Customer Reviews Birkenstock Gizeh - Birko-Flor™ & Birkibuc™

These are wonderful sandals -- Birkenstock's quality and quite stylish. The sole is form-fit to the foot and hard, so for those of us with big toe problems (Hallux Rigidus), they are perfect. I've gotten these for my daughters, too, and while we are all a different half/size, we can each fit into the other's sandals, so fit is not critical for comfort as it often is for "healthful" shoes.

Love the Gizeh. This is my third pair. I have a narrow foot so sandals are hard to find. Also, as I have gotten older, I need the arch support and these provide it without looking like they are something my mother would have worn. Thank you Birkenstock. Now please make the Kairo in narrow.

I have wanted a pair of these for two years, but always put off buying them because I was worried about not being able to try them on and having them not fit. (Returning them once they have arrived in the Bahamas is rather difficult, having paid customs duty, etc.) Everyone writing reviews has such conflicting information about sizing too! Luckily, I met someone face-to-face who was wearing a pair and who has bought these shoes for years, and she said to order your correct size, so I did. I am normally a 7.5, so ordered a 38 -- and they fit perfectly! I have a very normal, average 7.5 foot. I must say that the cradling of the heel is delightful and the thong between the toe is really not an issue so far, although I have not walked a mile in these shoes. I also think the way your toes grip the front of the shoe is very good. The plastic piece between the toes is more rigid than Havaianas, for example, and I am used to wearing flip-flops, but after wearing those Havaianas for a week on vacation and walking for too many miles on rocks and hard tarmac roads, I seem to have damaged my heel, which further encouraged me to buy these shoes. Obviously I now need better support for my feet at 53! The silver color is fantastic and not so granola-hippie-unshaved armpits as I once thought of Birkenstock wearers. So, I say, go for it! Take your time to wear them in a bit by using them around the house and garden. The top buckling strap is very good and I have that cinched down quite tightly for a better fit for me. They are light as a feather, too. I really am very pleased with my purchase!

These run pretty large. I usually wear a women's size 9 and I ended up the the pair that were the equivalent of the size 8. Otherwise, very comfortable shoes, which get more comfortable the more you wear them!

I love these Birkenstocks. I have another pair in brown and although not the prettiest sandal out there, the silver makes it so and you can't beat the comfort!

I have recently purchased a few different Birkenstock styles: the mayari; the Ginza; the Cairo; and the Sparta. Re size: I believe this runs true to size. I am a US size 6½ in high heels (which is a 37 European size); in flat dress shoes I take a US size 7 (37½). I make do with a B width in most brands as that is what is available. in an ideal world, I am probably a 6¾ and between a B and C width. I tried the Ginza on in both size 36 and size 37 regular width. To my untrained Birkenstock mindset,the size 36 appeared to be the perfect fit. it was comfortable while standing and walking and the tips of my toes and the backs of my heels did not quite touch the rim. But, after reading all these reviews, I am convinced that I am a size 37 in both the Ginza and the Mayari (the Cairo and Sparta are in the mail) . The correct size 37 has more than the recommended space: mine has ¼" at the heel and at least ½" in front. To anyone on the fence between sizes, I analogize this Birkenstock fit to the fit of your favorite peep toe pumps - sometimes your toe is not going to fill out the peep toe opening precisely. It is still the right size, and one cannot go down a size just to fill in the peep toe opening. I went with the 37 because it was the recommended Birkenstock size for me. Having said this, I had problems with only the left toe post because my left foot was sliding forward and coming into contact with the post. This is how I solved it: 1) I I made sure my heel was set firmly back into the heel cup and tightened the buckle a notch. (to extend the high heel analogy - it is like inserting a tongue pad between the top of the toe box of a shoe and your foot or a metatarsal pad between the sole of your foot and the sole of your shoe to prevent toes from sliding forward into the toe box). 2. Next, upon observation, the left toe post was a little rough textured, so I took a Band-Aid (it is late here and I did not want to go out and buy moleskin as another reviewer suggested) , and I wrapped it around the toe piece. Problem solved. Re rating, I am still going to give Ginza five stars overall, because the sum of its attributes is greater than some of my issues. I also believe that some people's issues re toe post could be solved by proper sizing and that the roughness of one of my toe posts and not the other was a random fluke. Re width and arch: I do not have narrow feet - the ball of my foot is wider, so I took a regular width. Finally, I have a moderate arch which I define as an arch that enables me to wear a prefab silicone arch insert comfortably (it does not feel like a rock which I assume it would if I were flatfooted) Additional issue: Style wise, I wish that Birkenstock could make their fashion colored uppers in real leather. If scores of other shoe manufacturers can do it, it should be possible and worth the extra cost.

I had been wanting a pair for a while but every time I tried them on they looked huge! I ordered a size smaller than I usually wear and the Narrow width; they fit perfectly. It does take a few times to get used to the plastic post and the structured foot bed but they are very comfortable.

I need a sandal with a lot of arch support and these have it. Other reviewers have commented on their disappointment with the plastic thong but it hasn't been an issue for me. The sandal is very comfortable for me and stays on my foot nicely. I like the style too as it isn't as casual as a flip flop and gives me much better support.

The Gizeh is my favorite Birkenstock! I bought the orange which is a great neutral that goes with everything. I have the black in these too which I love also. Birkenstocks are so comfortable, and mold to your feet perfectly. I love Zappos, truly amazing customer service & fast delivery. Keep up the great work Zappos!

I thought I would love these because I live in either my regular Birkenstocks, or various flip flops. Maybe they will get more comfortable the more I wear them, but so far they are not comfortable.

This was my first and last pair of Birkenstocks. I purchased these shoes because I am 6 months pregnant and my already wide feet are very swollen, and since I heard great things about the support and extra width of Birkenstocks I gave them a try. When I got them they were really uncomfortable but after reading how they need to be broken in, I gave them a chance. But after wearing them for the fourth time I got blisters on the balls of my feet and the strap dug into the top of my foot and made me bleed. No shoe should ever make your foot blister and bleed in an effort to become comfortable, especially when you're pregnant. I am very disappointed, but fortunately Zappos is so great they took them back worn given my situation.

These shoes are so comfy, and really didn't take very long to break in. I wore them around the house for a couple days, then a couple short walks, and now they're fine. Never had blisters or pain.

I love these shoes now that they are broken in, but they did take about 2 weeks to get really comfortable. Be patient! I would buy these all over again.

I have not had a pair of Birkenstocks since high school. (A long time ago!) After having my second child, my arches fell and I developed severe sesamoiditis - pain in the 2 small bones located under the ball of each big toe. A podiatrist told me I could never wear sandals again. Surgery seemed risky, and cortisone shots sounded expensive and unreliable. I ordered these shoes, the next day they arrived. I put them on and immediately felt relief! Walked the streets of Burlington, VT without ANY pain! The only slight discomfort was getting used to the plastic thong. Thank you Birkenstock! This is the FIRST pair of sandals that I have been able to wear in over 6 years that have such excellent arch support, the pain is gone from sesamoiditis. THANK YOU!

Love these sandals. They are perfect for everyday running around but look much nicer (and are much more comfortable) than flip flops. Definitely recommend! I also loved that there was a narrow width.

Comfortable walking shoe, wore this on vacation in Washington DC. Walked many miles in this shoe. Footbed molds to your foot. Also stylish at the same time. Looked great with every outfit.

Finally a pair that fits. The first pair was too small (my regular shoe size is 9.5 and the first pair I ordered was the size 40). But because of the shape of my feet and length of a couple of toes, I needed a 41. Also I had to tighten the strap so my longer toes wouldn't hit the edge. So my message to you is to try different sizes and adjust the cross strap until you get the correct fit. I almost gave up on them...Hope this review helps someone.

I loved birks in high school and had the traditional two strappers. I decided to go back when the flip flops I was continuously wearing just were killing my back. This time I wound up having to get a couple pairs before I found the right size. I like my sandals not to have extra room at the heel or toe so I returned my regular size for one smaller (39 to a 38 - is that a full US size smaller or half? not sure.) These were not comfortable straight out of the box and I did get some blisters on the sides of my small toes - although not even badly enough to not were the shoes. I think because I may be wearing them a little small, the toe arch is not exactly where it should be. They are also a little more narrow than I would like, but Zappos only carries medium. The plastic ring in between my toes also got some taking used to, but again, after just a few days I barely noticed it. So they are not perfect, but they are pretty good. I walk and stand a lot and even though they aren't miracles, they are definitely better than the flip flops I was wearing before. Also, for orthopedic shoes they are pretty versatile and unoffensive / bordering on kinda ok looking. I assume I will own more pairs in the future.

This is my third pair of Birkenstock sandals, and by far my most favorite. My first pair was the Tahiti, very comfortable but took so much time to break in. The second was the Adria. This was the worst! The leather did not soften at all. After over 6 months of use, it is still uncomfortable! Thirdly, the Gizeh is amazing! No break in time! This is the cutest among all as well. Kudos to Zappos for such amazing service! I didn't expect my shoe size to change in my twenties. I had to exchange my original purchase to a larger size. Zappos made the return and exchange so easy and efficiently!

Love these shoes. The trick is that if they hurt between your toes then they don't fit properly. You are not supposed to feel/notice it there. Once you are properly fitted, these shoes are fantastic. I wear them all the time. I have a narrow foot but the regular width is perfect for me. Thanks Zappos!

First Birkenstock, last Birkenstock. After hearing for so long about Birkenstock's legendary comfort, I finally decided to try a pair. I have a wide foot, bunion and in the past problems with plantar fasciitis. This sandal was a huge disappointment. Not enough arch support for me, toe stem was painful, and felt like the sole of the sandal was not flexible. Convinced me to go order more Orthaheel Tide sandals.

This is a beautiful sandal. Finally! A narrow. The only issue is that I have a longer second toe and it was pressing on the front of the shoe. Great service from Zappos!

Amazing sandal! These are are amazingly comfortable and trendy for a Birkenstock. I was looking for a cute summer sandal with good arch support, and I got exactly what I was looking for. Great support and cushion, I love how the cork molds to your foot. Disclaimer - I got blisters the first day I wore them. They will be rigid at first - break them in before you return them! Have faith that they will conform to your feet and they will be the most comfortable sandal you have ever worn! Love!

I love the shape of the shoe, but the "jade" color is much more green than blue. Make sure you order the size on the lower end of your range: I am a 6.5 or 7 and ordered a 37 (6-6.5). This size fits perfectly.

I have plantar fasciitis and was recommended Birks. Give it time to break them in (wear just a couple of hours at a time for first week or so) but they are a great alternative to wearing closed shoes with custom orthotics. The style is just a tad dressier too. My only gripe is the strap stretching, I'm afraid to tighten it further for fear of over stretching.