Customer Reviews Birkenstock Yara

I recently discovered that I need to go from a size 8 1/2 to size 9 in regular shoes, due to both "maturing" feet and use of custom orthotics. I had a pair of Birk Arizonas, but had stopped wearing them a few years back due to the flip-flop design slipping as I walked. After reading reviews, I decided to get a size 39 in the Yara and am pleased that I did - my right foot is closer to the edge, but not uncomfortably so, the sandal provides good arch support, and I really like the fact that the straps keep the sandal snug on my feet as I walk.

Loved the look but this style definitely runs big! All my others are 40 but these are just too big.

I'll start out by saying that, like others, I found the ankle straps to be way too short for my ankles. And no, I do not have cankles by any means! I was so disheartened because I seriously love the style and femininity of this model of Birks (I have always had Arizonas... going back to college 20+ years ago). I decided to risk my investment and stretch out the straps. Did a simple google search on stretching leather and soaked the straps ONLY in a big bowl of warm water about 15 minutes. Then just pulled on them, being careful not to pull where they are attached to the footbed. To my amazement, they stretched very easily and quickly. And when dried, they did not shrink back. Now they are loosely fitted around my ankle, sort of slouchy, like in the Zappos video. Now I LOVE my new Birks!

I have narrow ankles and the strap was not tight enough even at its tightest so they flopped when I walk. These also look cuter online. I think that people with an earthier style would love these but they're not for me, I'll be returning them.

The ankle strap is very long offering no stability. Had to return.

I like the look of these, and love the footbed, but they weren't as comfortable as I had hoped they would be. Something about the ankle straps and the way they feel when walking just didn't do it for me. I can't imagine walking any distance in them. I usually am an 8.5 - 9, but sized down to a 39, which was still a little large but close to the correct size.

Love the tobacco leather. Going back because the toe thing doesn’t feel right and the ankle strap is way way too long. Sticking with the Birk Cleo instead. (Birks are too pricy to keep both anyway)

Nice sandal but the ankle strap is extremely long.They run a little large as well.

I so wanted to love these!! The toe strap and ankle strap do make these stylish, but the flip side is comfort is compromised. Returned these and order the Floridas from another online store as Zappos is sold out. We shall see.

Too big, need to order smaller size.

Birkenstocks are great always and have not changed too much except for adding new styles. Just got a new pair and whoa!! My usual size was a full inch too long at the toes. Too bad, have to reorder a smaller size. The buckles on the straps seem to land in front of my ankle. I'm hoping the smaller size has shorter straps so they land in the right place. I do have skinny ankles though. Good quality, color of leather is slightly lighter than the picture. 4 stars because I really wanted to wear these right away!

My FIRST pair of Birkenstocks! Really liked the style of this pair, as they have a more "feminine" look about them. I've tried a few pairs on over the years and didn't care for the look, but I received many compliments on these the first time I wore them. Also, have a high-arch, so the traditional styles didn't feel right when I tried them on...these fit my arch! Have worn them a couple of times and found they are beginning to stretch, especially around the front/toe area, but that's okay, because they were a little stiff at first and the straps are adjustable to fit better! Have a tendency to blister with loose, "strappy" shoes, so will break them in a little at a time before taking them for an all-day excursion.

I love these shoes because of their comfort and style. I love the ankle wrap because I can walk or without worrying about the shoes falling off of my feet. The arch support is great; I can stand in these sandals all day comfortable. The only aspect of these shoes that I don't love is putting them on or taking them off. The ankle buckle is a little stubborn at first. It takes some practice getting the sandals on and off at first. When I originally tried the sandals on I was planning on returning them, because they were difficult to take off/on. After wearing them a couple of days I decided to keep them because I their style, comfort, and overall appeal. The ankle buckle has gotten easier the more I wear the shoes.

Great quality, cute and casual. They run long, size-wise.

I wanted to love these shoes, but the ankle strap was too short. I couldn't even get the first hole to connect. The foot bed and other straps fit well.

Beautiful shoes, super comfortable...and I have to return them because I apparently (and previously unknown to me) have ENORMOUS ANKLES. If I buckled the ankle strap on the last hole, it was still too tight to walk. I mean, I love Birks, but you'd think they'd know that if I'm wearing a size 40, I probably don't have teeny tiny ankles... So, back they go. I think a 41 would be too long so my dreams of a pretty and feminine Birki with an ankle strap will remain unfulfilled.

These shoes are so cute. When they first came I almost sent them back they were so uncomfortable. After reading others' experiences I decided to try to break them in. I read it can take three weeks. I am still in the process but they are so much better after just a week of wear. I followed others' advice and ordered a whole size down. I think maybe a half size down would be better but that wasn't an option.

These were cute and fit well (one size down from my normal shoe size), but the toe strap hurt. Maybe it would've gotten better in time, but I also ordered the daloa Birkenstocks too and those were immediately comfortable right out of the box, so I kept those. I also loved the thinner straps on the daloa. I would love to see the Yara done in a narrow width with thinner straps! I would buy them in a heartbeat!

These are very comfortable and cute on the feet. It takes me a little more time than I want to fasten the ankle buckle. But otherwise, I love them. They are good for casual wear.

I love this shoe-SO comfortable, great support, nice style. I am not sure what to do though; the leather turned my skin black after only wearing one evening. I will probably have to return them, but don't want to; they are so perfect in every other way. :-(

They must have made the straps shorter. I do have thicker ankles but the straps are way too tight. Hoping they will stretch out because I really love these sandals. Leather is amazing and the copper buckles beautiful.

When I realized that Birkenstocks were back in style for this season, I was so excited, because I used to love Birks as a kid. While I didn't want to re-visit the clunky double-strap version that I knew everyone would have, I opted instead for this ankle strap style that was a little different. I originally purchased a size 37 (I'm usually between a 6.5 and 7), but found these to be really large, and went down to a 36. Keep in mind that the color of the leather is not consistent from pair to pair. The first pair I got was a much more faded brown color, while the second pair was much deeper brown - closer to the color in the photo. As for fit and comfort level, the ankle straps take some getting used to, and I'm still trying to break them in. Once (if) the leather softens a bit, I think I'll be able to wear them all day. For now, I'm wearing them for only a few hours at a time because I'm afraid of cutting the skin in the front of my ankle. The thong section has not given me any problems. Overall, these are a well-made shoe and I expect them to last.

As much as I wanted to keep these stylish Birkenstocks, the ankle strap was way to big and I couldn't justify taking it to a shoe shop to fix it and spend more money so I returned it.

Wanted to love these, but had to return them. The toe bar on the right foot bothered me too much. My feet are not the exact same size, so that most likely was the problem. Very cute style though.