Customer Reviews Naot Santa Barbara

There are Birkenstock people, Mephisto people & Naot people. After trying the Santa Barbara I'm firmly in the Birkenstock Arizona (soft footbed) camp. I purchased the Naots because I wanted the java color with the gunmetal hardware. Birkenstock Arizona in brown shades have gold tone hardware. While the footbeds are comparable (with the Birkenstock Arizona soft footbed being a tad squishier), strap placement is very different. The front strap is placed farther back on the Santa Barbara and hits in an awkward place that make my super long toes look like fingers. It's not a good look. One practical thing that the Santa Barbaras have going for them over the Arizonas is more buckle holes for greater flexibility with width. But that couldn't save them for me because who wants to look like they have fingers for toes? Back to Zappos they go.

These are so popular, comfy as can be, and stylish. Great for wearing throughout the spring and summer. When I'm not wearing Uggs, I live in these shoes. NAOT is better than any other brand and by far more comfortable than Birkenstocks.

Very comfortable sandal - and super cute! Not as chunky or clunky looking as my other "molded footbed, deep heel cup, triple arch " sandals. Don't take this this the wrong way...I love my Birki's - but this sandal gives similar comfort and support and is much more fashionable!

I have always found Naots to be by far more comfortable than Birkenstocks. For me, the Birkenstock footbed just isn't wearable and it gives me blisters. I was excited to find this Naot style with the same look as Birks. They are definitely more comfortable than Birks -- with that said, they are less comfortable than the Naots I remember wearing in the 90s. There are parts of the footbed on this shoe that push up into the sole of my foot, which is the main thing I find uncomfortable about Birkenstocks. Unlike the reviewer who didn't like the buckle placement because it made her toes look like fingers, I really like how the Santa Barbara elongates my foot and makes the toes look a little longer. It is a generally flattering effect. These are kind of narrow. I have wide-ish feet and these fit me with both buckles on the largest hole. Overall, I like how they look and they feel a lot better than Birkenstocks. Plan to wear them a lot this summer.

I am a devoted Naot wearer; the pair this new pair was replacing was probably close to a decade old and still going strong -- I only bought a new pair because the old pair was a bit stained and the soles were wearing out. I have had Birkenstocks in the past and found that Naots are vastly superior due to the cushioning in the sole. While both have a breaking-in period, my Naots are comfortable from day one. The only reason I didn't give my new shoes five stars for comfort is that they're still a bit stiff. I knew when I bought them that they'd take a while to get more flexible, so I know the stiffness will go away eventually, but it means that I can't wear them for too long at the moment without getting some foot discomfort.

There are metal rivets on the inside of these shoes where the buckles attach. Within 10 seconds of putting them on, my little toes on both feet were screaming. Had I walked any further up the hall, I would have blisters. INSANE design flaw.

I loved the quality and comfort of these shoes. I’m a size 9, the 40 was too small however the 41 was perfect. Unfortunately the rivet on the buckle was like a cheese grater on my pinky toe and I had to return them.

Am new to shoes which are good to my feet. My first pair of Naot's were okay, so I thought I'd try a more versatile pair (sock wearing). These are perfect! There is nothing I don't like about these shoes. The color is fab, the fit is comfortable (I have flat feet so Birks are a no-go). . . just love them.

Still and uncomfortable straps. Classic Birkenstock style, but just enough different in fit, so as to be not suited to my feet.

I tried to break in a pair of similarly styled Birkenstocks for a month and nearly drove myself insane. I wear lots of Naot shoes and decided to see if their version of the classic sandal would be more comfortable - and the answer is YES!!!!! The foot bed was instantly easier on my feet and I'm not finding the same aching in my legs and hips that I got when I tried to break in the Birks. I think that these shoes do require some breaking in to mold to your foot completely, but it isn't such a tortuous process. I will reveal that I am closing in on 60 - my daughter who is 21 had no problem with her Birks (and, bonus, she inherited my "failed" pair).

I have been wearing Birk's and this shoe is comparable except for the lack of arch support. Nice shoe - just not for my feet.

I love my Naot Malibu’s in the cognac. Great fit for my foot with sort of even length toes and I love the anatomical footbed. Good for my Hallux Rigidus toe. Wanted to try this one, as it’s got the same footbed. But the buckles are pretty large and the toe end strap is uncomfortable. It’s possible the leather would soften but it doesn’t seem there’s any way for a metal buckle to soften any. So these are sadly going back. Love Zappos shipping and return policy! It makes trying brands easy for those of us with finicky problem feet!

I love these sandals, but regret that I need to return them. The sole is thick and is totally flat at the toe. Without any upward curvature of the sole, these sandals are a tripping hazard for me. I was needing to lift my feet awkwardly to avoid the toes catching on all surfaces.

I gave up on this brand. I ordered from 3 different online stores and had problems with all. Two pair came in noticeably different colors and stiffness of leather and the other had a big gouge on one strap. The softness of the footbed was not consistent from pair to pair either. Quality control is obviously lacking on the manufacturer's end; a big disappointment.

LOVE this sandal, it is adorable and super comfortable, BUT, a first for me and Naot, had to return the 40 for a 39 as they run large. I matched the sole of the larger (40) sandal with another years old sized 40 Naot sandal and sure enough they did not match up. I have a lot of Birkenstocks but am finding I like the footbed of the Naot sandals to be more comfortable.

Murphy's Law: you will return the shoes purchased using reward money. I own several (at least 5) pair of Naot and all fit true to size so I believed ordering these in my size using rewards was a sure thing. Wrong! They were too big length wise, holding them up to my other Naots proved this. I am so happy they had the next size down because these shoes are adorable!!! Super cute and comfortable and the next size down fits perfectly! Next time I have rewards I'll order socks lol.

These are cute shoes. I wanted to love them, but the raised edge on the outside edge of the hit my foot, making it uncomfortable. I have wide feet, so I thought this wider shoe would work. Sadly, no and I must return.

I bought these for walking around at the beach, because my feet need great support. I love almost all styles of Naot, this sandal, however, has a buckle the rubs my right foot (small toe). This is not my problem foot, which is my left pronating arthritic foot. Naot are so perfect for my arch support that I'm keeping them and solved it by putting some moleskin on the under side of the buckle.

These are super comfortable. After tightening the toe strap, it is a perfect fit. Unlike Berkenstocks, my toes don't slide off the end, so I am pleased with that. I gave styling 4 stars because these are so obviously for comfort and not styling. I like that look anyway.

As usual, NAOT has this designed this sandal to perfection. It is comfortable, simple, and provides excellent cushioning. I buy only NAOT whenever I can. Thank you NAOT!

Good supportive, super-casual sandal. Almost by definition, this type of sandal is clunky and frumpy but the printed milt-metallic leather and larger buckles makes this one a bit more interesting looking. The fit is great for me. I need a bit of room in the footbed across the forefoot and a longer strap to go over my high instep. These are wide enough but not like a true wide shoe and the adjustable buckled straps can accommodate a range of fit needs. I wear a size 6 in most choses and the 37 fits well without excess length at the front of back. For reference, a size 37 in Birkenstock is too long, and just too large overall.

Shoe is cute, slightly smaller than a Birkenstock (maybe a 1/4- 1/2 size smaller) Tiny bit more narrow than a Birkenstock. (I put felt too narrow but really it’s just a tiny bit more narrow than a birkenstock) But still wearable.

I'm a size 7 1/2 and the 38 fit great. The foot bed was so comfortable but some other reviewer pointed out the rivet in the buckle dug into her toe. This is happening to me too only on my right baby toe. I wonder if there's a hack for that. I certainly don't want to give myself any ugly permanent calluses...

These shoes have a Birkenstock foot bed which I do not like.

Great fit very comfortable