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I've heard a lot about Birkenstock sandals but never really investigated further as I thought they were some sort of glorified Scholl sandal which I can remember from days of old. Great heavy lumps of wood which were supposed to exercise the feet while you were wearing them.
However, ... Read review
...I've heard a lot about Birkenstock sandals but never really investigated further as I thought they were some sort of glorified Scholl sandal which I can remember from days of old. Great heavy lumps of wood which were supposed to exercise the feet while you were wearing them.
However, when I actually got to look at a pair I found to my surprise that they were amazingly light, didn't look too hideous and I was assured by the salesgirl ... ...are several websites devoted to Birkenstock shoes, chief one being www.birkenstock.co.uk which sells nothing but and also there's good old Ebay to fall back on if you don't fancy shelling out the recommended retail price. Though beware, there are loads of imitiation ones which although they look exactly the same don't share the unique construction that Birkenstock are famed for.
Birkenstocks are proud of their understanding of the ... more
I struggle to find well fitting, comfortable shoes ever since my hubby stood on my little toe when I was wearing flip flops a couple of years ago. Now the said toe sits at a jaunty angle, quite at odds with the rest of my digits. Judging by the pain I felt at the time and for weeks afterwards I have concluded that he broke it and it's reset itself. He does swear it was an accident to this day but I have my doubts.
Anyway, wearing summery sandals displays my tortured toe in all its glory and I've been struggling to find something that is both comfortable, summery and, most importantly keeps my odd digit in place.
I've heard a lot about Birkenstock sandals but never really investigated further as I thought they were some sort of glorified Scholl sandal which I can remember from days of old. Great heavy lumps of wood which were supposed to exercise the feet while you were wearing them.
However, when I actually got to look at a pair I found to my surprise that they were amazingly light, didn't look too hideous and I was assured by the salesgirl that they were extremely comfortable. I didn't need a great deal of persuasion to be talked into buying a pair of my very own. My ones are from the Papillio range and retail at £36 in the department store (House of Fraser) that I bought them from but there is a vast range of styles and prices starting at about the £29 mark.
I've since found that there are several websites devoted to Birkenstock shoes, chief one being www.birkenstock.co.uk which sells nothing but and also there's good old Ebay to fall back on if you don't fancy shelling out the recommended retail price. Though beware, there are loads of imitiation ones which although they look exactly the same don't share the unique construction that Birkenstock are famed for.
Birkenstocks are proud of their understanding of the contours of our feet and constructing their shoes and sandals in a way in which the feet will have free movement, constant exercise and improved circulation. Don't let this put you off, for they now sound similar to Dr Scholls but they couldn't be further away from them in terms of weight. The birkies are featherlite so the exercise doesn't come from trying to drag lumps of wood stuck to your feet.
The upper of the sole does look very strange and very lumpy bumpy but this is to provide a healthy walking surface. The contours are designed to provide support and encourage circulation. The moulded heelcups are to stabilize the heels and act as shock absorbers. A bump towards the top of the footbed is called a toe bar and this is designed to encourage a gripping motion which will also exercise legs and feet.
The actual walking surface is made of suede and is supposedly specially tanned for softness, absorbancy and comfort. Underneath this is a layer of jute fibres which are designed to absorb moisture. I bet they have to work overtime in my case. Next comes a cork and latex footbed which is to insulate your feet and moulds itself to the foot over time, making the sandals a superb fit and extremely comfortable. Below this is another layer of jute. Suppose this is to catch all the nasty moisture that the first layer missed. The final ingredient of a birkie is the sole. This is very flexible and made of EVA (no, I don't know what that stands for and I've failed to find out). Used because it is very durable and hard wearing which good shock absorption.
All the glues used in birkies are water-soluble and solvent free. So no need to try to get high sniffing them then.
I usually take a size five and a half but was advised to go down a size rather than up (no half sizes made) so I settled for a size 5 which fits comfortably. The whole of your foot must be within the footbed for a good fit and if your heel or toes are hanging over the edge you need a size bigger. Mine just sit nicely where they are supposed to.
I've been wearing these sandals for a while now and though I was warned they might not feel totally comfortable until they had moulded to the contours of my feet, I have had no problems with them at all. So light that you forget that you're wearing shoes and if they weren't so pricey I might have another pair to specially designate as slippers. As it is, I wear these inside and out. They've coped quite well with being in the greenhouse and getting covered in soil, walking on the sodden lawn and getting drenched. No signs of ill treatment have shown.
When they get too dirty the cleaning method advised is to sponge with a little washing up liquid.
They do seem virtually indestructible and I can see getting a good few years' wear out of them and if I do eventually decide that they are just too hideous to be seen wearing out in public, they will do nicely as slippers. So although the intial outlay is a bit steep I'm sure they're going to be cost effective in the long run.
I can't say that I feel my feet/legs are being exercised as I wear them, but I'm a sucker for marketing ploys, so I'd like to think that they are and all in all, I'm pleased with my purchase.
Note: When I submitted a product proposal for Birkenstock shoes I was told there already was one, but the only category could find after numerous searches was this which seems to be aimed at Birkenstock shops as a whole, rather than just the products. Sorry if I'm off topic.
...ever-growing range offered by the Birkenstock Company. Its not that last years have worn out you understand, just that buying the latest, gorgeous addition is one of my summer vices! Before I tell you why I am hooked on these sandals let me tell you a bit about the company.
A potted history.
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The Birkenstock name has been associated with footwear for over 200 years when Johann Birkenstock worked as a shoemaker in Germany. In ... ...medical specialists were supporting the Birkenstock design. Fast forward to 1964 and Carl Birkenstock was now heading the business and the first sandal was developed. Thong sandals were developed in 1982,a very good year as far as I'm concerned!
In 2004 Birkenstock received the prestigious Drapers award for footwear brand of the year.
What's so special about this brand?
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Birkenstock make a large range of ...
anwar 29.01.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Birkenstock
...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, they’re not expensive and they’re comfy.
Some years ago it wouldn’t have made sense to tell British readers something about this brand, although Birkenstock was first marketed in the UK in 1975, it was not widely known, it was restricted ... ...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, ...
MALU 21.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Birkenstock
Advantages: Durable, comfortable, reasonably priced, always in fashion Disadvantages: Cork sole tends to break with lots of use
...The craftsmanship of the birkenstock goes back something like 250 years and this is evident through the firm support that they offer. They have a deep heel cup and contoured footbed in all their styles that gives arch support so that your weight is distributed evenly. They come in several different fabrics such as leather, swede, nubuck and non leather and throughout the last several years have continued to come out with new styles for every age.
... ...just recently made aware that birkenstock can replace any part of the shoe, and this will be free of cost. Obviously there are a few restrictions...but still, a definete bonus.
I also would like to mention, that if you are someone who needs to wear orthotics, these are great substititues. I, myself, have been an athlete my whole life and because of the damage that I have done to my feet I need to wear orthotics in all my running/walking shoes. With ...
sjrichardson 12.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Birkenstock
Advantages: these are the most comfortable sandals you will ever wear! Disadvantages: Due to the high demand you have to queue up at their outlets or bid on ebay
...pair of purple (madrid style) birkenstock sandals in May after a recommendation from another birkenstock owner!
I wore them on numerous shopping trips and also out on those bright summer evenings which seem to have disappeared recently! After wearing them as an alternative to trainers (my old favourite style of footwear!) and also on nights out as an alternative to painful high heels my partner actually ended up buying me another pair in black so ... ...them on! I wore my birkenstock sandals to work and within half a day 4 people had already asked where I had bought them and could they try them on!
Apart from this you can overcome the supply problem by bidding on ebay which is where I purchased a pair as a present. These sandals are unbelievably comfortable and are an absolute bargain at £29.95 rrp. I actually got the pair on ebay for £25 including p&p!
If you believe that you should allow your ...
greaves 23.08.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Birkenstock
I've had my Birkies for nearly 4 years and live and die in them all summer. They're the most comfortable pair of sandals I've ever had and would recommend them to anyone. Even after all the time I've had them there is only slight wear on the sole.
I wear them to work, for casual and they look good with anything. Even on the hottest days they seem to keep my feet cool, especially the soles.
At first glance they appear to be pricey but they just ... ...good as the day I first got them. I also like the fact that they are available in standard or narrow fitting as well as many different styles and colours, some really funky. I love them and they'll be back on my feet for the duration of the summer Fantastic product. ...
corkycat27 05.04.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Birkenstock
