Customer Reviews Birkenstock Alabama

Big and wide! I usually take a European 38, and a US 7. I should have known not to order these in a 38 since German shoes (Birkenstock in particular) tend to run big, but I did and guess what-- too big. They are also incredibly wide. I tried them on with my thickest Smartwool socks-- no joy. Why these aren't available in a 37 I do not know. However, I disagree with the other reviewers-- I think these shoes are really cute! Just like a pixie might make in the night time! Maybe not to everyone's test, but I really dig them.

Alabama - Rational well designed anatomic ergonomic fit with proper protection from environment in no nonsense appearance.

Alabama Birkenstock - "Holy Toe-Ridge Batman!" I think that's the first thing that came to my mind when slipping into my new Alabama Birks. I know that my sandals have ridges...but I guess I thought they would be lower in a shoe. Knowing Birks, I'm sure I'll end up loving it. It really is noticeable when you walk, but not in a bad way. It kinda keeps the pressure off the back of your shoe. (Hard to explain). These are similar to the "Footprints Corvallis by Birkenstock" shoe that I bought a few months ago. That shoe is also brown leather with a wide-box front, with the same cork footbed. But it did not have the toe ridges. So far, I like the Footprints Birk better. But I haven't broken those in yet... It takes a week or so to get a true fit. I think I'll be happy with both shoes. Oh, and I like the look of the shoe. But my family's from Alabama so I'm a little biased.

Alabama - As a Metatarsalgia sufferer I have been wearing Birkenstocks exclusively for three years. While I love the full-shoe feel of the London, and the dressy look of the Harrison, I needed a full-coverage "business casual" shoe to wear to work each day. The Alabama is the perfect solution, with all the benefits of the Birkenstock footbed and fit. And best of all the Alabama works great with slacks or jeans.

A wonderful new shoe. These are great shoes. They are true to size and comfortable from the first wearing. The style gives extra support, so at the end of a long day I may be tired, but my feet feel good.

Great for casual/dress! This shoe fits in the true Birkenstock fashion!

Love these Birkenstock's - These are great casual shoes to wear with jeans. I've had Birkenstock's before and liked them, but somehow got away from them into something else. I'M BACK!

Great shoe - I was leary about a Birkenstock shoe but the shoe felt great and almost no break in time. Very comfortable.

Excellent Shoes - I am very pleased with the shoes. They fit very well and were very comfortable from the first time I wore them. I would buy another pair in the future!

Great, but quick wear - This is one of my favorite shoes ever; however, the outsoles do not last that long. I've worn these almost every day for the past 5 months and it appears that I'm going to need to replace the soles soon due to uneven wear on the heels. Other than that, this shoe is flawless.

The construction of the shoe makes it fit a bit too high on my outer ankles. In fact, the right shoe cut my right outer ankle when I wore the shoes to the supermarket. The solution was primitive but effective. I took a pair of shears and gradually cut away slivers of the ankle portion of each shoe until they no longer rubbed. Otherwise, the shoes are typically great Birkenstock workmanship and Zappos, of course, delivered them overnight like lightning and in flawless condition. I never buy shoes anywhere except Zappos any more.

Good, tough "sensible shoes" - I found myself really liking this shoe more than I thought I would. I needed a full shoe with a Birkenstock footbed that wasn't a hiking shoe and not a clog. This was a good choice: roomy toe box, soft leathers. It wears well and is good with pants. I ordered the next size up as the toes felt a bit cramped in my usual sandal size.

I was looking for a shoe to give the same fit and comfort as my sandals. These fit the bill. It took a little bit of time to get used to the stiffness of the sandal base but it either loosened up or I quickly got used to it. Don't let the initial feel worry you.

What You'd expect from Birkenstock - This is a great shoe for many purposes. I like it because it’s a comfortable shoe I can wear to work. If you've never owned a Birkenstock shoe the long break in period might irk you a bit, but it is well worth the wait. Very supportive and surprisingly warm for winter wear (with appropriate socks of course). I'm usually a 44 in Euro sizes but I wear a 43 in Birks and their is plenty of room for my toes and wide feet. Warning: the leather inside will ruin your socks.

Casual look, great comfort (I expect) I ordered a pair of these to compare with Birk Londons. I already own and enjoy London, but thought this looked like a good alternative. For my needs, though, this is too casual looking. The London is much sleeker and disappears (in a good way) with my dress slacks. The Alabama looks notably casual, especially the curled heel wrap - which I don't like (I expect it will not wear well). I decided to return the Alabama, though the construction was excellent and I like the outsole (more substantial and pre-curved, minimizing wear-in period). These fit the same as my Londons and Arizonas (I wear 42N in all).

If you’re superficial, then this isn't the shoe for you. I bought it because it is essentially a Birkenstock sandal that I can wear to work. Comfort is wonderful. Looks are average at best. It you are looking for a fashionable shoe this isn't it. It you are looking for a show you can wear all day without any stiffness/aches/pains, and then this is the shoe.

A nice dressier Birk--great with slacks - I wanted a comfortable shoe to wear to work with slacks--something a little dressier than the Birk Boston, which I love but is too casual for some days. I tried a few Keens (Zermatt, Madison, Melbourne), and, although cool shoes, I found them to be too narrow for my c-width feet (one with a bunion) (although I have Keen sandals that I adore). These Alabamas fit the bill for attractiveness and comfort; the extra detailing on the side is a nice touch. Wide width was out-of-stock, I tried the regular width and it works even for me--only a tiny bit tight on the bunion. Flatter feel, less arch support than most Birks, but still much better support than most shoes. Agree with others that toe ridge is a bit odd, but I know from other Birks that in the end I'll like it. I ended up buying one European size down from my usual Birkenstock size (39 rather than 40), and they fit great; After two day-long wearings, still a little stiff and rub a bit at the heel, so I wouldn't feel comfortable yet walking in these for miles and miles, but expect they will break in. They are certainly very high quality and will be long-lasting. Attractive shoe (as long as you aren't into the girly look!) to wear with khakis, casual slacks. I have them in the brown leather, which looks great and gets many compliments. I expect to be happily wearing these for many years.

Adjustment period - Birkenstocks have an adjustment period in which they are learning your feet. So be prepared to have a little bit of uncomfortable until they mold to your feet. Other than that; great shoes!

Watch out for that toe ridge! The fit, feel and look are typical of Birkenstock's Footprint collection. As usual, Birkenstock's arch support is excellent. The most unpleasant surprise is a toe ridge that's supposed to help your toes grip when you walk. It didn't help me... in fact I found it extremely irritating. Perhaps if the shoe fits you exacly right, that toe ridge happens at just the right place, but I tried several sizes before giving up. I've marked it "true to size and width" but that means "true to Birkenstock size" (length is standard, but even the narrow is wider than most).