Customer Reviews Birkenstock Florida Soft Footbed - Oiled Leather

I'm so sad! I've worn Birkenstocks for many, many years, and I've never had a pair that I couldn't break in...until now. I regret that I've worn them outside and can't return. The leather is incredibly stiff, they barely buckle over my high instep, and the sole feels nothing like any other pair of Birkenstock soft footbed sandals I have. They're quite narrow, as well. I sprang for the most expensive pair (habana oiled leather, soft footbed), and it's the most disappointing shoe purchase I've made in quite some time.

The oiled leather "upper" was horribly stiff and uncomfortable. I realize that they are supposed to soften up over time but I did not feel that these would ever be comfortable. I loved this style in the past and have worn my pair for years and years but I'm returning the new ones. I found the "upper" material on the "Arizona" style to be much more comfortable—more like a soft suede, which were comfortable as soon as I put them on. Also I ordered two sizes of the Florida sandals because I wasn't sure which would be better. The colors of the two varied tremendously and one pair appeared streaked with light and dark; they looked grease-stained and were very ugly. I was so disappointed because I prefer the Florida style.

I have worn Birkenstock sandals and shoes for over 35 years. I did not like the feel of the ‘soft footbed’. Upon conferring with the sales clerk at my local Birkenstock store I was told they have had numerous complaints and returns due to ‘BAD ODOR’ once people had worn their ‘soft footbed’ sandal for a while! I have NEVER had that issue with the regular footbed. For buyers new to Birkenstock sandals the original footbed may initially seem rigid....but hang in there, break them in a few hours at a time. It will be well worth the effort long term!

I was anxiously awaiting my first pair of Birkenstock sandals and was so disappointed when they arrived....soiled, in a rumpled box. I'm returning

I've been wearing Birkenstocks for 35 years in these sandals in particular for quite a number of years in the soft version.. I don't know what changed but they just didn't feel right -I'm returning them.

I ordered black, which clearly appears in the "confirmation" email I received, but I was sent brown, which I do not want and cannot use. And the return/exchange is not easy, AND he just hung up on me! What an annoying bother--especially when the mistake is not mine.

So disappointed. I have worn this style for 30 years, but the leather on one of the sandals was very scuffed and faded. Returning.

Left shoe felt like it had been worn and stretched out.

I am extremely disappointed with this purchase and it will be my last pair of Birkenstocks (which I started buying in the 1980s) They have made the shoe narrower and have used a thinner leather (I believe they went from top grain to split grain based on side by side with this and one I bought in 2022 and another in 2017 (both of which are identical) I thought it was a slam dunk to make this order but I will be looking to see if there is any alternate brand that has the same characteristics. Shame as the price is definitely higher. When prices goes up AND quality goes down AND Birkenstock does not log a complaint that speaks legions. I did not complain to Zappos because they have done nothing wrong.

Wrong item sent to us

I have never put anything more uncomfortable on my feet. After adjusting the straps, I tried to walk from one room to another, but took them off at my first opportunity. I know shoes and sandals need breaking in, but I wouldn't be able to make it. Granted, I do have back, hip, knee and foot problems, but these put me all off balance. I ordered them because I thought they would help me.

Shoes were shipped in a plastic bag. The box inside was thin and squashed. All the straps were open and not even threaded? Looks like they had been worn. I tried them but they did not fit. Front left trap hurt my foot for some reason so I am definitely returning these.

I've been wearing Birkenstocks for many years because of the arch support and overall therapeutic affect. Each pair of shoes that I've ordered has a shorter life span than the previous ones, only lasting a few months. I'm forced to buy several pairs a year because of the decreasing quality. I didn't think they could get any worse but Birkenstock found a way to cheapen them even more. The latest pair came out of the box with almost ZERO arch support and a flimsy THIN sole. NO more Birkenstocks for me! I'm now on the hunt for another brand that offers good foot support.

Wish this review gave options for shoes needing to be returned. I ordered these and a suede pair in the same style. The straps on this sandal were much shorter than the straps on the suede pair so it didn’t fit. Not sure why same style, size and width would have such a varying strap length. The suede pair will get a 5 star review.

the color in the picture and the actual shoes is very different. very frustrated!

The Birkenstock Florida in black oiled leather soft bed, is NOT comfortable. The upper leather is stiff, unyielding & scratchy on top of foot. I can see it would rub, cause blisters & even cut into skin. No way will any amount of breaking in will soften it up to be comfortable to ever wear. In the past decades I have worn this model & never had such bad quality of the upper material. I'm not sure even the birko-flor model would be softer across the top of the foot. Size & regular width was fine. As for the soft bed, I really didn't notice a big difference & this would take the same amount of breaking in as the one without it. Very disappointing. Not like in decades past. Sent it back, won't be trying any model of Birkenstock. Search goes on for a sandle that is WAY more comfortable.

39/8.5 usually fits, but these were very big.

Standard, cute Birkenstock; debated between this leather and the synthetic. This leather is not comfortable at all. Returned & ordered the other but still not in love. I really want to wear a Birkenstock but even after wearing in the house for over a week, can’t say the comfort is there and have tried 2 sizes. Wish I knew if they would ever fully break in and feel like a dream; still debating if I will return the other pair.

I used to love Birkenstocks... this pair was ill fitting not so much in size as the footbed was OFF somehow and my foot naturally stepped halfway off the footbed when walking!

I ordered a pair of the Floria style last year and liked them so well I ordered another pair. The style has been altered though and they don't look as nice and they don't stay on as well because the straps are much narrower. I'm returning them.