Customer Reviews Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed - Oiled Leather (Unisex)

My rating is a 3 because American shoe companies should understand that the narrow footbed Birkenstock makes is actually for AAA-A widths, not A & B widths. I normally wear a regular/B shoe width, with the exception of some dress shoes or brands with narrow toe boxes. Zappos, please update your Birkenstock width guide: http://www.ebay.com/gds/Birkenstock-Widths-very-misunderstood-/10000000014648666/g.html I'm looking forward to wearing these in the right width. The sandal is high quality, and the Tobacco is a beautiful natural leather, and it provides excellent arch and metatarsal support.

Unlike original Birks, the soft footbed sounds like a good idea but actually lessens the arch support so critical to the Birkenstock philosophy. After converting to American sizing, the converted size is too large for the anatomic fit they are known for. Next time would definitely go for the regular insole.

It has been 30 years since I broke in a pair of birkenstocks and I guess that I am too old to start again. This pair was very stiff and hurt my skin, even with socks on. I purchased the soft footbed, hoping it would make the process easier, but it just didn't work. On the plus side, I wear a women's 8.5 WWW and this shoe (40) did fit. It was just too stiff.

I really wanted to like this shoe. And I do like the soft footbed better than the traditional model. However, I was not able to get over the fact that I didn't like the way the lining felt against my bear foot. Felt kind of slimy. I don't want to wear socks - like I've seen other people doing.

I have tried wearing these to see if they needed a breaking in period and would then get comfortable, but no matter how I have adjusted the straps or now having worn them for some time, they have only created bruising at the ball of my foot and just plain, not comfortable. I will try another style in a smaller size. Some have mentioned these run large so perhaps that is the problem.

These are my first Birkenstocks and I'm disappointed. The footbed is stiff, yet cushioned, but I feel as though the shoe tips my feet in towards the ankle. The leather upper is extremely stiff, and not all all comfortable (I wish I'd ordered the soft suede strap). My conclusion is that you are either a Birkenstock person or you aren't, and I'm not.

I have worn Birkenstocks for years. And this is the third pair of Arizonas. My last pair is literally has a near smooth sole and has become dangerous to wear. So I fell in love with the Summer Breeze color. A marl of green with a sprinkling of reds, peach, blue, purple. I've had to exchange them now 3 times. First pair, only green on sides, mostly red. 2nd pair bright red with a sprinkling of other colors on sides. I kept the first pair and sent second back (VIP service so cool I got second pair before I could ship back 1st). At least 1st pair had a little green. Then, after wearing a few times they developed squeaks in both shoes! 3rd pair arrived today, boy are they Red! Not a hint of green, and squeakiness is starting again! What's up with this color? The fit is also a bit looser than most I've had in the size I need in this style...oh well. As always Zappos rocks it all!

Leather is too rough and not pliable. Hurt my feet. Will go back to the suede ones.

The color is a light tan, I thought it had some darker shading - different tones - disappointed. The top is very stiff, rubs, have to wear socks. I am hoping it will soften in time. Footbed is very comfy.

Two thumbs up for Zappos - easy ordering and quick delivery. Wore the Birks to the zoo and did tons of walking without my feet hurting, but put them on again the next day and noticed my feet were kinda raw and bruised. I was expecting oiled leather to be smooth and slick, but they're stiff and matte. Guess you gotta break them in...? Really hope so because I was so excited about how comfy they're supposed to be and they aren't exactly inexpensive sandals.

These shoes are great, but not as comfortable for me as the Florida (of which I own two pairs). They also run a size larger than my Floridas. I'm not sure if it's because they are too big, but the buckles of these press into my insteps, leaving them feeling bruised after a day of wearing them. I wore them out before I realized how large they were, and now I'm stuck with them.

I have owned a half dozen pairs of Arizonas over the years, and this is the first that has ever been uncomfortable to wear. The soft footbed seems to have affected the size and fit. They uncomfortably rub the toes on both feet, and the leather is much stiffer than previous shoes. Maybe the thicker bed makes the foot ride higher. Whatever the reason, these shoes are going back.

After reading other reviews I ordered the narrow width and I'm glad I did. Normally I wear a m width and the narrow worked out well. The shoe is fairly comfortable; however, it squeaks when you walk. I don't mean a little, I mean a lot! If that isn't an issue, you would probably like it. I, however, would not order it again because it is beyond annoying. On the up side the color is cute and goes with almost anything.

Totally cute! Matched my toe nail polish! The footbed is super comfortable, and the shape is very supportive. Unfortunately the edge of the front strap cut into the skin on my toes a bit.

I ordered these sandals for a European vacation. However, the leather is too stiff right out of the box so I had to return for fear of rubbing and not breaking in. Also, they are too small. I wear a womens 8.5 and I ordered a 39. If I decide to try another pair of Birks I will be ordering a size 40.

I purchased the Arizona Amalfi Leather soft bed Birks. The Amalfi leather is beautiful but is so stiff it cut into my foot no matter how I adjusted the straps. The soft bed just doesn't do anything for me. I regret not getting the original foot bed Arizona. The soft beds don't have much of a heel cup. The arch is a lot lower and not as supportive. There is only just a faint hint of a toe grip as well. Birkinstock does not explain these important differences. The footbed just seemed more cheaply made with memory foam to give the sensation of immediate comfort at a higher price. You can search on YouTube for a great video explaining the difference between the two footbeds. I wished I had seen it before I ordered. I am one of those that have been buying Birks for years. My first pair in 1979. I just prefer the more stable original bed. To me they are more comfortable and offer more support. Luckily, I have never had any foot problems. Too bad the original foot bed is not as readily available as the original. That said, Zappos has a great customer service. Sadly, I am returning these.

Fast delivery. They look beautiful, but they run so large. I am sad. I will have to return them!

These new Birkenstocks are sized a bit differently than the older styles. The straps are longer and the hole placement is different. This made adjusting impossible as I ran out of holes. These are ok if you have a thick heavy foot but not for a very wide thinish foot. The non-cork footbed does not allow for easy on & off if you wear socks. They are half a size larger than older ones and they are ¼" wider which is good for me. The size 36 almost fit but too narrow to allow for bunions. The length was better than the 37. It is closer to the old 37s. There is not much of an arch! If you have high arches, stick to the original Arizonas or the high arch style. Sadly I had to return them.

I had very high expectations for these sandals because of all the raves. I wear a size 8 US women’s and ordered these in 38 because the 39 was way too big. The 38 fit better; however, my feet keep sliding whenever I walk and I've tightened the straps all the way, but somehow it stills feels a bit loose. If I ordered a size smaller it would then be too small so I guess Birkenstock's just didn't work for me =(

Arch support wedge is painful to walk on. It is in a strange place.

I wish could return these shoes but I’ve walked 3 miles in them. I’ve got 5 blisters where the top straps are. They are not too tight, simply rubbing. Idk what material this is, it doesn’t feel like leather. They make my already big feel look bigger and uglier. Yet there is something to the way that my feet align with my legs, I’m stepping differently in these and that’s not a bad thing, so two stars for that.