Customer Reviews Birkenstock Rio

I buy Birks because they are almost the only brand that are wide enough for my nominally Men's 8.5 (US) length feet without going a size larger. My previous Birks have had the problem of instability: shifting around on my feet at a comfortable strap tightness too much for driving or extended outdoor urban walking. The Rios haven't had that issue AT ALL, to the point that I haven't had to buy my usual too-long walking/driving shoes since getting them. BUT: If you have not previously bought Birks and have wide feet, try going a half-size down and "regular" width, or you'll be using Zappo's generous return policy.

I was looking for a pair of Birks with a strap on them because I planned on backpacking and walking around all summer. I originally wanted the Milano style, but they were out of stock, so I purchased the Rio style instead. I am so glad I did! I own several pairs of Birks and this was my fourth pair, so I knew what size and fit to get. These fit traditionally like every other pair I have and provide excellent support. I walked around my campus, St. Louis, Toronto, and Boston for weeks and the only part of me that didn't hurt was my feet! I walked over eight miles on the Freedom Trail in Boston in these shoes and didn't have one issue with them. The straps are flexible and very easy to break in, as is the bed. Besides my Arizona's (I own Florida and Mayari as well), these are my favorite Birks to date. Highly recommend to anyone looking to walk long distances or to be on their feet for extended lengths of time.

I bought these because of arch issues (turns out I had plantar fasciitis) and they've been great for my feet.

I can't believe these are a 39. Either I'm wearing the wrong size or these run big.

I'm a die-hard fan of Birkenstocks-- They fit my wide feet and have good support. I wore my Gizeh's till they were ready to fall apart and needed to replace them. The Rio is work-appropriate and slightly more dressy than most Birks, in my opinion. Plus the straps fit my thick ankles and high instep, so that's a plus. I've barely had to break these in, much less so than other pairs I've owned, as well.

Runs very big! I had to send back to go down another size, after ordering a size smaller than usual. And even now, I think I could still go down a half size.

I wear a 7 and ordered the 37. The shoes fit great and are very comfy. I am 41 and decided to embrace the Birk. I am glad I did. They are wearing well in the AZ heat!

These are my favorite "Birks" to wear barefoot. I have a narrow men's foot, so the narrow width is perfect. I order all birks one size lower (size 42 = 9) than my US shoe size (size 10). I have custom orthotics, but as with all Birkenstocks, I don't need them when I wear this sandal. Arch and metatarcil support is excellent, the deep heel also holds my foot in place. These Rio sandals have a hinge on the back, so the easiest way to slide them on is pull them over your foot, then pull back on the arch strap, then be sure the back heel strap is straight and it will slide right up. Bingo! I wear these as much as possible, especially in warm weather. The triple straps keep the foot bead firmly in position as you walk.

I am very glad I read the reviews here before purchasing my first ever pair of Birkenstocks because their sizing advice was spot on. I usually wear Women's size 9.0-9.5 in wide-width but I followed the advice to size down one size and found that the size 39 in Regular width fits me near perfectly. I say near perfectly because although there is a comfortable amount of space between my toes and the toe bar, my very wide (duck-like) feet leaves no room left width-wise. My feet isn't spilling over but it's definitely a snug fit. Despite the snug fit in terms of width, I found that the Birkenstock Rio was pretty comfortable right out of the box. The straps are thick but doesn't rub my feet painfully and I love that the back strap helps anchor my feet. I am still getting used to the feel of the flatbed which is a little firm for me but I am really loving my Birkenstock Rio experience overall.

I have wanted a pair of Birkenstocks for years but couldn't keep them on my feet. So I was thrilled to see a pair with a backstrap. Alas! Birkenstocks and I were just never meant to be. I have friends who wear nothing else spring through summer.

Comfortable but leave marks on our wood floors. Not happy with them. Old Birkenstock shoes did not have thos problem.

After exchanging a traditional double strap pair of Birkenstocks for these I was very excited to find that the ankle strap fit around my ankle brace and I was even able to buckle the buckle... However with there being a break in time to mold to your feet I can not justify the price to take a chance, I do believe they are a very well made sandal and the foot bed lining was very comfortable, sounds crazy but I will stick to my lesser expensive sanuk loafers comfortable right from the start no wait time. I usually wear a 10 in womens and had to order a 39 in these and the size fit perfect

I purchased these for my husband who was experiencing severe leg pain. After an extensive workup failed to reveal any medical problems, he started wearing these Birkenstocks and, like magic, the pain disappeared. Apparently, all he needed was arch support, and these sandals provided that. The sandals also met with the approval of his podiatrist. I think they are an excellent product.

Nice sandals. They have good support and are easy to adjust to fit the foot. They also look nice.

Roommate love these she wear them all the time !

too big; will consider smaller size or different style

I like how these have a little bit of personality to them. Their not like the Arizona style ; which everyone has, they have a little personality to them which makes me like them even more.

As a twenty-something with terrible feet these shoes were exactly what I needed! Cute enough that I can make them business casual while having a thick sole and rear foot control with the strap. I love my Chaco sandals for everyday wear, but after these Birkenstocks I'm definitely sticking to them as my work shoe of choice. Much more comfortable and supportive than the leather Chacos I've bought. If you have a sesamoid injury or need limited movement in your big toe joint these shoes will serve you well. The only issue I've had is that they feel a little narrow as I typically wear a women's size 12 and these are 11s. I'm sure they'll feel more comfortable after a little breaking in though.

I have wide problematic feet: bunions and plantar fasciitis. This shoe would have been very comfortable in regards to the PF. It was comfortable on my right foot, but did not work for the bunion on my left foot. A good product that I will sadly have to return.

I love Birkenstocks! I have had plantar fasciitis, and use Birkenstock inserts in all of my shoes to help support my high arches. I have several pair of Arizona, but wanted a somewhat dressier version with an ankle strap. These are fantastic. Although I sometimes buy a wide in other shoes, I bought both the regular and narrow widths to try with this style. The narrow was perfect. So these do run wide. I've read some reviews that say this style can be unsnapped from behind so you don't have to buckle the ankle strap every time you put on the shoes. Not so with my pair. But the buckle is very easy to work with. Love these sandals. Wore for hours walking around right out of the box!

Love the ankle strap- they won't come off while walking! These fit perfectly after a day or two of breaking them in and they're also really cute.

AHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...................... :-) Need I say more? :-) Opened the Rio - adjusted the buckles and what a relief!! Great sandal! Love the fact that it comes in the Women's Narrow --- (it just fits my foot better than the Unisex Narrow). Has that feminine look with the more narrow straps - nice to have a back strap for a change when you know you just need that extra bit of stability (walking hills, etc). Very flexible footbed. Try these ---- I think you will really like them. I am excited for the warmer weather for sure! I have been having issues with my right instep and have tried so many shoes (Thank you Zappos!) - the Birks just fill the bill for me. I actually placed an order for the Sarnia so I have a boot also until Spring arrives for sure.

I'm like Goldilocks when it comes to shoes, even with Birkenstocks. The Birkenstock summer shoes that I've tried had too soft of a footbed, or a thong that pushed my bunioned big toe too far to the side, or a strap around the big toe that held it in place while the other toes moved, aggravating my bunion more, or there was no ankle strap which made the shoe not "move" with my foot, causing great arch pain... but the Rios are (almost) just right. They are very cute, probably the most feminine Birkenstock sandal I've seen, looking almost like a "regular" sandal, and have an ankle strap that would make me feel comfortable running in them (if I had to) without fear of the shoe flying off. I can adjust the front straps so that they don't rub my bunions, which is great. The one complaint I have is that they are not leather. If Birkenstock could make a Rio in leather for the US market, they would be perfect. But they are still a 5-star sandal to me.