Customer Reviews Birkenstock Sarnia

I'm so sad that I could not even get these boots on my feet. They are beautiful, but have a weird size zipper that opens on the side but does not go up to the top of the shaft! I literally could not get my foot in them but if I could have it seemed as if they would fit if I could have. I wear a size 41R in all sorts of Birkenstock clogs, shoes and sandals. My feet just could not fit into the top of the boot.

I was so excited to see a Birkenstock boot. Having morton's neuroma makes it hard to find a boot that works for me. This boot may have worked if I could only get my foot into it. There is a zipper, but it only goes part way up the ankle, which doesn't help. Sending these back and going to keep looking.

I love these.I have all kinds of foot problems, from an impinged ankle to a rigid big toe, and recently, a slightly torn plantar fascia, and despite all this, these boots are quite comfortable. They're also really cute, My husband, who rarely complements my comfortable shoes remarked on how cute these looked! They don't have as much support as a Birkinstock sandal, but they have more than almost any other little boots I've tried. I'm considering purchasing a second color as well

I don't get the reviews saying people can't get them on. I have wide feet (Birkenstock R width, New Balance D width) and I have to give these a tug but then they fit fine. I don't even have to unzip the zipper. (Perhaps because my ankles are on the smaller side?) They are a tad snug at first but stretch out nicely. My only complaint is they make my feet too warm if it's above about 50 degrees which I imagine is due to them being waterproofed (I'm guessing). I have two pairs of the Birkenstock Sarnia High and they don't make my feet sweat. At any rate, as Zappos has free shipping, don't let the negative reviews discourage you; I think they are great boots.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I ordered these boots, after reading the reviews saying people couldn’t get them on their feet. But I’ve been stalking them for over a year, and Zappos has such a good return policy, I decided to go for it. I’m really glad I did, because I don’t know why people are having problems. I took them out of the box, unzipped the zipper (which doesn’t go all the way to the top, that’s true), and put them on my feet. No shoe horn required. There is a cork Birkenstock footbed inside that will conform to the shape of your foot after you break them in a bit. I wore them around the house for a bit and they were very comfortable. I have discovered that wearing Birkenstocks has completely relieved my chronic knee pain, so I’m slowly building a shoe wardrobe of Birks. I may get these boots in the taupe waxed suede as well.

The leather is buttery soft and the boots look fantastic on! They are a bit difficult to get on at first, but as the leather stretches and you break them in, they go on much easier. They run one size small, when compared to the sizing of Birkenstock sandals, so order one size up. I own the taller Birkenstock Sarnia boots and love them as well. They get better with age! I love these boots!

This is a lovely boot, very nice quality buttery leather, thick but supple, nice, roomy Birkenstock footbed. They're cute and comfortable but sadly there's a real design flaw, or two. the opening of the boot is just too narrow for many feet to squeeze thru. i was able to pull them on but it was such a struggle that i didn't know if they'd ever stretch where i needed them to stretch. If the side zipper went all the way to the top of the boot this problem would be solved. There are two side pulls that appear to be in the way of the full zipper. if this boot had a back loop and a full side zipper it would be perfect.

I love the looks of the boot. Plus love the fact that it was a Birkenstock boot. My only problem is I couldn't get the boot on. I have a very high arch which may have caused the problem of not getting y heel into the boot. I tried for 15 minutes with no luck. they had to go back!

They are very shiny, seem to be made well. They are quite roomy in the toe box which I need. Biggest problem is it extremely difficult to get them on. I almost could not, and don't want to work up a sweat putting my boots on. Also didn't like how open they looked at the top. Sending them back

Unfortunately I have a high instep and could not get the boot on. If the zipper had gone the whole way to the top of the boot, I could have gotten them on.

I'm going to begin by saying I'm 59 & have had very painful neuromas in both feet for going on 30 yrs. I have owned and worn out a variety of Birkenstocks during those many years. On the occasions I have to dress up for a wedding, funeral, etc., I'm reminded instantly how excruciating it is to wear anything except a Birk. Wedding dances, which shouldn't be agonizing events, are brutal without them. Other than those times, I wear Birks exclusively (and 100% of the time indoors). When a young cousin in her 30's bought the Sarnia boots last fall, I knew I had to have them too. She had sized up with her boots, so I did the same ( which is also what I did with my Dana and Delores clogs). I fully expected to LOVE them, despite reading many reviews regarding difficulty pulling them on. While they definitely are a bit challenging to get on, I could have lived with that. I also agree that the small zipper isn't functional, but strictly for looks, which was fine with me. I wanted leather, and the boot doesn't disappoint on that level. My angst is with the design of the footbed, which I'm very familiar with. However, this one just isn't the same as my vast assortment of other Birks. My feet burned in them to the point of agony, the neuromas were unbearable, and my feet felt no different in these boots than they do in any non-Birkenstock shoe. I didn't want to believe they hurt as much as they did, and I tried several times to wear them around my house, hoping the pain would magically disappear. Sadly, I couldn't wait to get them off each time I put them on. Other women out there with foot problems may relate to what I'm saying about the pain. I regretfully sent them back (and I must give kudos to Zappos on their outstanding customer service & return options. I can't begin to say how helpful the representatives have been when I've needed to exchange and/or return shoes. I live about 30 miles from a UPS store, so being able to have them pick up my returns is something I truly appreciate). My main reason for writing this review is to let others who suffer with chronic foot pain know that the footbed on the Sarnia boot may not work for you. If you don't have foot issues, then this boot may be a great find for you. I do know my cousin put a gel insole inside her Sarnias, as the footbed seemed hard even to her. She hasn't had any issues with foot pain and loves her boots. She bought hers' in a retail store, but ordered another pair of the same boot when I told her about the significant savings on them at Zappos. She's happy, while I remain very jealous. They are a very nice looking all leather boot. I hope others find this review helpful.

I read the reviews about how difficult it was to put the boots on initially. I tend to size down with my Birk sandals, but sized up with the boots. Sure enough, they were really hard to put on at first, but I wore them with thin socks at first until they softened. Although I’ve worn Birkenstock sandals for decades (wow), the boots made my feet feel like they’d had a workout the first couple times I wore them all day. Around the third wearing, they became the most comfortable shoes I own. I wore them on a long trip (after those break-in sessions), walking miles over cobblestones and hiking trails. My feet, legs, and back never felt sore, and I thought the boots looked stylish with everything I wore, from jeans to skirts. My 20-something daughters even said they looked great!

I am a fan of Birkenstock and was happy to see these boots! I have sandals and was expecting the same comfort and support in these cute boots. I ordered the same size of my sandals. They were true to Birkenstock feel-once I got them on! Four stars for style because it was quite a struggle for me to get these on. There are loops on the sides, but one on the back would be extremely helpful. Four stars for comfort because the boots feel too narrow. However, I am used to my sandals and no socks. The boots with socks and the fact that the feet are enclosed probably make them feel narrow. I may try a size up. Thank you Zappos for making shoe shopping easy and enjoyable!

These boots are very nice, and unlike other people, I had no trouble getting them on. However, they seem to run a little short compared to my Birkenstock sandals, so I've ordered the next size up.

Black suede, 38 regular, only wear Birks now but in past was anywhere from 7-8 wide depending Tl/dr: I have worn only Birkenstock for over 2 years now, I have many pairs of both sandals (37 reg) and closed Birks (38 reg), and have read all there is to read on this brand. I’m a qualified reviewer - and you can make these work with a shoe horn if you have your correct size (for me, that’s one up from my sandal size; fyi my sandals fit snugly). I’ve had my eye on the Birkenstock Sarnia for quite awhile. Not only does the name invoke my beloved Gord Downey from The Tragically Hip, but they are so so cute. I live in the Northeast and I have endured many foot and ankle injuries. Birkenstocks are pretty much all I wear anymore. But I was hesitant due to the negative reviews about getting these on. Then I read somewhere that it was fine if you have a shoehorn, which I do (a plastic AND a beautiful metal one), so I decided to wait for a pair in my (closed Birk) size to appear for cheap on a certain popular auction site. Found a new pair w/o box for $lessthanhalfMSP, and decided to go for it. I should note these are probably floor models that have been loosened a touch already being tried on. It just means it’s *possible* to break them in, especially in suede - which breaks in beautifully, but may take a little longer if you have new - and even longer if you have leather (rather than suede). I have high arches, a high instep, and wide feet... which happen to be some of the reasons I wear Birks. I CAN GET THESE BOOTS ON WITH NO PROBLEM USING A SHOEHORN. Not a finger. Not pulling the tabs. Put the boots on the floor and sit down in a chair so you’re balanced. Place toes in boot as far as you can at this point and the shoehorn all the way in behind your heel. As you push your foot in holding the top of the boot opening snuggly, pull the shoehorn out. It somehow works. Thin wool socks helped. If you have trouble, search online for a video tutorial. These boots are worth a little effort. These boots went on with ease. In fact, they are a touch loose in the heel, so I’ve placed heel pads in the heels. I like the width, and while they do not have the insole many are used to with the sandals (the toe bar is for holding them on your feet, and you don’t need this with the boots!), they are plenty supportive compared to other brand booties I’ve tried. My experience with this sole is with use, they *will* conform to your feet. Best of all these are so pretty and slimming. Thrilled to have another pair of Birkenstock closed shoes/boots that I can wear to work in winter and look nice doing it. Next stop: grey suede Sarnias. ?? Meanwhile, if you are still struggling with your Sarnias, or nervous to get them, but you need Birks, try the Bennington or the Myra.

I saw several reviews about not being able to put the shoe on, and that was not the case for me. My issue was 1. at the ankle it irritates if you don’t have a thick enough sock and then 2. I didn’t love how round the toe on the shoe was, felt too clunky. If the shoes weren’t $200 I might keep them as they are comfortable with the right socks but for that price I need everything to be perfect.

I really like this boot, had no trouble getting it on. I have had them for about 6 months and have enjoyed every wear.

Little difficult to get on, as some other reviews noted but a shoe horn worked like a charm!

Ordered one size larger than my Birkenstock sandals (41 vs 40) as I wanted to be able to wear thicker socks with these boots and the fit is great. I do have to tug them on a bit, so these might not work if you have wider feet. They are so comfortable and look great worn inside bootcut jeans or with skinny jeans tucked into the boots.

Like all Birkenstock, immediately comfortable right out of the box.... So excited to have cute shoes that feel like I can walk around all day comfortably. I usually am a 7.5 american... I wear a 38.

Love these boots! I was worried after reading the reviews about the difficulty in getting them on. I have two knee replacements and plates and pins in one ankle. I can get the boots on without a problem. They are so comfortable and I can walk in them all day without any foot or knee discomfort. I get a lot of compliments on them too.

wonderful shoe! on feet all day at work sturdy, trendy, great fit

Perfect casual boot. Exactly what I expected from a Birk. Comfortable, casual, and cute. These could be dressed up with leggings and a dress. I got my usual size 39 and they are great. I wore these right out of the box with little break in. My only complaint is I wish Zappos had the taller Sarnia in waxed suede. They are not boots I would buy for style, but more for comfort and they do exactly what I bought them for.

I am more in love with these than I can say. No, not high fashion, but SO comfortable as a casual boot that looks great with jeans. I can't wear Birk sandals as the arch is too aggressive for my flat foot, but these boots had reviews mentioning that the arch was not as high as the sandals, so I thought I'd give them a try. I just wish now that I had bought the other colour when it was on sale!! Yes, they had a break-in time, but they are absolute heaven now and my go-to if I have to walk or be on my feet for any length of time. Just hoping I can find one of the other colours on sale during summer months!!!

My favorite boots ever!!!