10 Benefits of Birkenstocks Sandals And Shoes

Are you thinking about buying a pair of Birkenstocks but aren’t sure if they make great sandals? I want to talk about some of the benefits of Birkenstocks sandals for your feet and why they might be the perfect summer footwear for you to buy this year.

If you have never owned a pair of Birkenstocks sandals then they have some unique features that make them very different from other types of summer footwear. These unique attributes single them out from their competitors and help your feet stay supportive and comfortable where other sandals fail.

Here are some of the reasons why I love my Birkenstocks and why you might want to add a pair to your shoe or sandal collection this year.

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Why Are Birkenstocks So Comfortable?

The number one reason that I and millions of others are repeat buyers of Birkenstock shoes and sandals is that they are super comfortable once they are broken in.

This shoe brand is selling huge amounts of their shoes and sandals each year because when they are broken in that footbed feels like you are walking on air.

Admittedly when you are first breaking in a new pair you need to have a little patience as the footbed starts to mold to your feet but when that process is complete you don’t want to take them off.

This is because the design of the shoe is there to support your feet, create stability and give your feet and toes room to spread out naturally. The heel mold and arch support in the latex footbed keep your feet in a great natural position and that minimizes foot pain and discomfort.

This is why their customers come back and buy numerous pairs because of amazing comfort and ease of use.

My pick of their most comfortable sandals is the Birkenstocks Arizona style and this shearling version adds an element of luxury and style to an already brilliant summer sandal.

Do Birkenstocks Have Arch Support?

The benefits of Birkenstocks don’t just end at comfort they also have a really clever footbed design that is very different from most sandals.

This is because the footbed is not flat like you would see with many types of shoes, sandals, and sneakers but has raised sections that have been designed to help with your foot comfort. At first glance, the footbed looks really strange but this original footbed design is there for good reasons.

In particular, there are Interior and exterior longitudinal arch supports that help to contain your feet inside the sandal and which give great arch support.

Arch support is important because it helps to stop your feet from leaning to one side (pronation and supination) and that in turn creates stability for your foot. Good arch support can also help your sandals with shock-absorbing properties. When these factors are combined you are less likely to experience foot pain or gait issues which could cause problems elsewhere in your body.

Due to their amazing arch support Birkenstocks sandals are therefore great for anyone who has flat feet.

Are Birkenstocks Good For Plantar Fasciitis?

Now one of the reasons why I started to wear Birkenstock footwear was because of plantar fasciitis. If you have never heard of this before it is heel and foot pain caused by inflammation of the tissue that connects your toes to your heel.

Plantar Fasciitis is a relatively common foot problem but it can be sometimes difficult to resolve. This is why wearing the right sandals or shoes can make a difference as they help to reduce the inflammation which in turn can stop the pain.

I’ve found that the original Birkenstock footbed on their sandals helps to give me the extra cushioning and support I need as well as assisting with arch support.

Their footbed also has a deep heel cup which minimizes pain and helps to keep my feet in the right position when I am wearing them.

As with any shoe or sandal, I do however vary what I put on my feet. This is because the muscles in your feet can get lazy if they don’t have to do any work at all. So remember to vary what you are wearing to counteract this problem rather than wearing Birkenstocks from morning until nighttime.

They Give Your Toes Room to Spread Out

Another of the great benefits of Birkenstocks is that they have plenty of toe room allowing your feet to spread out naturally rather than being squashed into an unnatural position.

When you are buying your first pair of their sandals the footbed shape gives you the perfect guide to the size that you need. Your feet should sit firmly inside the raised sections on the outside of the shoes. In the toe area, you shouldn’t find that your toes are touching the rim of the sandal and they certainly shouldn’t be on the edge.

When you have the right size your toes will sit neatly inside the sandal itself and this gives them the perfect amount of room for stability and comfort.

If you have ever tried to cram your toes into a pair of tight shoes with a small toe box you’ll know how important this is at minimizing blisters, bunions, hammer toes, and a whole lot of other foot problems.

The Birkenstock Gizeh sandals in particular have very few straps at the front of your foot allowing your toes room to move.

Many of Their Sandals Are Adjustable

Birkenstocks make a large number of different styles of shoes, slippers, and sandals and many of them are adjustable.

Arizona-style Birkenstocks for example are hugely popular with their double strap that sits across the foot keeping the sandal in place.

What is great about the adjustable sandals is that not only are you ensuring the correct size by judging the footbed positioning you can also alter the width of them to make them the perfect fit for your feet.

Having the ability to wear sandals that fit perfectly to your feet obviously means that they are going to be significantly more comfortable and of course less likely to cause you foot pain or problems in the longer term.

Are Birkenstocks Zero Drop?

If you weren’t aware Birkenstock sandals are zero drop which is a big deal right now.

If you don’t know much about zero-drop shoes and sandals they are a type of shoe design that keep your feet in a similar position to going barefoot. In other words, the whole shoe from the heel to the front toe box is on the same level.

If you look at most shoes this isn’t the case. Usually, the heel of the shoe is slightly raised and your foot will slope downwards towards the front of your shoe.

People are waking up to the fact that sloping footwear can cause problems as your foot is not in its natural position. When you wear zero drop shoes it helps to increase strength in the foot and reduces your reliance on your footwear to support your body. This helps to lessen injuries and prevent foot issues.

Wearing Birks isn’t of course the same as going barefoot but the zero-drop element does help stop muscles from becoming over-reliant on the unnatural drop on other shoes.

Their Footwear is Incredibly Durable

Amongst the many benefits of Birkenstocks is that when you buy a pair of their sandals you can expect them to last for a long long time.

Whilst many sandals may only last a season Birkenstocks can easily last for 3-5 years with relatively heavy wear.

In fact, if you ever look at shoe info forums (which I regularly do) you’ll find that some people have reported that their leather Birkenstocks have lasted anywhere from 10-20 years!

As their classic models are so durable this brand is obviously going to save you money on a cost-per-wear basis. When it comes to value for money you aren’t going to find many more sandals that can match their longevity when they are used for general walking and everyday use.

Obviously, your Birkenstock shoes and sandals are going to wear out the more you walk in them. Plus if you choose to let them get wet at the beach regularly then that will impact their durability. See my article about whether you can wear your Birkenstocks to the beach to get more information on how they cope with more challenging conditions.

If you are after Birkenstocks that are capable of withstanding water I recommend their EVA sandals which are perfect for wearing by the water.

The Brands Footwear Uses Sustainable Natural Materials

Ethical and sustainable considerations are becoming far more important for consumers when they are choosing their footwear. Luckily Birkenstocks are using many products in manufacturing that help the environment.

Birkenstocks believe that a good percentage of the natural materials they use comes from sustainable sources. This includes the cork for the footbed, and the leather, wool, and metals used in the shoes and sandals.

They are also manufactured in Germany where they have to meet standards on waste and recycling that other footwear producers in other countries don’t have to adhere to.

Whilst there is still room for improvement with some elements of the business it is still mihttps://amzn.to/3jgCNw8les ahead of many mass-manufactured shoe brands.

It is worth noting that Birkenstock also makes vegan footwear such as their Boston Birkibuc Clogs.

Do Birkenstocks Work For Wide Feet?

Whilst Birkenstocks don’t have a specific wide fitting size their footwear does come in either a narrow fit or regular size.

Whilst regular might sound like the size you want it is in fact nearer to a wide fit than average sizes. This means that if you do have wide fit the chances are you will be able to get the right size to fit you perfectly.

Plus I’ve already talked about the Arizona-style sandals which allow you to adjust the straps to get the perfect width for you.

Providing your feet fit comfortably inside the sandal itself the straps will allow you to alter the width of the sandal and allow you to get a roomier fit.

The Health Benefits of Birkenstocks Mean Less Foot Problems

As Birkenstock sandals place your feet in a good natural position they are great for helping to reduce many types of foot problems.

As an example, hammertoes are less likely to occur as your toes have enough room to spread out on the cork footbed. Hammertoes can be caused when your footwear does not have sufficient room and your toe starts to raise at the joint. The Birkenstock footbed can help to reduce the likelihood of this occurring.

Bunions are another problem that are less likely to occur. When your feet are placed in footwear that forces the toes together it can cause your large toe to move towards the other toes creating the bunion. When you have the right size sandal or Birkenstock shoe your feet should have plenty of room to sit problem helping to prevent these foot issues.