$100 Flip-flops?

[Shiba]

This thread is kind of ironic, it seems I've paid more for my Birkenstocks than I have for some of my timeshares.

 

[slip]

I wear the Olu Kai brand sandals, and I found them super comfortable. My feet are really jacked up, multiple surgeries, and orthotics for a long time. I will pay any price for shoes that don't leave me in pain.

Those are my favorites. I have two pair. They last forever too.

 

[Dori]

Clarks sandals for me! I find them so comfortable and they come in many different colours. They are usually about 65$ but often
Beall’s has a sale on for about 28$.

Dori

 

[am1]

Price is only $10 per toe if you break it down.

Is that girl math?

 

[easyrider]

I like my ugly Croc's.

Bill

 

[jackio]

I wear Spenco flip flops on the recommendation of my podiatrist. I have flat feet and used to get a flare up of plantar fasciitis every fall after a summer of sandal wearing. I’ve been wearing Spenco for about 20 years without a flare up.

 

[Panina]

I hate flip flops. I hate that thing between the toes.

So do I. I just donated a bunch of these type that only wore maybe once.

 

[pagosajim]

Is that girl math?

And is that bigoted misogyny?

 

[mentalbreak]

If only I could find a flip-flop that was comfortable enough, I would surely buy it. Sandals strangle the top of my foot, as do flip-flops.

My feet have a high instep (top of the foot is very high), requiring a wider shoe, but a wider shoe doesn't actually have a higher instep. Consequently, I cannot tie my shoes tightly at the tongue, there is a gap. This is how my feet are. Clunky and chunky, just like my grandma's. She used to tell me how sorry she was that I got her feet. Now I have a little granddaughter with the same feet. I hope her feet thin out, but I don't think they will.

I wear Good Feet insoles with Brooks running shoes. They worked great on the 800 foot incline hike we did 10 days ago on Maui at the Bamboo forest at the base of Haleakala. My feet were fine, my legs were like rubber getting out of the car after that hike.

You just described my feet as well. I was a Brooks running shoe devotee. This spring I decided to try Fleet Feet, and for the first time ever I found shoes that address the high instep. Saucony Triumph was amazing, but the rocking sole just made me feel unstable. On Cloudrunner was the winner. I highly suggest you try them both out.

 

[Cornell]

I have had 8 pairs of shoes from this brand. Incredibly cushy-y (I hate how stiff/hard shoes like Birks are) and supportive.

Quality is incredible. One pair I have is at least 10 years old with tons of wear.

One of my pairs is a wool bootie that was my primary shoe that I wore when I visited London in December.

 

[easyrider]

Quality is incredible. One pair I have is at least 10 years old with tons of wear.

With 8 pairs, it might take a while to wear these out, lol.

Bill

 

[clifffaith]

I wear Spenco flip flops on the recommendation of my podiatrist. I have flat feet and used to get a flare up of plantar fasciitis every fall after a summer of sandal wearing. I’ve been wearing Spenco for about 20 years without a flare up.

Spenco is my preferred brand for summer slippers and at home flip flop footwear, with Crocs for winter slippers. Pain doctor said “no more flat shoes”. I have double wide feet (called Ashtabula feet in my family) and was heartbroken when they closed the SAS shoe store near me at the end of June because WW shoes are almost unheard of at other stores except in athletic styles.

 

[Cornell]

With 8 pairs, it might take a while to wear these out, lol.

Bill

They aren’t all flip flops !

 

[rickandcindy23]

You just described my feet as well. I was a Brooks running shoe devotee. This spring I decided to try Fleet Feet, and for the first time ever I found shoes that address the high instep. Saucony Triumph was amazing, but the rocking sole just made me feel unstable. On Cloudrunner was the winner. I highly suggest you try them both out.

I thought about buying On Cloud shoes but didn't see wide sizes. Rick has a pair but the size 12 was too small and pinch his toes. He always wears size 12.

 

[WinniWoman]

Spenco is my preferred brand for summer slippers and at home flip flop footwear, with Crocs for winter slippers. Pain doctor said “no more flat shoes”. I have double wide feet (called Ashtabula feet in my family) and was heartbroken when they closed the SAS shoe store near me at the end of June because WW shoes are almost unheard of at other stores except in athletic styles.

I have a pair of Spenco slip ons that my hoarder neighbor was getting rid of. She never wore them. I wear them year round in the house. So far I think it’s been two years and barely show any
“wear”. Very comfortable for my back.

 

[DebBrown]

I'm not a fan of the Oofas. They are too soft and I turn my ankles on them. Likewise Olu Kai have a distinct arch which cause me to over pronate. I wear flip flops daily until it snows. The better brand are not like the of $1 pairs of foam. Living in Michigan, however, makes it hard to find much selection. So I am forced to travel to Hawaii often where I can visit flip flop stores and find quality footwear. My current favorite is the Cobian Skinny Bounce.

 

[Cornell]

I thought about buying On Cloud shoes but didn't see wide sizes. Rick has a pair but the size 12 was too small and pinch his toes. He always wears size 12.

They have a few styles which are wide.

 

[geist1223]

I do not like any style of flip-flop. That thing between my toes bothers me.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

My Olu Kai are actually slides, not thongs. The distinct arch of the Oul Kai is a plus for me, as my arches collapse, so these help.

 

[am1]

And is that bigoted misogyny?

No it is a real thing. Google it. Tough crowd.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

I only wear birkenstocks. My work boots even have the insert. I haven't worn another shoe for nearly 40 years.

I usually buy them in Germany, or find a German website that will play ball.

What's the advantage of buying them from a German website? Do they offer different models from the US resellers?

 

[Ken555]

I only wear birkenstocks. My work boots even have the insert. I haven't worn another shoe for nearly 40 years.

I usually buy them in Germany, or find a German website that will play ball.

The outlet store in Bad Honnef is a great option when in Germany.

 

[ScoopKona]

What's the advantage of buying them from a German website? Do they offer different models from the US resellers?

The US line is severely restricted. Birk doesn't just make "Jesus Boards" (aka the Arizona sandal). I wear Arizonas, sure. But only when appropriate. I demand the Harris shoe for work. Perfect work shoe for my previous job.


Here on the farm, I wear Army boots with Birk inserts. I have dress shoes, hiking boots, shower shoes, inside shoes, "loafers," and everything else (except cowboy boots or high heels -- which they don't make and I'm not wearing anyway.)

The best thing about Birks is once you know your size (mine is 46), you can put on any pair of that size and they all feel EXACTLY the same.


German websites offer three advantages:

Massive style selection
Higher quantity (I don't order unless it's five at a time)
Far lower prices

Birkenstock US is "trendy" and "niche." And therefore expensive. In Germany, they're about as hard to find as a pair of old-school Chuck Taylors.

I lucked out before moving. The Birk store where I lived went out of business (pandemic). And they donated their entire stock to a thrift store. So I bought 20 pairs of useful shoes (and so did my wife). Won't have to worry about new shoes, probably ever again.