Comfy sandals if you can bear to wear them in. (Birkenstock Shoes)

Member Name: BumpyBump

Product:	Birkenstock Shoes
Date:	22/09/09 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: They support your feet.

Disadvantages: The leather can really rub your feet.

The first time I saw Birkenstocks I thought they were the ugliest sandals I had ever seen. But then I saw more and more people wearing them and I came to think of them as quite nice-looking. I finally got round to buying my own (white Madrids) this summer and have worn them several times, whenever weather has permitted.

Initially they feel strange on as they are contoured to fit the shape of your feet. A very different feeling to normal shoes which are usually completely flat inside. But you soon get used to that aspect. Also, they can be quite noisy going up and down stairs as the soles don't bend so they just slap against the steps.

The first time I wore my Birkenstocks they ripped my feet to absolute shreds. The undersides of my little toes were worn away, and the leather straps cut into the tops of my feet and toes. It took over a week, and no end of plasters, before my feet healed. I persisted, and the second time I wore them I got ripped to shreds again. Third time lucky, I thought, and the pain was considerably less but still I couldn't have worn them for more than a few hours.

I am hoping that after a few more wears they will soften enough so that I can wear them without tissue damage. I am assured by my friend, who had the same problem, that after about ten wears they will be my comfiest shoes. I can only hope it's true.

My advice to people wearing Birkenstocks for the first time would be to wear them in doing short distances first of all, and to take plenty of plasters with you just in case and maybe even a change of shoes. I didn't do so on my first wear and I deeply regretted it.

Summary: They look great on and keep your feet nice and cool in the summer.