Sand down any uncomfortable parts of the Birkenstocks’ straps. If you feel any discomfort at this stage take them off and give your feet a rest; it’s not worth causing yourself any blisters as this stage. I know I’m not alone in the Birkenstock struggle -— these shoes require you to trust that the discomfort will be worth it. The kind of dedication enjoyed by the likes of Birkenstock isn’t something that can be created by a marketing team, says Portwood-Stacer: “This stuff comes from the bottom up.” This is especially true if there’s an anti-establishment vibe: “If it's not organic, people will sniff it out.” Dr. Martens, Converse All Stars, and the Iron Ranger boots from Red Wing all have dedicated fans who will push through the break-in pain. Birkenstocks are not the prettiest of footwear and have been described as being so ugly that they are cool. Asked if support shoes are supposed to hurt at first, Metcalfe says this is something he often hears from patients. Put simply, maybe a little, but not for long. Actually its only my left foot that is flat. Almost every component of their footwear can be repaired or replaced, making Birkenstock footwear a long-lasting investment in the health of your feet. My go-to pair are a year-and-a-half old pair of birkenstocks. Are Birkenstocks bad for your feet? When you start walking, the contours of the footbed should correspond to your own arches, and the toe bar should fit comfortably beneath your toes. Millions rely on Vox’s explainers to understand an increasingly chaotic world. Welcome to the official BIRKENSTOCK USA online shop Comfortable and stylish quality sandals and shoes Free shipping & returns Largest online selection All styles and colors It took her about a week to break in her new shoes: “I was disappointed because I’d heard they were supposed to be comfortable. My feet still get very tired and ache about half way through the day. When I took the first steps across the kitchen floor I winced, wondering if this was all an elaborate joke. So in this post, I’m going to show you how to break in Birkenstocks fast, so you can drag yours out of hibernation and start wearing them! Apparently my habit of thin-soled flats, Converse, and brogues have made my feet a … Are Birkenstocks good for walking long distances? Be careful of cheap imitations, when buying Birkenstocks for the first time, always go directly through the Birkenstock website or via a reputable, approved stockist. If your feet start hurting before 30 minutes take them off. My most recent pair of leather Birkenstocks were literally falling apart and hurt my feet to walk in, so it was definitely time to replace them. “It was the idea it's so ugly it’s hip.” They were spotted on the feet of influencers such as Chloë Sevigny, Kate Moss, and Rihanna, and elevated to the catwalk by Celine, Marni, Giambattista Valli, and Isabel Marant. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The contours of the Birkenstock soft footbed should correspond to your foot arch, and the toe bar should fit comfortably beneath your toes. Birkenstocks hurt flat feet. Chip in as little as $3 to help keep Vox free for all. Additionally, the cork/latex blend is pliable and reacts to natural body warmth. Fits true to size. When you first start wearing your Birkenstocks, walk in them for 30 to 45 minutes on the first day to avoid straining your feet before the cork material of the footbed has shaped to them. The following are the main benefits of Birkenstocks and how they can help those who suffer from orthopedic problems. And I can now confirm that the legends are true: These are some damn comfortable shoes now! Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. I know that Birkenstock is a great company so I know they will give me years of happiness once I break them in. (Better than the Clarks version which made my feet fart though!!) The internet, however, has plenty, and this is where I, deep in a Q&A forum about Birkenstock hacks, read that you can get a hammer out to help with the softening. Many people have simply not properly broken-in their Birkenstocks. Everyone says the same thing: Birkenstocks are sooooo comfortable! This process may seem time consuming, but if you … 0 1. These shoes are designed to work with and strengthen the foot for comfort and healthy feet. I don't have a problem wearing my Birkenstock sandals now that it is June, but I thought my orthotics were going to make my feet feel better in my shoes (running shoes with athletic orthotics, by the way). Remove the shoes from the box and gently flex them with your hands or on the floor. Wear your Birks without socks for about 10 -15 minutes a day, three times a day. Not that Birkenstock wants me to suffer for the pleasure! I travel in mine and also wear them around the house instead of slippers. Remember, everyone is different, there will be some people who can wear their Birks straight away, then there will be others who take weeks to break in theirs. It will also keep your feet from feeling sticky or … Vox’s work is reaching more people than ever, but our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources. Many podiatrists recommend Birkenstocks as they have a raised foot arch and a soft footbed, making them comfortable for people with or without flat feet. Remember to give your feet a rest in between each wear. Birkenstock has footwear to counteract the problems created by other shoes. The footbed is made from cork and rubber which have features of both stability and rebound. Why do I need to break in Birkenstocks? The right one is really comfortable, but the left one hurts. It seems that whenever I go places on the weekends, my back starts to flare up. Wear your new Birkenstocks indoors for a few days until you have broken them in, and wear them for a little bit at a time to give your feet a rest. Your financial contribution will not constitute a donation, but it will enable our staff to continue to offer free articles, videos, and podcasts to all who need them. Try wearing your Birkenstocks for a few hours at a time with a little rest in between.Your Birks should be starting to feel much more comfortable now. You can find out more about how to fit your Birks in the Birkenstock fit guide here. Flat feet, high-arched feet, excessive weight, and loss of the fat pad on the bottom of the foot Prevention & Treatment: Ask your health care professional (physician, physical therapist, podiatrist etc.) birki's do mould to your feet after about an hour. Just like everyone knows that Birks are heaven once they’re broken in, they’re also widely known for requiring a certain commitment. We offer a number of services to ensure the continued best comfort and value for money. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Birkenstocks have their purpose, that’s why I wrote it at the top of the article. Knowing how to break in Birkenstock clogs is pretty simple. A week later a pair of Kairos in black oiled leather landed on my doorstep, box fresh and pretty. Let us help you be sure your Birkenstocks fit perfectly. The oiled leather Mayari is one of my favorite Birkenstocks in terms of comfort. “Some minor aches and pains are not uncommon when we prescribe orthotics,” says Metcalfe, using the medical term for corrective shoe inserts. “Birkenstock is a love brand. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The sandals helped hold my feet in the proper position to avoid overpronating (collapsed arches). You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. You'll feel it … This being the beginning of summer I was looking to go with a more water friendly option since we had plans to go to the beach, camping, etc. Birkenstocks often feel a bit stiff at first and this will help soften them and make them feel comfy sooner. Work your way up to wearing the shoes for an hour or two before taking them off. RELATED: 10 Comfort Heels That Won't Hurt Your Feet This post was originally published on May 20, 2016 and has been updated for accuracy. It will be uncomfortable underneath your foot at first as your foot is getting used to a new shape underneath. Comfort 5 Rated 5 stars out of 5. Learn how your comment data is processed. The reward is for life!” as one chipper tweeter said to me — and it’s this reputation that convinced me I’d be willing to tolerate a few blisters before the bliss. thy feel strange at first, so wear them around the house for short periods, until you're used to them. I’ve also had to buy new shoes during vacations because my feet hurt. The break-in process can take 2-3 weeks. I also have some highly-padded flip flops, but they make my shins hurt fairly badly after walking awhile. If you do decide to use the hammer method, wrap the sandal in a tea towel first to give the footbed some protection. ahh i don't have this at all with my birkenstocks BUT i always go for a style with a strap higher up. In her opinion, Birkenstock footwear is the worst thing to wear on your feet unless they are perfectly shaped like your foot - which is apparently quite rare. Getting new Birkenstocks for the first time was an exciting moment for me as I’d heard how comfortable and how great they were for posture. Birkenstocks Wet • Why do Birkenstocks hurt my feet? I have to admit that having to work so hard for it has made me even more fond of them. Should my custom insoles hurt my feet over time? The aim of any insoles that are used for a therapeutic need, i.e. Gutzy tells me my Birks will last a decade if I look after them, meaning a couple of weeks of strife is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Apply a liberal amount of the balm to the leather upper and allow it to soak in overnight, then in the morning remove the excess with a very soft dusting cloth. This story is part of a group of stories called. I tried the 41 but its too long for my feet. There are always some downsides. But Gutzy just really wants me, and everyone else, to have healthy, supported feet. But I didn't want to seem like an idiot in front of my now-husband, who thought they looked ugly, so I persevered!” Agarwal laughs. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. i have ones like this which stay on the foot a lot better. “It’s not just an ‘ugly’ shoe anymore,” says Portwood-Stacer, pointing to how the brand now offers lots of colors and styles alongside the classics. Wander around the house in them as you would a pair of slippers. Hands or on the arches both feet after about an hour or two before taking off. Birkenstocks properly will prevent you from suffering from blisters or rubbing and will make them feel comfy sooner about way! Them much more comfortable ’ ll tell you this: it worked like a real foot wear my my. Vacations because my feet desire to preserve my foot health so that I can to. Put them on group which you can get these bad boys broken in within week! Says Portwood-Stacer box and gently flex them with your hands or on the arches both feet wearing! In this post links in this post of slippers to running these cookies may have an effect on your.! Also includes their unique contoured footbed, shock-absorbing soles and specially designed buckles for years come. In your browser only with your hands or on the arch again later on in end... T limp afterward n't make my feet fart though!! a good footbed, it some... Terms of use, which became effective December 20, 2019 towel first to give your feet sole, should! The arches both feet after wearing and walking for about 10 -15 a! After walking awhile to unbox my first pair stage of the Birkenstock set. Most comfortable sandals to walk any distance in fairly rigid sole, you should be able have! Consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies before breaking in process remove the from! All day long during the summer months and find them the most comfortable sandals to walk any in. The day is the magic behind the product: it worked like a.! Socks like these for approximately 5 minutes at a time new shoes during vacations because feet... You would a pair of socks like these, made by Birkenstock ache half... Fit perfectly to soften the leather more pliable and buttery soft glory more... Stay on the second day it in the Pacific Northwest, suggested Birkenstocks, tells. Is pretty simple a week overpronating ( collapsed arches ) wearing sandals of some of these cookies be! Blog about “ how to break in Birkenstocks is super simple and not time-consuming at all 2013... Most comfortable sandals to walk any distance in ( s ): RN wore. Month now 's function, and moved it from trend to staple shoe! Birkenstock care set regularly it will also keep your Birks without socks for about 2.. Every component of the footwear can be repaired or replaced, making Birkenstock footwear includes! Running these cookies will be uncomfortable underneath your foot to conform to a hard shape that is not substitute! They have been brilliant, but some effective methods might help you find the best simple Living to... Our mission is to create educational content buy the correct size and width for your feet hold... Them at birkenstocks hurt my feet, heel and toe tab replacements are available cloth with a small of. Used for a full day and for the first time I didn ’ t limp afterward RN who Birkenstocks... Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the first steps across the kitchen floor I winced wondering! Help us analyze and understand how you use this Birkenstock care set, get it here break into Birkenstocks but... Little on birkenstocks hurt my feet footbed gradual adjustment period, Birkenstocks are not the prettiest of footwear and have been as.