8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not a fashion victim., July 15, 2008
This review is from: Birkenstock Bali Sandal (Apparel)
I love these sandals. I have been searching for a good looking comfortable pair of sandals for an upcoming vacation. They either had no support, went 'flip-flop' when I walked, or were slippery. Finally, I decided to add a new style of Birkenstock to my shoe collection. This is the one that I chose, and I'm glad I did. I wanted one that has an ankle strap, unlike my Arizonas. I also wanted a more feminine shoe. This one fits the bill. Love it. It's comfortable, so supportive, and really cute. I decided I'd rather look like a smart woman rather than a fashion victim.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good footbed but design needs work, May 9, 2009
BIRKENSTOCKS IN GENERAL
I had one pair of Birks years ago in high school (the classic Arizona style), which were fitted to me in person in a Birk store. I traveled around the world in them for years and then lost them.This year, I've decided to get back into the healthy-feet world of Birks. But it's tough to buy these things online. Here's a primer based on my research:
1. SIZE. Determine your foot size in European sizes and size up a bit if you fall in the middle of your size range. For example, a 41 is supposedly (according to Birks) a U.S. Women's size 10-10.5, and some other outlets even try to bill it as 10.5-11. I am a U.S. women's 11. I ordered a size 41 Birk, and found that it measured just shy of 11 inches from toe to heel My foot measures just shy of 10 1/2 inches. And yet, the shoe was too short for me; my toes hung over the edge. So, this suggests you need to allow MORE than half an inch of difference between your foot length and the shoe length. Accordingly, I ordered a 42 later (measures 11 and 4/16 of an inch), and this fits correctly.
2. WIDTH. Birk has three widths: Narrow (filled-in "footprint" icon stamped on shoe), Medium (half-filled, half outline), and Regular (outlined footprint icon), that range in that order from narrower to wider. The company claims that a Birk Narrow is equivalent to a U.S. "A-B" width (I think B is called Average in the U.S.) Regardless of what labels they use, please know that the bottom of the Regular shoe I ordered measures 4 ½ inches across its widest point. The Narrow shoe I ordered measures about 3 and 14/16 inches (almost 4 " but not quite) across at its widest points. My foot measures almost the identical width (about 3-3/4), which makes a Narrow a very close fit on me--too close for long standing or walking, because....
3. LOOSENESS. The company tells us that there should be space around our foot, and that the straps should not hold us in; our foot is what's supposed to do the gripping. Birk's website states: "leave approx. ¼" for toes and heels, and 1/8" on the sides of your feet). You'll want a little extra room because your feet will expand when you stand and walk... It's just right if you can wiggle one finger between the strap and your foot."
4. ARCH SUPPORT & FOOTBED. As of now, you have three options: Moderate arch support (as seen in the newer Soft Footbed); Pronounced arch support (the classic/original footbed); and High Arch support ("our highest, most aggressive arch support"). Reach down and feel that soft squishy part on the inside bottom of your foot, the part that curves in most people (less so in flatfooted people). That's your arch, and most shoes do not provide a high platform for your arch to rest on (which is healthier for balance and walking and back pain). Birks do. But, some people found the classic footbed too hard (probably because they're used to normal low-arched shoes), so Birks came out a while ago with the Soft Footbed, which is not arched as high and thus is easier to get acclimated to right off the bat. The soft footbed also has a layer of foam sandwiched (hidden) within the footbed, so it's more cushioned.
Please know that if you buy the Classic/Original footbed (the majority of Birks), there will likely be a break-in period before the shoes feel comfortable. Birks recommends wearing them for an hour or two around the house (or for a quick walk around the block) for a week or two before trying to wear them all day. Let me just tell you that I wore my Classic pair back in high school ALL DAY on the first day...mistake. I woke up the next morning with the worst foot and calf pain I've ever had. My feet and legs were not used to being raised so high on the arches! But thereafter, the shoes conformed to my foot and were an absolute dream.
BALI SANDAL w/ SOFT FOOTBED
This could have been an amazing sandal, but it suffers from a few major flaws. The good thing about this particular Bali is the "Soft Footbed." This is the first time I tried it, and the sole was indeed comfortable right out of the box. I still felt support, but my arches were cushioned by the softer curves and thus did not need acclimation.
The negatives:
1. The circular strap that goes around the ankle is designed for small to medium ankles. I am tall and have large bones to match. The part of my ankle around which the strap goes--my lower ankle-- measures just shy of 11 inches. Although the strap closed shut (on the final hole) with room to spare, there was not much room, and the strap chafed painfully against the front of my ankle as I walked. I had to take a needle and the point of a knife and puncture another hole in the strap in order to loosen it enough to relieve the pressure.
2. The "vertical" straps that connect the circular ankle strap to the heel of the shoe are not long enough to create enough "give" or slackness for walking. What this means is that when I take a step forward, the short vertical straps tauten and strain. Not only is this uncomfortable, but I am afraid it will eventually rip the strap out from the place in which it connects to the sole. This is probably the biggest problem with the shoe.
3. The button or "joint" that secures the circular ankle strap rests against the tender skin of the inside of the ankle (i.e. on the left side of your right ankle). Boy, does this smart! I can't take one step without this bit of metal, plastic, or whatever it is chafing against my inner ankle. And please note that this problem remains even AFTER I punched the new hole and loosened the strap. There's no way a person could walk for more than a few blocks like this. I am going to have to alter this as well; I'm thinking about covering it with a piece of felt or a bandaid or something.
Anyway, I hope this helped you. Please don't be scared off from buying Birks online (although if you have a retailer near you, I'd go to them first to get sized). Amazon has some good deals, and if you follow my advice above--and if you're willing to send back a pair if you have to--you will quickly learn what Birk works best for you.
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