Snazzy Shoes (Birkenstock)

Name: grannygarden

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Product:	Birkenstock
Date:	02/08/05 (2894 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Soo comfortable

Disadvantages: Quite expensive

I struggle to find well fitting, comfortable shoes ever since my hubby stood on my little toe when I was wearing flip flops a couple of years ago. Now the said toe sits at a jaunty angle, quite at odds with the rest of my digits. Judging by the pain I felt at the time and for weeks afterwards I have concluded that he broke it and it's reset itself. He does swear it was an accident to this day but I have my doubts.

Anyway, wearing summery sandals displays my tortured toe in all its glory and I've been struggling to find something that is both comfortable, summery and, most importantly keeps my odd digit in place.

I've heard a lot about Birkenstock sandals but never really investigated further as I thought they were some sort of glorified Scholl sandal which I can remember from days of old. Great heavy lumps of wood which were supposed to exercise the feet while you were wearing them.

However, when I actually got to look at a pair I found to my surprise that they were amazingly light, didn't look too hideous and I was assured by the salesgirl that they were extremely comfortable. I didn't need a great deal of persuasion to be talked into buying a pair of my very own. My ones are from the Papillio range and retail at £36 in the department store (House of Fraser) that I bought them from but there is a vast range of styles and prices starting at about the £29 mark.

I've since found that there are several websites devoted to Birkenstock shoes, chief one being www.birkenstock.co.uk which sells nothing but and also there's good old Ebay to fall back on if you don't fancy shelling out the recommended retail price. Though beware, there are loads of imitiation ones which although they look exactly the same don't share the unique construction that Birkenstock are famed for.

Birkenstocks are proud of their understanding of the contours of our feet and constructing their shoes and sandals in a way in which the feet will have free movement, constant exercise and improved circulation. Don't let this put you off, for they now sound similar to Dr Scholls but they couldn't be further away from them in terms of weight. The birkies are featherlite so the exercise doesn't come from trying to drag lumps of wood stuck to your feet.

The upper of the sole does look very strange and very lumpy bumpy but this is to provide a healthy walking surface. The contours are designed to provide support and encourage circulation. The moulded heelcups are to stabilize the heels and act as shock absorbers. A bump towards the top of the footbed is called a toe bar and this is designed to encourage a gripping motion which will also exercise legs and feet.

The actual walking surface is made of suede and is supposedly specially tanned for softness, absorbancy and comfort. Underneath this is a layer of jute fibres which are designed to absorb moisture. I bet they have to work overtime in my case. Next comes a cork and latex footbed which is to insulate your feet and moulds itself to the foot over time, making the sandals a superb fit and extremely comfortable. Below this is another layer of jute. Suppose this is to catch all the nasty moisture that the first layer missed. The final ingredient of a birkie is the sole. This is very flexible and made of EVA (no, I don't know what that stands for and I've failed to find out). Used because it is very durable and hard wearing which good shock absorption.

All the glues used in birkies are water-soluble and solvent free. So no need to try to get high sniffing them then.

I usually take a size five and a half but was advised to go down a size rather than up (no half sizes made) so I settled for a size 5 which fits comfortably. The whole of your foot must be within the footbed for a good fit and if your heel or toes are hanging over the edge you need a size bigger. Mine just sit nicely where they are supposed to.

I've been wearing these sandals for a while now and though I was warned they might not feel totally comfortable until they had moulded to the contours of my feet, I have had no problems with them at all. So light that you forget that you're wearing shoes and if they weren't so pricey I might have another pair to specially designate as slippers. As it is, I wear these inside and out. They've coped quite well with being in the greenhouse and getting covered in soil, walking on the sodden lawn and getting drenched. No signs of ill treatment have shown.

When they get too dirty the cleaning method advised is to sponge with a little washing up liquid.

They do seem virtually indestructible and I can see getting a good few years' wear out of them and if I do eventually decide that they are just too hideous to be seen wearing out in public, they will do nicely as slippers. So although the intial outlay is a bit steep I'm sure they're going to be cost effective in the long run.

I can't say that I feel my feet/legs are being exercised as I wear them, but I'm a sucker for marketing ploys, so I'd like to think that they are and all in all, I'm pleased with my purchase.

Summary: So light you don't know you're wearing them