Birkenstock Women's Heels Open Toe Sandals Review

I've owned 5-6 pairs of Birkenstocks over the years. I can't believe it took me so long to give these EVA versions a try. This pair is identical in size, fit, form to the Birkenstock Arizona which I have always owned and loved. They have the same positive effect and comfort on your feet.The differences with the regular traditional Birkenstock:* These are much lighter - feels like nothing on your feet.* These are vastly easier to clean. Just hose them off outside and scrub with brush/soap once in a while and they will stay clean as new. Traditional Birkenstocks get grass clippings and dirt in them when you walk across the lawn and plenty of dirt grit that work into them. These EVAs can be put in the dishwasher ONLY if you have a cold water cycle, but then that doesn't scrub the bottom, so not sure you should use dishwasher on these.* No maintenance if you keep them over a year. Regular birks require leather treatment, that crazy cork sealant, etc.* Much cheaper. about 1/4 the cost, so if you have a problem, just get another pair.Only negative is that they don't have a version with back strap that mirrors the traditional Birkenstock "Milano." However, I have found for me that these stay on my feet a little bit better than the traditional Arizona, probably because they are lighter. So you don't get that flip flop type of looseness that causes you to trip when you trot up a few stairs or run a few steps. Like the original Birkenstock Arizona, these are the ultimate ease in step into and slip on, so ideal around pool or resort and with the light EVA, these are far more handy at putting in travel luggage and taking on trip. (However, like regular Birks, these are often prohibited in hotel and resort gyms.)

These sandals have given me outstanding service. I bought them to use off-trail while walking the Camino de Santiago, a 500 mile pilgrimage starting in France and ending on the West coast of Spain. Lots of loose gravel and rock paths, lots of climbing hills and the inevitable descents. Add pavement, cobblestones and fine dusty trails as well. About two weeks into the 5 week walk my top-rated $160 hiking shoes wore the skin off the tops and sides of my feet so I wore these sandals to get relief one afternoon. I did wear 2 pairs of socks (thin and thick) as I did for the hiking shoes. I never put on the hiking shoes again. I got no blisters or other problems and at the end of each day I dusted them off and wore them around towns and cities.I did feel larger rocks on the bottoms of my feet and made some effort to avoid them, but honestly I felt them in the hiking shoes as well.I continued to wear them in Paris and Istanbul on the final legs of my trip and will be buying another pair as these are beginning to show some wear.Note that I DID NOT get a discount or anything for writing this review.

Awesome. Love every aspect

Always love a good Birk. Fit great...hard to slide on because of the floppy suede straps...and I foresee the straps stretching out quickly. But, still love em

I need a summer shoe that provides great arch/foot support, and that fits my feet. I recently rubbed the top of my foot raw with a new pair of closed shoes, so was looking for something that didn't rub that part of my foot. I have wide high volume feet: size 10 E or EE in Women's (usually a 9 EE or EEEE in Men's), a high arch, a high instep, and short chunky toes. I have recurring plantar fasciitis as well as pain on the side of my foot that both are much improved when I have enough support; with my high arch, it is hard to find supportive sandals (no orthotic can fit). Because there are almost no wide sandals or flip flops that also have support, my choices were limited and I had to try several average width shoes.But, we all have differently shaped feet, so what works for one in a shoe, will not work at all for another. I spent hours reading reviews, bought 4 pairs, and none worked. This time, I bought 7 pairs: Oofas, Birkenstock EFAs, Chacos, New Balance, Vionic, and 2 pair of Footminders.The Birkenstocks were the second pair out of the box. It, as with the Oofas, fit - two in a row! I ordered a 42 or 9 Men's shoe.Initial fit - these are VERY wide with enough room for a very high volume foot. I usually notch straps on the fifth/last hole, but I was in the third one here. I could feel some support as I stood up, the shoe was stable, and it had a bit of cushion - not squishy at all, but nice.Width - For a shoe that is not sold as a wide, the foot bed is very wide. No part of my foot is outside of the foot bed. Of course, these are not flip flops, as the others I tried, but this is remarkable to me.Length - length was perfect for a Men's size 9-9.5.Comfort and support - since it is EVA, it is likely to be a bit sweaty. But, even if they fit, I didn't want to spend $100 on the original Birkenstocks until I was sure they fit well. The support is ... not sure. It seems to support the mid instep very well, but not outer part. This makes it feel as if I have something poking my mid instep, instead of supporting it. The material is firm without a lot of give.Wear - no idea.Overall - these are very wide and would absolutely be great for a high volume foot. Not sure they would work well for a narrow foot at all. In the end, I preferred the New Balance Recharge and the Oofas more. I considered keeping these to see how I liked them over time, but decided against it. See photos for more info.

Spent an entire vacation in Bali with these sandals! Extremely comfy even for steep inclines, lots of steps, and moderate hiking. They also went with all of my outfits so the style factor is definitely there too. Love these!

I like that it is well made and durable. The fit is good and very comfy!