Customer Reviews

Birkenstock Boston Clog,Hunter Black,36 M EU

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I sold Birkenstocks in Seattle's U-district for seven years; the Birkenstock company still makes the same superlative footwear. Oftentimes eschewed by fashion-conscious hipsters, allow me to answer a few questions:

"Ewwww... They're so wiiiiide!"
(Not really a question, but a frequent comment) Yes, they are wide. Birkenstocks passively support the architecture of your feet from underneath, just as your bare foot would be supported walking on a complient surface like earth or sand. Conventional shoes support your foot by binding them, rendering them less mobile. Your foot is a dynamic structure that NEEDS to move, in order to function correctly.

"How come they fit so loooong?"
Birkenstocks are sized to fit the three arches of your feet: The medial arch (the largest arch typically referred to in the phrase "good arch support"), the metatarsal arch (the pocket between the ball of your foot and your pinkie toe), and the lateral arch ( a lesser known structure on the outside of your foot, in front of your heel). Because the Birkenstock flexes, at the cost of room at the ends of the footbed, a properly sized fit includes some extra room in front of the toes and behind the heel (in a normally-proportioned foot). This maintains correct support under your arches, providing a dynamic balance while you walk.

"They're so haaaaard!"
Yes, Birkenstocks are firm under the sole of your foot. The footbed molds to the individual shape of YOUR feet over time, providing an even support across the entirety of your foot. Conventional shoes accomodate the hard points on the soles of your feet with padding that squshes under pressure, but doesn't actually support the structures of your feet. Birkenstocks are WALKING shoes, and after a normal breaking-in period, you should be expect to comfortably walk MILES in them.

"They're so floppy!"
Birkenstocks exercise your feet, encouraging you to grip with your toes as you walk. At first, this may feel alien, but it provides circulatory benefits, when your calf muscles contract and assist in blood return from your lower extremities.

"They're really stiff!"
Yes, they are. Birkenstocks are made from thick suedes and full-grain hides (and synthetics for the animal lovers). Expect a break-in period during which socks may be required for comfort.

"So expensive!"
Birkenstocks are very durable and 100% repairable. With care, your Birkenstocks will last you for years.

Even though I bought these from Amazon.com (and I've worn DOZENS of pairs -all the same size), you really should avail yourself of the expertise of local shoe retailer to ensure a proper fit to YOUR feet. Once you know your size, internet / mail orders become a viable option.

Love your feet!

I wear these in our business-casual office and my feet are happy throughout the day. I was a little concerned about "forest black" but they are a black color, no hint of green that I can see. Look great with my black slacks.

birkenstocks won't be going out of style anytime soon. they are the shoes you wear forever. i have a pair that i've had for at least 4 years and they are still in good shape.

These are handsome, well made and look great with casual pants, shorts or cassock if you are a Catholic priest. I have a pair of brown clogs like these for 5 plus years and they hold up very well and still look new. These shoes are worth every penny. Very happy I made this purchase.

I just got my birkenstocks from shoes.com on amazon and THEY ARE GREAT!! they are 100% authentic ,delivery was fast and nicely packaged! ,If you want these clogs then buy from [...] because they are the best!

Accept no imitations, including Betula by Birkenstock. Nothing compares to these shoes, and they are well worth the price. Consider it an investment, because they will last for years. Despite what the other reviewer had to say, I consider them "in style" and predict they will remain so for years to come.

Have you ever had a pair of shoes that fit you so well, you would slip them off for a few minutes every now and then, just so you could feel how good it felt to slip them back on? Well...these are those shoes.

I had a bad case of Prima Fasciatis (my arches were burning like fire!), plus heel spurs. Not a good combination when you work retail.
After a foot doctor told me I had high arches, and I could get expensive inserts, and steroid shots for my bone spurs, I did research and found these. Now I can stand all day long with plenty of arch support, and my heel spurs no longer have me putting my full weight on them as a result. Love my Birks!!

the bottom line is that the soft bed birks are waaaaay more comfortable than the regular ones. i'd only worn the regular ones until now and i'm never going back. and a note for the fashionistas who think birks are too "crunchy": i used to be embarassed to wear them until i saw julianne moore--she of the bulgari ads and tom ford arm candy--wearing them on two different occasions, and saw gwyneth paltrow arriving for a photo shoot in them. yeah, they wear jimmy choos for the red carpet, but birks in real life. sort of subversive chic.

My last pair of Bostons lasted 17 years...and I ABUSED them! So, older and wiser, I hope these make it about 20, too. Gotta break 'em in for a couple of weeks of wearing with socks, but worth the time. Best shoes ever. Glad I didn't go for cheap imitations.