If you've ever found yourself scrolling through Birkenstocks at midnight, flipping between the Arizona and the Boston and genuinely not knowing which one to click, you're in very good company. It's probably the question we get asked most at Bstore, and we love it every time — because it means someone has already figured out that Birkenstocks are the answer. They just need a little help landing on the right one.

So let's sort it out together.

What Do the Arizona and Boston Actually Have in Common?

More than you'd think, and this is actually the most reassuring place to start.

Both styles are built on the same iconic Birkenstock cork-latex footbed — the one that has quietly changed people's relationship with their feet for decades. It's not just cushioning. It's a footbed that actually does something: the deep heel cup steadies and cradles your heel, the roomy toe box gives your toes room to spread naturally, and the arch support works with the shape of your foot rather than trying to override it.

The really lovely thing? Both footbeds soften and mould to the exact shape of your foot over time. Every wear makes them a little more yours. It's why people who own one pair of Birkenstocks almost always end up owning several — once you feel what a truly personalised footbed feels like, it's hard to go back to anything else.

Both styles also come with a lightweight shock-absorbing sole and are available in regular and narrow widths, so there's a fit option for most foot shapes.

Whichever one you end up choosing, the support underneath you is the same. The decision is really about everything above the footbed — how you want to wear them, and what your life looks like day to day.

What Is the Arizona Actually Like?

The Arizona is the one that started it all. It's been in continuous production since 1963 and honestly, it doesn't look a day older. The two-strap sandal silhouette is one of those rare designs that has never really needed to chase trends because it was never part of one in the first place — it just looks right, season after season.

Is the Arizona easy to style?

So easy. Wide-leg linen trousers, a sundress, denim cut-offs, a midi skirt with a blazer — the Arizona works with all of it without making a fuss. It's the kind of shoe that makes getting dressed feel effortless, and that's genuinely rare.

How does the fit actually work?

This is the bit that surprises most first-time buyers, so it's really worth reading before you buy.

On length: you want at least 5mm of space at both the front and back of the footbed. Your toes shouldn't be touching the top edge and your heel shouldn't be sitting right up against the back. If either of those things is happening, try a different size.

On straps: this is the single most important thing to know about fitting an Arizona. If the straps are even slightly too loose, your foot will drift forward or back on the footbed and the whole shoe will feel off — too big, unstable, just wrong. Tighten them so they feel secure without pressing into your foot. A good trick is checking you can slide two fingers comfortably underneath. Once the straps are set right, the shoe transforms. Seriously — it feels like a completely different shoe.

Regular or narrow width — how do I know?

Start with regular. Around 80 to 90% of Australians are a regular fit, so unless you already know your feet are narrow, regular is your answer. If you want to double-check, undo all the straps and have a look at how your foot is sitting in the footbed. If any part of your foot is sitting on top of or hanging over the edge of the footbed, you actually need a regular, not a narrow. And if you do find you need a narrow, you may also need to go up a size — something worth knowing before you order.

What about the break-in period?

Yes, there is one, and we'd rather be upfront about it than have you surprised. The cork footbed needs a little time to soften and mould to the shape of your foot — usually up to two weeks depending on how often you're wearing them. The first few wears can feel a little strange, sometimes even mildly uncomfortable as your feet adjust to genuine arch support. Our advice is to start with a few hours at a time and build up gradually. And when it feels odd in those first few days, hold on — as we say to every customer at Bstore, the juice is absolutely worth the squeeze.

Who is the Arizona really for?

The Arizona is for you if you want a sandal that fits into every part of your warm-weather life without asking anything of you. It's for people who want something iconic, easy to style, and genuinely more comfortable every single time they wear it.

Arizona best suited to: Warm weather and warmer climates year-round, everyday casual and smart-casual outfits, open-toe lovers, first-time Birkenstock buyers, anyone who wants the classic two-strap experience.

Shop the Birkenstock Arizona at Bstore

What Is the Boston Actually Like?

The Boston is the Arizona's closed-toe sibling, and if you've ever had the thought "I love the idea of Birkenstocks but I really don't want to show my toes" — congratulations, the Boston was made for exactly you.

Everything you love about the Arizona footbed is in there. Same cork-latex base, same heel cup, same arch support. But the closed-toe clog shape gives you coverage across the front of your foot, which turns it from a warm-weather shoe into a genuine all-year option.

Is the Boston really as good as people say?

Hand on heart, the Boston is a staff favourite at Bstore. Not just one or two of us — most of us. The slip-on ease, the soft footbed, the coverage that keeps your toes cosy in winter and protected in summer. It's one of those shoes you reach for without thinking, and then wonder how you ever managed without it. There's a reason it's one of our top sellers every single season.

If you go for a suede style, you'll get the Soft Footbed, which has a little more cushioning underfoot than the standard. If you have lower arches or feet that find firm support a bit intense at first, the Soft Footbed version is the gentler place to start.

How does the fit work for the Boston?

Same width rules apply — regular for most people, and please don't switch to narrow just because it's a closed-toe style. This trips up a surprising number of customers who assume the Boston should fit differently to the Arizona. It shouldn't. If you're a regular in the Arizona, you're a regular in the Boston. Trust the system.

The adjustable instep strap across the top of the foot is what makes the Boston feel so secure for a slip-on. Get that strap sitting comfortably and the whole shoe locks in beautifully.

Who is the Boston really for?

The Boston is for you if you want all of the Birkenstock magic in a shoe you can reach for twelve months of the year. If you prefer closed-toe styles, love the idea of wearing sandals with socks, or want a clog that looks intentional and considered rather than just casual, the Boston will quietly become one of the most-reached-for shoes you own.

Boston best suited to: Year-round wear in any climate, closed-toe lovers, sock wearers, people with lower arches or sensitive feet, Birkenstock fans wanting a cooler-weather companion.

Shop the Birkenstock Boston at Bstore

Which One Is Better for Foot Pain or Arch Support?

Genuinely, both equally. And that's not us dodging the question — it's actually great news, because it means you can make your decision based on style and lifestyle rather than worrying that one is going to look after your feet better than the other.

Both are built on the same cork-latex footbed, which means both deliver the same heel support, arch support and forefoot cushioning. Whether you're managing plantar fasciitis, tired arches, heel discomfort or just the kind of foot fatigue that builds after a long day on your feet, both styles are doing the same supportive work underneath you.

The one small exception: if you have lower arches or feet that are a little sensitive, the Boston in suede with the Soft Footbed is a slightly gentler introduction. A touch more cushioning in that version makes it a really nice starting point if firmer arch support feels like a lot at first.

What About the Break-In Period?

Both styles have one, and both are worth it. The same cork-latex footbed means the same process — up to two weeks for the cork to fully soften and shape to your foot, depending on how often you're wearing them.

The trick most people find helpful is not going all-in on day one. Wear them for a few hours, give your feet a rest, build up gradually. The footbed is doing real work as it moulds to you, and your feet may notice that in those first few wears. That's normal. That's the process. On the other side of it is a shoe that fits your foot precisely and gets better every single time you put it on.

What Size Should I Buy?

The good news is sizing is the same across both styles, so you only need to figure this out once and it works for both.

Birkenstock sizing is based on footbed length and width in millimetres, which makes measuring your foot at home genuinely reliable. Measure from the back of your heel to the tip of your longest toe, find that length in the table below, and remember to allow at least 5mm of space at both ends when the shoe is on your foot.

Regular Fit

Size	Footbed Length	Footbed Width
35	225mm	89mm
36	230mm	91mm
37	240mm	93mm
38	245mm	95mm
39	250mm	97mm
40	260mm	99mm
41	265mm	101mm
42	270mm	102mm
43	280mm	103mm
44	285mm	107mm
45	290mm	109mm
46	300mm	113mm
47	305mm	115mm
48	310mm	117mm
49	315mm	119mm
50	325mm	121mm

 

Narrow Fit

Size	Footbed Length	Footbed Width
35	225mm	85mm
36	230mm	87mm
37	240mm	89mm
38	245mm	91mm
39	250mm	93mm
40	260mm	95mm
41	265mm	97mm
42	270mm	99mm
43	280mm	101mm
44	285mm	103mm
45	290mm	105mm
46	300mm	107mm
47	305mm	109mm
48	310mm	111mm
49	315mm	113mm

 

Still not sure about width? Start with regular — around 80 to 90% of Australians are a regular fit and the narrow is genuinely quite slim. If you'd like help figuring it out before you buy, pop into any of our Bstore locations and we'll sort it out with you in person.

Can You Wear Birkenstocks With Socks?

Yes, and we'd actually encourage it. Birkenstocks with socks has gone from a fashion statement to just... fashion. Both styles carry it off beautifully and the combinations are genuinely fun to play with.

How do you wear the Arizona with socks?

The two-strap silhouette is one of the best frames for a sock because it shows the sock off rather than hiding it. A chunky knit crew sock in a neutral or earthy tone is the classic move and gives the whole outfit a relaxed, considered feel. Ankle socks work if you want something cleaner. White socks with a white or natural leather Arizona is a minimal combination that keeps turning up on street style everywhere for a reason.

No socks on the Arizona is just as good, especially in the EVA style — fully waterproof, easy to rinse off, completely effortless in warm weather.

How do you wear the Boston with socks?

The Boston was practically made for this moment. The closed-toe clog with a visible sock peeking above the heel is one of the most consistent looks in footwear right now, and it works because the clog gives the sock a proper stage. A ribbed crew sock sitting just above the ankle is the sweet spot. Patterned socks, bold colours, stripes — the Boston handles all of it with confidence.

In cooler weather, the Boston in shearling is so cosy you may not even need socks, which is its own kind of magic.

Which material should I choose?

This is where the range gets really interesting, because Birkenstocks aren't just a summer shoe anymore. At Bstore we stock both the Arizona and Boston in EVA, suede, nubuck, leather, oiled leather and shearling-lined, and the material changes the whole personality of the shoe.

EVA is your beach, pool, post-gym, caught-in-the-rain option. Waterproof, lightweight, easy to clean. The most casual version of either style and genuinely brilliant for it.

Suede and nubuck are the classic everyday choice — the ones most people picture when they think of a Birkenstock. Soft, relaxed, goes with everything.

Leather and oiled leather are the dressed-up end of the spectrum. Oiled leather in particular develops a gorgeous worn character over time and handles light moisture well. These are the ones to reach for when you want to wear Birkenstocks somewhere a little more considered.

Shearling-lined is the cosy season hero, and the Boston in shearling is the style that sells out fastest every winter at Bstore without fail. If you want to wear Birkenstocks through the cooler months and feel genuinely warm and comfortable doing it, shearling is your answer.

Are Birkenstocks good after sport?

They really are, and this is one of the most popular uses for both styles. After a run, a gym session, a surf, a long hike or a game of anything — your feet are tired and your training shoes have been doing a lot. Slipping into Birkenstocks at that moment is one of the kindest things you can do for your feet. The cork footbed cradles and supports exactly when your feet need it most, the deep heel cup takes the pressure off, and the open design of the Arizona lets everything breathe after being locked in sports shoes for hours.

EVA is the go-to for this — it rinses clean in seconds and doesn't mind getting wet in a changing room.

How Are People Styling Them Right Now?

Both styles are genuinely having a fashion moment, and the looks have evolved a long way from the sandals-with-hiking-socks aesthetic they were once known for.

The Arizona is showing up with wide-leg linen trousers and oversized shirts, with midi skirts and fitted blazers, with tailored shorts and a crisp white tee. The elevated minimalist trend suits the Arizona perfectly because the clean silhouette fits right in without trying.

The Boston is all over the high-low styling world right now — baggy jeans, a wool crew sock, a long tailored coat. It's also a staple in creative workplaces where people want something that reads as individual and considered rather than corporate or conventional.

Both styles are increasingly being worn in leather and oiled leather as people move toward fewer, better things that last — and Birkenstocks in quality leather absolutely deliver on that.

So Which One Is Actually for You?

Choose the Arizona if you:

• Want Birkenstock's most iconic open-toe sandal
• Love a two-strap silhouette that works with absolutely everything
• Wear sandals in warm weather or year-round in a warmer climate
• Are buying your first pair of Birkenstocks and want the classic experience
• Love the idea of a shoe that becomes more yours with every single wear

Choose the Boston if you:

• Prefer closed-toe shoes or would rather not show your toes
• Want to wear Birkenstocks comfortably all year round
• Love the idea of a slip-on clog that looks great with socks
• Have lower arches or sensitive feet and want to try the Soft Footbed
• Already love Birkenstocks and want a style that works through the cooler months too

Both styles are genuinely right for you if you:

• Want real arch support and a footbed that gets better every time you wear it
• Are happy to give the break-in period a chance and be rewarded for it
• Want a shoe that works as naturally with a relaxed outfit as a considered one
• Are after something that will last years, not seasons

Still genuinely torn? Come in and try both on at any of our Bstore locations. The difference in feel is obvious the moment you step into them, and our team loves nothing more than helping someone find their perfect pair — right size, right width, right strap tension. We'll get you sorted.

Explore the full Birkenstock range at Bstore with free shipping on orders over $160 Australia-wide.