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It’s easy to ask around for recommendations on the best Birkenstock sandals and shoes, because depending on who you talk to, everyone has their own favorite style from the iconic brand. Birkenstock offers many different shoes with their cork contoured footbed, soft leather straps, and bold buckles, but the styles are not always one-fits-all in terms of selecting the most supportive shoe for your foot type. We’ve narrowed down the best Birkenstocks to fit your feet and your personal style, plus tips on how to break them in for a super soft stride.
Birkenstock is a cult-favorite shoe brand for its supreme construction and timeless heritage design. Since 1774, Birkenstock has been a leader in supportive footwear that looks great and feels even better, with long-time endorsements from foot health experts and podiatrists. The brand’s renowned for its signature arch support footbeds and commitment to natural material sourcing and sustainable production. Today, Birkenstocks reign supreme in the category of comfortable sandals. While the design of the shoes always prioritizes function over fashion, today’s Gorpcore trend celebrates the earthy-crunchy feel and practicality of a suede and cork sandal. They’re even regarded as a status symbol after being embraced by style stars like Emily Ratajkowski and Hailey Bieber. Kendall Jenner is a big fan of the brand and prefers to slip into her Arizona Sandals as a recovery slide after a workout, alongside black leggings and a simple hoodie. On daytime outings, Jenner’s been seen on multiple occasions strolling in Birkenstock Boston Clogs, which she often pairs with jeans, a cropped white tee shirt, and a flannel button-up for a shopping trip or leisurely walk.
Birkenstock shoes have earned their own place in the fashion industry as well. The brand has seen wildly successful collaborations with top designers including Dior, Staud, Manolo Blahnik, and Jil Sander, with designs that honored Birkenstock’s unparalleled footbed style and natural material construction. Birkenstocks are also seeing a massive following on TikTok, where the brand search term has amassed over 607 million views and counting. The brand’s signature sandals — which are being searched by 10 million users and counting — are a staple summer accessory each year like clockwork, so much so that the Birkenstock name has come to represent its own distinctive, coveted silhouette in the footwear market. The most viral trending Birkenstock shoe on TikTok is easily the Birkenstock Boston clog style, which has 143 million eyeballs tuning into unboxing videos, styling inspiration, and customer reviews. The style is so beloved that it even boasted the title of “hottest shoe of the year” in Lyst’s 2022 Year in Fashion Report. Footwear News also crowned Birkenstock with the honor of Brand of the Year in both 2013 and 2017 for the shoes’ high performance, craftsmanship, universally timeless designs.
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Keep reading to discover the best Birkenstock fit for your foot type across a variety of styles, silhouettes, and supportive features.
Courtesy of DSW
What reviewers say: “Love that these go with just about anything and they are so comfortable. Don’t hesitate to buy these! I’m typically an 8.5 and the size 39 fit me perfectly.”
Courtesy of Zappos
What reviewers say: “I am a long-time Birkenstock fan. I have considered these clogs for a few years and finally sprung for them. The soft footbed was a new adventure but based on the reviews I gave them a try. Pure heaven! Soft, supportive, and totally dorky-cute! I actually had several people compliment them. My regular shoe size is 7 1/2 or 8 and I always get Birkenstocks in 38 Narrow. Plus, there is still room for winter socks. I love them!”
What reviewers say: “The Milano is a great sandal for walking because the heel strap prevents the sandal from sliding off your foot when you are walking fast. The heel strap requires a more exact fit than open styles such as the Arizona.”
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What reviewers say: “Birkenstocks are really good shows for anyone at any age. I’ve been wearing them for almost 20 years. Your feet are worth it – they’re especially good for people with back problems and sciatic nerve issues. You can wear these shoes all day.”
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What reviewers say: “I have a narrow foot and these are the best, long-lasting shoes that also come in very cute colors. I live in the Southwest so I wear them most every day. They are well worth it! You should definitely buy a pair!”
What reviewers say: “This is a very cute and modern take on the classic Birkenstock. Kyoto is just comfortable as the original!”
What reviewers say: “My feet are as wide as they come and flat too. These provide excellent support without sacrificing ease of wear.”
What reviewers say: “I’m a runner and have been fighting a stubborn case of plantar fasciitis. I’ve found that Birkenstocks are the only shoes I can wear without pain. I wear these mostly around the house and they are so comfortable that I’ve been venturing outside in them.”
What reviewers say: “LOVE THESE SHOES! I am a registered nurse that works on my feet all day long and these shoes are excellent — no tired feet at the end of the day. I have a very high arch and these have excellent arch support. The grip at the toes is what makes them so comfortable. They take one day to get used to walking in (even less). My feet are very happy at the end of my shift.”
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The Best Birkenstocks for Different Foot Types
- Best Birkenstocks for plantar fasciitis: If you’re seeking Birkenstock shoes for plantar fasciitis, look for styles that feature substantial arch support and plush cushioning such as the Milano, Boston, and Arizona EVA styles.
- Best Birkenstocks for wide feet: Those with wide feet should avoid heavy strapping that may rub and irritate the foot while walking. Birkenstock options that incorporate a wide toe box, flexible upper, and minimal strapping, like the Arizona and Gizeh Birkenstock shoes, are are optimal shoes for wide feet.
- Best Birkenstocks for narrow feet: When shopping for narrow foot shapes, look out for supportive Birkenstock styles that come in narrow sizing. The Madrid, Tokio, and Arizona styles each have adjustable straps to create a custom and secure fit to your foot.
- Best Birkenstocks for flat feet: Those searching for Birkenstock shoes for flat feet should consider styles in wide sizing with adjustable straps to accommodate a fuller sole. Try out Birkenstock’s wide-fitting Gizeh and Arizona sandals that have built-in arch support and a contoured footbed for a neutral stance.
- Best Birkenstocks for bunions: The best Birkenstock shoes for bunions will include minimal strapping, as not to irritate the aggravated zones of the foot. Birkenstock’s Kyoto and Gizeh sandals will relieve pain and grant long-lasting comfort on your feet.
How to Break in Birkenstock Shoes
Since Birkenstock shoes have uniquely contoured footbeds, it may take a few wears until their comfort support kicks in. The cork and latex of the shoe will eventually mold to your foot shape but you’ll want to tread carefully on initial wear. Birkenstock recommends breaking in your new pair of shoes slowly by gradually increasing the amount of time you wear them by an hour or two. You may want to take them out for a spin around the block while walking your dog or wear them around the house to introduce your foot to the timeless shoe.
How We Chose the Best Birkenstocks
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
In order to curate the Best Birkenstock shoes in this shopping guide, we conducted wide and comprehensive research on the iconic brand’s top-performing styles. We paid attention to shoe construction, diverse strapping, specialized fit, and support features unique to each style. To gain awareness of customer insight, we compared and analyzed Birkenstock customer reviews to select the most-loved shoes that cater to various foot types and conditions. We also employed research on TikTok to determine the most viral shoes of the moment and view authentic product reviews in action. Learn more about us here.
Meet The Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes shopping content on the best-rated footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Olivia received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. In her free time, Olivia can be found strolling in Central Park or hitting the beach in her favorite Birkenstock Arizona EVA sandals.
