That’s interesting. I tend to agree….although Birks claims to be “orthopaedic” (whatever that means…it sounds good for the feet), I’ve heard the argument that truly the healthiest way to walk is barefoot. Thus barefoot shoes and sandals are becoming more popular - zero drop, minimal cushioning, wide forefoot so toes can splay.
Chic ways to wear Birkenstocks
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That’s interesting. I tend to agree….although Birks claims to be “orthopaedic” (whatever that means…it sounds good for the feet), I’ve heard the argument that truly the healthiest way to walk is barefoot. Thus barefoot shoes and sandals are becoming more popular - zero drop, minimal cushioning, wide forefoot so toes can splay.
As I grow older I have come to understand why elderly folk often prefer to walk barefoot.
Have been to lots of podiatrists and foot clinics in the past years as my feet age. I always ask what is the best sort of shoe to wear for my various issues. I am invariably handed a printout listing major shoe brands with high prices and big marketing departments like Birks, Borne, Prophet, etc. I say "But all these brands sell many different styles of shoes, which STYLE would be best for my feet?" The answer is always "Go to a shoe store with a professional fitter and they will help you." No specifics beyond that.
Or "Wear whatever is most comfortable."On a web site for some association for arthritis I discovered a list of specific recommendations of shoe features and styles to avoid if one's feet are arthritic. One major rec: avoid sandals in which one's toes will clench the footbed, in other words most sandals without back straps.
I still wear my Arizonas because they're comfortable. But after a few hours of walking my feet do ache from the footbed clenching and the stiff sole, so it's back to sneakers.
Did any of us actually try the socks and Birkenstocks look this past winter ? I always thought it originated in the Pacific Northwest by way of LA lol. But it’s possible I’m getting this preppy handbook 80s vibe confused with Uggs of twenty years e ago. I just bought a pale pink fuzzy arizona. I’ve been wearing them around the house. Also, I’ve decided that my 38s are all too big, so I’ve definitively resized to a B37 narrow. So now not sure how much extra room there is for a huge fuzzy sock.
I have a pair of unisex Regular (i.e. wide) Arizonas that I wear with big woolly socks in the winter. Yes, I've worn them walking through snow and ice. I can wear thinner socks like Smartwools with Narrow Birks if I loosen the buckles a notch.
I LOVE those fuzzy Arizonas!
I do it sometimes, but never seriously. It's like you want to go outside and check the mail, but it's a bit chilly so you have socks on and your Birks are right there and you cba to find another pair of shoes.
I have been doing this from fall into spring. I started with a more house shoe approach in fall/winter and just went with it once it warmed up. I must have entered a phase of not caring as I ordered nostalgic tube socks and woolly rag styles that remind me of my childhood.
Heads up y'all, Birkenstock.com has a ton of the teddy and shearling styles on sale. If you're a "member" (registered) it's another 10% off, so around $80 for many models that were once $150 and up. (No one ask what I just spent.)
The teddy style is VERY fuzzy, the shearling is less of a statement, assuming you're leaving the house
but I think both can be worn in summer. YMMV 
The teddy style is VERY fuzzy, the shearling is less of a statement, assuming you're leaving the house
but I think both can be worn in summer. YMMV 
I love the look of the shearling ones. But the main reason why I never tried them was a lot of reviews complained about the shearling wearing away/rubbing off.
They arrived yesterday !
I love this "all black / Nubuck" thing soo much
I love this "all black / Nubuck" thing soo much
I could not resist : soft footbed , Nubuk leather in Purple Fog 
Same here. For around the house I've found faux fur slides, like the Sporto brand, for about $10-$15 on closeout from Sierra or Kohl's that have fully satisfied my need for furry Birk-like things. The shearling Birks look so comfy, but the shearling is going to peel off and get dirty. And one's toes will get cold. Pass.
I bought BACK UPs on saleHeads up y'all, Birkenstock.com has a ton of the teddy and shearling styles on sale. If you're a "member" (registered) it's another 10% off, so around $80 for many models that were once $150 and up. (No one ask what I just spent.)
The teddy style is VERY fuzzy, the shearling is less of a statement, assuming you're leaving the house
thank you
I ve also started to leave the house with them on Recently. I think they’re good for
70F degree weather, but in hot summer weather I switch to other birks
ETA: @pixiejenna , my Shearling Teddy hasn’t rubbed away, but it has
squashed noticeably (Big buckle, like chypres). my regular Birk shearling (suede exterior) also seem
fine, but flattened. I don’t wear them every day, and I rotate them though
im going to spray the pale pink suede with Nano spray
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