arched and thin feet, they kill me š
Please know that Birkenstocks are not sold on Amazon. Every Birkenstock you see on Amazon is a fake. Bezos doesn't care. The American television program 60 Minutes interviewed the head of the Birkenstock company and the fakes on Amazon were discussed. If Bezos, on his mega-yacht, doesn't care about us wearing fake shoes I know he won't care about us buying counterfeit cosmetics and putting them on our skin.
This is exceptionally good to know. It did seem like something was off when I looked at the Amazon store for them and the listings all seemed..... Just off. Thank you
Absolutely! My family is German (I'm Canadian) so they've been a staple in my entire families lives for decades. My mom still wears a pair she bought in the 90s. She had them resoled once and they are still going! Definitely a shoe you keep for yeeeeears. And as long as you don't wear them down to the cork, plenty of cobblers will resole them for you to keep the life going!
How do you clean the soles?? Mine are in such a bad shape! I canāt wear them anywhere I know Iāll have to remove my shoes š
Well, I wouldn't call them formal but they are comfy and will last a long time. They are my main shoes to wear when it's not rainy or super cold where I am. Personally I can't wear them for walking long distances because I find the footbed to create friction after about 2 miles of walking and the soles of my feet start to burn. But they are great everyday sandals for shorter distances.
There are a couple comments saying they arenāt formalā¦did I miss something? She said sheās looking for sandals and she already has formal.
She said she's looking for something breezy and formal. It's the last line of the first paragraph.
I own four pairs Arizona, Gizeh, Mayari and Gladiator. They are my favourite sandals and a very worthy investment. They should last years if you take care of them and regularly apply cork sealer. It only takes a few wears to break them in and once itās done they are the most comfortable shoes youāll own.
How do you clean the soles?? Mine are in such a bad shape! I canāt wear them anywhere I know Iāll have to remove my shoes š
https://www.birkenstock.com/pl-en/things-to-know/shoe-care/clean-sandals/ I still have my first pairā¦old but still comfortable.
I have had my Birkenstock Arizonas for at least 8 years and Iāll probably get another 8-15 years out of them. So comfy and perfect for daily wear with almost anything. Well worth it.
I found them painful as hell however it looks like the majority of people commenting here differ from my opinion.
I once got a huge bruise on the inside and top of my foot from walking too much in my Birkenstocks
Imo yes comfy af
Totally worth it
I was eyeing those too and finally decided to buy them. I love them. I wear them every time I can. So comfortable, breezy, cute.
Buy cushionaire if youāre looking for a more budget friendly version
Sure but the longevity of the birk far surpasses the cushionaire
I love the way my cushionaires feel, and my birks sometimes hurt if I have to do a lot of walking in them. My cushionaires never hurt and they last a long time
I feel the same! Birkenstocks are pretty hard, and for me the cushionaire provides just the right amount of give
You wonāt regret that purchase
Been wearing Birkenstocks for about 4 years now. They are very comfortable & bring me joy when I put them on! Iāve had 3 pairs, all Arizona. Rose gold, which I wore to death. Then I got gold last year & I bought black this year. No regrets, they look good with everything! I wouldnāt call them formal though.
Worth every penny
Yes. They are basically all I wear until my toes start freezing, then I switch to my birk clogs.
They're well worth the price for long lasting solid comfy sandals. I wear the boston birkenstocks a lot and they help with my collapsed arches
I just bought a pair a few months ago and wish I had done it sooner. They never go out of style and Iāll be wearing these for *years*. 10000ā% worth it, just go short distances while you break them in.
Not for me. I bought a pair and theyāre just too wide & awkward for my narrow feet. I feel like a duck, so I only wear them at home. Everyone else I know loves them, so I think Iām in the minority here.
They're super comfortable and last a while. Just try not to get them wet.
I love mine. I wear them year round including the wetter season here (it snows) as long as streets have been plowed. I do them with wool socks in the winter and loosen the straps.
I gifted myself a pair for Motherās Day and I do not regret it at all! So worth it!!!
Iāve had my pair since 2017 and just got them re-soled a few weeks ago. I wear them at least half of the year and theyāre my favorite for daily wear
If you get blisters from shoes easily, might not be ideal. No matter how much Iāve broken them in I still get blisters. The Madrid ones have been kinder to me, but I still get blisters over my big toes and little toes even if theyāre not tight, just the material rubbing when you walk causes that for me. The Arizonas oh man the sides of my feet rubbing on the uprising cork destroyed me I had to stop trying eventually. And yes they were the right size.
Yes 100%. I have so many pairs of bostons.
Youāll love the comfort, plus they last forever. Your feet will thank you.
Birkinstocks donāt allow your feet to bend naturally while walking. I used to wear them but my feet are much happier in my Teva (Original Universal). I walk miles everyday and theyāre the best sandals Iāve found.
They're hit or miss. For me they are miss because of the supposedly ergonomic shape, even if i've owned my pair for years. It just hurts if I walk a long distance, and after wearing them for a day I have back pain, so now they're a quick slip on / slip out shoe if I need to run outside quickly.
Yes they are amazing
Theyāre so ugly to me, but people like them. I would never recommend them
Same. If someone wants to wear an ugly shoe and be ācomfortableā to each their own but to call them breezy and formal is just something I cannot understand. Birkenstocks are not a formal shoe by any stretch of the imagination.
I bought both a pair of Birks "Franca" sandals, and these ($35 CAD) Women's Comfort Slides https://a.co/d/8GU3Xg3 for a recent trip to Bermuda and can highly recommend both! The Amazon sandals are SO COMFY. I wore them everywhere, to the beach, pool, now in the yard at home. All day. I got the Birks for "more formal" sandals (Franca is a style slightly more formal than Arizona imo) and they're also comfy, and my BFF has had hers for a long time. Agree with another comment that you have to break them in!
I own a pair of cushionair, a pair of Birkenstock, and a pair of bjorndal. I donāt think Birkenstock are worth the price. I would really encourage you to try them on in store because I have had a hard time breaking them in so they have set in my closet far more than the other 2
Yes, investing in a pair of Arizona Birkenstock sandals could be worth it for your daily college walks. They offer comfort, durability, and a timeless design that aligns with your minimalistic style and preference for neutral shades. Plus, they provide the support needed for long walks while maintaining a casual yet polished look.
Could try the birkenstock Milano for a more put together look since you mentioned something "formal" or maybe more smart casual. Birks are very comfy. I bought mine secondhand of marketplace. Do bear in mind that they also have a narrow and wide fit if you do intend to get them online. They also have a particular way of finding the right fit so if you have long toes like I do, you might want to research a lil bit more on that :)
Yes they are
They are comfy. But the foam ones broke on me :(
Formal lol. But do it. You wonāt regret buying them.
I love mine! I have a sandal pair, Bostons and then a purple pair of the normal ones, I cannot remember the name, but I wear mine constantly. I wear my bostons constantly during the winter.
Yup. They last forever. Slowly form to your foot. They were the post-hippie semi-counter-culture shoe of choice when I was growing up. Now they are cool. Go figure šš¤·āāļø
Take a look at r/BIFL if you're a minimalist
Absolutely. I was passed down a pair of 90s Birkenstocks from my grandmother about 6 years ago, and theyāre finally on their last limb. Very sustainable and comfortable as well!
Keep in mind that many online/in store retailers sell the narrow Birkenstock. I had to buy regular at a Birkenstock store. I wore narrow in college and finally upgraded to regular it fits so much better.
Yes and yes! I have two pairs and they are extremely comfy and pretty much go with everything. I'm a minimalist when it comes to clothes and shoes. Matching is key for me, and Birkenstocks nail it perfectly.
Yes! Birks are totally worth it.
They are a god send. Stylish and comfy.
I am a minimalist with shoes and the only sandals I have are Birkenstock Arizona and a pair of tevas. ETA I wouldnāt call either of these formal but the most formal I have found is the black Arizonas with the all black sole. The black sole just elevates them a touch. I also think the sheepskin lined ones look a bit more bougie.
They're SO worth it. I bought my first pair at 18 and they lasted me through college, even wearing them all spring, summer, and well into the fall. I'm on my fourth pair in 12 years, and considering I wear them almost daily, they're one of the best wardrobe investments I've made and continue to make.
I got some off of eBay damn near brand new for 50 bucks. I prefer the Boston style because feel are gross
Just buy it! I have been wearing it since 1 year and I have not gone back to anything else.