Customer Reviews Birkenstock Gizeh Soft Footbed - Nubuck Leather

I've been a Birk wearer for years, and have owned many styles. I was looking for a more feminine sandal to wear this summer that was neutral colored, so when I saw this I had to get it! The metallic copper color is not tacky at all...looks like a soft muted rose gold when on. Great neutral, goes with everything. I ordered it in a 37 regular. I'm exactly between a 37 and 38 in Birks, have tried both over the years, and the size I buy ultimately depends on the Birk style (38 in clogs, 37 in sandals). I have measured my foot on their foot scale and I'm a 245. So my toes and heels pretty much hit end to end in a 37, but I don't step over at all or spill out. In a 38 sandal I have more room but my feet don't hit the definition of the insole quite right...a bit TOO long (but in clogs, soft insole, they are perfect for some reason). I tend to have narrow-ish feet, and can wear narrows in Birks as well - yet I also have some regulars that feel great...so again, wasn't sure how these would fit since they only came in regular when I purchased them. The regular in these are a tad narrower than the regular ones I have in another style...which is interesting. But they aren't quite as narrow as the narrow ones I own. So if you have average feet they should fit...but if you need wide shoes they may feel a little snug! As with any Birks, they require a break in period before they feel like a dream. I'll admit, when I first tried these they were SO tight in the toe post area (it felt short in height, like the post top and leather was digging into the top of my toes) that I thought about sending them back. But the length and the width felt perfect, and I knew with the stiff leather they would need more time to soften up. I've had them about two weeks now and while they still feel tight in the toe area, it's getting better with each wear. I've got two other pairs of gizeh sandals (different material) and they don't hurt my toes, so I know these will eventually get there...just thick, stiff leather on these! I've also become a convert to the soft footbed. I have both the soft and the original in my closet already, but I find that I can wear the soft footbed all day and not feel any fatigue. I do eventually feel foot fatigue in the regular if worn all day. I'll warn you that at first the definition of the insoles (in the soft) doesn't feel as pronounced...so you may feel the arch support and all isn't as good. But that is due to the layer of latex foam that's in there...kind of masks the original cork footbed underneath a bit! Once you wear them for a bit they will mold to your feet just like the regular footbed does, and then you'll feel the definition of the insole better. AND you'll have a bit of cushion for your step where you need it. Sorry for the long review, but if you're like me and struggle with sizing (length and width), hopefully this can help. :)

I wanted to love these (ordered the rose gold)..but I think the metallic /patent makes the leather stiff and dug into top of my foot.. Had to return. Will be looking at getting my old softer leather top (boring brown).

Love these Birks! These are real leather uppers. As with every pair of Birkenstocks I have owned, they need to be broken in. They always feel a little stiff on top, and bumpy on the bottom. It only took a few wears, and they feel as though they were made for me. I got these in April and they look fantastic in August. Also, if you purchase, be prepared for lots of compliments.

I buy a pair of Birkenstock Gizehs every couple of years (I know I can get the footbed replaced, but I often find the leather needs a bit of a refreshment, too). I wear them on our annual Disney trips in the spring and will wear them almost nonstop throughout the summer - they go as well with shorts and a tee as they do with a casual sundress. I have never had the soft footbed and now I can’t go back! These didn’t need any break-in time compared to the regular footbed. I loved the silver, but after a few months of continuous wear, the silver wore off a bit in places leaving a dull gray. It doesn’t look terrible, but I do feel like they’ll need replacement earlier than normal. I can’t recommend my favorite shoe enough. It’s a summer staple!

Absolutely fabulous, got these babies today, the copper metallic is very nice, footbed is very spongy, making for a comfortable wear. Birkenstock tends to run small, so ladies, do size up one whole size. Very pleased with this sandal and the exceptional service Zappos continue to bring.

Love that the soft footbed has been added to the Gizeh. The toe post also seems to have been updated with more comfort features and didn't require a break-in period. Color is on trend!

At 66 years of age I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I ordered 3 different styles and these were the best. I tried, I really did but they are just so uncomfortable. I would give them time to break in but I am also worried about reviews that say the metallic color wears off. For this amount of money and effort, I need something more durable. Size 38 seemed to fit, my usual 7 1/2. Pushed into the arch area to the point of me being too conscious of it. I guess they are just not for me.

These shoes were horrible. After just a few wears they grey leather got wrinkled and very worn. I reached out to Zappos and they sent me a new pair but unfortunately it did the same thing. I just don’t think they should look like I had them for years when in reality only a few weeks at this price point.

I really loved the style of “Gizeh”. The fit was wonderful and had plenty of support. Nice leather & the color of “Rose Blush” is a beautiful neutral. I found there us a a little break in needed to get used to wearing Birkenstocks. I hardily recommend them.

Super cute and I know from past experience that they will be incredibly comfortable once they break in. The footbed feels good now, of course, though the soft footbed feels like the arch is a little less high than the regular footbed - it was helpful that another reviewer had had both and said it would eventually feel the same. I love the pink color - it's fun and pretty but muted enough that it should function as a neutral. I also really like the black thong piece with the gold detail - I wasn't expecting to be into that, but it looks really good. In the past, I had the Birkoflor Gizeh and after a long time, the fact that the upper couldn't stretch became a problem for me. That's why I opted for a leather and chose the nubuck option since it is so much softer and easier to break in. Can't wait for the Spring weather to really kick in so I can wear these out of the house!

Love this style of Birks wish they had more like this in the soft footbed which is the only style I can wear

I LOVE these shoes. I wear them with anything and everything, they are so versatile and I get compliments on them all the time. At first, they seemed too tight around the toe post but, per another reviewer's recommendation, I wore them a few days and the footbed formed to my feet and they fit perfectly now.

I am not sure if this is normal, but the soft Footed seems to fit smaller. I will need to order a size up- from regular.

This is my first pair of Birkenstocks with the soft footbed and I am a fan! Sizing was the same as my other Gizeh styles. Looking forward to seeing how this style holds up!

This color is gorgeous in person and goes perfectly with Spring and Summer outfits. I love that you can dress these shoes up and down depending on where you are going! The arch support is great, I'm on my feet all day and at the end of my work day my feet never hurt or feel tired. I have also gotten several compliments on them since I have gotten them. Not only are they super comfortable they are stylish. Love these!

Please get these in size 35! They are so adorable but I have a small foot and size 36 is too big!

I was really unsure and kept hesitating about the white bottom of this Birkenstock, but it looks so cute on! I am a total convert to the soft footbed - I took my usual 40 in size.

As always, Birkenstock comes through as expected...great design, updated look, perfect comfort. The foot bed feels narrow and not so clunky which suits my somewhat narrow size 9.5 foot. I am looking forward to wearing this with shorts, jeans, cute dresses. The shiny silver is a great addition to my shoe collection.

Recently I realized I have plantar fasciitis. I was looking everywhere for a pair of shoes that would be comfortable and look cute. Huge fan of Metallics. Everyone told me that they would be uncomfortable at first but would later become my favorite sandals. Low and behold it's been over a week and I'm starting to feel the comfort settling in. I wear an 8.5 shoe typically but I ended up sticking with the 39's. The width of my foot is average but with the buckle it seems like this shoe would be very accommodating to wider feet. I think they run big in length. The only thing I would change is the white sole. I'm just hoping it's not going to be something I have to maintain cleaning often. Otherwise I might color it in with a brown sharpie, maybe. Anyway, they are fantastic. I love them!

Narrow fits regular feet size. Soft foot bed is amazing! Love the rose gold colored look! Very comfortable

Good fit for my wide feet. The thong just gave me a blister so needed band aids to wear it in.

These are gorgeous! I started wearing Birk's a few years ago when foot issues required more supportive sandals than flip flops. These are by far the least Birkenstock-y looking pair I have purchased. The metallic is perfect, not too harsh, not glittery, not cheap looking. I was worried about the white bottom, but in person I really like it. My only complaint is the soft foot bed. This is my first pair with the SFB, and so I am not sure if they always feel like this or its just my pair specifically, but its tight in the toe box, like there needs to be a little more length in the toe piece. So where the toe piece connects to the leather upper, it feels very snug on my toes and the second toe kind of splays out into the third toe when I walk. I don't have this issue with my other, original footbed Gizeh's. I was planning on returning them for this reason but I loved the look so much I came back and read the reviews to see if this was an issue for anyone else. I found one prior that mentioned a similar complaint and she said it gets better with some breaking in. So I have been wearing mine around the house and I do see some improvement. The SFB is really comfortable otherwise, and I love the look, just hoping they continue to loosen up in the toe box.

The plastic toe post is very uncomfortable. It needs to be leather for comfortable break in.

I love the softer footbed, but the leather between and above my toes was so stiff, sharp and painful! I couldn't see wearing them long enough to break in...there would be blood on the leather and they'd be ruined anyway! Keeping the birko-flor version. Much softer!

Upper is VERY stiff; cut into my big toes. I am so disappointed because I wanted to love these sandals. The soft footbed is the best, but, alas, they are going back.