Which birkenstocks? I've never owned a pair.
Thoughts:
I'm worried about the Arizonas looking too chunky?
I like the idea of a strap on the back. Seems like they would stay on better that way. Is this a correct assumption?
How uncomfortable is the post in the middle in the Gizehs?
72 votes
nectarine / 2504 posts
I have both the Gizeh and Arizonas and prefer the Arizonas. In the end, you can't go wrong. They are ridiculously comfortable.
papaya / 10560 posts
I have a pair of Gizehs and love them!!! I tried the t-strap ones (arizonas?) and hated the way they felt. Just personal taste!
nectarine / 2317 posts
I've had all three! If you want a strap at the back go for the Milano ( I think, looks like Arizona but with a back strap) I had ones similar to the rips and the grommet that held the strap together always rubbed my ankle. I have both Arizona and gizeh right now and I'm wearing my gizehs more.
grapefruit / 4988 posts
Gizehs are my favorite. I have 2 pairs in different colors and just bought a third. I had a pair of Arizonas at one point and they really aggravated my wide feet, so I got rid of them pretty quickly.
clementine / 995 posts
I have the Gizehs and I like them. I have worn them almost every day for the past two summers. The post in the middle is a tiny bit uncomfortable when you first start wearing them, but I got used to it pretty quickly. I have no problem keeping them on.
persimmon / 1233 posts
I've had my Gizehs going on 4 years and they're still a favorite. They were pretty painful to break in but since then it's been smooth sailing. I was used to flip-flops so the post in the middle didn't phase me.
pear / 1879 posts
I love my Gizehs! I have had three pairs and love them all. So comfy after an initial period when they're breaking in.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
I have the traditional birkenstocks and loooove them
I really want to get the rose gold ones!
nectarine / 2461 posts
I love and have had a few pairs of the Mayari over the years, which you don't have listed--they're slip-on and they *stay* on even if you're walking really fast. I thought the post in the Gizeh was uncomfortable (most people don't though) and I love the way the Arizonas look but I kind of kick them off when I walk, or I have to cling to them a little with my feet, which is annoying. Mayaris are kind of the best of both 
persimmon / 1461 posts
arizona's for me. I have them in a narrow fit and they're not as chunky.
pomelo / 5084 posts
@winter_wonder: My gizehs are amazing. Chose them bc they were vegan. Wore them all over honeymoon in Belgium with no pain!
grapefruit / 4770 posts
I've had my arizonas for three years, and they're just now starting to get worn out (probably because I wore them at the end of a spring/summer pregnancy!)
nectarine / 2180 posts
I love my gizehs and wear them pretty constantly in the summer. I have had Arizona's in the past and they are also comfortable but look clunky in my opinion. Take time to break them in, your feet will be sore for a bit as they mold to them.
pomelo / 5257 posts
@Mrs. Pen: the rose gold ones are so pretty, I've also been admiring them!
pineapple / 12566 posts
I had a pair of Gizehs for about 10 years. They were still in decent shape, but I got sick of them! I'll probably get another pair someday though since they are so comfy!
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
Ok, everyone loving the Gizeh- they are really that comfortable? Like couldni wear them instead of casual sneakers, comfort wise? (Not saying to replace work out sneakers or something). This post may have swayed me to at least try them.
@snarkybiochemist: @Mrs. Pen: breaking them in- the sides hurt or the sole needs to mold to you? Trying to figure out when to look for when trying them on.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
@LCTBQE: mayari you can still slip on and off with no hands?
nectarine / 2180 posts
@Foodnerd81: The cork sole molds specifically to your foot map, so the first few days of new wear and the first day or two of wear after a winter packed away my arches kind of ache, it goes away quickly. I have never gotten blisters from any of my styles of birks, just a bit of aching.
pineapple / 12566 posts
@Foodnerd81: they are super comfortable. I would go "hiking" in mine. Like any shoe, they are a bit stiff in the beginning, but I've never had breaking in issues with Birks (no blisters or soreness), and I've had multiple pairs. I don't wear casual sneakers that often. Birks would probably be much more comfortable than something like Converse because the footbed is so dang comfortable.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
@Foodnerd81: Another option is Mephisto sandals, the Helen style. They have a slightly different toe hold which I find more comfortable than thongs.
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
I have fake Gizehs (from Target); not uncomfortable at all!
I had originally wanted Arizona's but my feet are small and the straps just look so chunky on me and I didn't like them.
pomelo / 5573 posts
I have two pairs of Gizehs and I love them, they're my go-to sandal for summer. I got them to have some comfortable walking shoes when I was 6 months pregnant in Paris and they were fantastic. I also have a pair of Madrids (like the Arizona but with only the front strap) and they're cute but I don't find them as comfortable.
pomelo / 5298 posts
I love my Mayari's. I notice them all over the place too. Unfortunately, I've worn the heck out of mine in about 4 years and need to replace them. I'm not sure why these wore out faster for me than prior styles, but I love them.
grapefruit / 4988 posts
@Foodnerd81: I actually like my Gizeh's better than sneakers (although that is in part because my bunions hurt in most other shoes). I wear them all summer long, including my walking commute (roughly 1.5 miles each way), and have taken them on every vacation we've had for the past 3 years, including Disney.
@Mrs. Pen: @MrsSCB: I've been thinking about the rose gold ones for weeks and finally caved. They are on their way to me now!
nectarine / 2461 posts
@Foodnerd81: yep! Google them, they're not terrible-looking. I have them in white which goes with everything, and walk around 2 miles a day in them in the summer. Love em. I don't think you'd go wrong with the other styles either.
grapefruit / 4545 posts
I'm wanting a pair of Mayari's...
I got ridiculously excited to get a pair in Europe next week while I am there on business...now here is hoping I can find them on my layover in AMS...
pomelo / 5257 posts
@Foodnerd81: I wear my gizehs over sneakers for long walks. Like we took a three-mile walk around a trail the other weekend and I wore them. I find them very comfortable, though they may need a bit of breaking in at first!
@catlady: jealous! I may cave and get them myself
pear / 1737 posts
I have never owned Birkenstocks, but I had a hand-me down pair like the third with buckles as a teenager and I adored them. I wore them until the bottom wore a hole through it. But 3 is he least feminine/attractive pair. However, I voted for 3 because comfort trumps appearance for me.
Pair #2 are a nice compromise I feel, but having to do a buckle around the ankle is a huge pain to me...ha!
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
@LCTBQE: yeah I like the look of mayari the best I think, but wanted to make sure indont need to like bend down and put them on with my hands while holding a baby in the other arm. I think I'll order both them and the gizeh to try!
Another question for everyone- any preference for the birko flor upper vs the oiled leather? Particularly comfort wise?
pear / 1823 posts
You've all convinced me to order a pair! I bought the Gizeh style but may wind up ordering the Mayari as well
nectarine / 2461 posts
@Foodnerd81: I have the Birko flor ones because that's what the white color comes in, and they're fine, they don't look cheap/fakey and they're super comfortable. If I was getting black I guess I'd get the oiled leather, but I don't dislike the birko flor at all (and I usually hate fake shit)
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
@LCTBQE: the fake is a little cheaper... so that's always nice. I think the colors i likebest come in t anyway
pomelo / 5129 posts
I still have a pair of milanos I got 15 or so years ago, and love them for casual wear.
I got silver Gizeh's to wear to a wedding last year, and wear them to work a lot too. They seem a lot more acceptable for business casual summers than the strappier kinds.
I think any birks have a break in period where they're tough and have to be broken in, but during that time I also got used to the toe post in the gizehs.
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