Customer Reviews Birkenstock London

I got these for work at a restaurant. They are beautiful well made shoes as everyone else has said and the leather ages wonderfully, but the sizing is very very tricky if you are not used to birkenstocks or need a reality check on what position your feet should be in inside a shoe. This is my second pair of birkenstocks. My first were open toed Arizona sandals which I got in a 38, as I am 7.5 in sandals and usually an 8 in boots. All of my shoes are 7.5-8 regular width, although I am thin so my feet are kind of skinny (but not narrow in actual shape). In this shoe however, the 38 turned out to be too small, although I thought they fit great at first. After several wearings I could feel that the footbed was just not lining up with the contours of my foot and it was painful, I could feel the toe bar pressing on my fascia with no room for me to engage in this so called gripping motion, or room for warm socks. My foot felt like it was sitting too far back in the shoe. I thought, how is this possible as everyone says these run large and I got my true size? Well, I disagree that they run large if you are sizing for the actual footbed as you should (bc this is the most important part for comfort). For me, getting my "boot size" worked better. My advice is to focus on the placement of your foot on the footbed and notice how it moves and engages with the toe bar (if it presses the bottom of your foot it is too small), not how loose the shoe feels. When I read a review (or see someone in a shoe on the street) where you can clearly see they sized down in a birkenstock it just makes me cringe picturing their foot jammed in there putting pressure on all the wrong spots and destroying the cork before its time. I returned them for a 39 and the footbed feels great, while the shoe part is slightly loose (would fit better if I was a man or had more fat on my feet). As it is, I wear them with thick wool socks bc it is winter and the problem is mostly solved. Half sizes would be even better, or a size where the footbed is the same but the top part has less leather, like a slim version or something. The shoe is a CLOG however, and fits like one, I flip flop around but I don't slosh around IN them. For vanity considerations, yes they do make your feet look large but I think the elven quality is kind of charming. Plus, as my sister says, "why should we pretend our feet are smaller than they are?" If you work at a certain type of restaurant you may find it hard to pair them with your more girly outfits, I just go for skinny jeans and a blouse and embrace my inner euro hippy. Everything everyone says about Birkenstocks is true if you can find your correct size. Don't get narrow unless you are actually narrow, then your baby toes hit the edge and there should be a little space all around your foot. Better than Danskos, IMO (too restricting in toe area, no flexibility of the sole, can cause falls and bunions, baby your feet too much). PS this is Zappos! Order a million sizes and work it out, you are worth it!

As anyone knows, and who has had Birkenstocks before, your foot will "form" to the footbed of these shoes. WELL, it was obvious that the pair I received today had been worn previously because there were obvious TOE MARKS in both footbeds! Yuck...Absolutely disgusting and I'm very disappointed Zappos! I suggest you audit the department that inspects your shoes before shipping them out! Returning immediately and hesitant to order from Zappos again.

I love my Birkenstock clogs, but I wanted a winter shoe -- and London fits the bill. I bought the solid leather version and it's a very nice, warm brown color that is looking even nicer with wear. I don't know about the sizes listed: I wear 9s in most shoes, measured at a Birkenstock store as a 38, and bought a 39 (it was close, but looser felt better to me). I wear these all day at my job in a school library, and they (and I) still feel fantastic by the end of the day! I find that their somewhat plain looks go very well with either casual or slightly dressy clothes, and I even wear them with skirts. Great shoe!

I own about eight pairs of Birkenstocks and I bought these because I wanted a pair with a closed back for clinic. I love them. I have tried a lot of comfort shoes and my favorites are Birks, Keens, and Earth shoes. The usual excellent arch support and wide toe box. The only thing would be that the back rubbed a little for the first two days, so just make sure you have longer socks, and the whole shoe was a bit loose after a couple of days, like it had stretched out. I normally wear a 39 regular for open toed Birks or 40 narrow for closed toed, and these were a 40 regular because I was unsure about the tightness at the back.

Wow! Awesome shoes. I’ve never reviewed anything but here it goes. I’ve had Birk sandals and clogs and always wore a size 40 regular. Whatever you’ve read or heard about Birk sizing being on the small or large or wide side, ignore all of it! Before investing this kind of money I double checked my size. There are NO Birk retailers in my city so I went to the Birk website. They provide a size guide for you to print off and tape together and then measure your foot. It will measure both length and width. THE SIZING GUIDE ON THE BIRK WEBSITE IS EXTREMELY ACCURATE. I called them to verify that the guide is accurate for your FOOTBED SIZE. So in my case the guide measured me for a 41 regular instead of a 40. But the Birk site was out of my size in the black color. The first site they suggested for my purchase was Zappos. I asked about fakes and second hand products and the Birk company told me that they fully endorsed Zappos as an authorized retailer, but Zappos was the only one they endorsed like that. So I ordered from Zappos which was amazing. Put my order over the phone and the woman had me enter my card number on a recording instead of giving her the number because that is a Zappos policy to guard against credit card theft. Amazing service and super easy to use. She upgraded me to next day shipping and the shoes arrived next afternoon. Perfect Birk quality and the fit was amazing. All these years I’ve been wearing my Birks too small! I’ve attached a pic of the inside on my largest foot. You can see where your toes should stop on the footbed to still allow plenty of room for movement. I’ve been wearing them for a week and a half almost every day for around 14 hours a day. Typical Birks they were very stiff at first, VERY, but after a week of that much wear they finally started to break in. Now they are almost perfect and only need another few days. I also attached pics of their authenticity. A full “Birkenstock” on the buckle, embossed “Birkenstock” on the inner sole, accurate measurements on the footbed with matching numbers on both shoes. After I received them I noticed there was no toe bar? I called Birk to verify that the London DOES NOT HAVE A TOE BAR, so they are not fake. Also posted pic of the sole and they seem to be wearing fine. They are very easy to resole in the future. So, sizing guide from Birk is super accurate, Zappos is amazing and they are endorsed by Birk, quality of the shoe is top notch and comfort is better then even other Birk models. Spend the money and buy these shoes. Footbed fit is the most important aspect so GET IT RIGHT and everything else will be amazing. Good luck!

These shoes are fantastic. They have really helped my plantar fasciitis. You may think they look ugly now, but if you have foot pain, they start to look very cool, very quickly. I think their weird look really rocks. Oh, I got the narrow fit; you should decide if you have a narrow foot or not for the perfect fit.

First, Zappos is the best shopping internet site with unsurpassed service and guarantee. With free shipping, I received my shoes in 2 days. I have worn Birkenstock sandals for years because of comfort and durability. Now, I am wearing the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. I highly recommend the London Birkenstock. I need to wear a 10 Narrow London shoe and I must wear thick walking socks because the narrow is a little wide. The thick sock only enhances the comfort of this great shoe. The leather is the best I have ever seen in a shoe and the shoe is completely repairable. Finally, I will remain loyal to Zappos because their service is of the highest level. Thank you Zappos.

Wonderful. My feet are changing as I age: one bunion, occasional plantar fascitis, various aches from shoes that technically fit but somehow don't quite give me support in right places. My toe-box needs to be wider than heel in standard sizes. Pinky-toe set abnormally low on the foot. I've always been an over-pronator, always had fussy feet, wore "special shoes" as a kid. Birkenstock has been my go-to, at least the more traditional footbeds/lasts. I've resisted the London because they so perfectly fit a quip I believe Robin Williams made: "Lesbian? Germany lady? Who can tell?!" Gotta own it; I'm both. So I find myself out of options for "sort of dressy shoes." The standard low-heel pumps won't accommodate my bunions. Other brands' slightly sporty/dress options with low heels don't seem to have the right fit. Last year I purchased the Birkenstock Stowe boot, and it fits like a dream. A bit on the "biker-Doc Martins" spectrum in terms of dressiness, but when covered by pants legs all that really shows are the instep and soles. But I can't wear boots in summer or warmer weather, can I? So I took a chance on London. They work! Seem to have the same footbed as the Stowe. Toe box has plenty of wiggle room. And the heel-cup fit really doesn't matter all that much to the overall fit, but it seems plenty wide. I did find the shoe a bit stiff when I put it on. Had thought about going for the "soft footbed" option which is also offered, but decided to go with the known fit. With the addition of a cushion insole (no arch support, just a double-thick bit of foam, can be bought in any drugstore), they feel great. And the shoe is deep enough to accommodate the foam without smushing my feet. Another plus: I've never had a pair of Birkenstocks that seem badly or sloppily made. Unlike many manufacturers, they seem to have kept the same high quality I recall from 35 years ago. (My first pair lasted 20 years.) That's a rare quality today. Only thing I might do differently is the outsoles (the part in contact with the ground). When they need resoling (and Birkenstock soles will last for a year or so, and worth getting replaced timely), I may see if there's something with slightly more "oomph" (snow traction) that can replace the original.

Best. Shoes. Ever. I wore these during a 3-month backpacking trip across Europe. My feet blister easily and that never happened with these shoes. They held up to hot, sunny days as well as cold, rainy/snowy ones. Feet never get tired whether you're running to catch a train or hiking up a mountain. They're also super easy to get off at security if you fly a lot. The leather upper ages really well also. I love the way they look now more than brand new.

Was disappointed in the quality of the product sent to me. I ordered these as a replacement for my husband's shoes of the same style. He's worn them nearly every day for five years and they've served him well. Though I'd rather the Jaren be offered in the oiled leather, it's not- so we simply reordered. Firstly, though I understand the nature of oiled leather as being a natural, aged-looking product, I felt that these appeared extremely scratched for being new. What's worse was the straps, however. Upon trying them on, my husband commented that he could hardly fit his foot in one of them. Turns out the straps are about 1.5" different in length. I tried to chat a representative before returning them, as the site instructs- but it was just an echo chamber. She never responded. So, back they go for a full return. I'll purchase through the official brand site instead.

REVIEW UPDATE: I have ten pairs of Birkenstock sandals including two pairs of Bostons, which look similar to the Londons. A local Birkenstock specialist helped me find my perfect size...most people mistakenly buy Birks that are too small or too narrow. The Londons LOOK like Bostons but fit much more tightly across the top of the feet. The thick Habana leather slowly conforms to your feet day by day. The soft suede version will loosen up more quickly. Because I wear Birks almost everyday, the Londons felt fairly good right out of the box. After a week and 20 miles of walking around the neighborhood they feel great. I have already ordered a second pair. These are great shoes for people who are on their feet at work, and for folks who want to do their daily 8,000 or 10,000 Fitbit steps with zero foot, ankle or knee pain. Londons with the oiled leather upper can last ten or fifteen years. A heel replacement is only $20 and a sole replacement is about $50...even the cork footbed can be replaced when it is finally worn out. Over a ten year period, the Londons will outlast twenty pairs of non-repairable cheap shoes that fall apart after six months.

I wore a pair of Boston clogs for about six years, until I walked the soles right off. I liked those, but always thought it'd be nice to have something with a proper heel enclosure. The London has a similar look, classed up a bit by replacing the suede with leather. I couldn't find any local stores that carried the London, so I took a chance and just ordered them here. I have not been disappointed! This is a great shoe. They're nice enough to wear to work, and I receive lots of compliments on them. They absolutely do not look like Crocs (at least not in the Habana Oiled color). And as any Birk fan will attest, they are really comfortable. I did follow the suggestion of reviewers here and went down a size from what I normally wear. My old Boston's, which were size 45 (to match up with my US size 12 feet) always felt a bit loose. So for these, I dropped down to a size 44, and they fit perfectly.

I wear a woman's 8.5, so I first ordered these in size 39, but they were just way too floppy. I returned them for a size 38, and they fit perfect! I love them! Very comfy, and they look nice, too!

I have plantar fasciitis and Birkenstocks are the only shoes my feet can tolerate these days. They are great for a job that keeps me on my feet most of the day and when I’m at home I switch into my Birkenstock sandals. FYI, the "narrow" is misleading as that is what fits my average width feet best.

Birkenstocks have greatly improved my life. At age 65 I struggled to walk around the block due to pain in my feet, ankles, knees and hips. Now, at age 70 I am walking five miles a day in comfort. I like my Birkenstock Bostons and I expected the Londons to be similar. But, the Londons feel quite different from the Bostons. The thick, high quality Habana leather of the Londons feels snug across the top of my feet while the Bostons are quite loose fitting. After a few weeks of wear, the Londons will loosen up and conform to the shape of my feet for a great fit. Because I wear Birkenstocks almost daily, the Londons felt comfortable out of the box and they will gain comfort as the upper and footbed become more flexible over time. The Londons are a good investment. Over the next ten years I will spend $20 a year for heel replacements and every three years a new sole will cost $50. The total cost of ownership will average less than $50 a year for a supremely comfortable shoe. In contrast, a $50 shoe would fall apart after six months of walking five miles each day.

Just got these shoes in the mail and I already love them! I have plantar fascia so I need the high arches. The original Birkenstock footbed is perfect for easing the pain. True to most Birk sizing, these are fairly big. I usually wear a size 10 in woman's, but with these I ordered a 40 (which they say corresponds to a 9-9.5). Plus, I have a wider foot and the Regular is plenty roomy. I like that these look like the classic Birk clog they will be more functional as it gets colder. These appear to be sleeker than ones I've gotten in the past, which traditionally do look a bit clunky. Zappos was amazing as always. I ordered these around 9:30 pm EST and they arrived the next day. Crazy good!

These shoes are comfortable all day while I am on my feet. They also accommodate my wide feet with bunions.

Beautiful shoe. I wear a size 37 and this felt like a 36. Order one size larger than what you normally wear.

Ordered my normal Birkenstock size and they are perfect! I have worn Bostons in the past. I was worried about the heel rubbing my achilles tendon, but it doesn't. The back of the shoe doesn't sit right up against my foot, so there is no rubbing. I teach and am on my feet all day, so these are perfect. My foot is wide at the base of my toes, and the wider toe box is a perfect fit. The front "tongue" does rub against the top of my foot a little, but socks solve that problem easily. Also, the leather will soften up over time. It's already soft, but it will break in even more. Definitely cuter on than I expected. I think they look better than the Bostons.

I have tried to break in these shoes.They are very stiff. A well made shoe.but hard to get used to. Getting the correct size is another problem. I wish I had the strong feeling about the shoe and its comfort as others have reviewed.

I love how you feel supported and yet not restricted in these wonderfully well made beautiful shoes. I wear them with or without socks and I have yet to get a blister from any of my Birkenstocks. They are made for feet. This color looks great with jeans too.

These shoes are great! I have high arches and also chronic foot pain from years of ballet and long distance running. Birkenstock shoes are the only shoes I can currently wear without pain. These felt a little bigger than the sandals I have that are the same size, and I almost sent them back for a smaller size. However, after wearing them for a few days they feel great. They are just a little roomier than most shoes. Also, they look better in person than in the pictures.

I enjoy these shoes very much. I work in a restaurant and have been looking for some shoes that won't make my feet hurt after long hours. Although, please be warned, the arch support in these shoes are just amazing, and so much so, that you might not want to wear them long while you are breaking them in. But after you break them in, they're awesome and my feet never hurt at work anymore! Yeah, they cost a little more than I had wanted to spend, but you can replace the cork as well as the bottom part! So I can wear these things for years! They are also very roomy, which took some getting used to.

I need good arch support and these provide just that. I am on my feet probably 7 out of 8 hours at work and for me these provide all the stability and comfort I need.