Customer Reviews Birkenstock Milano - Oiled Leather (Unisex)

I've been wearing Birkenstocks for over 20 years now, although I'd never tried this style. What I wanted was a pair that I could wear with socks, that wouldn't slip around on my feet too much. I used to have the Bostons, and now have a clog pair like that, but, when I wear socks with them, I just don't like walking in them very much. I figured these might be better, since they have extra straps. So I put them on yesterday, and I just did not want to take them off. Figured that was a good sign that I should keep them. I've only done a little bit of walking around on the street with them, but so far, so good. I am a bit embarrassed about wearing socks with sandals, but oh well -- I like comfort. I did get the sandals in black so they'd match my socks. I do think that without socks, however, the straps on these would rub on my feet too much.

The Milano is a great sandal for walking because the heel strap prevents the sandal sliding off your foot when you are walking fast. The heel strap requires a more exact fit than open styles such as the Arizona...get too short a size and the heel straps will irritate your feet. In American shoes, I wear a men’s 10.5 length with an average width. Most of my Birks are a size 43, regular footbed, regular width. Two weeks ago, I got a pair of Milanos with the soft footbed in a 43 regular width. The soft footbed provided a snug fit. Loosening the heel strap reduced heel irritation. My new pair have the regular footbed. I moved up one size to a size 44, but in the narrow width. The narrow width provides a snug fit similar to the soft footbed in a regular width. The added quarter inch of length eliminates the pressure from the heel strap. Bottom line: Don’t assume that your best Arizona size will be your best Milano size. Dialing in your best size greatly increases comfort.

Overall comfort is excellent, my only problem was the side bone of the foot (midway back on the foot) became so irritated that I was not able to wear the shoe. The footbed needs to be widened slightly. I love the comfort of the show and am sick that I cannot wear them.

I bought my first pair of these in Germany in 1988 and wore them until they fell off my feet about 10 years later. I don't know why I waited so long to buy a second pair. They are just as comfortable and fun as I remember!

Love my new black Birkenstocks. true to size and very comfortable. Zappos makes it easy -- free shipping and free returns! Wouldn't order from anyplace else.

Always perfect. It's the ONLY shoe my husband wears and has been for nearly 20 years.

I find it difficult to select the right size for me in Birkenstock sandals and shoes. I’ve read all the size tips on the internet but still have problems. My normal shoe size is 8.5 and 9 in running shoe. In the past I ordered a size 40 in the Arizona men’s sandal Which I have worn for years. This time I took the advice of another reviewer and went up a size to 41. The fit with the third strap in the back is great. My foot doesn’t slide forward anymore and the arches seem to be in the right places. The strap in the back seems to make a world of difference. Sandals stay on better too. Will be ordering another pair of Milanos. Wish they had more color options.

I’m a 6.5 but know Birkenstock’s run a bit wide so at first I ordered a 36 which fit my width but my toes hit the front guard. I returned for a 37 & although they are a bit wider than I would normally wear, the length is perfect & the looser fit is actually very comfortable.

Watch sizes. They're way too big for what they list. This is the second time I've done this. For example, I'm a size 7-1/2 and so I ordered a 38. They're huge. I should have ordered a 37.

These are second pair of these sandals. I had my first pair for several years. Great shoes. When I bought my first pair in a store years ago, the salesperson told me, that for the first week, only wear them less than three hours a day until your foot conforms to the heel material. So you may notice a little discomfort at first. After that, you can wear them as much as you want.

I love Birkenstocks and have been wearing them since the early 1970s, I own a dozen pair, and since retiring I wear Birks 90% of the time and I have certain pairs I only wear indoors. But these are the first I tired that have back straps and after trying them on I could tell I would not enjoy wearing them, in part because of the hassle of having to buckle and unbuckle straps to get them on and off (forcing my huge feet over the strap didn't seem a viable option), and in part because the strap buckles tended to rub my ankles (I tried different strap adjustments to see if it would make a difference and it didn't). Other than that they are beautiful Birkenstocks, but now I know that I can only handle Birks I can easily slip on and off. Zappos made it very easy to exchange these for a different pair (with no back straps).

The Milano oiled leather sandals in a regular width with the original firm footbed were slightly too wide for my average width guy's feet. I next got a pair with the soft footbed. The added layer of foam of the soft footbed provides a snug and comfortable fit. I wanted Milanos for long walks because my Arizona sandals slip while walking fast. To get a secure fit I pulled the toe strap, ankle strap and heel strap quite tight. The Milanos were VERY painful to wear on a long walk with tight straps. I later read a Zappos review that said loose fitting straps provide better comfort. So now my toe strap is only semi-snug, the ankle strap is moderately loose and the heel strap very loose. Now my Milanos are comfortable on long walks. And, the heel strap still keeps them securely on my feet. Bonus: having the heel strap loose lets me slip on my Milanos without unfastening and refastening a strap. If you are new to Birkenstocks with a guy's medium width foot, the regular width soft footbed provides both comfort and a good fit. But, if your feet are already well adjusted to the high Birkenstock arch support or if you are a guy with a wider foot, you would prefer the original firm footbed in the regular width.

Love them??

Excellent shoe. From a woman's perspective, since this is a unisex style, I originally ordered the Gizeh style (in a 38) but the regular size footbed was too narrow and short for me. The same size (38) in the Milano is perfect. The regular width comfortably suits my wide width sole without any discomfort at all. The length is also just right. The 38 is perfect for my 7 1/2 foot. This does allow for a bit of space in the front and back, which I understand are how Birkenstocks should fit. There is a difference in sizing between the Milano and the Gizeh for women. Comparing this pair to my husband's old Milanos, the leather also seems to be thicker.

Zappos is great and carry the name brands people rely on. The purchase I made of the Birkenstocks were true to size and look from the site.

This is a classic sandal and never disappoints. I bought this pair for a recent trip to Florida and of course living in Buffalo in November isn't exactly the time of year for sandals. However, after a short break in period, they molded my feet nicely. Highly recommended!

I have worn Bass Sandals for years and I can't find them anymore. The last pair I bought were Bass ADEN 1230-266 are they still available (I prefer the type without the elastic on the heel).

Well made sandal. Runs very big for size. Even after exchanging for a smaller size I needed to make an extra hole in the strap to be able to buckle up tighter in order to deal with the size discrepancy.

I've owned these for a year and - just ordered another pair. I have one issue with them and - that's that they fit bigger than the size indicates. I lived with mine one size too large for the year which wasn't a big deal till recently as I don't mind them fitting a bit loose. However - the straps have stretched enough now that it's a bit of a pain. So - I ordered a new pair (one size smaller of course). Comfort wise they're great. Very durable. I've got them wet several times and - though they don't dry quickly - they do dry well. The straps don't get all dry and warped...and the soles maintain their cushion. I like them - they're easy on the knees and lower back and - great for walking (probably more so if you order the correct size).

This is my 2nd pair of Milano’s in oiled leather, habana color. I also have a black leather pair with silver buckles. I absolutely love them! They are comfy, stylish, supportive and just everything. I’m a women’s 10.5 and the 41 (men’s size 8) fits me perfectly. Please don’t ever discontinue them!

I bought Arizona regular fit leather size 40 Birkenstock last year and it took a bit to break in, but oh how they're perfect now. I got a gift card and decided to try something different. I have several pairs of Chacos and like the back strap and decided to try the Milanos. They didn't have the color and size I needed so I put myself on the "notify me" when the size comes in. Luckily, I got an email the very next week that it was available. I'm sure it was a return and I'm totally ok with that! I LOVE them!! The leather is more stiff and I feel like they are slightly more narrow, which makes them perfect. I tried the soft footbed and didn't prefer it, since I was use to the original. Glad I got the regular Milanos. I'm a very firm size 9. Running shoes usually a 9.5, but everything else is a 9. Birkenstock size 40 is my jam. Even in these unisex regular footbed Milanos. Great purchase that I'm hoping will get many miles.

Having had a pair of these puppies before and loving them, I'll say that over all, this review is more of the same. I finally wore my old pair out after having them resoled multiple times. Finally they were really so used that I felt it was time to get a new pair. Same great quality as always and super comfortable. The "zero drop" is something I was used to from other shoes so it doesn't really register with me over all, but I find it pleasant to know I'm continuing in that vein. I only gave four stars for style because... I mean... come on... they're Birkies. Not exactly sexy but plenty comfortable and I can wear socks with them in the winter for just the right kind of foot temperature. One time I wore them in an arm wrestling competition (not kidding) and the emcee announced, "Here she comes ladies and gents, wearing socks with sandals..." I got second place to someone not wearing socks with sandals so these are probably a little too peace-loving for competitions, just FYI.

The size was great, but only because I knew to order down. I wear an American 7.5 and usually a 38 in European sizing; however in these I am a 37. I am a teacher and am on my feet all day, so I need excellent comfort and support. These do exactly what I need them to do. I hadn't tried this style ever before and am pleasantly surprised with the ease of fit; I am able to put them on without undoing the heel strap, but they still fit well. As of wearing them for the past two days, I've had practically no break-in discomfort, which is amazing. The area where strap crosses the instep was a little sore, but nothing awful. I also like that I can wear these with socks just for fun. These are not at all an attractive shoe, but that doesn't matter. Interestingly enough, Birkenstocks are wildly popular with the students at the high school where I teach, so that's kind of funny. I also recommend Mayari, Gizeh, and London styles, but I prefer the real leather straps to the synthetic Birko-flor or Birkibuc.

Everyone says Birkenstocks take some getting used to, and I certainly agree. Even though the little guide included with the sandals says they should be worn more loosely than normal shoes, I tightened up the straps when I first wore them for a walk, and promptly hurt the top of my foot with the front strap. Once I followed instructions and loosened everything up one hole wider, the Birk's fit well and became much more comfortable. I am still not fully comfortable in my Birks, but I am getting there!

Most comfortable shoes I own. After the initial break-in period (usually 2-3 days), these will conform to your foot and be the most comfortable shoes you own. Had a pair of these that lasted for 6 years, and finally had to break down and buy another pair. As long as you take care of the cork, you will have years of comfort.