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Birkenstocks:Mention the word Birkenstocks to most people, and they conjure up images of long-haired hippies hanging out at Woodstock. But times have changed, and Birkenstock shoes are much more than just mellow sandals for an earthy crowd. The Birkenstock company has roots going back more than 200 years in Germany, though the modern company has more like a hundred year history. The real innovation that Birkenstock is famous for is the contoured insole, which gradually shapes itself to YOUR foot the more you wear it. Long popular in native Germany, Birkenstock really did move into the American conscious in the mid 1960s, just in time for the hippie generation to appreciate. And they've been here ever since Birkenstock Distribution USA was formed, moving from the classic brown sandals to all kinds of shoes worn by professionals who spend all days on their feet to Berkikids shoes just for little ones. In this guide, we will take a look at the main Birkenstock product lines, see how much they cost, and where you can buy Birkenstocks online. Enjoy!
Best Birkenstock Sandals and ShoesAs we mentioned above, what sets the Birkenstock sandals part is what's called the contoured "footbed", where the toe bar is raised up, encouraging your toes to dig in and grip into the sandal, with arch support provided by the curves of the footbed and the deep heel cup, where extra padding is located . You may not be brave enough to pick up a "used" Birkenstock and really stick your nose into it, but check out the close up design of a new shoe or sandal and you will be impressed by the natural, fluid design of this footbed. When it comes to choosing the best Birkenstocks for you, your main product choices are mostly sandals or clogs, with a few shoes thrown in for good measure (the official website is BirkenstockUSA.com). For example, for men, you can choose between the Birkenstock Alabama shoes, which are surprisingly fashionable and good-looking, the Arizona classic Birkenstock sandals, the Boston clogs, Harrison and London shoes, Medina sandals, Milano and Monterey sandals, Tokyo clogs, and Zurich sandals. We were really impressed by the Birkenstock Alabama terra cotta waxed nubuck shoes. The original Birkenstock footbed is hidden inside this shoe, but believe me it is there. The comfort and fit is right up there with the famous sandals. At $200, these Birkenstock shoes aren't cheap, but they look great and provide the very comfortable fit Birkenstock is famous for. The black and taupe weren't quite as appealing as the terra cotta - go with whatever you prefer.The Birkenstock Harrison collection is the other shoe family. These are a little more solid looking than the Alabamas, not our first choice, but still built around the famous Birkenstock footbed for comfort and custom fit. You're looking at $260 for a pair of these babies, in black or dark brown. The Boston collection is all about clogs, I don't think a big fashion item in the US, probably more popular in Europe. These run about $120 a pair and come in a variety of colors and designs. If we had to pick, we'd go with the Anitque Coconut Nubucks. Which brings us to the sandals, in the Arizona or Milano families, mainly. The Milanos are a dual strap sandal with a heel strap, for men, in many different colors, at a cost of $80. We like sandals in lighter rather than darker colors, so let's give a shout out for the Cocoa Nubuck version. The Arizona product line is the classis Birkenstock look -- dual foot strap slip-ons with the famous contoured footbed. Available in a variety of colors and materials, you're looking at $110-$120 per pair. Our choice for best looking Birkenstock sandal? The Arizona Brown Suede - $110. Birkenstocks for KidsEvery Birkenstock parent wants to provide Birkenstocks for their kids, right? And while the selection might be a little limited, the look and fit is just what you would expect. Kids shoes are just clogs and sandals, no shoes. The Roma collection is really nice, about $40 for a well made, well-designed two-strap plus heel that fits well. The Arizona for kids isn't bad at $50, but we have found kids do better with the heel strap as well, not found on the Arizona.Best Sites to Buy Birkenstock Sandals Online:While we recommend trying on Birkenstocks at a store to see how they feel, if you know what you want, there are plenty of great sites where you can buy your favorite Birkenstocks online. First, check out BirkenstockCentral.com. Apart from the entire Birkenstock line discussed above, they also carry some similar brands and styles, like the Birkikids, which includes a full line of Croc look-alikes for kids, priced at about $40. BirkenstockExpress.com is another good site for buying Birkenstock shoes and sandals online. They offer a 30 days return period (shoes in new condition only) and free shipping on orders over $100 (as they say, throw in a pair of socks if you are just shy of the $100 mark!). As an example, their Birskenstock Milano's run from $80-$110, depending on whether the upper material is Birko-flor or Leather. You can't go wrong with either site when it comes to ordering your favorite pair of Birkenstocks. You can also find stores that carry Birkenstocks near you by visiting their website (listed above) and checking out the Store Locator feature -- just punch in your ZIP code and it will tell you the retailers nearby that carry Birkenstocks.
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