One of the questions I’m asked frequently is whether or not I think Birkenstock sandals are worth the cost.  And I immediately answer with a resounding “ABSOLUTELY!” because after nearly 2 years of wearing them almost daily in Hawaii I don’t know how I could live without them anymore.  Below are some of the reasons I love my metallic Birkenstock Arizona sandals and my water-friendly Birkenstock sandals.  The $135 price point (for the traditional pair) is steep, but for me they have certainly been worth the investment.  I know that there are countless knock-off versions (and I love me a good dupe and my kids wear the Walmart waterproof ones), but I’ve tried them on and they just don’t compare to the real thing.  For sizing reference, I’m a true size 8 and wear the 38 in Birks.

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Why Birkenstock Sandals are Worth the Cost

They’re Super Supportive

When I was training for the 2018 Honolulu Marathon while living in Hawaii I was logging lots of miles each week yet was trying to wear my favorite flat soled sandals in my off time.  We walked a lot while living there and my feet killed me at the end of the day!  I finally decided that I needed something more supportive, so I ordered my first pair of Birkenstock Arizona sandals.  They do take a little bit of time to break in but my feet immediately thanked me for making the change and I’ve never looked back.  I especially loved them while pregnant.  They were pretty much all I wore this last pregnancy!

The Metallic Finish Makes them Look a Little more Feminine

I’m a girly girl so I couldn’t just go with the standard black or brown pair of Birkenstock Arizona sandals, I needed something a little more feminine.  I discovered the metallic style of Arizona sandals that had a metallic finish and a white sole and immediately knew that I’d found a pair I could pull off.  I’ve had the copper pair (that looks rose gold) for close to 2 years now and even though the finish has worn off a bit I don’t really mind.  They still have a bit of sheen to them despite scuffs from daily use.  This past Christmas I asked for the silver pair as my main gift because I wanted something that was practical that I’d get a lot of use of.  I’ve been wearing them more often now and they’re with me as we live out of suitcases for a few months.  I still love both pairs though!  I wear them with the same sort of outfits, regardless of the color.  I like to think of them as neutrals and don’t let the gold or silver tones limit my options.  I used to think that all metals (also in jewelry) had to match but moved away from that a few years ago and it really simplifies things.

They Get More Comfortable the More you Wear Them

The cork footbed is a little stiff when you first start wearing them, but they truly mold to your foot and get more and more comfortable as you wear them.  I particularly like that the metallic style has a “soft foot bed” so it has a little more give than the traditional Birkenstock sandals.  The more I wear them the better they become.

They’re Practical Yet Cute!

I’m sure lots of people don’t think they’re all that attractive, but I think that as long as you’re not dressing in grunge from the 90’s and opt more for a preppy style then they can end up looking pretty stylish.  The metallic finish helps with that too.  I always say they’re the best mom sandals because I can chase after my 4 and 2 year olds on long walks while wearing them, yet they’re much cuter and more versatile (and cooler temperature-wise in the summer) than sneakers are.

There is an Affordable Waterproof Version

Life in Hawaii necessitated having shoes that could get wet.  When we would go to the beach or pool, or if I was simply in the mood for a fun pop of color, I’d wear my waterproof pair of Arizona sandals.  They come in lots of fun colors and are only $44.99!  I have the hot pink pair from a few years ago but their new offerings are really cute (I particularly love the look of the blush pair).  As with the regular Birks, they are much more supportive than plain ole flip-flops.  The difference is that these are entirely made of EVA rather than cork and they’re very lightweight too.

Can you tell I love these sandals?  If you’re looking for a cute and comfy pair of sandals for the upcoming summer season then definitely give these a shot!  They’re a bit of an investment but have been absolutely worth it, in my opinion.

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Katie Vail

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