Customer Reviews

Betula Licensed by Birkenstock 2 Strap Taupe Sandal Size: 41

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Before Betula broke away from Birkenstock, they were an excellent shoe with a very similar footbed to the CLASSIC. When the bottom of the shoe had BIRK written on the sole, it was very good with a slight difference in a slightly squared heel in the cork area. When they changed and BETULA started showing up on the sole, the footbed changed TOO MUCH and LOST some of the arch support and deepened the heel cup which sometimes catches on the back of one's heel. The inside of the shoe actually slopes down instead of arching up with a flattened appearance. I quit buying and wearing them because they were no longer supportive for me and now I ONLY purchase the CLASSIC, a BIRKI, or a PAPILLIO for proper support. FOOTPRINTS, their shoe line and TATAMI are also great; but Betula has totally lost it for me -- too bad, because they were the "affordable" side of the Birkenstock House. THE BETULA'S WITH BIRK ON THE SOLES (INSTEAD OF BETULA) ARE PRIOR TO THIS CHANGE (MAYBE AROUND 2002/3?) AND ARE/WERE EXCELLENT SANDALS VERY SIMILAR TO THE CLASSIC WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FLARED HEEL. If you can find them, don't hesitate!

Wearing the same style Betulas purchased years ago (and they're still going strong!), I was so sure of my size that I ordered 3 new pairs in assorted colors. Well, no such luck. The footbeds of the "new" size 38's are slightly smaller than on my old sandals. My toes were hitting the edge of the footbed. Not comfortable at all. (I'm a size 7 in regular shoes).

So, I had to return them at my expense, and then pay the shipping to get the larger sized relacements sent to me. Now the fronts fit fine, but on the whole, the new size is a bit too large for the rest of my feet!

So, go to the mall and try them on first before buying, for best results.

I do believe that this product is a type of Birkenstock, or maybe they have a license to sell as a Birkenstock, but they are not the Original Birkenstock as they claim to be.

I did not appreciate the service I received from Midwest Sports. Choosing the size by the sizing chart and comparing it to my shoe size, I thought I chose the correct size; but it was not, it was a size larger. So I had to exchange them. Not only did I have to pay for the postage to return the item, I was also charged to have the correct size mailed back to me. In my past experiences, the dealer has always been the one to pay for the postage.

Will I purchase from Midwest Sports again? No.

The description on these shoes says "narrow, equivalent to US medium". Don't believe this. Narrow on the box means narrow in the US too. I ordered a pair for my medium-sized feet after my Medium width birks wore out. The pair came and they were waaayy too narrow. Returned them and bought real birks in Med. width which do fit my feet.

These sandals are OK. 4 star quality of material which makes it pretty good, but the size system is completely off, so that makes me want to put it as 3 stars. I'm an 8, but i ordered a 7 and i still have some room to spare. I wish i could send it back and receive a 6 but too much work, and i guess i'll just deal.

**I feel that maybe a 6 would give me a firm size (one where theres somewhat no squirming ability), so thats why i decided to stick with a 7. I hope that this "size review" helps out a bit with your choice of size.**

If youre ordering these sandals be prepared to take one size down or two or else you'll feel foolish with such big sandals.

Besides that, the shape and form of the sandal is quite nice. Its quite comfortable, because after all it is a licensed birkenstock. Plus the price is right compared to the other birkenstocks. Thats why its moved up to 4 stars.

Every year for the past 4 years I bought a pair of the two strap American Eagle sandals. Each year I wear them out and need a new pair (30$). These are vastly more comfortable by the day since they form to my foot and I can get these repaired. $50 for these was a bargain.

I was disappointed, as they neglect to tell you that the men's sizes are narrow. I had to call and request a return slip. At first, customer service tried to convince me that a European narrow was the same as a standard US size; however, my husband has owned several pairs of these sandals before, and these were the only ones that did not fit. So, I think the standard available here is not necessarily a European narrow. After some persuasion, they did agree to send me a return slip. I mailed it back and was credited the full amount on my Visa promptly.

I cannot review the Betula brand because it is not what Midwest Sports sent me. So, if you wish to receive Betula specifically, do not order from Midwest. Instead, they will send Birko brand sandals. The Birko sandals seem to be the same, and are working out just fine. Still, it's not what I ordered.

They fit great and comfortably. They're a bit less expensive but wear well (I've bought them before). Only reason they're not 5 star is the straps are softer and don't usually stay up easily to slip on (something I'd like)... but they feel as good as the full Birkenstocks, if not better.

I'd buy these again and again.

These sandals did not hold up even for a couple months. The leather ripped halfway up. No help at all from the company. The washed their hands of it. Would not buy this brand again and would not buy from this company again.