Customer Reviews Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed - Birko-Flor™ (Unisex)

Sadly, decided to return them. I have happily worn Birkenstock before. Fast forward a few years and this time, was disappointed to realize how unforgiving the foot bed was. Coupled with the very stiff leather straps and I was in agony with every step. I really wanted these to work -- I thought about trying to break them in slowly but 1) worried about what that process would do to my feet and 2) was concerned that the stiff foot bed and the gait it might force would aggravate severe arthritis in both of my hips.

Too hard of a foot bed

I liked them but I’m having a lot of heel pain so I ended up going with a different style ( Milano ) that has a strap at heel. Felt true to size and accommodating with adjustments.

This style is just not right for me.

I really wanted these to work. They are cute and for the most part comfortable. The only problem is the little lip around the edge of the footbed. It rubs the top of my toes and I was concerned this would be an issue after wearing for any more than a quick trip around the house. A size up would likely be too big overall so back they went as with the other Birks I tried.

The improvement in cushioning was immediately apparent from the standard Birkenstock footbed. Really wanted to love and keep this, but this particular style was not made for my very long, but low-volume feet-- even at the tightest setting on both buckles, it felt too roomy and large

I tried to like these Birks. My first pair. I wore them for a week. I should say, they wore me. The foot problem I had been having flared up.Ouch! I bought the Silver ones. Really cute and feminine . Sadly I had to send them back

Typically I wear a 8.5W in a closed shoe but a sandal in 8M or 8.5M, depending on the style, is usually fine. This sandal in 39 Narrow (8-8.5) fit fine in length and width, except for my right big toe that was rubbing on the edge of the sandal. The other problem I had with this is that, to me, the footbed was anything but soft. I don't know what's going on with this brand lately but I had a soft footbed sandal some years ago that was very comfortable -- I could definitely feel the difference between the soft footbed and the regular one, which I used to wear when I was younger. However, the "soft footbed" styles I have tried last year and this year feel just as hard as the regular footbed to me and my lower back starts to hurt after only wearing them a short time in the house. I was disappointed to have to return these and my search will continue for a comfortable sandal with a decent amount of cushioning, although I am definitely not a fan of excessive use of memory foam. Thanks, Zappos, for your free and easy return policy.

I've worn the same size Birks for decades. The fit, until now, has always been the same, with minor variations between the different styles. I ordered these with the new soft footbed expecting the same. I ordered my usual Regular width, despite all the info recommending the narrow width as fitting most women. The Regular width of this sandal is almost a 1/2 inch narrower in the heel than my old birk, measured by putting the two sandals up against each other. The soft footbed fit is much more narrow from the midfoot to the heel. Although the Birkenstock customer service rep told me the last of the shoe had not changed, my comparison shows this is not true. They suggested the shoe had been mismarked as a regular, and was in fact a narrow. Zappos wonderful customer service rep processed an exchange with the same size, but the results were the same. I am guessing that the regular width would have been the old narrow width, and unfortunately they do not offer this soft footbed arizona in a wide width. Most other reviewers seem to like the new widths, but I wanted to warn long time birkenstock wearers like myself about the new width sizing......

I wanted to love these. Even with the soft footbed they were too hard. I tried wearing just briefly around the house twice and three days later my soles still ache. Maybe a younger foot with more padding would work better.

I have narrow feet so they were too wide and bulky for my feet, so I can’t give a true review.

Wanted to try Birkenstock's because everyone seems to be wearing them, swearing by them and loving them. I loved the arch support. Plenty of room for the toes to stretch out and wiggle. That's the good news. The cons for me: even the soft foot bed was not cushy enough for me but that's my person problem with all shoes. To me, no style, they are just clunky looking.

I ordered a 9, 91/2 Narrow size. I wear a 9 1/2 Narrow. It was too short. Sent them back and haven't reordered yet.

I have narrow feet, but the narrow size was extremely narrow. I couldn't even get my foot in the sandal!

Due to all the reviews saying they run large, and since I have a relatively narrow foot, I ordered one size down, in narrow. They were too small. Both in length and width. I then ordered my regular size, in regular width. The footbed was then the correct size, but the straps were so big I had to punch additional holes in order to snug them enough to fit. Then they looked a little goofy as the excess strap was a kinda long. But they’re comfy (after a breaking in period) and I need them so I guess I’m keeping them.

I really wanted these to work as they are really cute but I had an issue with the sole. They felt like I was crushing tiny air bubbles when I walked. Was very annoying. I walked around a bit in the house hoping the sole would break in but unfortunately it didn’t make a difference so I am returning them. Will try a different pair. As for the size, contrary to what some review say, I found them to be true to size, I am a 7.5-8 and the 39 was perfect.

Way too narrow for my wide foot. The toe box was wide enough but the middle was not. The inside edge of the sole felt hard and sharp against my foot. I was also disappointed when I realized that the upper is not leather. It does say so when you read all the product info but it wasn't obvious to me right away.

I wanted these too work. Returning for suede. seemed stiff. love zaps

I gave it a shot. Sent them back. Problem: no back strap on this version. I am used to Teva's for years and years and decided to give Birk's a try due to my worsening metatarsalgia, which these are known to help with. The lack of back strap for me was a deal breaker, a very uncomfortable feeling of non-stability on an otherwise very comfortable fit, even with them tightened correctly to my feet. The soles are great for me I admit and super comfy. I might give the 3 strap version a try and see if they are more stable to walk with. I'm sure they will be different from these. The wide width is perfect for people who take an E or EE like myself and the overall size was true to size for me. A word about the Birko-Flor material, it was very comfortable but it looks cheap. I wanted to be more green in my choice so i went with this version instead of leather. Not sure which is more green though now, plastic or leather. They both don't sit well with me. If you are not used to slip-ons of any kind, I would stay clear of this model and go for the more expensive 3 strap one first and see how that suits you. Thanks to Zappo's return policy one can try both worry free.

The suede Arizona's I already have accommodate my feet swelling perfect but the birko flor sandal straps are shorter than the suede and most likely will not stretch like the suede. I just wanted a Birk that was easier to maintain.

I have another pair of soft footbed arizona birkenstocks that are leather and I actually prefer these because they are softer on my foot and required no breaking in, not sure what these straps are made of but more comfortable, wish they came in other colors.

These arrived, but no box. I question the authenticity.

My foot is narrow and they looked to clunky for me. Have the Gizeh sandal and love them so ordered another pair in black patent.

Comments recommended buying narrow for a a regular woman's foot - it was too narrow for me. I think the regular width is truly more standard.

This is a follow up to my review on 13 July... I have since found out that there is a difference between women's width and unisex width! The style I ordered was a 40 regular in women's width, which is more narrow than the unisex regular, hence why the size I have been wearing for over 20 years did not fit my heel! What a shame, as I am even more limited now to colors due to only being able order unisex sizes / and unisex widths, so no colors choices (like green, silver or blue etc...) other than browns and blacks, which I was ready for a change from.