Are Birkenstocks Worth It?

From adorning the feet of flower children in the 70s to liberal college kids in the 90s, Birkenstocks have made their way into the fashion world and have become the sandal of choice for fashion lovers all over the world. 

What can often set people back from purchasing a pair of Birkenstock is of course their above average price, but with some people claiming that they’ve had their pairs of Birkenstocks for 5, 10 and sometimes even 15+ years, is the price tag worth it?

In this article, we’ll run through the pros and cons of wearing a pair of Birkenstocks to answer the question “Are Birkenstocks Worth It?”.

Pro: They’re SO comfortable

Once you have finally worn-in your new Birks and they’re moulded to your feet...there’s really no going back. Due to the natural cork footbed, the bed of the sandal follows the natural contours of your foot which provides great orthotic support. 

Birkenstocks are also the ideal shoe for most common foot problems such as Bunions. Bunions for example require a hard soled shoe, so Birkenstocks are often regarded as the painkiller remedy for these types of foot issues.

If the pain is too much from the standard footbed, no worries! Birkenstock has a special soft footbed that has been designed to relieve the pain; and if you don’t have pain...who doesn’t want extra cushioning anyway?  

Pro: They will last a lifetime

Materials play a huge role in the amazing quality of Birkenstock. The Arizona for example is the kind of shoe you will be able to wear for years after your purchase and the chances are, you’ll replace it with another Arizona.

The natural cork footbed won’t degrade with age, nor will it chip away due to rough wear. For this particular footwear, the way the upper is attached is quite clever. Birkenstock brings it down and around the midsole and brings it almost completely down to the base. A tight bond like this makes sure that it won’t split or gradually come apart from the bottom of the shoe.

Birkenstocks are long-lasting, reliable and the perfect summer staple. They can also be worn with jeans and/or track pants depending how you choose to style them.

Pro: Flexibility

Not only is the outsole on the Arizona shock absorbing, but it also is extremely light and flexible. The layered system Birkenstock uses would seem like it would be stiff, but it’s the complete opposite.

Due to the materials, this shoe will move with your foot every step of the way. The adjustable strap allows for it to stay comfortably close to your foot, which is essential in an open toe shoe. Using loosely woven fabrics for moisture wicking rather than a foamed option in the sole adds to the flexibility as well. 

Con: The wear-in period

Similar to leather shoes, because of the cork footbed Birkenstocks require a wear-in period of up to two weeks. The anatomical design of the Birkenstock footbed follows the natural contours of your feet to strengthen, support, activate, stabilise and align. Boasting features such as a raised footbed edge, toe grip bar, arch support (including transverse, metatarsal, interior and exterior longitudinal arch support), heel mould, deep heel cup, and plenty of toe room, it's no wonder the humble Birk is coveted the world over. 

The con? It can be a little uncomfortable for a while. It’s recommended to just wear your Birkenstocks around the house for the first few times to ease into that wear-in period, so definitely no long distance walks for the first couple of weeks!

Con: The cost

Without a doubt this is where some people can lose interest. Starting at around $140 AUD, Birkenstock sandals are often on the higher end of the sandal market. But for the following reasons, this is why the German brand is a global name in the market.

Conclusion

Considering all of the above information, we believe that the price tag does warrant the purchase. Given that these shoes are not only good for your feet, look good in almost any outfit and can last a crazy amount of years, we really don’t know a better shoe investment out there.