OT: Birkenstocks and Alternatives

[Spinner]

Mephisto, a step above Birkenstock; easily the most comfortable foot bed.

[bicycletricycle]

I wear the Gizeh normal footbeds a lot. I ride with them, I hike with them, I go everywhere in them, I am 220 pounds. I get 1.5 years out of them. At that point they need to be resoled but also normally have a huge crack in the cork next to the ball of my foot which makes repairs difficult. at that point I keep them in casual around the house use until the crack starts to come through the foot bed liner and then chuck them.

I also have a biunch of birkenstock shoes and I get a decade or so out of those, get them resoled 4 or 5 times, they dont have the cork cracking problems as bad.

I have been curious about getting a new set resoled with a thin layer of fiberglass between the cork and the sole to prevent the cork cracking bu ti haven't yet.

Originally Posted by krooj

This HAS to be part of it. One of our Goldens loves getting as dirty as possible, which usually translates into me walking her through wet grass, sand, dirt, mud - you name it. I've noticed that the second those soft footbeds get wet - even from walking on grass - it's the beginning of the end.



I'll try the Gizeh model this time around and be sure to avoid the soft footbed. It could be that softness and moisture.

I'm also placing unrealistic demands on these sandals - like, I walked 16 miles in Portland on Friday, then another 10 on Saturday.

[jds108]

Seconding the suggestion to try Chacos. Their footbed feels similar to Birkenstocks.

IIRC you can get them with a Vibram sole, so should be good for many many miles.

[wkeller79]

How about a pair of Earthrunner sandals? The outsole is very similar to Birkenstocks. The canvas footbed is great. It's a superb do it all sandal. Love the lacing system too.

[Likes2ridefar]

Originally Posted by jds108

Seconding the suggestion to try Chacos. Their footbed feels similar to Birkenstocks.

IIRC you can get them with a Vibram sole, so should be good for many many miles.

The first vibram soles for this pair lasted me 10 years of very heavy use before sending them to Chacos for a new sole this summer:

[charliedid]

The problem with Chacos has always been that they weight like 42 pounds.

[Likes2ridefar]

Originally Posted by charliedid

The problem with Chacos has always been that they weight like 42 pounds.

Birkenstocks aren’t much lighter

Same size…
All kidding aside, Chacos are not my go to choice for fast mountain ascents or multi hour long walks/hikes. Last time I hiked fast in them I ripped my big toe nail off descending a rocky trail.

[charliedid]

They are at work but the vegan Ariz. soft footbed are like 250g not to mention the EVA ones but that might be cheating.

Still never got on with the Chaco

[MikeD]

Never had Birkenstocks but I like Tevas. Comfortable, supportive, and long lasting.

[Veloo]

The guy I get my Birks from also does foot bed and sole replacements since people like the discontinued models they have.

They were the ones that informed me this year that Louis Vuitton bought Birkenstock. They said since then it's been hard to get parts for repair and people have complained about the quality since the takeover.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by charliedid

The problem with Chacos has always been that they weight like 42 pounds.

Weight weenie! 😉

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

Weight weenie! 😉

More like weak and Skinny!

[eddief]

love them:

https://www.keenfootwear.com/blogs/k...andal-was-born

[gomango]

Originally Posted by jds108

Seconding the suggestion to try Chacos. Their footbed feels similar to Birkenstocks.

IIRC you can get them with a Vibram sole, so should be good for many many miles.

Agreed. I fly fish in these, kayak in these and even bike in them.

As far as Birkies go, I buy a new pair of Bostons when we visit my wife's family in Bayern.

Cheaper there.

Great to teach in as well, as I am on my feet all day.

[old fat man]

Originally Posted by eddief

love them:

https://www.keenfootwear.com/blogs/k...andal-was-born

This is a sign of giving up. No amount of form over fashion can justify wearing Keens