Customer Reviews Birkenstock Rio

Great sandals which have lasted my daughter a couple years and are still in great shape minus the bottoms are wearing down.

As the other reviews say, get the Narrow width, since it's the same as a regular width in other brands. This is my first time trying this brand and I wanted to like these because of the utilitarian look and reputation for comfort/quality. However, I found that these weren't adjustable enough for me. My foot didn't sit within the pre-molded sole (especially the toe line) and the ankle strap wasn't able to be tightened enough. It felt like the shoes flapped and rattled around on my feet while walking. I prefer a more secure fit for my shoes.

There is something about this shoe that did not add up for me. Not enough arch support, a bit clunky and a little too long. Honestly it drives me nuts when companies decide to 'improve' the line...usually means goodbye old reliable and hello funky new idea.

This is my first experience with Birkenstock. I've got some plantar fasciitis issues and love my Haflinger cork slippers, so I took the Birkenstock plunge. Meh, they're ok. Not particularly comfortable out of the box, but not uncomfortable. About a quarter size too big, but I believe that's normal for Birks. I bought this particular style because I need some sort of ankle strap and these fit the bill. The only thing that I'd change is to make the straps velcro instead of buckles so it would be a truly customized fit. Typical fabulous service and delivery from Zappos.

They fit and were comfortable right out of the box.

I was very excited to receive these stylish Birks. I ordered them based on the comments of others who are Birk lovers too. UNFORTUNATELY and totally MY fault I procrastinated breaking them in for our trip to Italy. Yes I tried them on upon their arrival 2 months before we were scheduled to leave and they fit perfectly like a charm-same as all my other pairs of Birks without an ankle straps. I set them aside in my closet not realizing I would need to GRADUALLY break them in because my feet had never "experienced" this style. I gave the style 4 stars because you may have the sense to break them in! Thankfully I ordered 2 pairs of SAS (Sorrento style) sandals with great support for sufferers of plantar fasciitis. They have a different strap system. Word to the wise DON'T WAIT to break in this style. They are great sandals but need extra break in time! I should have started the break in process immediately. AS an aside-I think Birkenstock (or Zappos ) should include in the box a HOW TO info booklet about breaking in every NEW pair of your even if you are a seasoned Birk customer. That would have made a big difference to me - I would have heeded the advice.

I liked them but decided to return to for a different color.

Fits perfectly but that is because I have other Birkenstocks and this pair are the same size 39 N. They are very light and comfortable for wearing in warm climates (which is where I'm going) and for long walks, etc. which I plan to do. Right now I'm not wearing them because it's 15 degrees outside and a little warmer inside but they will be my daily shoe in the summer. Perfect for vacation soon. Zappos is so prompt with mailing and so good with returns that I never hesitate to order there.

I have been searching endlessly for a shoe (boot, sandal, sneaker -- any shoe!) with excellent arch support. And here we are: the very best I have found so far. It's not the most beautiful shoe, but I need a backstrap on my shoes. Regardless of style, this receives 5 stars because of the support.

The fit and size are just like my other Birkenstocks and I love them. They will get much more wear when I go south this winter and probably daily during the summer months. Like the style a lot.

I was hopeful this will fit my WW feet, but that was not the case. Returning them.

I am a longtime Birkenstock wearer. I normally go for leather or suede, so I docked these 1 star because I wish they came in leather and not Birko-Flor. In search of Birks with an ankle strap that were not the ugly wide-strap ones and didn't have a toe loop, these came out the winner. They sort of look like saltwater sandals and are extremely comfortable right out of the box. They stay securely on my feet and don't flap around when I walk, and they have fantastic arch support. I'd love them to be offered in other color options because I think they could be really cute in a bright or metallic. Regardless of the color, these 36-year-old feet with plantar fasciitis are happy to be in a comfy shoe. My mom (57) also bought the same ones on her own—great minds think alike. In terms of fit, I normally wear a 9.5 regular width in normal shoes (10.5 in athletic shoes), and I got the 40 regular width. I tried the narrows and they were too pinchy at the side of the toes.

These have served me well so far. Walked all over Israel with these on, no sore feet or blisters. Now I am hoping the soles hold up like my Birkenstocks of the past and not wear out quickly like my more recent purchases. Time will tell.

Because the back side of the strap does not adjust, the fit seems 1/2 size too small. Comfortable, so trying size larger.

Review not for shoes themselves. Excited to receive these Birkenstocks, however, when I opened the box, it was evident that these had been worn. Foot/toe marks already imprinted onto the shoe. Disappointed, but no problem returning them. Maybe next time.

Really? Birkenstock thinks a woman's foot will fit a man's sandal? Searching for sandals for flat feet, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, etc. Very disappointed. Even purchased narrow and although heel fit ok the toe area was way too wide. I had a full 1.5 inches to the left of my big toe and felt like I was wearing clown shoes. Going down a size would make the shoe too short. These came highly recommended. Don't know why these companies insist on forcing women to wear men's stuff when the last is all wrong.

very big. It is definitely not a 7 - 7.5 women size

This is my third pair of Birkenstock sandals - (the other two were retired after long, well-traveled lives). The Rio style is simple but flattering, and I like having the ankle strap for extra support. They work as well with jeans as they do with summer dresses. You simply cannot beat Birkenstocks for fit, comfort, and quality workmanship. Love them!

I have been wearing these everyday for weeks, and no longer am experiencing the foot or knee issues that I was earlier in the summer. They look great with dresses and feel good on hikes up a grassy mountainside. The most practical, versatile shoe I have had for awhile. I wish I would have tried one size smaller, because my toe sort of slips behind the toe indentation on my left foot, but this doesn't bother me now that they are broken in.

This has been a wonderful sandal for my son. He has a lot of problems with his toes and this sandal allows plenty of air to get to his feet while holding his foot securely. These kinds of styles are harder to find for guys so I was very happy that the Rio comes in black because that's a great color for him. It's also a very durable sandal. He wore it all last summer and it is still is in great shape. I will keep ordering this shoe for him so please continue carrying it. Thank you.

Cant make more holes in the ankle strap because it is not straight! It has an angle to it! Returned due to this

If you know your regular footbed Birkenstock size, then you know your Birkenstock Rio size. I’ve been looking at these for a few summers, but already have the Milano’s & am really trying to “capsule” my shoe wardrobe, so didn’t click “purchase” til this summer. I’m so glad I did! The Milano’s look cute on my feet, but the Rio’s are so much more feminine that it really shows just how truly unisex the Milano’s are comparatively. The only thing that would take this shoe from a 9 to a 10 would be if the decorative river on the back strap were an actual snap. That would make them a shoe I could put on while standing. As-is, I have to sit to buckle them on which is a bit of a PITA. Still love them though, for comfort & style :)

I really wanted to like the Rio and was hoping they would be comfortable right away. I put them on and the foot bed felt a little too narrow. Also, the rim around the edge got in my way. The shoes fit my length correctly but my toes must’ve laid strange because my toenails kept rubbing it. I feel like these things might have been resolved by breaking them in but I am unwilling to pay $105 dollars for shoes I can’t even wear right away. I got the rio because they have a strap behind the heel, which I need. I wish you made more women’s models with heel straps. I could only find 2 on Zappos.

I have 41 in Salina and other Birkenstock sandals with no back strap. In Rio, my toes end up too close to the front edge, so I will need to go up to 42.

I normally wear a 7, 7 1/2 but in this shoe the 37 worked. I have capsulitis in my left foot, 2nd metatarsal and found the sole to be too hard. Also, because the sole is stiff it tends to pull on the ankle strap with every step which will eventually cause a blister which is why I had to return the Yara style. I really wanted to be able to wear a Birkenstock but with the capsulitis they won't work for my feet so I had to return them.